Wireless Power Transmission and Communication

Abstract

A wireless power transfer system is provided having a power transmitter for supplying power to a power receiver via an inductive power signal, the power transmitter comprising: a transmitter resonant circuit having a transmission resonance at a first frequency and having a power transmission inductor configured to generate a power transmission signal, the power transmission inductor configured to be magnetically coupleable to a power receiver inductor in the power receiver; a power transmitter driver operably coupled to the power transmitter resonant circuit and configured to generate a drive signal for the power transmission inductor; and a transmitter communication resonant circuit distinct from the transmitter resonant circuit, directly or capacitively coupled to the power transmission inductor and configured to establish a transmitter communication resonance at a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication, the power transmission inductor participating in both the transmission resonance and the transmission communication resonance, the transmission resonant circuit and the transmitter communication resonant circuit configured to be capable of simultaneously exhibiting the first and second resonances.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to communications in wireless power transmission, particularly (but not exclusively) to communications between a power transmitter and a power receiver where a significant amount of data needs to be communicated. [Background technology]

[0002] Most current electrical products require a dedicated electrical contact to be powered from an external source. However, this tends to be impractical, requiring the user to physically insert a connector or otherwise establish physical electrical contact. Typically, power requirements also vary widely, and currently most devices are provided with a dedicated power source, resulting in a typical user having a number of different power sources, each dedicated to a particular device. However, while the use of an internal battery may avoid the need for a wired connection to the power source during use, this only provides a partial solution, as the battery requires recharging (or replacement). Also, using a battery may substantially increase the weight and potential cost and size of the device.

[0003] To provide a significantly improved user experience, it has been proposed to use wireless power supply, inductively transferred from a transmitting inductor in a power transmitter to a receiver coil in each device.

[0004] Power transfer via magnetic induction is a well-known concept and is mostly applied to transformers with tight coupling between the primary transmitting inductor / coil and the secondary receiver coil. By separating the primary transmitter coil and the secondary receiver coil between the two devices, wireless power transfer between them becomes possible based on the principle of loosely coupled transformers.

[0005] Such a configuration allows for wireless power transmission to a device without the need for wires or physical electrical connections. Indeed, a device may simply be placed adjacent to or on the transmitter coil to be recharged or powered externally. For example, the power transmitter may be configured to have a horizontal surface onto which a device may simply be placed to provide power.

[0006] Moreover, such wireless power transmission configurations can be advantageously designed so that the power transmitter can be used with a range of power receiving devices. In particular, a wireless power transmission approach known as the Qi standard has been defined and is currently being further developed. This approach allows power transmitter devices that meet the Qi standard to be used with power receiver devices that meet the Qi standard without having to be from the same manufacturer or exclusive to each other. The Qi standard further includes several features to allow the operation to be adapted to a specific power receiving device (e.g., depending on a specific power drain).

[0007] The Qi standard is developed by the Wireless Power Consortium and more detailed information can be found, for example, on their website (http: / / www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com / index.html), in particular the specifications that are defined.

[0008] Before power transmission can begin, the power transmitter and power receiver must perform mutual identification and negotiation of the conditions for power transmission. These are defined in the Qi standard as a communication method using modulation of the power signal. The frequency of the power signal carrier is in the 100 kHz region, and the possible data rate is relatively low, since the system is quite rigid.

[0009] In some situations, especially in high power systems, the amount of data that needs to be exchanged becomes critical as more checks are required for safety reasons. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention seeks to mitigate, reduce or eliminate one or more of the above mentioned problems singly or in any combination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] Thus, there is provided a power transmitter for wirelessly supplying power to a power receiver via an inductive power transmission signal, the power transmitter comprising: a transmitter resonant circuit configured to generate a power transmission signal including a power transmitting inductor having a transmission resonance at a first frequency, the power transmitting inductor configured to be magnetically coupleable to a power receiver inductor in a power receiver; a power transmitter driver operatively coupled to the power transmitter resonant circuit and configured to generate a drive signal for the power transmitting inductor; a transmitter communication resonant circuit, distinct from the transmitter resonant circuit, configured to establish a transmitter communication resonance at a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication, the transmitter communication resonant circuit not significantly magnetically coupled to the power transmitting inductor and directly or capacitively coupled to the power transmitting inductor, the power transmitting inductor participating in both the transmission resonance and the transmission communication resonance, the transmission resonant circuit and the transmission communication resonant circuit being configured to be capable of exhibiting first and second resonances simultaneously.

[0012] This configuration is much less sensitive to the relative placement of the power transmitter and receiver, and therefore has less risk of communication interruption when the power receiver is moved by the user. Furthermore, compared to NFC-based systems, it relaxes design constraints, making the overall design of the power transmitter and receiver easier. This, together with possible savings in components, can help reduce the overall system cost.

[0013] In one embodiment, the power and communication signals pass through a power transmitting inductor.

[0014] In one embodiment, the power signal and the communication signal can be present simultaneously.

[0015] The simultaneous existence of transmission and communication resonances allows for the simultaneous presence of power transmission signals and communication signals. Furthermore, the MHz frequencies of the communication carriers offer the potential for much higher bandwidth than techniques that use modulation of the power signal, such as load modulation.

[0016] In one embodiment, in the power transmitter, the transmitter communication resonant circuit includes a transmitter communication inductor (305), which is positioned so as not to be substantially magnetically coupled to a receiver communication inductor present in the power receiver.

