An active intelligent energy collection device and method for a micro unmanned platform

Abstract

The present application relates to the cross field of wireless sensing and wireless energy collection, and particularly relates to an active intelligent energy collection device and method for a micro unmanned platform, which comprises a transceiving antenna, a transceiving isolation module, an energy collection module, a power management module, a detection module, a master control module, an intelligent control module and a battery, wherein the master control module is used to control the whole wireless electric energy transmission process through detection of the battery power and received power, so that the device autonomously and dynamically completes the whole wireless electric energy receiving process. The detection module is used to actively emit a detection signal to detect a signal source with high energy density in the environment, and the position and frequency of the signal source can be identified through processing of the echo signal emitted by the signal source, so as to provide information for subsequent intelligent control of the whole device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the intersection of wireless sensing and wireless energy harvesting, and specifically to an active smart energy harvesting device and method for micro unmanned platforms. Background Technology

[0002] With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) era, various wireless technologies have developed rapidly, and how to provide stable power support for various wireless devices has attracted much attention from scholars. Traditional battery or cable power supply methods bring a series of problems such as high cost, regular battery replacement, and cumbersome cable routing. Moreover, in some special scenarios, traditional power supply methods are difficult to implement. Wireless Energy Harvesting (WEH) refers to the ability of wireless devices to absorb and store energy from wireless signal sources such as base stations, TV towers, and wireless hotspots, thereby ensuring that wireless devices can continue to work without cable or battery power, solving the battery life problem of wireless devices, and has important application value in industry, medical care, and infrastructure development.

[0003] Currently, common wireless energy harvesting systems, such as the patent "A Small Implantable Rectifier Antenna" (application number: 2019112389831) applied for by South China University of Technology and the patent "Environmental Radio Frequency Micro-energy Harvesting Device Based on Electromagnetic Metasurface" (application number: 201610470948.2) applied for by Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology, employ an integrated design of the receiving antenna and rectifier circuit, effectively reducing the volume occupied by the rectifier antenna and facilitating the miniaturization of the energy harvesting device. The latter utilizes a metasurface structure to harvest micro-energy from the environment, and the metasurface structure also improves the overall efficiency of the rectifier antenna. However, these energy harvesting devices mostly achieve high conversion efficiency at low input power. Therefore, this device is not suitable for some high-energy-consuming wireless devices, such as unmanned vehicles and drones. Although some energy harvesting devices exist that target a wide power range, such as the patent application "A Wideband Circularly Polarized High-Efficiency Rectifier Antenna with a Wide Power Range" (application number: 2020102488443) filed by South China University of Technology, which utilizes a wideband impedance compression network to reduce the circuit input impedance over a wide frequency band and power range, thereby improving the circuit's matching performance and conversion efficiency over a wide frequency band and input power range, most existing energy harvesting devices are passive. This means that when the electromagnetic environment changes, the device cannot actively seek out high-energy signal sources in the environment to continuously and efficiently harvest more energy. Summary of the Invention

[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0005] To address the limitations of existing wireless energy harvesting devices, such as limited power range and inability to actively seek out high-energy signal sources in the environment, and to improve the utilization rate of the energy spectrum in the environment and continuously and efficiently harvest more environmental energy, this paper presents an active smart energy harvesting device and method for micro unmanned platforms.

[0006] (II) Technical Solution

[0007] An active intelligent energy harvesting device for micro unmanned platforms includes a transceiver antenna, a transceiver isolation module, an energy harvesting module, a power management module, a detection module, a main control module, an intelligent control module, and a battery.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution, the transceiver antenna includes a broadband antenna used to transmit detection signals and receive broadband power signals in the environment.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the transceiver isolation module includes: three ports; ports K0 to K1 are uplink channels, which transmit the power signal received by the transceiver antenna to the energy harvesting module, and the signal will not be transmitted to the input port of the detection module; ports K0 to K1 are downlink channels, which are used to transmit the detection signal generated by the transmitting detection module to the transceiver antenna, and to transmit the position information received by the transceiver antenna to the input port of the detection module, and the signal will not be transmitted to the energy harvesting module; thus achieving isolation between uplink and downlink signals.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, the energy harvesting module includes: a wide bandwidth power range rectifier circuit, used to rectify power signals of different frequencies and amplitudes received by the transceiver antenna and convert them into DC signals for transmission to the power management module.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the power management module includes a power management circuit, which is used to synthesize and manage the DC signals of the multiple nodes output by the energy harvesting module and store them in the battery.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the detection module includes: a detection signal source for generating a detection signal; an amplifier for amplifying the detection signal generated by the signal source; a signal processing device for processing the position information received by the transceiver antenna and then transmitting the signal to the main control module; and a three-port transceiver isolation device for dividing the detection module into upper and lower channels, isolating the upper and lower channels from each other, and realizing full-duplex functionality.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, the main control module includes: a control circuit that controls the detection module to emit detection signals by detecting the battery level and the output power of the power management module. At the same time, it can control the intelligent regulation module based on the information transmitted by the detection module, so that the device can harvest energy in the best position, attitude and most efficient state.

