Wireless power transmission control loop with variable gain coefficient

A control circuit with a variable gain coefficient in wireless charging systems dynamically adjusts inverter characteristics to address positional and load variations, enhancing the speed and stability of power adjustments, ensuring efficient convergence to target output voltage.

JP7897364B2Active Publication Date: 2026-07-29APPLE INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
APPLE INC
Filing Date
2025-03-07
Publication Date
2026-07-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing wireless charging systems face challenges in efficiently controlling power transmission to ensure stable and rapid adjustment of power levels based on feedback, particularly due to variations in positional offsets and load conditions, leading to suboptimal performance.

Method used

The implementation of a control circuit with a variable gain coefficient in the wireless power transmission system that adjusts the inverter's operating characteristics, such as voltage and phase, based on power feedback information to dynamically match the target output voltage, using a variable gain coefficient to enhance the speed and stability of power adjustments.

Benefits of technology

This approach allows for faster and more stable power adjustments, ensuring that the actual rectifier output voltage converges to the target voltage, improving the efficiency and responsiveness of wireless power transmission.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a wireless power system for charging electronic devices.SOLUTION: A wireless charging system 8 includes a wireless power receiving device 24 which receives wireless power signals from a wireless power transmission device 12, and the wireless power receiving device transmits power feedback information to the wireless power transmission device. The wireless power transmission device updates operational characteristics of an inverter using a variable gain coefficient based on the received power feedback information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 035,599, filed on January 23, 2025, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 709,899, filed on October 21, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 571,480, filed on March 29, 2024, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application generally relates to power systems, and more specifically, to wireless power systems for charging electronic devices.

Background Art

[0002] In a wireless charging system, a wireless power transmitting device wirelessly supplies power to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device uses the wireless power to charge a battery and / or supply power to components. The wireless power receiving device may provide feedback to the wireless power transmitting device to control the wireless power transmission operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,129,864 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 8,482,158 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 8035255 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2024 / 0048002 [Patent Document 5] Chinese Patent No. 111740504 [Patent Document 6] Korean Patent No. 10-2058367 [Patent Document 7] Korean Patent No. 10-2048989 [Patent Document 8] Chinese Patent Publication No. 111711250 [Patent Document 9] Korean Patent No. 10-2036636 [Patent Document 10] Korean Patent No. 10-2561180

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The electronic device may be configured to transmit wireless power with additional electronic devices. The electronic device may include a wireless power transmission coil, an inverter configured to supply AC drive signals to the wireless power transmission coil, and a control circuit configured to receive information, including power feedback information, from additional electronic devices and to adjust at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using a variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information.

[0004] An electronic device may be configured to receive radio power from an additional electronic device. The electronic device may include a radio power transmission coil, a rectifier connected to the radio power transmission coil having a target output voltage and an actual output voltage, and a control circuit configured to determine a value proportional to the difference between the target output voltage and the actual voltage divided by the actual output voltage, transmit this value to the additional electronic device, and transmit a constant between 0 and 1 to the additional electronic device. The constant may, depending on the transmitted value, affect the magnitude of the change in radio power output by the additional electronic device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0005] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless power system according to several embodiments.

[0006] [Figure 2] This is a circuit diagram of a wireless power transmission and reception circuit according to several embodiments.

[0007] [Figure 3] This is a circuit diagram of an exemplary wireless power transmission circuit having an inverter according to several embodiments.

[0008] [Figure 4A] This is an illustrative timing diagram of inverter control signals when the inverter has different operating phases, according to several embodiments. [Figure 4B]This is an illustrative timing diagram of inverter control signals when the inverter has different operating phases, according to several embodiments.

[0009] [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for operating a wireless power transmission device during power control operation, according to several embodiments.

[0010] [Figure 6A] This is an exemplary formula for a power feedback value having a target rectifier output voltage in the denominator, according to several embodiments.

[0011] [Figure 6B] This is an exemplary formula for a power feedback value having the actual rectifier output voltage in the denominator, according to several embodiments.

[0012] [Figure 7] This is an exemplary formula for a variable gain coefficient used to determine the voltage step, according to several embodiments.

[0013] [Figure 8] This is an exemplary formula for a variable gain coefficient used to determine the phase step, according to several embodiments.

[0014] [Figure 9A] This is an illustrative graph of the inverter phase as a function of loop iterations during power ramp-up, according to several embodiments.

[0015] [Figure 9B] This is an illustrative graph of the inverter voltage as a function of loop iterations during power ramp-up, according to several embodiments.

[0016] [Figure 9C] This is an illustrative graph of the actual rectifier output voltage as a function of loop iterations during power ramp-up, according to several embodiments.

[0017] [Figure 10] This is a state diagram illustrating exemplary operating modes of a wireless power transmission device according to several embodiments. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] An exemplary wireless power system (sometimes called a wireless charging system) is shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the wireless power system 8 may include one or more wireless power transmission devices, such as a wireless power transmission device 12, and one or more wireless power receiving devices, such as a wireless power receiving device 24. The wireless power system 8 may also be referred to herein as a wireless power transmission (WPT) system 8 or wireless power system 8. The wireless power transmission device 12 may also be referred herein as a power transmitter (PTX) device 12 or simply PTX 12. The wireless power receiving device 24 may also be referred herein as a power receiver (PRX) device 24 or simply PRX 24.

[0019] The PTX device 12 includes a control circuit 16, which is mounted within a housing 30. The PRX device 24 includes a control circuit 38, which is mounted within a corresponding housing 52 for the PRX device 24. Exemplary control circuits 16 and 38 are used to control the operation of the WPT system 8. This control circuit may include a processing circuit that includes one or more processors, such as a microprocessor, a power management unit, a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), an application-specific integrated circuit with processing circuits, and / or other processing circuits. The processing circuit performs desired control and communication functions within the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24. For example, the processing circuit may be used to control power to one or more coils, determine and / or set power transmission levels, generate and / or process sensor data (e.g., to detect foreign objects and / or external electromagnetic signals or electromagnetic fields), process user input, handle negotiation between the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24, send and receive in-band and out-of-band data, perform measurements, and / or control the operation of the WPT system 8.

[0020] The control circuits within the WPT system 8 (e.g., control circuits 16 and / or 38) may be configured to perform operations within the WPT system 8 using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware, and / or software. The software code for performing operations within the WPT system 8 is stored on a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable storage medium) within the control circuits of the WPT system 8. The software code may be referred to as software, data, program instructions, instructions, or code. The non-temporary computer-readable storage medium may include non-volatile memory such as non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM), one or more hard drives (e.g., magnetic drives or solid-state drives), one or more removable flash drives, or other removable media. The software stored on the non-temporary computer-readable storage medium can be executed on the processing circuits of control circuits 16 and / or 38.

[0021] The PTX device 12 may be a standalone power adapter (e.g., a wireless charging mat or charging pack including a power adapter circuit), a wireless charging mat or pack connected by cable to a power adapter or other device, an electronic device (e.g., a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a computer monitor with a built-in embedded computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device, a small device such as a wristwatch device, a pendant device, headphones or earphone devices, glasses, goggles, or a device incorporated into other equipment worn on the user's head, or other wearable or miniature devices, a television, a computer display without a built-in embedded computer, a gaming device, a navigation device, a wireless internet-connected voice-controlled speaker, a home entertainment device, a remote control device, a gaming controller, a peripheral user input device, a wireless base station or access point, equipment implementing two or more functions of these devices, or other electronic equipment), equipment incorporated into furniture, a vehicle, or other system, a removable battery case, or other wireless power transmission equipment.