[0017] Because the communication inductors are not magnetically coupled to any significant extent and the communication signal passes through the power transmit and receive inductors, the communication signal is less likely to be perturbed by the relative positioning of the power receiver and transmitter, in fact, the risk of the communication signal being interrupted by the power receiver being moved is further reduced.

[0018] In one embodiment, the second frequency is at least 7 times the first frequency. Higher carrier frequencies allow for higher data rates than load modulation, which allows for more complex negotiation / communication protocols and enhanced safety features.

[0019] In one embodiment, the transmitter communication inductor is a component of the power transmission inductor. In a further embodiment, the transmitter communication inductor comprises an electromagnetic shield.

[0020] In an embodiment, the transmitter communication inductor is formed by part of the same inductor that forms the power transmission inductor, which can provide a cost-effective solution in that extra components are avoided.

[0021] According to one embodiment, there is a communication driver coupled to the transmitter communication resonant circuit and configured to generate a communication drive signal such that the power transmitter can respond to the power receiver using a radio frequency system.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the power transmitter further comprises a communication receiver (501) coupled to the transmitter communication resonant circuit and configured to decode a communication signal and capable of receiving radio frequency communication.

[0023] Similarly, a power receiver for wirelessly receiving power via an inductive power signal is provided, the power receiver having a power receiving inductor for extracting power from a power transmission signal, a receiver resonant circuit operatively coupled to the power receiving inductor and configured to establish a receiving resonance at a first frequency, and a receiver communication resonant circuit distinct from the receiver resonant circuit, directly or capacitively coupled to the power receiver inductor, has no significant magnetic coupling with the power receiver inductor, and is positioned to establish a receiver communication resonance at a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication, wherein the power receiver inductor participates in both the receiving resonance and the receiver communication resonance, and the transmitter resonant circuit and the transmitter communication resonant circuit are configured to be able to exhibit the first and second resonances simultaneously.

[0024] In one embodiment, the communication signal passes through a power receiving inductor.

[0025] In one embodiment, the second receiver resonant circuit has a receiver communication inductor configured to be substantially unmagnetically coupled to a communication inductor present in the power transmitter.

[0026] In one embodiment, the receiver communication inductor is a separate component from the power transmitting inductor.

[0027] In one embodiment, the receiver communication inductor comprises an electromagnetic shield.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the receiver communication inductor is formed by a portion of the same inductor that forms the power receiving inductor.

[0029] In one embodiment, the power receiver further comprises a communications driver coupled to the receiver communications resonant circuit and configured to generate a communications drive signal.

[0030] In one embodiment, the power receiver further comprises a communication receiver coupled to the receiver communication resonant circuit and arranged to decode a communication signal. A wireless power transfer system is also provided having a power transmitter for supplying power to a power receiver via an inductive power signal, the power transmitter comprising: a transmitter resonant circuit having a transmission resonance at a first frequency and including a power transmitting inductor configured to generate a power transmission signal, the power transmitting inductor configured to be magnetically coupled to a power receiver inductor in the power receiver; a power transmitter driver operatively coupled to the power transmitter resonant circuit and configured to generate a drive signal for the power transmitting inductor; and a transmitter communication resonant circuit distinct from the transmitter resonant circuit, directly or capacitively coupled to the power transmitting inductor and configured to establish a transmitter communication resonance at a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication, the power transmitting inductor participating in both a transmission resonance and a transmitter communication resonance, the transmitter resonant circuit and the transmitter communication resonant circuit being coupled to a first frequency and configured to establish a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication, the power transmitting inductor participating in both a transmission resonance and a transmitter communication resonance, the transmitter resonant circuit and the transmitter communication resonant circuit being coupled to a second frequency and configured to establish ... a power receiver having a power receiving inductor for extracting power from a power transmission signal, a receiver resonant circuit operatively coupled to the power receiving inductor and configured to establish a receiving resonance at a first frequency, and a receiver communication resonant circuit distinct from the receiver resonant circuit, directly or capacitively coupled to the power receiver inductor and configured to establish a second receiver resonance at a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication, the power receiver inductor participating in both the receiving resonance and the receiver communication resonance, the transmitter resonant circuit and the transmitter communication resonant circuit being configured to be capable of exhibiting first and second resonances simultaneously, and the system is configured to perform at least a portion of the communication between the power transmitter and the power receiver using a carrier wave at the second frequency passing through the power transmitter inductor and the power receiver inductor.

[0031] There is also provided a method of wireless power transmission using a power transmitter as described herein to provide power to any power receiver as described herein via an inductive power transmission signal, the method comprising the steps of generating, in the power transmitter, a drive signal and applying the drive signal to a power transmission inductor to generate a power transmission signal, and applying a communication drive signal to a second resonant circuit in either the power receiver or the power transmitter to generate a communication signal, wherein the power signal and the communication signal are present simultaneously. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the disclosed devices, systems and methods will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the devices and methods, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless power transmission system. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a half-bridge inverter for a power transmitter. [Figure 2b] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a full bridge inverter for a power transmitter. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit in a wireless power transmitter according to one embodiment. [Figure 4a] 4 illustrates a transfer function curve of a power transmission circuit in a power transmitter according to one embodiment. [Figure 4b] FIG. 2 illustrates a transfer function curve of a communication circuit in a power transmitter according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 illustrates a power transmitter and receiver circuit configured for operation according to one embodiment. [Figure 6a] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of a communication circuit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6b] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of a communication circuit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 illustrates timing of signals in a power transmitter according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a receiver portion of a communications circuit in accordance with one embodiment. [Figure 9] 2 illustrates signals including power signals and communication signals at a transmitter or receiver according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] In the following description, like reference numbers refer to similar elements.