[0014] An active smart energy harvesting method for micro unmanned platforms includes the following steps:

[0015] s1. When the battery charge P < P1, where P1 is the preset minimum charge threshold; and the power management module output power Pout ≤ 0, the main control module controls the detection module to connect with the battery for T1s, so that the battery supplies power to the detection signal source and amplifier in the detection module. The signal source generates a detection signal X(t), which is amplified by the amplifier and then transmitted to the transceiver antenna through port K2 of the transceiver isolation module. The transceiver antenna then transmits the detection signal X(t).

[0016] s2. When the detection signal X(t) encounters a signal source during propagation, it will generate secondary radiation. A portion of the echo signal X1(t) in the secondary radiation will be received again by the transceiver antenna and then transmitted to the signal processing device in the detection module. After signal processing, it will be transformed into a response signal X2(t) and transmitted to the main control module.

[0017] s3. After receiving the response signal X2(t), the main control module outputs a control signal C1(t) to control the intelligent control module to match the response signal X2(t);

[0018] s4. The power signal P(t) received by the transceiver antenna from the environment will increase with the intelligent control of the device. After passing through the K1 port of the coupling isolation module, the power signal P(t) is transmitted to the energy harvesting module.

[0019] s5. The power signal P(t) is converted into a DC signal PDC in the energy harvesting module and output to the power management module for synthesis and storage in the battery.

[0020] s6. If the battery charge P≥P2, where P2 is the preset maximum charge threshold that needs to be terminated; and the power management module output power Pout>0, the main control module will intelligently adjust the module to keep the entire device away from the signal source and terminate the energy harvesting process.

[0021] s7. When the signal strength of the source in the environment changes or the channel parameters change, the output power of the power management module is reduced to Pout1*s, where Pout1 is the maximum output power of the power management module and s is the set power reduction ratio coefficient. The main control module reconnects the detection module to the battery for T1s and repeats steps 1 to 6 to start wireless energy harvesting again.

[0022] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0024] (1) In this invention, a main control module is used to control the entire wireless power transmission process by detecting the battery power and receiving power, thereby enabling the device to autonomously and dynamically complete the entire wireless power receiving process.

[0025] (2) The present invention uses a detection module to actively transmit detection signals to detect signal sources with high energy density in the environment. Furthermore, the location and frequency of the signal source can be identified by processing the echo signals emitted by the signal source, providing information for subsequent intelligent control of the overall device.

[0026] (3) The present invention uses a wide-band transceiver antenna and a rectifier circuit with a wide frequency and wide input power range, which can receive power signals with a wider frequency and input power range, which is beneficial to improving the applicability of the whole device.

[0027] (4) The present invention uses an intelligent control module, which can adjust the attitude and position of the device according to the response signal, which is beneficial to improve the energy collection efficiency of the device and increase the collected power.

[0028] (5) The device described in this invention uses an active detection of strong signal sources and intelligent control to collect energy, which is different from traditional passive energy collection devices. It has the characteristics of high power, high efficiency, strong applicability, and all-weather energy collection. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The present invention can be better understood by referring to the description given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote the same or similar parts. These drawings, together with the following detailed description, are incorporated in and form part of this specification, and are used to further illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and explain the principles and advantages of the invention. In the drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an active intelligent energy harvesting device for a micro unmanned platform according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the detection module structure described in this invention;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of an active smart energy harvesting method for micro unmanned platforms according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0035] The following detailed descriptions will be provided through specific embodiments.

[0036] This invention proposes an active intelligent energy harvesting device for micro unmanned platforms, comprising: a transceiver antenna, a transceiver isolation module, an energy harvesting module, a power management module, a detection module, a main control module, an intelligent control module, and a battery.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the transceiver antenna is a broadband antenna used to transmit detection signals and receive power signals with a wide bandwidth in the environment. The antenna port is connected to port K0 of the coupling isolation module.

