Dual voltage and current loop controlled wireless charging

Abstract

A device (104) includes a power storage device (112); an electrical load (112); and a wireless power module (108)comprising: a controller (126); and a circuitry (124) configured to generate a rectified power signal using electrical energy received from an external device (102) via a wireless link: a power converter (110) configured to generate, from the rectified power signal, a converted power signal to charge the power storage device(112) and operate the electrical load (112), wherein the controller of the wireless power module is configured to: determine, based on a comparison between a target current level of the converted power signal and a measured current level of the rectified power signal, a target voltage level for the rectified power signal; and control, based on a comparison between the target voltage level and a measured voltage level of the rectified power signal, an amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

Description

DUAL VOLTAGE AND CURRENT LOOP CONTROLLED WIRELESS CHARGING BEACKGROUND

[0001] Computing devices, such as smartphones, laptops, wearable devices, and tablets, may include wireless charging capabilities. Computing devices may operate as wireless charging source devices that wirelessly provide power or wireless charging sink devices that wirelessly receive power. For instance, a wireless charging sink device may include a receiver coil and other components capable of transducing a magnetic field into an electrical power signal that may be used to charge a battery of the computing device or otherwise operate components of the computing device. Similarly, a wireless charging source device may include a power supply that output a signal to a transmitter coil that causes the transmitter coil to generate a magnetic field. A controller of the wireless charging source device may adjust operation of the power supply to control an amount of power provided and / or properties of the electrical power signal at the wireless charging receive device. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0002] In general, this disclosure is directed to devices with dual voltage and current loop control of wireless charging. A wireless charging sink device (“sink device”) may receive electrical energy from a wireless charging source device (“source device”). For instance, the sink device may include a receiving coil that transduces a magnetic field generated by the source device into an AC power signal, and a rectifier that rectifies the AC power signal into a rectified DC power signal. The sink device may include a charger, such as an unregulated charger, that generates a converted DC power signal using the rectified DC power signal. Various components of the sink device, such as processors and / or batteries, may operate using the converted DC power signal. In operation, the sink device may communicate a power request to the source device that indicates an amount of power that the source device should transfer to the sink device. However, a power consumption of the components of the sink device may be dynamic / fast changing, which may propagate through the sink device and create ripples in current of the rectified DC power signal and the AC power signal. Such current ripples may be undesirable. As one example, the current ripples may interfere with communication between the sink device and the source device. As another example, the current ripples may trigger over current protection and suspend the wireless power transfer.

[0003] In accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure, a sink device may implement dual voltage and current loop control of wireless charging. For instance, awireless charging integrated circuit (IC) of the sink device may utilize both current and voltage feedback control loops when communicating power requests to the source device. The wireless charging IC may operate the loops with a relatively fast sample / control rate, enabling quick reactions to changes in power consumption. In this way, aspects of this disclosure may mitigate current ripples.

[0004] In one example, a device includes a power storage device; an electrical load; and a wireless power module comprising: a controller; and a circuitry configured to generate a rectified power signal using electrical energy received from an external device via a wireless link; a power converter configured to generate, from the rectified power signal, a converted power signal to charge the power storage device and operate the electrical load, wherein the controller of the wireless power module is configured to: determine, based on a comparison between a target current level of the converted power signal and a measured current level of the rectified power signal, a target voltage level for the rectified power signal; and control, based on a comparison between the target voltage level and a measured voltage level of the rectified power signal, an amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

[0005] In another example, a method includes generating, by circuitry of a wireless power module of a mobile computing device, a rectified power signal using electrical energy received from an external device via a wireless link between the mobile computing device and the external device; generating, by a power converter of the mobile computing device and from the rectified power signal, a converted power signal; operating, by an electrical load of the mobile computing device, using the converted power signal; determining, by a controller of the wireless power module and based on a comparison between a target current level and a measured current level, a target voltage level for the rectified power signal; and controlling, by the controller of the wireless power module and based on a comparison between the target voltage level and a measured voltage level of the rectified power signal, an amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

[0006] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description are illustrative and are intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG.1 is a block diagram illustrating a system that includes a wireless charging source device and a wireless charging sink device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0008] FIG.2 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example sink device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0009] FIG.3 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example sink device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0010] FIG.4 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example sink device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0011] FIG.5 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example sink device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0012] FIG.6 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example sink device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0013] FIG.7 is a block diagram illustrating an example system, in accordance with various aspects of this disclosure.

[0014] FIG.8 is a flowchart illustrating an example technique for combined voltage and current loop control of wireless charging, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] FIG.1 is a block diagram illustrating a system that includes a wireless charging source device and a wireless charging sink device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. As shown in FIG.1, system 100 may include wireless charging source device 102 (“source device 102”) and wireless charging sink device 104 (“sink device 104”).