[0034] The following description focuses on embodiments of the invention applicable to wireless power transfer systems utilizing a power transfer approach as known from the Qi standard, however, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to this application and may be applied to many other wireless power transfer systems.

[0035] 1 illustrates an example of a power transfer system 100 according to some embodiments of the invention. The power transfer system has a power transmitter 101 including (or coupled to) a transmitter coil / inductor 103. The system further comprises a power receiver 105 including (or coupled to) a receiver coil / inductor 107.

[0036] The system 100 provides an electromagnetic power signal capable of inductively transferring power from a power transmitter 101 to a power receiver 105. Specifically, the power transmitter 101 generates an electromagnetic signal that is propagated as a magnetic flux by a power transmitting coil or inductor 103. The power signal typically has a frequency between about 20 kHz and about 500 kHz, and for Qi compatible systems, typically in the range of 95 kHz to 205 kHz (or for high power kitchen applications, for example, the frequency may typically be in the range of 20 kHz to 80 kHz). The power transmitting inductor 103 and the power receiving inductor 107 are loosely coupled, and thus the power receiving coil 107 picks up (at least a portion of) the power signal from the power transmitter 101. Thus, power is transferred from the power transmitter 101 to the power receiver 105 via wireless inductive coupling from the transmitter coil 103 to the power receiving coil 107. The term power signal is used primarily to refer to the induced signal / magnetic field (magnetic flux signal) between the transmitter coil 103 and the power receiving coil 107, but it will be understood that it can also be considered and used to refer to an electrical signal provided to the transmitter coil 103 or picked up by the power receiving coil 107.

[0037] In an embodiment, power receiver 105 is specifically a power receiver that receives power via receiver coil 107. However, in other embodiments, power receiver 105 may include a metallic element, such as a metallic heating element, where the power signal directly induces eddy currents that result in direct heating of the element.

[0038] System 100 can be configured to transmit significant power levels, and in particular, in many embodiments, power transmitter 101 can support power levels of 500 mW, 1 W, 5 W, 50 W, 100 W or greater than 500 W. For example, for Qi-enabled applications, power transmission can typically range from 1 to 5 W power for low power applications (basic power profile), up to 15 W for Qi standard version 1.2, up to 100 W for high power applications such as power tools, laptops, drones, robots, and the like, and from greater than 100 W to greater than 1000 W for very high power applications such as kitchen applications.

[0039] The operation of the power transmitter 101 and the power receiver 105 is described below with particular reference to an embodiment that conforms to the Qi standard generally (except for modifications and extensions described (or resulting) herein) or is suitable for the High Power Kitchen specification being developed by the Wireless Power Transfer Consortium. In particular, the power transmitter 101 and the power receiver 105 may conform to or be substantially compatible with elements of the Qi standard version 1.0, 1.1 or 1.2 (except for modifications and extensions described (or resulting) herein).

[0040] FIG. 2a shows a schematic diagram of a half-bridge switched bridge / inverter used in an embodiment of the power transmitter 101. A DC voltage is applied between input terminals V+ and V-. Switches S1 and S2 are controlled so that they are never closed at the same time. Alternately, S1 is closed while S2 is open and S2 is closed while S1 is open. The switches are opened and closed at a desired frequency, thereby generating an AC signal at the output. Typically, the output of the inverter is connected to a power transfer inductor 103 via a resonant capacitor Cres.

[0041] FIG. 2b shows a schematic diagram of a full-bridge switched bridge / inverter used in an embodiment of the power transmitter 101. A DC voltage is applied between the input terminals V+ and V-. In some operating modes, switches S1 and S2 are controlled so that they are never closed at the same time. Switches S3 and S4 are controlled so that they are never closed at the same time. Alternately, switches S1 and S4 are closed while S2 and S3 are open, and switches S2 and S3 are closed while S1 and S4 are open, thereby generating a square wave signal at the output. The switches are opened and closed at a desired frequency. In another operating mode, part of the time S1 and S3 are open and S2 and S4 are closed, and vice versa. This is often referred to as phase control. These devices generate a square wave type output at a frequency that is the power signal carrier frequency. The effect of the inductance of the power transmitter inductance 103 is to convert this to something closer to a sine wave. However, because the switches in the inverter have finite opening and closing times, there are brief moments when current flows directly from V+ to V-, causing spikes at the zero crossings of the power signal sine wave. If there are spikes, in the frequency domain these will appear as high frequency components to the power signal. For power transfer, these spikes can be filtered out by the receiver resonant circuit and any other necessary filtering.

[0042] For high power systems (e.g., transmitting 100 W), the power transmitter and power receiver typically establish a communication channel to perform control of the wireless power transmission and / or to perform authentication or other auxiliary data transfer between the power receiver and the power transmitter.

[0043] It is possible to use a parallel communication channel (out of band) such as NFC. However, this has many problems.