[0038] The transceiver isolation module includes three ports. Ports K0 to K1 are the uplink channels, transmitting the power signal received by the transceiver antenna to the energy harvesting module, and the signal is not transmitted to the input port of the detection module. Ports K0 to K2 are the downlink channels, used to transmit the detection signal generated by the transmitting detection module to the transceiver antenna, and to transmit the position information received by the transceiver antenna to the input port of the detection module, and the signal is not transmitted to the energy harvesting module; thus achieving isolation between uplink and downlink signals.

[0039] It should be noted that: one possible implementation is a directional coupler; another possible implementation is a circulator.

[0040] The energy harvesting module includes a rectifier circuit, which is used to rectify power signals of different frequencies and input power ranges transmitted from the transceiver isolation port K1 and convert them into DC signals for transmission to the power management module.

[0041] It should be noted that one possible implementation is a rectifier circuit with a wide bandwidth input power range.

[0042] The power management module includes a power management circuit connected to the output of the energy harvesting module. This circuit is used to synthesize and manage the DC signals from the multiple nodes output by the energy harvesting module and store them in the battery.

[0043] It should be noted that one possible implementation method is to use a power management chip.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the detection module includes: a detection signal source for generating a detection signal; an amplifier for amplifying the detection signal generated by the signal source; a signal processing device for processing the position information received by the transceiver antenna and then transmitting the signal to the main control module; and two three-port transceiver isolation devices for dividing the detection module into upper and lower channels, isolating the upper and lower channels from each other, and realizing full-duplex functionality.

[0045] The main control module includes a control circuit that controls the detection module to emit detection signals by detecting the battery level and the output power of the power management module. It can also control the intelligent regulation module based on the information transmitted from the detection module, so that the device can harvest energy in the best position, attitude and most efficient state.

[0046] It should be noted that: one possible implementation method is to use digital circuits such as microcontrollers; another possible implementation method is to use analog circuits such as MOSFETs.

[0047] Regarding the aforementioned active smart energy harvesting device for micro unmanned platforms, the present invention provides an active smart energy harvesting method for micro unmanned platforms, such as... Figure 3 As shown:

[0048] When the battery charge P < P1, P1 is 10%; and the power management module output power Pout ≤ 0, the main control module controls the detection module to connect with the battery for 1 second, so that the battery supplies power to the detection signal source and amplifier in the detection module. The signal source generates a detection signal X(t), which is amplified by the amplifier and then transmitted to the transceiver antenna through port K2 of the transceiver isolation module. The transceiver antenna then transmits the detection signal X(t).

[0049] When the detection signal X(t) encounters a signal source during propagation, it will generate secondary radiation. A portion of the echo signal X1(t) from the secondary radiation will be received again by the transceiver antenna and then transmitted to the signal processing device in the detection module. After signal processing, it will be transformed into a response signal X2(t) and transmitted to the main control module.

[0050] After receiving the response signal X2(t), the main control module outputs a control signal C1(t) to control the intelligent control module to match the response signal X2(t), such as controlling the device to move closer to the signal source or adjusting the device's posture.

[0051] The power signal P(t) received by the transceiver antenna from the environment increases with the intelligent control of the device. After passing through the K1 port of the coupling isolation module, the power signal P(t) is transmitted to the energy harvesting module.

[0052] The power signal P(t) is converted into a DC signal PDC in the energy harvesting module and output to the power management module for synthesis and storage in the battery.

[0053] If the battery charge P≥P2, where P2 is 100%, and the power management module output power Pout>0, the main control module will intelligently adjust the module to keep the entire device away from the signal source and end the energy harvesting process.

[0054] When the signal strength in the environment changes or the channel parameters change, the power management module output power decreases to Pout1*s, where s is 0.8. The main control module reconnects the detection module to the battery for 1 second and repeats steps 1 to 6 to restart wireless energy harvesting.

[0055] This invention proposes an active smart energy harvesting device and method for micro unmanned platforms. By using feedback detection and active probing, it overcomes the problems of existing wireless energy harvesting devices, such as small power range and inability to actively seek high-energy signal sources in the environment, thereby improving the utilization rate of the energy spectrum in the environment and continuously and efficiently harvesting more environmental energy.

[0056] Working Principle: When the battery needs charging and the power management module's output power is too low, the main control module controls the detection module to emit a detection signal, which is transmitted to the transceiver antenna via the transceiver isolation module. When the detection signal encounters a signal source during propagation, it generates secondary radiation. A portion of the echo signal from this secondary radiation is re-received by the transceiver antenna and then transmitted to the signal processing device in the detection module. After signal processing, it becomes a response signal and is transmitted to the main control module. The main control module controls the intelligent control module to match the response signal, such as controlling the device to move closer to the signal source or adjusting the device's attitude. The amplitude of the power signal received by the transceiver antenna also increases with the device's intelligent control. This power signal is transmitted through the transceiver isolation module to the energy harvesting module, where it is converted into a DC signal and transmitted to the power management module, which then charges the battery. When the battery reaches a certain threshold, the main control module also controls the intelligent control module to intelligently control the entire device, enabling it to harvest energy at a lower power.