[0022] The PRX device 24 may be an electronic device such as a laptop computer, desktop computer, computer monitor including an embedded computer, tablet computer, cellular phone, media player, or other handheld or portable electronic device; a wristwatch device, pendant device, headphone device or earphone device, a device embedded in eyeglasses or goggles or other device worn on the user's head, or a small device such as other wearable devices or miniature devices; a wireless tracking tag, television, computer display not including an embedded computer, gaming device, navigation device, internet-connected voice-controlled wireless speaker, home entertainment device, remote control device, gaming controller, peripheral user input device, wireless base station or access point, a device that implements two or more functions of these devices, or other electronic equipment.

[0023] The PTX device 12 may be connected to a wall outlet (e.g., an AC power source), coupled to a wall outlet via an external power adapter, have a battery for power supply, and / or have another power source. In an implementation where the PTX device 12 is coupled to a wall outlet via an external power adapter, the adapter may have an AC-DC power converter that converts alternating current (AC) power from the wall outlet or other power source to direct current (DC) power. If necessary, the PTX device 12 may include a DC-DC power converter for converting DC power between different DC voltages. Additionally or alternatively, the PTX device 12 may include an AC-DC power converter that generates DC power from AC power provided by a wall outlet (e.g., in an implementation where the PTX device 12 is connected to a wall outlet without an external power adapter). DC power can be used to power the control circuit 16. During operation, the controller in the control circuit 16 transmits wireless power to the power receiving circuit 46 of the PRX device 24 using the power transmission circuit 22.

[0024] The power transmission circuit 22 may have a switching circuit (e.g., an inverter circuit 26 formed from transistors) that is turned on and off based on a control signal supplied by the control circuit 16 to generate an AC current signal via one or more wireless power transmission coils, such as the wireless power transmission coil 32. These coil drive signals cause the coil 32 to transmit wireless power. In implementations where the coil(s) 32 include multiple coils, the coils may be arranged on a ferromagnetic structure, arranged in a planar coil array, or arranged to form a cluster of coils (e.g., two or more coils, 5 to 10 coils, at least 10 coils, 10 to 30 coils, fewer than 35 coils, fewer than 25 coils, or any other appropriate number of coils). In some implementations, the PTX device 12 includes only a single coil 32.

[0025] When an AC current flows through one or more coils 32, an AC electromagnetic field (e.g., a magnetic field) (a radio power signal 44) is generated, which is received by one or more corresponding receiving coils, such as one or more coils 48 in the PRX device 24. In other words, one or more of the coils 32 are inductively coupled to one or more of the coils 48. The PRX device 24 may have a single coil 48, at least two coils 48, at least three coils 48, at least four coils 48, or any other preferred number of coils 48. When an AC electromagnetic field is received by one or more coils 48, a corresponding AC current is induced in one or more coils 48. The AC signal used to transmit radio power may have any desired frequency (e.g., 100-400 kHz, 1-100 MHz, 1.7 MHz-1.8 MHz, less than 2 MHz, 100 kHz-2 MHz, 13 MHz-14 MHz, etc.). A rectifier circuit, such as a rectifier circuit 50, which includes rectifier components such as synchronous rectifier transistors located within the bridge network, converts the received AC signal (the received AC signal associated with the radio power signal 44) into a DC voltage signal for supplying power to the PRX device 24 from one or more coils 48. The radio power signal 44 may be referred to herein as radio power 44 or radio charging signal 44. Coil 32 may be referred herein as radio power transmission coil 32, radio charging coil 32, or radio power transmission coil 32. Coil 48 may be referred herein as radio power transmission coil 48, radio charging coil 48, or radio power receiving coil 48.

[0026] The DC voltage generated by the rectifier circuit 50 (sometimes called the rectifier output voltage Vrect) may be used to charge a battery such as the battery 34, or to supply power to other components in the PRX device 24, such as the control circuit 38 and the input / output (I / O) device 54. The PTX device 12 may also include input / output devices such as the input / output device 28. The input / output device 54 and / or the input / output device 28 may include input devices for collecting user inputs and / or performing environmental measurements, and may include output devices for providing outputs to the user.

[0027] For example, input / output devices 28 and / or 54 may include a display (screen) for generating a visual output, a speaker for presenting the output as an audio signal, a light-emitting diode status indicator light and other light-emitting components for emitting light to provide status information and / or other information to the user, a tactile device for generating vibration and other tactile outputs, and / or other output devices. Input / output devices 28 and / or 54 may also include sensors for collecting user input and / or making measurements of the surroundings of the WPT system 8.

[0028] The example of a PRX device 24 including a battery 34 in Figure 1 is illustrative. More generally, an electronic device may include an energy storage device 34. The energy storage device 34 may be a battery or, for example, a supercapacitor that stores electric charge.

[0029] The PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24 can communicate wirelessly using in-band or out-of-band communication. Implementations using in-band communication, for example, can utilize frequency-shift keying (FSK) and / or amplitude-shift keying (ASK) techniques to communicate in-band data between the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24. Wireless power and in-band data transmission can be carried using coils 32 and 48 simultaneously. When the PTX 12 transmits in-band data to the PRX 24, the wireless transceiver (TX / RX) circuit 20 can modulate the wireless charging signal 44 to provide FSK or ASK communication, and the wireless transceiver circuit 40 can demodulate the wireless charging signal 44 to obtain the transmitted data. When the PRX 24 transmits in-band data to the PTX 12, the wireless transceiver (TX / RX) circuit 40 can modulate the wireless charging signal 44 to provide FSK or ASK communication, and the wireless transceiver circuit 20 can demodulate the wireless charging signal 44 to obtain the transmitted data.

[0030] Implementations using out-of-band communication may utilize, for example, a hardware antenna structure and a communication protocol such as Bluetooth or NFC to communicate out-of-band data between the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24. Power may be wirelessly carried between coils 32 and 48 simultaneously with the transmission of out-of-band data. The wireless transceiver circuit 20 may use an antenna such as antenna 56 to wirelessly transmit and / or receive out-of-band signals to and / or from the PRX device 24. The wireless transceiver circuit 40 may use an antenna such as antenna 58 to wirelessly transmit and / or receive out-of-band signals to and / or from the PTX device 12.

[0031] The control circuit 16 within the PTX device 12 includes a measurement circuit 18 that can be used to perform measurements of one or more external characteristics of the PTX device 12. For example, the measurement circuit 18 may detect external objects on or adjacent to the charging surface of the housing of the PTX device 12. Although shown in Figure 1 as being separated from the power transmission circuit 22 for clarity, the measurement circuit 18 may form part of the power transmission circuit 22 if desired.