[0044] For NFC to work, the NFC antenna needs to be well aligned. In situations such as a cordless kitchen, it may happen that the user moves the power receiver. This repositioning may be within the acceptable limits of power transmission, but it may disrupt the NFC field to the extent that it interrupts any NFC communication that is currently taking place. This may result in errors at the level of system control, which may lead to a reset of the power transmission.

[0045] The NFC antenna needs to be positioned so that it is not affected by the (transmitting or receiving) power transfer inductors 103, 107. This imposes extra design constraints on the power transmitter 101 or power receiver 105.

[0046] Importantly, the NFC system is only operational when the power signal is below a relatively low level.

[0047] Finally, NFC systems involve cost implications linked to hardware and other considerations that one skilled in the art will recognize.

[0048] Therefore, a solution that addresses the above problems is desirable.

[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary elements of a power transmitter, in particular the resonant circuit associated with the power transmitting inductor 103.

[0050] Capacitor 301 (C p ) is connected between the power transmitting inductor 103 and the power transmitter driver 303 (PTSDRV). The power transmitter driver 303 may include elements such as those described in connection with Figs. 2a and 2b. The capacitor 301 and the power transmitting inductor 103 form a first (series) resonant circuit. Often the carrier of the power signal is between 20 and 300 kHz. The resonant circuit (the transmitter resonant circuit) therefore has a resonant frequency ω 1 somewhere in this range at the frequency of the power carrier, for example at 100 kHz. pThe second inductor 305 (transmitter communication inductor, L c ) is coupled between the power transmitting inductor 103 and a lower reference potential. In this embodiment, the coupling of the transmitter communication inductor 305 to the power transmitting inductor 103 is preferably either direct (in other words DC) or capacitive.

[0051] At the junction of the power transmission inductor 103 and the transmitter communication inductor 305, a capacitor 307 (C c ), which in turn is coupled to resistor 309 (R c ) The other terminal of the resistor 309 is connected to a transmitter communication driver 311 (TCDRV). A transmitter communication receiver 312 is coupled between the capacitor 307 and the resistor 309, and is configured to detect, demodulate, and decode the communication signal. A power transmitter controller 313 (PTCTRL) is connected to the power transmitter driver 303, the transmitter communication driver 311, and the transmitter communication receiver 312, and controls the generation of the power signal and the communication with the power receiver 105.

[0052] A second (direct) resonant circuit (transmitter communication resonant circuit) is formed by the transmitter communication inductor 305, the capacitor 307, the resistor 309 and the power transmission inductor 103. A convenient choice of carrier frequency for the communication signal will be on the order of 10 times higher (or more) than the power signal carrier. Thus, in this example, the resonant frequency ω c may be in the MHz range, for example around 1.1 MHz. The communication is relatively "high frequency".

[0053] The power transmitter driver 303 and the transmitter communications driver 311 are both referenced to a lower reference or lower reference potential.

[0054] 4a shows the transfer curve of the transmitter resonant circuit. The first trace 401 shows the magnitude of the system response as a function of frequency, and the second trace 403 shows the phase. A peak 405 in the power transfer occurs near 100 kHz, which is at or near the resonance of the transmitter resonant circuit.

[0055] Figure 4b shows the transfer curve of the transmitter communication resonant circuit. The first trace 407 shows the magnitude of the system response as a function of frequency, and the second trace 409 shows the phase. A peak 411 in the power transfer occurs near 1.1 MHz, which is the resonance of the transmitter communication resonant circuit.

[0056] Thus, a power transmitter 101 for wirelessly supplying power to a power receiver 103 via an inductive power transmission signal comprises a transmitter resonant circuit having a power transmitting inductor configured to generate a power transmission signal having a transmission resonance at a first frequency, the power transmitting inductor being configured to be magnetically coupleable (i.e., capable of being magnetically coupled) with a power receiver inductor in the power receiver; a power transmitter driver 303 operatively coupled to the power transmitter resonant circuit and configured to generate a drive signal for the power transmitting inductor 103; The power transmitting inductor 103 has a transmitter communication resonant circuit that is directly or capacitively coupled to the power transmitter inductor and configured to establish a transmitter communication resonance at a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication, and a communication circuit that is coupled to the second transmitter resonant circuit and configured to generate a communication drive signal, wherein the power transmitting inductor 103 participates in both the transmission resonance and the transmitter communication resonance, and the transmitter resonant circuit and the transmitter communication resonant circuit (301+103 and 305+307+309+103, respectively, in this embodiment) are configured to be able to exhibit the first and second resonances simultaneously.

[0057] 5 illustrates a power transmitter 101 and a power receiver 103, and their elements, configured to perform power transmission and communication according to one embodiment. The elements of the power transmitter 101 have been discussed with reference to FIG. 3 and will not be described again.