[0016] Source device 102 may be any type of device that wirelessly provides power to another device. Examples of source device 102 include, but are not limited to, a charging pad, an alarm clock, a power bank, a mobile phone, a camera device, a tablet computer, a smart display, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a gaming system, a media player, an e- book reader, a television platform, a vehicle infotainment system or head unit, a vehicle surface with integrated charging, or a wearable computing device (e.g., a computerized watch, a head mounted device such as a VR / AR headset, computerized eyewear, a computerized glove). As shown in FIG.1, source device 102 may include wireless charging (WLC) transmitter 106 and power source 114.

[0017] Power source 114 may be any component capable of providing electrical power to other components of source device 102. Examples of power source 114 include, but are not limited to, batteries, solar panels, wall adapters, wireless charging receive coils, etc. As shown in FIG.1, power source 114 may provide electrical power (e.g., direct current (DC) electrical power) to WLC transmitter 106.

[0018] WLC transmitter 106 may be configured to wirelessly provide power to another device. In some examples, WLC transmitter 106 may be compliant with (e.g., operate in accordance with) a wireless charging standard such as the Qi specification published by the Wireless Power Consortium (e.g., available at wirelesspowerconsortium.com / knowledge- base / specifications / download-the-qi-specifications.html). As shown in FIG.1, WLC transmitter 106 may include inverter 116 and controller 120.

[0019] Inverter 116 may be configured to convert a direct current (DC) signal into an alternating current (AC) signal. For instance, inverter 116 may convert a DC power signal received from power source 114 into an AC power signal, and provide the AC power signal to transmitter (Tx) coil 118. As discussed in further detail below, in some examples, inverter 116 may be an active full bridge inverter that includes a plurality of switches. Operation of the plurality of switches may be controlled by a controller, such as controller 120.

[0020] Controller 120 may be configured to control operation of one or more components of WLC transmitter 106. For instance, controller 120 may include circuitry configured to control operation of inverter 116. As one example, the circuitry of controller 120 may adjust one or more of a voltage level of the DC signal provided to inverter 116, a switching frequency of switches of inverter 116, and / or a duty cycle of the switches of inverter 116. Examples of controller 120 include, but are not limited to, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), systems on a chip (SoC), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry, or analog circuitry.

[0021] Tx coil 118 may be configured to generate a magnetic field proportional to a power signal flowing through Tx coil 118. For instance, Tx coil 118 may generate a magnetic field having properties proportional to the AC power signal output to Tx coil 118 from inverter 116.

[0022] Sink device 104 may be any type of device that operates at least in part using power wirelessly received from another device. Examples of sink device 104 include, but are not limited to, a power bank, a mobile phone, a camera device, a tablet computer, a smart display, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a gaming system, a media player, an e-book reader, atelevision platform, or a wearable computing device. As shown in FIG.1, sink device 104 may include wireless charging (WLC) receiver 108, charger 110, and load 112.

[0023] WLC receiver 108 may be configured to wirelessly receive power from another device. In some examples, WLC receiver 108 may a wireless power module and may be compliant with (e.g., operate in accordance with) a wireless charging standard such as the Qi specification published by the Wireless Power Consortium (e.g., available at wirelesspowerconsortium.com / knowledge-base / specifications / download-the-qi- specifications.html). As shown in FIG.1, WLC receiver 108 may include rectifier 124, and controller 126. WLC receiver 108 may be an integrated circuit (IC), which may be referred to as a wireless charging IC.

[0024] Receiver (Rx) coil 122 may be configured to transduce a magnetic field into a power signal. For instance, Rx coil 122 may transduce the magnetic field generated by Tx coil 118 into an AC power signal having properties proportional to the magnetic field (e.g., and thus proportional to AC power signal output to Tx coil 118 from inverter 116). Rx coil 122 may output the transduced AC power signal to one or more components of WLC receiver 108, such as rectifier 124.

[0025] Rectifier 124 may be configured to convert an AC signal into a DC signal. For instance, rectifier 124 may convert an AC power signal received from Rx coil 122 into a DC power signal, and provide the DC power signal to another component of sink device 104, such as charger 110. As discussed in further detail below, in some examples, rectifier 124 may be an active full bridge rectifier that includes a plurality of switches. In this sense, rectifier 124 may be considered to be an active rectifier (e.g., as opposed to a bridge formed entirely of passive diodes). Operation of the plurality of switches may be controlled by a controller, such as controller 126.