[0057] The above embodiments are merely descriptions of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the concept and scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the design concept of the present invention should fall within the protection scope of the present invention. The technical content for which protection is sought in the present invention has been fully described in the claims.

Claims

1. A micro unmanned platform-oriented active intelligent energy collection device, characterized in that: The device comprises a transceiving antenna, a transceiving isolation module, an energy collection module, a power management module, a detection module, a main control module, an intelligent control module and a battery. The detection module comprises a detection signal source for generating a detection signal, an amplifier for amplifying the detection signal generated by the signal source, a signal processing device for processing the position information received by the transceiving antenna, and a three-port transceiving isolation device for separating the detection module into an upper channel and a lower channel to isolate the two channels and realize a duplex function. The main control module comprises a control circuit for controlling the detection module to emit a detection signal by detecting the battery power and the output power of the power management module, and for controlling the intelligent control module according to the information transmitted by the detection module to make the device collect energy in the best position, posture and most efficient state. 2.The micro unmanned platform-oriented active intelligent energy harvesting device of claim 1, wherein: The transceiving antenna comprises a wideband antenna for emitting a detection signal and receiving a wideband power signal in the environment.

3. The active intelligent energy harvesting device for micro unmanned platforms of claim 2, wherein: The transceiving isolation module comprises three ports, the ports K0 to K1 are an uplink channel for transmitting the power signal received by the transceiving antenna to the energy collection module without transmitting the signal to the input port of the detection module, and the ports K0 to K1 are a downlink channel for transmitting the detection signal generated by the detection module to the transceiving antenna and transmitting the position information received by the transceiving antenna to the input port of the detection module without transmitting the signal to the energy collection module, thereby realizing the isolation between the uplink signal and the downlink signal.

4. The active intelligent energy harvesting device for micro unmanned platforms of claim 3, wherein: The energy collection module comprises a wideband wide power range rectifier circuit for rectifying the power signal of different frequencies and amplitudes received by the transceiving antenna and converting it into a direct current signal transmitted to the power management module.

5. The active intelligent energy harvesting device for micro unmanned platforms of claim 4, wherein: The power management module comprises a power management circuit for synthesizing and managing the multi-node direct current signal output by the energy collection module and storing it in the battery.

6. A method for collecting energy by using the active intelligent energy collection device for micro unmanned platform according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The device comprises the following steps: s1, when the battery power P is less than P1, which is a preset minimum power threshold value requiring charging, and the output power Pout of the power management module is less than or equal to 0, the main control module controls the detection module to be connected with the battery for T1s, so that the battery supplies power to the detection signal source and the amplifier in the detection module, the detection signal source generates a detection signal X(t) which is amplified by the amplifier and then transmitted to the transceiving antenna through the port K2 of the transceiving isolation module, and the transceiving antenna emits the detection signal X(t); s2, when the detection signal X(t) encounters a signal source during transmission, it will generate secondary radiation, part of the echo signal X1(t) in the secondary radiation will be re-received by the transceiving antenna and then transmitted to the signal processing device in the detection module, and after signal processing, it becomes a response signal X2(t) transmitted to the main control module; s3, after the main control module receives the response signal X2(t), it outputs a control signal C1(t) to control the intelligent control module to match the response signal X2(t). s4, the power signal P(t) received by the transceiving antenna from the environment will increase with the intelligent control of the device, and the power signal P(t) is transmitted to the energy collection module through the K1 port of the coupling isolation module; s5, the power signal P(t) is converted into a direct current signal PDC in the energy collection module, which is output to the power management module for synthesis and stored in the battery; s6, if the battery power P≥P2, P2 is the preset maximum power threshold that needs to end the charging, and the power management module outputs the power Pout>0, the main control module will intelligently control the module to make the whole device away from the signal source, and end the energy collection process; s7, when the signal source strength in the environment changes or the channel parameters change, resulting in the output power of the power management module decreasing to Pout1*s, Pout1 is the maximum power output by the power management module, and s is a set power drop coefficient; the main control module re-controls the detection module to be connected with the battery for T1s, and repeats steps 1 to 6 to re-perform wireless energy collection.

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