[0058] On the power receiver 103 side, the power receiving inductor 107 is connected to a capacitor 505 (C p ) to the power receiver controller 507 (RCVCTRL). The capacitor 505 is further coupled to a lower reference potential via a capacitor 506 on the receiver controller side. Note that the lower reference potential in the power transmitter 103 is not directly connected to the lower reference potential in the power receiver 105, and the absolute values ​​of each relative to true ground may be quite different. The power receiving inductor 103 and the capacitor 505 for the first resonant circuit on the receiver side are referred to as a receiver resonant circuit. The receiver controller 507 uses the receiver resonant circuit to extract power from the power signal captured by the power receiving inductor 107. Similar to the power transmitter 103, the receiver resonant circuit has a resonant frequency in the range of 20 to 200 kHz, for example around 100 kHz. The resonant frequencies of the transmitter resonant circuit and the receiver resonant circuit are preferably the same. The receiver controller 507 is coupled to a load 509 to which it supplies power. The coupling between the receiver controller and the load 509 includes switching and / or other elements that allow modulation of the load seen by the power receiving inductor. This coupling is not described here and is within the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0059] Receiver communication inductor 511(L c ) is coupled between the power receiving inductor 107 and the lower reference potential. In this example, this coupling is preferably either direct (DC) or capacitive. At the junction of the power receiver inductor 103 and the receiver communication inductor 511 is a capacitor 513 (C c ) is coupled to a resistor 515. The other end of resistor 515 is coupled to a receiver communication driver 517 (RCDRV).

[0060] As in the power transmitter 103, a second resonant circuit (receiver communication resonant circuit) is formed by the receiver communication inductor 511, the capacitor 513, the resistor 515 and the power receiving inductor 107. The resonant frequency of this transmitter communication resonant circuit may be in the MHz range, for example around 1.1 MHz.

[0061] The receiver communication receiver 519 (RCV) is coupled to the receiver communication resonant circuit and configured to demodulate and decode a communication signal received via the receiver communication resonant circuit.

[0062] Since the power transmission inductor 103 participates in the transmitter communication resonant circuit, it is possible to transmit a communication signal having a carrier frequency around the resonance of the transmitter communication resonant circuit, i.e. in the MHz range. Thus, the power signal and the communication signal may pass through the power transmission inductor, and the power signal and the communication signal may exist simultaneously.

[0063] Thus, a power receiver (103) for wirelessly receiving power via an inductive power transmission signal comprises a power receiving inductor (107) for extracting power from a power transmission signal, a receiver resonant circuit operably coupled to the power receiving inductor (107) and configured to establish a receiver resonance at a first frequency, a receiver communication resonant circuit operably coupled to the power receiving inductor (107) and configured to establish a second receiver resonance at a second frequency, a receiver communication resonant circuit distinct from the receiver resonant circuit, directly or capacitively coupled to the power receiver inductor (107) and configured to establish a receiver communication resonance at a second frequency distinct from the first frequency for communication, and a receiver communication driver (517) coupled to the second receiver communication resonant circuit and configured to generate a communication drive signal, such that the power receiver inductor (107) participates in both the receiver resonance and the receiver communication resonance, and the transmitter resonant circuit and the transmitter communication resonant circuit are configured to simultaneously exhibit first and second resonances.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 5, the power transmitting inductor and the power receiving inductor 107 are magnetically coupled. Often, this coupling has an inductive coupling coefficient k in the range of 0.2 to 0.8. However, for the communication inductors 305, 511, it is desirable that they have no significant magnetic coupling to their respective "power" inductors 103, 107, or to each other. Such a situation runs the risk of generating anti-phase communication signals in one or both of the communication inductors 305 or 511, which can have unpredictable effects and potentially degrade the communication signals. More importantly, it is intended that the communication signals pass through the transmitter and receiver inductors 103, 107 and their magnetic coupling. By "no significant magnetic coupling" we mean that less than 1% magnetic coupling is low enough for acceptable performance, and less than 0.1% is desirable. The level of magnetic coupling can be confirmed by looking for the presence of a measurable anti-phase communication signal.

[0065] The advantages of this configuration are several.

[0066] Because the communication inductors 305, 511 are not magnetically coupled to any significant extent and the communication signal passes through the power transmit and receive inductors 103, 107, the communication signal is less perturbed by the relative positioning of the power receiver 103 and the transmitter 101. In fact, the risk of the communication signal being interrupted by the power receiver 103 being moved is reduced.

[0067] The simultaneous existence of transmission and communication resonances allows for the simultaneous presence of power transmission signals and communication signals. Furthermore, the MHz frequencies of the communication carriers offer the potential for much higher bandwidth than techniques that use modulation of the power signal, such as load modulation.

[0068] Furthermore, design constraints are relaxed compared to NFC-based systems, making the overall design of the power transmitter and receiver 101, 103 easier. Along with allowing component savings, this can help reduce overall system costs.

[0069] Here, we discuss the signal flow with reference to the power transmitter 103, although a similar analysis can be applied to the power receiver 103. The power signal carrier travels along path C p - L p - L c , i.e., through 301-103-305. At the carrier frequency of the power signal ("low frequency"), the capacitor 307 (C c) ) has high impedance, and the communication inductor 305 (L c) ) has a much lower impedance. For example, if there is a factor of 10 difference between the power signal frequency and the communication signal carrier frequency, the capacitor 307 C at low frequencies c and communication inductor 305 (L c ) may be about 40 dB. c ) - has the desirable effect of limiting the amplitude of the power signal seen by the communications driver / receiver circuitry. The larger this amplitude is, the more dynamic range the communications receiver 501 needs to be able to distinguish between communications and power signals. This consideration of communications-power isolation makes it desirable to have at least a factor of 10 difference in carrier frequencies.