[0026] Controller 126 may be configured to control operation of one or more components of WLC receiver 108. For instance, controller 126 may include circuitry configured to control operation of rectifier 124. As one example, the circuitry of controller 126 may adjust one or more of a switching frequency of switches of rectifier 124, and / or a duty cycle of the switches of rectifier 124. Examples of controller 126 include, but are not limited to, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), systems on a chip (SoC), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry, or analog circuitry.

[0027] Components of sink device 104 may utilize the DC power signal output by WLC receiver 108 to perform various operations. For instance, charger 110 may utilize the DC power signal output by WLC receiver 108 to provide power to load 112.

[0028] Charger 110 may represent a regulated or an unregulated charger. Where charger 110 is a regulated charger, charger 110 may include positive control components that maintain a power signal output by charger 110 at a target level (e.g., at a target current level or a target voltage level). Where charger 110 is an unregulated charger, charger 110 may, without regulation, generate the power signal with a fixed multiple level of the DC power signal output by WLC receiver 108. For instance, charger 110 may be a 2:1 unregulated charger than generates a power signal having double a current level and half a voltage level of the DC power signal output by WLC receiver 108. Other ratios are contemplated, such as 4:1 etc.

[0029] Load 112 may represent components of sink device 104 that utilize electrical power. Load 112 may include one or more of, power storage devices (e.g., batteries), processors (e.g., application or other processors), data storage devices, display devices, and the like.

[0030] Reliable communication between sink device 104 and source device 102 may be beneficial to a reliability of the power transfer process. Source device 102 and / or sink device 104 may utilize communication to determine interoperability, exchange charging data, and other operations.

[0031] As noted above, sink device 104 and source device 102 may be compliant with one or more wireless charging standards, such as the Qi standard. In utilizing the in-band communication technique of Qi, source device 102 and sink device 104 may utilize the wireless power transfer channel to convey data. For the Tx-Rx (source device 102 to sink device 104) communication, source device 102 may modulate the data by switching its operating frequency. Controller 126 of sink device 104 may detect this frequency difference and interpret it as digital signal 1s and 0s. Thus, data can be transferred from source device 102 to sink device 104. For the Rx-Tx (sink device 104 to source device 102) communication, sink device 104 may modulate its impedance, resulting a current amplitude variation at source device 102. Controller 120 of source device 102 may detect this variation and interpret it as digital signals as well. Thus, data can be transferred from sink device 104 to source device 102.

[0032] Both Tx-Rx and Rx-Tx communication may use a shift-keying scheme to modulate digital bits with frequency variations or amplitude variations. The Tx-Rx communication modulates the operating frequency, thus named as Frequency Shift Keying (FSK). The Rx- Tx communication is named Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) because it modulates theamplitude of waveforms. As discussed above, sink device 104 may modulate its impedance to cause waveform amplitude modulation, and such modulation may result a current amplitude variation at source device 102.

[0033] Controller 126 may communicate various requests to source device 102. For instance, controller 126 may output power requests to source device 102 to control (e.g., increase, decrease, or maintain) an amount of power wirelessly transferred from source device 102 to sink device 104. Controller 126 may execute a control loop with the power requests as output from the control loop. For instance, controller 126 may monitor a voltage level of a signal output by rectifier 124 and execute the controller loop to maintain the voltage level at a target voltage level. Controller 126 may use ASK to communicate the power requests to controller 120 of source device 102.

[0034] In operation, a power consumption of load 112 may be dynamic and / or fast changing. The dynamism of the power consumption of load 112 may result in ripples in current levels at various points in sink device 104, such as at rectifier 124 and / or Rx roil 122. Such current ripples may create undesirable impacts. As one example, the current ripples may present as noise in the ASK modulation, which may adversely impact communication from sink device 104 to source device 102. Depending on conditions, this noise may result in disconnections between sink device 104 and source device 102, which may result in cessation of power transfer.

[0035] In accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure, sink device 104 may implement dual voltage and current loop control of wireless charging. For instance, controller 126 of WLC receiver 108 may utilize both current and voltage feedback control loops when communicating power requests to source device 102. WLC receiver 108 may operate the loops with a relatively fast sample / control rate, enabling quick reactions to changes in power consumption. These quick reactions may reduce impacts of current ripples (e.g., current ripples induced by dynamic power consumption of load 112). In this way, aspects of this disclosure may improve communication from sink device 104 to source device 102.

[0036] FIG.2 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example sink device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. Sink device 204 of FIG.2 may be an example of sink device 104 of FIG.1. Similarly, WLC receiver 208, charger 210, loads 212A / 212B (collectively, “loads 212”), Rx coil 222, rectifier 224, and controller 226 of FIG.2 may respectively be examples of WLC receiver 108, charger 110, load 112, Rx coil122, rectifier 124, and controller 126 of FIG.1. As shown in FIG.2, sink device 204 may further include load switch 242 and application processor 244.