[0032] The measurement circuit 18 may detect foreign objects such as coils, paper clips, and other metallic objects, may detect the presence of the PRX device 24 (for example, the circuit 18 may detect the presence of one or more coils 48 and / or magnetic core material associated with the coils 48), and / or the presence of other power transmitting devices in the vicinity of the PTX device 12 and / or the WPT system 8. The measurement circuit 18 may also be used to perform sensor measurements using a capacitive sensor, to perform temperature measurements, and / or in other ways to collect information indicating whether foreign objects, power transmitting devices, power receiving devices, or other external objects (e.g., the PRX device 24) are present on or adjacent to the coils 32 of the PTX device 12. If necessary, the PRX device 24 may include a measurement circuit 42. The measurement circuit 42 may perform one or more of the measurements performed by the measurement circuit 18 (for example, for or using the coils 48 on the PRX device 24).

[0033] Each of the housings 30 and 52 can be formed from plastic, metal, fiber composite materials such as carbon fiber materials, wood and other natural materials, glass, other materials, and / or combinations of two or more of these materials.

[0034] The example in Figure 1, where PTX 12 transmits wireless power and PRX 24 receives wireless power, is merely illustrative. PTX 12 can optionally receive wireless power signals using one or more coils 32, and PRX 24 can optionally transmit wireless power signals using one or more coils 48. When a device is capable of both transmitting and receiving wireless power signals, the device may include both an inverter and a rectifier.

[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless charging circuit for system 8. As shown in Figure 2, the circuit 22 may include an inverter circuit, such as one or more inverters 26, or other drive circuits that generate a wireless power signal transmitted via an output circuit, such as one or more coils 32 and a capacitor, such as a capacitor 70. In some embodiments, the device 12 may include a plurality of individually controlled inverters 26, each supplying a drive signal to an individual coil 32. In other embodiments, the inverters 26 are shared among the plurality of coils 32 using a switching circuit.

[0036] During operation, control signals for one or more inverters 26 are supplied by the control circuit 16 at one or more control inputs 74. While a single inverter 26 and a single coil 32 are shown in the embodiment of Figure 2, multiple inverters 26 and multiple coils 32 may be used if desired. In a multiple-coil configuration, a switching circuit (e.g., a multiplexer circuit) can be used to couple a single inverter 26 to multiple coils 32, and / or each coil 32 to an individual inverter 26. During wireless power transmission operation, transistors in one or more selected inverters 26 are driven by AC control signals from the control circuit 16. The relative phase between inverters can be dynamically adjusted (e.g., a pair of inverters 26 may produce in-phase or out-of-phase output signals).

[0037] By applying a drive signal using an inverter (one or more) 26 (for example, a transistor or other switch in circuit 22), the output circuit formed from the selected coil 32 and capacitor 70 generates an AC electromagnetic field (signal 44) which is received by the wireless power receiving circuit 46 using a wireless power receiving circuit formed from one or more coils 48 and one or more capacitors 72 in device 24.

[0038] The rectifier circuit 50 is coupled to one or more coils 48 and converts the received power from AC to DC, supplying a corresponding DC output voltage Vrect between the rectifier output terminals 76 to power load circuits within the device 24 (for example, to charge the battery 34, to power the display and / or other input / output devices 54, and / or other components).

[0039] Figure 2 shows how the measurement circuit 18 in the PTX 12 may include one or more voltage sensors, such as voltage sensor 18A, and one or more current sensors, such as current sensor 18B. Furthermore, the measurement circuit 42 in the PRX 24 may include one or more voltage sensors, such as voltage sensor 42A, and one or more current sensors, such as current sensor 42B. The voltage and current sensors in system 8 may be used to determine the power level in the system.

[0040] The specific locations of sensors 18A, 18B, 42A, and 42B in Figure 2 (on the DC side of inverter 26 and rectifier 50, respectively) are for illustrative purposes only. In general, voltage and current sensors may be placed in any desired position within the power transmission circuit 22 and power reception circuit 46 (for example, on the AC side of inverter 26 and rectifier 50 as needed).

[0041] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the inverter 26 in the power transmission circuit 22. As shown in Figure 3, the inverter 26 may be a full-bridge inverter including four switches arranged in a bridge configuration. Switches T1 and T4 control an adjustable voltage V IN It is connected in series between the control terminal that provides the voltage and ground. Switches T3 and T2 are connected in parallel with switches T1 and T4, and the adjustable voltage V INA control terminal providing power is connected in series between the control terminal and ground. Coil 32 and capacitor 70 are connected between the first node between T1 and T4 and the second node between T2 and T3. The four switches (T1, T2, T3, and T4) may be power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), or other desired switching components. Figure 3 shows an example where the switches T1, T2, T3, and T4 (sometimes called transistors T1, T2, T3, and T4) are power MOSFETs.

[0042] During the operation of the inverter 26, transistors T1, T2, T3, and T4 can be switched on and off in pairs. For one half-cycle of the output waveform, one pair of transistors (e.g., transistors T1 and T2) conducts (is turned on) while the other pair is turned off. Then, during the next half-cycle, the conducting transistors (T1 and T2) are switched off, and the transistors that were previously turned off (T3 and T4) are turned on. This process is repeated to generate the desired AC output waveform as input to the wireless power transmission coil 32.

[0043] Figure 3 shows an example of receiving common control signals SW1 for transistors T1 and T2 and common control signals SW2 for transistors T3 and T4. Control signals SW1 and SW2 can be switched alternately between a first state and a second state (e.g., high state and low state) to operate the inverter 26.

[0044] There are several operating characteristics of the inverter 26 that can be adjusted during the operation of the PTX 12. These operating characteristics are related to the inverter voltage V IN This includes the operating phase θ, the duty cycle, and the frequency of the output AC current signal generated by the inverter 26.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the inverter 26 controls the variable DC voltage V IN It can be connected to V. INThe magnitude of can be adjusted to control the magnitude of the radio power transmitted by the power transmission circuit 22. IN Increasing V increases the amount of wireless power transmitted by the power transmission circuit 22, IN Reducing this value reduces the amount of wireless power transmitted by the power transmission circuit 22.

[0046] The inverter 26 may also have an associated operating phase. The operating phase θ (sometimes called the inverter phase θ) may refer to the offset between the control signals SW1 and SW2. Figure 4A shows the timing diagram of SW1 and SW2 when the inverter phase is equal to 0 degrees. Figure 4B shows the timing diagram of SW1 and SW2 when the inverter phase is equal to 180 degrees. Using the rules in Figures 4A and 4B, an operating phase of 0 degrees is defined as the state in which SW2 is the inverse of SW1, and an operating phase of 0 degrees is defined as the state in which SW2 is the same as SW1. In an operating phase of 0 degrees, when SW1 changes from high to low, SW2 changes from low to high, and when SW1 changes from low to high, SW2 changes from high to low. In other words, when the operating phase is 0 degrees, the waveforms of SW1 and SW2 are offset by half a period. With a 180-degree operating phase, when SW1 changes from low to high, SW2 changes from low to high, and when SW1 changes from high to low, SW2 changes from high to low. In other words, when the operating phase is 180 degrees, the waveforms of SW1 and SW2 are synchronized.

[0047] In the definition of the operating phase θ in Figures 4A and 4B, the effective output voltage of the inverter is maximum when the phase is equal to 0 degrees (as shown in Figure 4A) and minimum when the phase is equal to 180 degrees (as shown in Figure 4B). Therefore, adjusting the phase of the inverter 26 can adjust the magnitude of the radio power transmitted by the transmission circuit 22. Between 0 and 180 degrees, increasing the phase causes a decrease in the magnitude of the radio power transmitted by the transmission circuit, while decreasing the phase causes an increase in the magnitude of the radio power transmitted by the transmission circuit 22.