[0070] The current provided by the communication driver 311 is connected to the path R c - C c Flowing through, L c and L p Most of the time, the L c to the lower reference potential through the path L p - C p -through the power transmission driver 303 (or receiver controller 507). This amount may be less than 20%. Nevertheless, the current of the communication carrier flowing through the power transmission inductor 103 may be only a few percent of the current flowing through the communication inductor 305. The current due to the communication carrier in the power transmission inductor 103 may be given by:

number

[0071] At the carrier frequency in this embodiment, capacitor 307 (C p ) and the driver 303 have low impedance, and the power transmitting inductor 103 (L p ) to a lower reference. In this embodiment, the amplitude of the communication carrier may be 5% or less of the power signal carrier. Also, the communication carrier current in the power transmitting inductor 103 is only a few percent of that in the communication inductor 305. Nevertheless, this can be detected at the receiving side. Therefore, it is possible to have the power signal carrier and the low level communication carrier independently and simultaneously in the power transmitting inductor 103 (or 107 for the power receiver).

[0072] As previously mentioned, it is desirable for any inductive coupling seen by the communication inductor 305 / 511 to be very small or negligible, which also ensures that the desired signal flow is achieved.

[0073] Due to the nature of the driver 303, as discussed in relation to FIG. 2, there are high(er) frequency spikes on the zero crossings of the power signal. These may be in the band for the purpose of the communication signal. If the Q factor of the communication resonant circuit is too high, these spikes may cause the communication resonant circuit to oscillate. This requires additional damping so that the communication signal can be decoded. Therefore, the Q factor of the communication resonant circuit is low, preferably less than 20.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the transmitter communication inductor 305 may be a separate component, for example a surface mounted component, from the power transmitting inductor 103. This has the advantage that it is small and can be positioned relatively freely.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the transmitter communication inductor 305 includes an electromagnetic shield that may provide improved isolation and lower the risk of undesired coupling to one or more other inductors.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the power transmission inductor 103 is formed by a coil, and the transmitter communication inductor 305 is formed by a portion of the same inductor, for example by coupling the capacitor 307 to a point somewhere along the length of the coil. This point should be selected to obtain the two desired inductance values. This calculation is within the understanding of a person skilled in the art. Also, the selection of the length and the overall layout of the communication related part is preferably done so that the communication related part is not positioned such that it could magnetically couple to an inductor in the power receiver, for example by being aligned close to and approximately parallel to another inductor.

[0077] In one embodiment, the receiver communication inductor 511 may be a separate component from the power transmitting inductor 103, for example a surface mounted component.

[0078] In one embodiment, the receiver communication inductor 511 comprises an electromagnetic shield.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the power receiving inductor 107 is formed by a coil, and the transmitter communication inductor 511 is formed by a portion of the same inductor, for example by coupling a capacitor 513 to a point somewhere along the length of the coil. This point should be selected to obtain the two desired inductance values. This calculation is within the understanding of a person skilled in the art. Also, the selection of the length and the overall layout of the communication related part is preferably done so that the communication related part is not positioned such that it could magnetically couple to an inductor in the power transmitter, for example by being aligned close to and approximately parallel to another inductor.

[0080] A wireless power transfer system can have a power transmitter (101) for supplying power to a power receiver (103) via an inductive power transfer signal, both according to an embodiment. On the other hand, the power transmitter comprises a transmitter resonant circuit having a power transmitting inductor (103) configured to generate a power transmission signal having a transmitting resonance at a first frequency, the power transmitting inductor being configured to be magnetically coupled to a power receiver inductor (107) in a power receiver (103); a power transmitter driver (303) operably coupled to the power transmitter resonant circuit and configured to generate a drive signal for the power transmitting inductor (103); a transmitter communication resonant circuit different from the transmitter resonant circuit, directly or capacitively coupled to the power transmitter inductor and configured to establish a transmitter communication resonance at a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication; and a transmitter communication receiver (501) coupled to the second transmitter resonant circuit and arranged to extract information from a communication signal, the power transmitting inductor (103) participating in both the transmitting resonance and the transmitter communication resonance, the transmitter resonant circuit and the transmitter communication resonant circuit being configured to be able to simultaneously exhibit the first and second resonances. On the other hand, the power receiver (103) has a power receiving inductor (107) for extracting power from a power transmission signal, a receiver resonant circuit operably coupled to the power receiving inductor (107) and configured to establish a power receiving resonance at a first frequency, a receiver communication resonant circuit operably coupled to the power receiving inductor and configured to establish a second receiver resonance at a second frequency, a receiver communication resonant circuit different from the receiver resonant circuit, directly or capacitively coupled to the power receiver inductor (107) and configured to establish a second receiver resonance at a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication, and a receiver communication driver (517) coupled to the second transmitter resonant circuit and configured to generate a communication signal, wherein the power receiver inductor (107) participates in both the receiving resonance and the receiver communication resonance, and the transmitter resonant circuit and the transmitter communication resonant circuit are configured to simultaneously exhibit first and second resonances.

[0081] The system may be configured to perform at least a portion of the communication between the power transmitter and the power receiver using a carrier wave at a second frequency that passes through the power transmitter and power receiver inductors.

[0082] Due to the presence of transmission resonance and communication resonance in both the power transmitter 103 and the power receiver 105, the power transmitter of the embodiment can be used to supply power to the power receiver of the embodiment via an inductive power transmission signal, which use includes, in the power transmitter, generating a drive signal and applying the drive signal to a power transmitting inductor to generate a power signal, and in either the power transmitter 103 or the power receiver 105, applying a communication drive signal to a second resonant circuit in either the power receiver or the power transmitter to generate the communication signal, and the power signal and a ``high frequency'' signal that is the communication signal exist simultaneously.

[0083] In wireless power systems with an in-band communication channel, the typical communication method from the power receiver 105 to the power transmitter 103 is load modulation. An advantageous solution is the use of relative load modulation, which can be achieved by high-frequency carrier generation on the power receiver 105 side. It allows a power receiver 105 with only a single high-frequency carrier modulator to communicate power to a transmitter 103 with or without a high-frequency demodulator. The modulation of the power signal is similar to the load modulation of a power transmitter with only the old load modulation of the "low" frequency. Thus, a power receiver with a high-frequency modulator can still communicate with the "old" power transmitter.

[0084] For example, initial communications at the start of a negotiation may be performed using known load modulation techniques applied to power signals ("low frequency"). Some of these communications may be used to determine for the power transmitter 103 whether the power receiver 105 can support the "high frequency" communications described herein, and whether this is a simplex or duplex communication. If so, the power transmitter and receiver 103, 105 may then transition to using the "high frequency" methods.

[0085] 6a and 6b show a communication circuit according to an embodiment. In 6a, a communication receiver 501 / 519 is coupled between a capacitor 307 / 513 and a resistor 309 / 515. Between the resistor 309 / 515 and the communication driver 311 / 517 is a double-throw switch 601, which can be used to disconnect the communication driver 311 / 517 when the communication circuit is in a receive mode. The common terminal of the switch 601 is coupled to the resistor 309 / 515, one switch terminal of the switch 601 is coupled to the communication driver 311 / 517, and the other is connected to a lower reference potential. 6b shows another embodiment in which the common terminal of the switch 601 is coupled to a capacitor 307 / 513. One switch terminal is coupled to a first resistor 309 / 515, the other is coupled to a second resistor 603, and the second resistor is connected to a lower reference potential.

[0086] Both of these configurations provide half-duplex communication. The desired information may be modulated onto the communication carrier signal by a variety of modulation schemes such as amplitude shift keying, phase / frequency shift keying, quadrature modulation or indeed other techniques.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the communication is unidirectional from the power receiver 105 to the power transmitter 101. The power transmitter 103 only has a communication receiver 312 and the power receiver 105 does not have a communication receiver 519. In this case, the terminal of resistor 309 previously shown as being connected to the communication driver 311 should be connected to the lower reference potential. In an embodiment with unidirectional communication in the other direction, it is resistor 515 that is connected to the lower reference potential of the power receiver 105.

[0088] 7 illustrates an advantageous relative timing of the power transfer driver signals 701 and 703. As previously mentioned, there are higher frequency spikes on the zero crossings of the power signal. These may be in band for communication signal purposes. Therefore, rather than modulating the communication signal during the zero crossings, it may be useful to limit the modulation of the communication carrier to one or the other half of the power transfer drive signal 701.

[0089] Figure 8 represents an embodiment of a detector circuit for an on-off key modulation signal. The input signal (VM2) passes through a high-pass filter 801, then through an amplifier (or comparator) 803, to a recovery circuit consisting of a 4-bit counter 805 and a retriggerable multivibrator 807 configured to reset the counter 805. The counter output is then fed to another retriggerable multivibrator 809 to recover the original modulation. The advantage of this configuration is that the number of carrier cycles per bit can be changed without having to impose constraints on the duty cycle of the power signal carrier. The recovered modulation can then be decoded to recover the information.

[0090] 9 shows exemplary waveforms of modulation and detection in connection with the aforementioned embodiment. Trace 901 shows the unrectified AC power output of the system, i.e., the voltage across capacitor 506. Trace 903 shows the detector output of multivibrator 809. Trace 905 shows the output of counter 805. Trace 907 shows the carrier detector signal, which is the output of multivibrator 807. Trace 909 shows the recovery pulse from comparator 803. Trace 911 shows the input to the high pass filter. Finally, trace 913 shows the power signal driver signal with the communications input signal modulation superimposed (for visualization purposes).

[0091] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art can design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0092] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer or processing unit. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain means are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used to advantage.

[0093] Aspects of the present invention may be a collection of computer program instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device that can be executed by a computer or may be embodied in a computer program product. The instructions of the present invention may be any interpretable or executable code mechanism, including, but not limited to, a script, an interpretable program, a dynamic link library (DLL), or a Java class. The instructions may be provided as a complete executable program, a partial executable program, a modification (e.g., an update) to an existing program, or an extension (e.g., a plug-in) to an existing program. Additionally, parts of the processing of the present invention may be distributed across multiple computers or processors.

[0094] Suitable storage media for storing computer program instructions include all forms of non-volatile memory, including, but not limited to, EPROM, EEPROM and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal and external hard disk drives, removable disks and CD-ROM disks. The computer program product may be distributed on such storage media or may be provided for downloading via HTTP, FTP, email or via a server connected to a network such as the Internet.

Claims

1. 1. A power transmitter for wirelessly supplying power to a power receiver via an inductive power transmission signal, comprising: a transmitter resonant circuit having a power transmit inductor having a transmit resonance at a first frequency and configured to generate the power transmission signal, the power transmit inductor configured to be magnetically coupleable with a power receiver inductor in the power receiver; a power transmitter driver operatively connected to the transmitter resonant circuit and configured to generate a drive signal for the power transmitting inductor; a transmitter communication resonant circuit distinct from the transmitter resonant circuit, directly or capacitively coupled to the power transmitting inductor, not significantly magnetically coupled to the power transmitting inductor, and configured to establish a transmitter communication resonance at a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication with a communication signal; A power transmitter, wherein the power transmitting inductor participates in both a transmitting resonance and a transmitter communication resonance, and the transmitter resonant circuit and the transmitter communication resonant circuit are configured to be capable of exhibiting both first and second resonances simultaneously.