[0048] In some configurations, the inverter 26 may operate with a fixed duty cycle (e.g., a fixed 50% duty cycle). The fixed duty cycle can refer to the duty cycle of the control signals SW1 and SW2. Figures 4A and 4B show an example where SW1 and SW2 have a fixed 50% duty cycle. In other configurations, the inverter 26 may operate with an adjustable duty cycle, and the duty cycle can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of radio power transmitted by the transmission circuit 22.

[0049] The inverter 26 may be capable of operating at different radio power transmission signal frequencies. The PTX device 12 may, for example, use different radio power transmission signal frequencies for different PRX devices. In some configurations, the radio power transmission signal frequency may not be adjusted to match the magnitude of the radio power transmitted by the power transmission circuit 22. In these configurations, the radio power transmission signal frequency is fixed during the power transmission phase, and the inverter voltage and phase are adjusted to match the magnitude of the radio power transmitted by the power transmission circuit 22. In other configurations, the radio power transmission signal frequency may be adjusted to match the magnitude of the radio power transmitted by the power transmission circuit 22.

[0050] A power supply control system may be used in which the PRX device 24 reports power feedback information to the PTX device 12 in order to control the amount of power transmitted from the PTX device 12 to the PRX device 24. Based on the power feedback information, the PTX device 12 can adjust the amount of power transmitted from the PTX device 12 to the PRX device 24 by adjusting the operating characteristics of the inverter 26 (e.g., inverter voltage and / or phase). The PRX device 24 can then report power feedback information to the PTX device 12 again, and the cycle is repeated. Examples of power feedback information include control error packets (CEP) and extended control error packets (XCE) in the Qi standard, as defined by the Wireless Power Consortium organization.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method executed by PTX device 12 to adjust the magnitude of power transmission based on received power feedback information. First, during operation of block 102, PTX device 12 can receive a packet from PRX 24. PTX device 12 can receive the packet from PRX 24 using in-band communication (e.g., using FSK or ASK). In some use cases, this packet is a CEP or XCE packet that includes power feedback information.

[0052] As previously described in connection with FIG. 2, PRX device 24 has a rectifier output voltage V RECT which may be referred to as the actual rectifier output voltage V RECT PRX device 24 may also have a target rectifier output voltage V RECT_TARGET The purpose of the feedback loop in FIG. 5 is to increase or decrease the power supplied from PTX 12 to PRX 24 such that the actual rectifier output voltage reaches the target rectifier output voltage. It is also beneficial to perform this power control quickly while maintaining stable operation. During wireless power transmission, PRX 24 can compare the actual rectifier output voltage with the target rectifier output voltage. When there is a difference between the actual rectifier output voltage and the target rectifier output voltage, PRX 24 can transmit a value proportional to the difference between the actual rectifier output voltage and the target rectifier output voltage using a power feedback information packet. In the case of the XCE packet described above, this value is provided in the XCE value (XCEV) field of the packet.

[0053] The actual rectifier output voltage can be determined using a voltage sensor such as voltage sensor 42A in FIG. 2. The voltage sensor may include a calibrated ADC that samples the rectifier output voltage every 10 milliseconds (or at another desired sampling frequency). The magnitude of V RECT can be determined by averaging the outputs from the voltage sensor over a plurality of recent samples.

[0054] XCEV is the difference between the actual rectifier output voltage and the target rectifier output voltage (e.g., V). RECT_TARGET -V RECT ) may be proportional to. Figures 6A and 6B are exemplary formulas that may be used to determine the magnitude of the Extended Control Error Value (XCEV). In both formulas in Figures 6A and 6B, XCEV is the Extended Control Error Value contained in the packets received during the operation of block 102, and V RECT This is the actual rectifier output voltage, V RECT_TARGET This is (as mentioned above) the target rectifier output voltage. In Figure 6A, the error term (V RECT_TARGET -V RECT ) is V RECT - _TARGET It is divided by. In Figure 6B, the error term (V RECT_TARGET -V RECT ) is V RECT- It is divided by . Using the formula in Figure 6B for XCEV may be advantageous when the PTX 12 is operating in gain linearization mode, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0055] Note that the XCEV equations in Figures 6A and 6B can optionally follow a floor function that outputs the largest integer less than or equal to the result of the equation. If a floor function is used, an additional term of "+1 / 2" may be included in the XCEV equation.

[0056] After receiving a packet from the PRX 24 during the operation of block 102, the PTX 12 can adjust at least one operating characteristic of the inverter 26 based on power feedback information from the packet from block 102 during the operation of block 104. In particular, the PTX 12 may obtain the XCEV from the packet and use the XCEV to adjust (e.g., increase or decrease) either the inverter voltage or the inverter phase.

[0057] There are many possible control schemes that can be applied by the PTX 12 to adjust the operating characteristics of the inverter 26 based on the received XCEV. Figure 5 shows an example of a control scheme in the operation of blocks 106, 108, 110, and 112.

[0058] During the operation of block 106, XCEV may be capped to ensure that XCEV is less than or equal to the maximum allowable XCEV (XCEV_MAX) and greater than or equal to the minimum allowable XCEV (XCEV_MIN). If the received XCEV is greater than the maximum allowable XCEV, XCEV may be set to equal the maximum allowable XCEV. If the received XCEV is less than the minimum allowable XCEV, XCEV may be set to equal the minimum allowable XCEV. Expressed as an expression, XCEV_capped = max(min(XCEV,XCEV_MAX),XCEV_MIN).

[0059] After XCEV is capped during the operation of block 106, the voltage step can be determined during the operation of block 108, and the phase step can be determined during the operation of block 110. The voltage step in block 108 may be an adjustment to the current inverter voltage determined by multiplying XCEV by a first gain coefficient (e.g., Voltage_step=XCEV_capped * Voltage_gain (where Voltage_gain is the first gain coefficient) is used in the equation. The phase step in block 110 may be an adjustment to the current inverter phase determined by multiplying XCEV by the second gain coefficient (e.g., Phase_step = XCEV_capped * Phase_gain (where Phase_gain is the second gain coefficient) is given in the formula.

[0060] Next, during the operation of block 112, the control circuit 16 can adjust the inverter voltage using a voltage step from block 108 and / or the inverter phase using a phase step from block 110. In some control schemes, both the inverter phase and voltage may be updated during the operation of block 112. Alternatively, in the exemplary control scheme described here as an example, only one of the phase and voltage may be adjusted at a time during the operation of block 112. There are several ways to prioritize adjustment to the inverter phase over adjustment to the inverter voltage. The inverter phase may have a minimum value (PHASE_MIN) and a maximum value (PHASE_MAX), and the inverter voltage may have a minimum value (VIN_MIN) and a maximum value (VIN_MAX). In one exemplary control scheme, priority is given to having the minimum inverter phase (with associated maximum possible power supply) over the maximum inverter voltage (with associated maximum possible power supply).

[0061] V RECT ga V RECT_TARGET Consider the scenario where XCEV is less than 0. In this scenario, XCEV is greater than 0, indicating that PRX 24 is requesting an increase in power from PTX 12. When XCEV is greater than 0 and the inverter phase is not equal to PHASE_MIN, the inverter phase can be adjusted according to equation θ = θ + Phase_step (the inverter voltage is not adjusted). When XCEV is greater than 0 and the inverter phase is equal to PHASE_MIN, the inverter voltage is given by equation V IN =V IN It can be adjusted according to +Voltage_step (the inverter phase is not adjusted).

[0062] V RECT ga V RECT_TARGET Consider a larger scenario. In this scenario, XCEV is less than 0, indicating that PRX 24 is requesting a power reduction from PTX 12. When XCEV is less than 0 and the inverter voltage is not equal to VIN_MIN, the inverter voltage is given by equation V IN =V INThe inverter phase can be adjusted according to +Voltage_step (the inverter phase is not adjusted). When XCEV is less than 0 and the inverter voltage is equal to VIN_MIN, the inverter phase can be adjusted according to the formula θ = θ + Phase_step (the inverter voltage is not adjusted).

[0063] When the calculated inverter phase is greater than PHASE_MAX, the inverter phase can be set to equal PHASE_MAX. When the calculated inverter phase is less than PHASE_MIN, the inverter phase can be set to equal PHASE_MIN. This can be expressed as θ = max(min(θ + Phase_step, PHASE_MAX), PHASE_MIN).

[0064] When the calculated inverter voltage is greater than VIN_MAX, the inverter voltage can be set to be equal to VIN_MAX. When the calculated inverter voltage is less than VIN_MIN, the inverter phase can be set to be equal to VIN_MIN. This can be expressed as VIN = max(min(VIN + Voltage_step, VIN_MAX), VIN_MIN).

[0065] For example, XCEV_MAX may be equal to 64, XCEV_MIN may be equal to -64, PHASE_MIN may be equal to 0 degrees, PHASE_MAX may be equal to 50 degrees, VIN_MIN may be 6.5V, 10V, 16V, between 6V and 18V, less than 17V, between 8V and 18V, etc., and VIN_MAX may be 18V, 20V, between 17V and 22V, less than 21V, etc.

[0066] Therefore, during the operation shown in Figure 5, the magnitude of the adjustment to the inverter phase or inverter voltage depends on the magnitude of XCEV and the magnitude of the corresponding gain coefficient.

[0067] In the first operating mode, sometimes called the constant-gain mode, the gain coefficient can be constant. For example, Phase_gain is given by the aforementioned formula Phase_step = XCEV_capped* Phase_gain may be equal to -0.16 degrees, and Voltage_gain is given by the above formula Voltage_step = XCEV_capped * Voltage_gain may be equal to 0.16mV.

[0068] Using constant values ​​for the gain coefficients Phase_gain and Voltage_gain can be a satisfactory technique for adjusting phase and voltage during power transmission control. However, the magnitude of the constants may need to be sufficiently conservative to ensure stability over a wide range of operating conditions. Having conservative constant gain coefficients will cause the control loop to slow down more than desired under certain operating conditions. In other words, the magnitude of the gain coefficients controls the speed of ramp-up (or ramp-down) during power supply adjustment. Constant gain coefficients may result in slower ramp-up (or ramp-down) than desired under some operating conditions.

[0069] Some of the causes of slow ramp-up (or ramp-down) when a constant gain coefficient is used are the decrease in circuit gain during phase ramping (causing effective drive to fluctuate over time during phase ramping), V IN From V RECT Large variations in circuit gain (which can be caused by different positional offsets between the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24 and / or fluctuating load conditions on the PRX device 24), as well as large variations in the design for the PTX device 12 and the PRX device 24. The constant gain coefficient must be selected to accommodate the factors listed above, which can cause overly conservative ramp-up (or ramp-down) under many operating conditions.

[0070] To improve ramp-up (or ramp-down) speed under a wide range of operating conditions, the PTX 12 may be capable of operating in a second mode (sometimes called gain linearization mode) in which the gain coefficient is variable and compensates for the circuit gain. The use of a variable gain coefficient (sometimes called dynamic gain coefficient) in the second mode is compared to the first mode when a constant gain coefficient is used, V RECT ga V RECT_TARGET This can improve the speed that matches the target.

[0071] Figures 7 and 8 show the formulas for the variable gain coefficient. Figure 7 is the formula for the variable gain coefficient used to determine the voltage step during the operation of block 108. In the formula in Figure 7, VIN_gain is the variable gain coefficient, V IN θ is the inverter voltage, θ is the inverter phase, g is the inverter phase. target g is a value between 0 and 1. target The size may be selected by PTX 12 or PRX 24, and the power convergence speed and stability may be set. target This causes a more aggressive (e.g., faster) ramp-up (or ramp-down) in power supply, and a lower magnitude of g target This results in a less aggressive (e.g., slower) ramp-up (or ramp-down) in power supply. Generally, while ensuring stability within the system, (to maximize convergence speed) g target It is sometimes desirable to select the largest possible size. g is less than 1. target Choosing the right size can help stabilize the system.

[0072] In some cases, g target The size can be fixed. For example, PTX 12 can be fixed regardless of operating conditions. targetA size of 0.5 can be used. In another possible example, PTX 12 may use g based on one or more factors such as the device type of PRX 24 (e.g., whether PRX is a mobile phone, watch, or other type of device), the charge status of the battery in PRX 24 (as reported to PTX 12 by PRX 24), etc. target This can be changed. In another possible example, the PTX 24 may change based on one or more factors such as the device type of the PTX 12 (for example, whether the PTX is a standalone power adapter, a wireless charging mat or pack connected to a power adapter or other device by a cable, a mobile phone, or other type of device), the charge state of the battery 34 in the PRX 24, etc. target It can be changed.

[0073] In another possible configuration, PRX 24 is caused by the loop iteration of the operation in Figure 5. RECT Based on the most recent change in g target This can be changed. After each loop iteration (for example, each repeating cycle of the operation in Figure 5), PRX 24 adjusts the V from before and after the operation of block 104 in Figure 5. RECT Changes, for example, V RECT_CHANGE ) can be calculated. For example, V RECT_CHANGE =V RECT '-V RECT And in the formula, V RECT ' is the rectifier voltage from before the most recent loop iteration (for example, from before the operating characteristics were updated in block 104), V RECT V is the rectifier voltage since the most recent loop iteration (for example, since the operating characteristics were updated in block 104). RECT_CHANGE After calculating, PRX 24 is g observed We can calculate g observed =V RECT_CHANGE / (V RECT_TARGET -V RECT ) g observed After calculating, PRX 24 is g observedThis can be compared to a constant G (or more generally, a threshold). The constant G may be less than or equal to 1 (e.g., 0.8 to 1.0, 0.9 to 1.0, etc.). observed When is greater than G, PRX 24 is g target It can increase g observed When is less than G, PRX 24 is g target It can reduce.

[0074] Note that the equations in Figures 6A, 6B, and 7 include the constant 128. The magnitude of this constant may relate to the number of bits in the XCEV. In this example, the XCEV has 8 bits, and 128 is used to scale to the 8-bit limit. If the XCEV has different ranges (e.g., different numbers of bits), a constant other than 128 may be used in the equations in Figures 6A, 6B, and 7. In general, the value of the constant may be proportional to the bit length of the relevant field in the power feedback data packet.