2. The power transmitter of claim 1 , wherein the power transmission signal and the communication signal pass through the power transmitting inductor.

3. 3. The power transmitter of claim 1 or 2, wherein the power transmission signal and the communication signal are present simultaneously.

4. 4. The power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the transmitter communication resonant circuit comprises a transmitter communication inductor configured to be substantially magnetically uncoupled from a receiver communication inductor present in the power receiver.

5. 5. A power transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the second frequency is at least seven times the first frequency.

6. The power transmitter of claim 4 , wherein the transmitter communication inductor is a separate component from the power transmitting inductor.

7. The power transmitter of claim 6 , wherein the transmitter communication inductor comprises an electromagnetic shield.

8. 5. The power transmitter of claim 4, wherein the transmitter communication inductor is formed by a portion of the same inductor that forms the power transmitting inductor.

9. 9. The power transmitter of claim 4, further comprising a communications driver coupled to the transmitter communications inductor and configured to generate a communications drive signal.

10. 10. The power transmitter of claim 1, further comprising a communications receiver coupled to the transmitter communications resonant circuit and configured to decode a communications signal.

11. 1. A power receiver for wirelessly receiving power via an inductive power transmission signal, comprising: a power receiving inductor for extracting power from the power transmission signal; a receiver resonant circuit operatively coupled to the power receiving inductor and configured to establish a receiver resonance at a first frequency; a receiver communication resonant circuit distinct from the receiver resonant circuit, directly or capacitively coupled to the power receiving inductor, not significantly magnetically coupled to the power receiving inductor, and configured to establish a receiver communication resonance at a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication with a communication signal; A power receiver, the power receiving inductor being configured to participate in both a receiving resonance and a receiver communication resonance, the receiver resonant circuit and the receiver communication resonant circuit being capable of simultaneously exhibiting both a first resonance and a second resonance.

12. The power receiver of claim 11 , wherein the communication signal passes through the power receiving inductor.

13. 13. The power receiver of claim 11 or 12, wherein the receiver communication resonant circuit comprises a receiver communication inductor configured to be substantially magnetically uncoupled from a communication inductor in a power transmitter.

14. The power receiver of claim 13 , wherein the receiver communication inductor is a separate component from the power receiving inductor.

15. The power receiver of claim 14 , wherein the receiver communication inductor comprises an electromagnetic shield.

16. 14. The power receiver of claim 13, wherein the receiver communication inductor is formed by a portion of the same inductor that forms the power receiving inductor.

17. 17. The power receiver of claim 11, further comprising a communications driver coupled to the receiver communications resonant circuit and configured to generate a communications drive signal.

18. 18. The power receiver of claim 11, further comprising a communications receiver coupled to the receiver communications resonant circuit and configured to decode a communications signal.

19. 1. A wireless power transfer system having a power transmitter for supplying power to a power receiver via an inductive power transfer signal, The power transmitter comprises: a transmitter resonant circuit having a power transmit inductor having a transmit resonance at a first frequency and configured to generate the power transmission signal, the power transmit inductor configured to be magnetically coupleable with a power receiver inductor in the power receiver; a power transmitter driver operatively connected to the transmitter resonant circuit and configured to generate a drive signal for the power transmitting inductor; a transmitter communication resonant circuit different from the transmitter resonant circuit, directly or capacitively coupled to the power transmitting inductor, not significantly magnetically coupled to the power transmitting inductor, and configured to establish a transmitter communication resonance at a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication; the power transmitting inductor participates in both a transmitting resonance and a transmitter communication resonance, the transmitter resonant circuit and the transmitter communication resonant circuit being configured to exhibit both first and second resonances simultaneously; The power receiver includes: a power receiving inductor for extracting power from the power transmission signal; a receiver resonant circuit operatively coupled to the power receiving inductor and configured to establish a receiver resonance at a first frequency; a receiver communication resonant circuit distinct from the receiver resonant circuit, directly or capacitively coupled to the power receiver inductor, not significantly magnetically coupled to the power receiver inductor, and configured to establish a receiver communication resonance at a second frequency different from the first frequency for communication; the power receiver inductor is configured to participate in both a receiver resonance and a receiver communication resonance, and the transmitter resonant circuit and the transmitter communication resonant circuit are configured to exhibit both a first resonance and a second resonance simultaneously; The system is configured to perform at least a portion of the communications between the power transmitter and the power receiver using a carrier wave at the second frequency passing through a power transmitting inductor and a power receiver inductor.

20. A method of wireless power transmission using a power transmitter according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to supply power to a power receiver according to any one of claims 11 to 18 via an inductive power transmission signal, comprising: generating a drive signal in the power transmitter and applying the drive signal to the power transmitting inductor to generate a power transmission signal; A method comprising generating a communication signal in either the power receiver or the power transmitter by applying a communication drive signal to a second resonant circuit, wherein the power transmission signal and the communication signal are present simultaneously.

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