[0075] Figure 8 shows the formula for the variable gain coefficient used to determine the phase step during the operation of block 110. In the formula in Figure 8, Phase_gain is the variable gain coefficient used to determine the phase step, VIN_gain is the variable gain coefficient calculated using the formula in Figure 7, VIN_MIN is the minimum inverter voltage, and θ is the inverter phase. Note that the formula in Figure 8 may optionally include a small constant (e.g., 0.01) in the denominator to avoid division by zero errors.

[0076] The equations in Figures 7 and 8 are merely illustrative. In general, VIN_gain is

number

number

[0077] It should be noted that using the equation in Figure 6B for XCEV can simplify the gain linearization operation of PTX 12. When the equation in Figure 6B is used for XCEV, the equation for the variable gain coefficient for determining the voltage step is simplified.

[0078] The operation in Figure 5 is shown by the feedback loop 114 in Figure 5, V RECT ga V RECT_TARGET It can be repeated until it matches.

[0079] Figures 9A and 9C are graphs showing different parameters during power transmission operation between PTX 12 and PRX 24. Figure 9A shows the inverter phase across multiple loop iterations (e.g., multiple inverter adjustments as shown by the feedback loop in Figure 5), Figure 9B shows the inverter voltage across multiple loop iterations, and Figure 9C shows the actual rectifier output voltage across multiple loop iterations. Figure 9A shows a first profile 122 for the inverter phase when PTX 12 operates in constant-gain mode using a constant-gain coefficient, and a second profile 124 for the inverter phase when PTX 12 operates in gain-linearization mode using a variable-gain coefficient. Figure 9B shows a first profile 126 for the inverter voltage when PTX 12 operates in constant-gain mode using a constant-gain coefficient, and a second profile 128 for the inverter voltage when PTX 12 operates in gain-linearization mode using a variable-gain coefficient. Figure 9C shows a first profile 130 of the actual rectifier output voltage when the PTX 12 operates in constant-gain mode using a constant-gain coefficient, and a second profile 132 of the actual rectifier output voltage when the PTX 12 operates in gain-linearized mode using a variable-gain coefficient.

[0080] In the scenarios shown in Figures 9A and 9C, at time 0, the actual rectifier output voltage may be less than the target rectifier output voltage. Therefore, PTX 12 needs to ramp up the power supply to match the actual rectifier output voltage to the target rectifier output voltage. As shown in Figure 9A, in both profiles, the phase ramps down over time from PHASE_MAX (e.g., 50 degrees where power transmission is minimum) to PHASE_MIN (e.g., 0 degrees where power transmission is maximum). However, when PTX 12 operates in gain linearization mode, the phase ramps down more rapidly in profile 124.

[0081] As shown in Figure 9B, for both profiles, the inverter voltage begins to ramp up when the phase reaches 0 degrees. In profile 126, the inverter voltage begins to ramp up in loop iteration L2 when the phase reaches 0 degrees. In profile 128, the inverter voltage begins to ramp up in loop iteration L1 when the phase reaches 0 degrees. Therefore, the inverter voltage begins to ramp up earlier in profile 128 than in profile 126. The inverter voltage may also ramp up faster in profile 128 than in profile 126.

[0082] As shown in Figure 9C, for both profiles, the actual rectifier output voltage ramps up over time. In profile 130, the actual rectifier output voltage has a discontinuity in loop iteration L2 when inverter phase adjustment is complete and inverter voltage adjustment begins. In contrast, in profile 132, the actual rectifier output voltage does not have a discontinuity. Furthermore, the actual rectifier output voltage ramps up faster in profile 132 than in profile 130. RECT In profile 132, the target rectifier output voltage can be reached with fewer loop iterations than in profile 130.

[0083] Therefore, operating the PTX 12 in gain linearization mode can improve the ramp-up (or ramp-down) speed in the power control loop and avoid discontinuities in the actual rectifier output voltage during ramp-up (or ramp-down). Operating the PTX 12 in gain linearization mode can also unify the ramp-up / down speed across different circuit gains (caused, for example, by different positional offsets between the PTX 12 and the PRX 24 and / or different load conditions in the PRX 24).

[0084] Figure 10 is a state diagram showing how the PTX 12 may operate in one of the selected modes: gain linearization mode 142 (sometimes called variable gain coefficient mode 142) and constant gain mode 144 (sometimes called constant gain coefficient mode 144). The control circuit 16 may put the PTX 12 into one of modes 142 and 144 based on one or more factors such as the device type of the PRX 24 (for example, whether the PRX is a mobile phone, a wristwatch, or some other type of device) and the charge state of the battery in the PRX 24 (as reported to the PTX 12 by the PRX 24). In yet another possible example, the PRX 24 may send a command to the PTX 12 to put it into one of modes 142 and 144 based on one or more factors such as the device type of the PTX 12 (for example, whether the PTX is a standalone power adapter, a wireless charging mat or pack connected to a power adapter or other device by a cable, a mobile phone, or other type of device), and the charge state of the battery 34 in the PRX 24.

[0085] When the PRX 24 controls whether the PTX 12 operates in mode 142 or mode 144, mode selection information may be included in the same packet as the XCEV as needed (for example, a bit in the XCE packet may identify whether the PTX 12 should operate in gain-linearized mode 142 or constant-gain mode 144). Alternatively, mode selection information may be included in a separate packet from the XCEV. The XCE packet with the updated XCEV may be sent by the PRX 24 with each iteration of the control loop. In contrast, the additional packet with mode selection information may be sent separately from the XCE packet by the PRX 24 only when the PRX 24 wants to change the mode of the PTX 12.

[0086] Similarly, PRX 24 is for PTX 12 factor When selecting the size, g factor The size may be included in the same packet as the XCEV if necessary (for example, if the dedicated bits in the XCE packet are g factor (The size of may be identified.) Or, g factor The size of may be contained in a separate packet from the XCEV. An XCE packet with the updated XCEV may be sent by PRX 24 with each iteration of the control loop. In contrast, g factor Additional packets of a certain size are sent separately from XCE packets by PRX 24. factor If you want to change the size of the XCE packet, it can be sent separately by PRX 24.

[0087] As an example, PRX 24 may send a first packet containing mode selection information to PTX 12 during the handshake operation with PTX 12 and before the power transmission phase begins. PRX 24 may send a first packet containing mode selection information to PTX 12 during the handshake operation with PTX 12 and before the power transmission phase begins. factor A second packet containing the size of the first packet can be sent to the PTX 12. The PRX 24 can then repeatedly send XCE packets to the PTX 12 during the power transmission phase.

[0088] According to one embodiment, a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium can store one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of an additional electronic device and an electronic device configured to transmit wireless power. The electronic device may include a wireless power transmission coil and an inverter configured to supply AC drive signals to the wireless power transmission coil, and the one or more programs may include instructions to receive information from the additional electronic device, including power feedback information, and to adjust at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using a variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information.

[0089] According to one embodiment, a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium can store one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of an electronic device configured to receive radio power from an additional electronic device. The electronic device may include a radio power transmission coil and a rectifier connected to the radio power transmission coil having a target output voltage and an actual output voltage, and one or more programs include instructions to determine a first value proportional to the difference between the target output voltage and the actual voltage divided by the actual output voltage, transmit the first value to the additional electronic device, and transmit a second value between 0 and 1 to the additional electronic device, the second value influencing the magnitude of the change in radio power output by the additional electronic device in accordance with the transmitted first value.

[0090] According to one embodiment, a method for operating an electronic device configured to receive wireless power from an additional electronic device, the electronic device comprising: a wireless power transmission coil; and a rectifier connected to the wireless power transmission coil having a target output voltage and an actual output voltage; the method including determining a first value proportional to the difference between the target output voltage and the actual voltage divided by the actual output voltage; transmitting the first value to the additional electronic device; and transmitting a second value to the additional electronic device, between 0 and 1, the second value affecting the magnitude of the change in wireless power output by the additional electronic device in response to the transmitted first value.

[0091] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided which is configured to transmit wireless power with an additional electronic device, the electronic device comprising: a wireless power transmission coil; an inverter configured to supply an AC drive signal to the wireless power transmission coil; and a control circuit configured to receive information, including power feedback information, from the additional electronic device, and to adjust at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using a variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information.

[0092] According to another embodiment, adjusting at least one operating characteristic of the inverter optionally includes adjusting the input voltage to the inverter, the magnitude of which the adjustment to the input voltage is determined using a variable gain coefficient and power feedback information from additional electronic devices.

[0093] According to another embodiment, adjusting at least one operating characteristic of the inverter optionally includes adjusting the operating phase of the inverter, the magnitude of which the adjustment to the operating phase is determined using a variable gain coefficient and power feedback information from additional electronic devices.

[0094] According to another embodiment, adjusting at least one operating characteristic of the inverter optionally includes adjusting one of the duty cycle and the radio power transmission signal frequency, the magnitude of the adjustment to the one of the duty cycle and the radio power transmission signal frequency is determined using a variable gain coefficient and power feedback information from additional electronic devices.

[0095] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is optionally further configured to adjust at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using predetermined gain and power feedback information, wherein the predetermined gain is optionally predetermined before coupling between the electronic device and additional electronic devices.

[0096] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to optionally select one of a predetermined gain and a variable gain coefficient to adjust at least one operating characteristic of the inverter based on information from an additional electronic device.

[0097] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is optionally configured to adjust at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using a predetermined gain in a constant-gain mode, and optionally configured to adjust at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using a variable gain coefficient in a gain-linearization mode, the power feedback information optionally includes a value proportional to the difference between a target rectifier output voltage of an additional electronic device and the actual rectifier output voltage of an additional electronic device, and adjusting at least one operating characteristic of the inverter optionally includes repeatedly adjusting at least one operating characteristic of the inverter until the actual rectifier output voltage matches the target rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device, and in the gain-linearization mode, the actual rectifier output voltage matches the target rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device faster than in the constant-gain mode.

[0098] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to optionally determine a variable gain coefficient as a function of at least the inverter voltage, the inverter phase, and a value between 0 and 1.

[0099] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is optionally configured to receive values ​​from additional electronic devices.

[0100] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to optionally determine an additional variable gain coefficient as a function of at least the variable gain coefficient, the minimum inverter voltage, and the inverter phase.

[0101] According to another embodiment, the control circuit optionally uses the formula

number

number

[0102] According to another embodiment, the power feedback information optionally includes a value proportional to the difference between the target rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device and the actual rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device.

[0103] According to another embodiment, adjusting at least one operating characteristic of the inverter optionally includes adjusting the input voltage to the inverter, the magnitude of the adjustment with respect to the input voltage is determined by multiplying a variable gain coefficient by a value.

[0104] According to another embodiment, adjusting at least one operating characteristic of the inverter optionally includes adjusting the operating phase of the inverter, the magnitude of the adjustment to the operating phase optionally determined by multiplying a variable gain coefficient by a value.

[0105] According to one embodiment, a method is provided for operating an electronic device configured to transmit wireless power with an additional electronic device, which includes a wireless power transmission coil and an inverter configured to supply an AC drive signal to the wireless power transmission coil, the method comprising receiving information from the additional electronic device, including power feedback information, and adjusting at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using a variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information.

[0106] According to one embodiment, an electronic device is provided that is configured to receive radio power from an additional electronic device, and includes: a radio power transmission coil; a rectifier connected to the radio power transmission coil, the rectifier having a target output voltage and an actual output voltage; and a control circuit configured to determine a first value proportional to the difference between the target output voltage and the actual voltage divided by the actual output voltage, transmit the first value to the additional electronic device, and transmit to the additional electronic device a second value between 0 and 1, the second value affecting the magnitude of the change in radio power output by the additional electronic device in accordance with the transmitted first value.

[0107] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is optionally configured to repeatedly transmit a first packet containing a first value using a wireless power transmission coil during the power transmission phase, and the control circuit is optionally configured to transmit a second packet containing a second value using a wireless power transmission coil before the power transmission phase.

[0108] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is optionally configured to use a wireless power transmission coil to transmit a first packet containing both a first value and a second value.

[0109] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is configured to optionally transmit information to an additional electronic device to operate the additional electronic device in one of two selected modes: a gain linearization mode and a constant gain mode.

[0110] According to another embodiment, the control circuit is optionally configured to determine the magnitude of a second value based at least in part on the magnitude of the change in the actual output voltage.

[0111] The above is merely illustrative, and various modifications may be made to the described embodiments. The aforementioned embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Claims

1. An electronic device configured to transmit additional electronic devices and wireless power, wherein the electronic device is Wireless power transmission coil and An inverter configured to supply an AC drive signal to the aforementioned wireless power transmission coil, The control circuit comprises, The Additional electronic device receives information, the information includes power feedback information, It is configured to determine the variable gain coefficient as a function of at least the inverter voltage, inverter phase, and a value between 0 and 1. An electronic device configured to adjust at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using the variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes adjusting the input voltage to the inverter, the magnitude of the adjustment with respect to the input voltage is determined using the variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information from the additional electronic device.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes adjusting the operating phase of the inverter, the magnitude of the adjustment to the operating phase is determined using the variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information from the additional electronic device.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes adjusting a selected one of the duty cycle and the wireless power transmission signal frequency, the magnitude of the adjustment to the selected one of the duty cycle and the wireless power transmission signal frequency is determined using the variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information from the additional electronic device.

5. The aforementioned control circuit is The electronic device according to claim 1, further configured to adjust the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using a predetermined gain and the power feedback information, wherein the predetermined gain is predetermined before coupling between the electronic device and the additional electronic device.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the control circuit is configured to select one of the predetermined gain and the variable gain coefficient to adjust the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter based on the information from the additional electronic device.

7. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using the predetermined gain in a constant gain mode, the control circuit is configured to adjust the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using the variable gain coefficient in a gain linearization mode, the power feedback information includes a value proportional to the difference between a target rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device and the actual rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device, adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes repeatedly adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter until the actual rectifier output voltage in the additional electronic device matches the target rectifier output voltage, and the actual rectifier output voltage matches the target rectifier output voltage in the additional electronic device faster in the gain linearization mode than in the constant gain mode.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive the value from the additional electronic device.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine an additional variable gain coefficient as a function of at least the variable gain coefficient, the minimum inverter voltage, and the inverter phase.

10. The aforementioned control circuit is, The variable gain coefficient is determined using the formula, where VIN_gain is the variable gain coefficient, and V IN θ is the inverter voltage, θ is the inverter phase, n is a constant proportional to the bit length of the power feedback information, and g target The above value is, and the control circuit is given by equation The electronic device according to claim 9, configured to determine the additional variable gain coefficient using the formula, where Phase_gain is the additional variable gain coefficient, VIN_gain is the variable gain coefficient, VIN_MIN is the minimum inverter voltage, and θ is the inverter phase.

11. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the power feedback information includes a value proportional to the difference between the target rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device and the actual rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device.

12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes adjusting the input voltage to the inverter, the magnitude of the adjustment with respect to the input voltage is determined by multiplying the variable gain coefficient by the value.

13. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes adjusting the operating phase of the inverter, the magnitude of the adjustment to the operating phase is determined by multiplying the variable gain coefficient by the value.

14. A method for operating an additional electronic device and an electronic device configured to transmit wireless power, wherein the electronic device comprises a wireless power transmission coil and an inverter configured to supply an AC drive signal to the wireless power transmission coil, and the method is The additional electronic device receives information, the information includes power feedback information. Using the variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information, adjust at least one operating characteristic of the inverter, Adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using a predetermined gain and the power feedback information, wherein the predetermined gain is determined in advance before coupling between the electronic device and the additional electronic device. Methods that include...

15. An additional electronic device and an electronic device configured to receive wireless power, wherein the electronic device is Wireless power transmission coil and A rectifier connected to the wireless power transmission coil, wherein the rectifier has a target output voltage and an actual output voltage, The control circuit comprises, A first value proportional to the value obtained by dividing the difference between the target output voltage and the actual voltage by the actual output voltage is determined. The first value is transmitted to the additional electronic device, An electronic device configured to transmit a second value between 0 and 1, the second value in which, in response to the transmitted first value, the magnitude of the change in the wireless power output by the additional electronic device.

16. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the control circuit is configured to repeatedly transmit a first packet containing the first value using the wireless power transmission coil during the power transmission phase, and the control circuit is configured to transmit a second packet containing the second value using the wireless power transmission coil before the power transmission phase.

17. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the control circuit is configured to transmit a first packet comprising both the first value and the second value using the wireless power transmission coil.

18. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the control circuit is configured to transmit information to the additional electronic device to operate the additional electronic device in one of a gain linearization mode and a constant gain mode.

19. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine the magnitude of the second value based at least in part on the magnitude of the change in the actual output voltage.

20. The method according to claim 14, wherein adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes adjusting the input voltage to the inverter, the magnitude of the adjustment with respect to the input voltage is determined using the variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information from the additional electronic device.

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes adjusting the operating phase of the inverter, the magnitude of the adjustment to the operating phase is determined using the variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information from the additional electronic device.

22. The method according to claim 14, wherein adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes adjusting a selected one of the duty cycle and the radio power transmission signal frequency, the magnitude of the adjustment to the selected one of the duty cycle and the radio power transmission signal frequency is determined using the variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information from the additional electronic device.

23. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting one of the predetermined gain and the variable gain coefficient to adjust the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter based on the information from the additional electronic device.

24. Adjusting at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using the predetermined gain in constant gain mode, Adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using the variable gain coefficient in a gain linearization mode, wherein the power feedback information includes a value proportional to the difference between the target rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device and the actual rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device, and adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes repeatedly adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter until the actual rectifier output voltage matches the target rectifier output voltage in the additional electronic device, and the adjustment such that the actual rectifier output voltage matches the target rectifier output voltage in the additional electronic device faster in the gain linearization mode than in the constant gain mode. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

25. The method according to claim 14, further comprising determining a variable gain coefficient as a function of at least inverter voltage, inverter phase, and a value between 0 and 1.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising receiving the value from the additional electronic device.

27. ​​The variable gain coefficient is determined by the formula The variable gain coefficient is determined using the formula, where VIN_gain is the variable gain coefficient, V IN is the inverter voltage, θ is the inverter phase, n is a constant proportional to the bit length of the power feedback information, and g target is the value, and this includes determining the variable gain coefficient using the formula, where VIN_gain is the variable gain coefficient, V IN is the inverter voltage, θ is the inverter phase, n is a constant proportional to the bit length of the power feedback information, and g target is the value, The above method is, The method according to claim 25, further comprising determining an additional variable gain coefficient as a function of at least the variable gain coefficient, minimum inverter voltage and inverter phase, using the formula where Phase_gain is the additional variable gain coefficient, VIN_gain is the variable gain coefficient, VIN_MIN is the minimum inverter voltage and θ is the inverter phase.

28. The method according to claim 14, wherein the power feedback information includes a value proportional to the difference between the target rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device and the actual rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes adjusting the input voltage to the inverter, the magnitude of the adjustment with respect to the input voltage is determined by multiplying the variable gain coefficient by the value.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes adjusting the operating phase of the inverter, the magnitude of the adjustment to the operating phase is determined by multiplying the variable gain coefficient by the value.

31. An electronic device configured to transmit wireless power to an additional electronic device, wherein the electronic device is Wireless power transmission coil and An inverter configured to supply an AC drive signal to the aforementioned wireless power transmission coil, The control circuit comprises, The Additional electronic device receives information, the information includes power feedback information, The system is configured to adjust at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using a variable gain coefficient and the power feedback information. The power feedback information includes a value proportional to the difference between the target rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device and the actual rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device.

32. Adjusting at least one operating characteristic of the inverter is: Adjusting the input voltage of the inverter, Adjusting the operating phase of the inverter, Adjusting the duty cycle of the inverter, or Adjusting the frequency of wireless power transmission signals, The electronic device according to claim 31, including the electronic device according to claim 31.

33. The control circuit is The inverter is adjusted using a predetermined gain and the power feedback information, wherein the predetermined gain is determined in advance before coupling between the electronic device and the additional electronic device. The electronic device according to claim 31, further configured to select one of the predetermined gain and the variable gain coefficient to adjust the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter based on the information from the additional electronic device.

34. The electronic device according to claim 33, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using the predetermined gain in a constant gain mode, the control circuit is configured to adjust the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter using the variable gain coefficient in a gain linearization mode, the power feedback information includes a value proportional to the difference between a target rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device and the actual rectifier output voltage of the additional electronic device, and adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter includes repeatedly adjusting the at least one operating characteristic of the inverter until the actual rectifier output voltage in the additional electronic device matches the target rectifier output voltage, and the actual rectifier output voltage matches the target rectifier output voltage in the additional electronic device faster in the gain linearization mode than in the constant gain mode.

35. The control circuit is configured to determine the variable gain coefficient as a function of at least the inverter voltage, the inverter phase, and a value between 0 and 1, The electronic device according to claim 31, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine an additional variable gain coefficient as a function of at least the variable gain coefficient, the minimum inverter voltage, and the inverter phase.

36. The control circuit is, The control circuit is configured to determine the variable gain coefficient using the formula, where VIN_gain is the variable gain coefficient, V IN is the inverter voltage, θ is the inverter phase, n is a constant proportional to the bit length of the power feedback information, g target is the value, and the control circuit is given by the formula The electronic device according to claim 35, configured to determine the additional variable gain coefficient using the formula, where Phase_gain is the additional variable gain coefficient, VIN_gain is the variable gain coefficient, VIN_MIN is the minimum inverter voltage, and θ is the inverter phase.