[0037] Loads 212 may include battery 212A and system load 212B. Battery 212A may be a power storage device that may store and supply electrical energy to operate sink device 204. System load 212B may represent power consuming devices of sink device 204 other than battery 212A. System load 212B may include displays, speakers, processors, data storage devices, and the like.

[0038] Load switch 242 may selectively couple system load 212B to charger 210. When load switch 242 is open, the power signal generated by charger 210 may be entirely directed to battery 212A with a current level of IBatt. When load switch 242 is closed system load 212B may receive a power signal from charger 210 with a current level of Isys (e.g., such that the power signal generated by charger 210 is divided amongst battery 212A and system load 212B. As discussed in further detail below, sink device 204 may include an additional charger that may supply system load 212B with power when load switch 242 is open. In other words, when load switch 242 is open, IBatt is equal to IoutC, when load switch 242 is closed, IBatt+Isys is equal to IoutC.

[0039] As discussed above, in some examples, charger 210 may be an unregulated charger. For instance, charger 210 may be 2:1 unregulated charger such that a voltage level of a power signal output by charger 210 is half a voltage level of a power signal received by charger 210 and a current level of the power signal output by charger 210 is double a current level of the power signal received by charger 210 (e.g., IoutC= 2* IoutWLC).

[0040] Application processor 244 may be a processor or collection of processors of sink device 204 that performs a majority of the computation and / or application execution at sink device 204. Application processor 244 may be included in a system on a chip (SoC). While illustrated in FIG.2 as a separate box, application processor 244 may be included in system load 212B, at least from a power consumption perspective. As such, application processor 244 may be powered by the power signal with current level Isys.

[0041] In operation, a power current level of charger 210 (IoutC) may change based in a variety of factors. For instance, a target charging current of battery 212A (IBatt) may change based on a state of charge, a temperature, and other parameters of battery 212A. Similarly, a consumption of system load (ISys) may vary based on parameters such as processors workload, display brightness, and the like. In some examples, such as where charger 210 is an unregulated charger, sink device 204 may control the power level of the output of charger210, by controlling an amount of power wirelessly transferred to sink device 204 from a source device.

[0042] In accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure, sink device 204 may implement dual voltage and current loop control of wireless charging. For instance, controller 226 of WLC receiver 108 may utilize both current and voltage feedback control loops when communicating power requests to a source device. As shown in FIG.2, controller 226 may include current feedback module 232, voltage feedback module 236, and communication module 240.

[0043] Collectively, current feedback module 232 and voltage feedback module 236 may implement a nested current and voltage loop. In the nested current and voltage loop of the example of FIG.2, the output of the current loop may be taken as input to the voltage loop. For instance, current feedback module 232 may receive a target current level (Itarget) (e.g., from application processor 244) and a measured current level (IoutWLC) (e.g., from current sensor 225) and determine, based on the target current level and the measured current level, a current loop feedback signal. The current loop feedback signal may be in the form of a target voltage level (VoutTarget). In some examples, voltage feedback module 236 may include a loop controller, such as a PID controller, that determines the target voltage level based on the comparison between the target current level and the measured current level. Voltage feedback module 236 may determine, based on the current loop feedback signal from current feedback module 232 (e.g., the target voltage level) and a measured voltage level (Vout), a voltage loop feedback signal (VLoopFeedback). The voltage loop feedback signal may take any suitable form. As one example, the voltage loop feedback signal may take the form of one of an increase voltage request, a decrease voltage request, or a maintain voltage request.

[0044] Communication module 240 may receive the feedback signal generated by the loops (e.g., VLoopFeedback) and control, based on the feedback signal, an amount of electrical energy transferred to sink device 204 via a wireless link between a source device and sink device 204. For instance, communication module 240 may communicate with a source device via ASK to adjust the amount of electrical energy transferred. As such, controller 226 may determine, based on a comparison between a target current level of a converted power signal (Itarget) and a measured current level of a rectified power signal (IoutWLC), a target voltage level for the rectified power signal (VoutTarget); and control, based on a comparison between the target voltage level (VoutTarget) and a measured voltage level of the rectified power signal (Vout), an amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

[0045] By determining the target voltage level based on the output of the current loop, which itself operates based on the measured current level, controller 226 may more quickly respond to changes in power consumption. This faster response time may mitigate the presence of current ripples at Rx coil 222 and / or rectifier 224. As discussed above, such ripple current mitigation is desirable.

[0046] In some examples, one or more portions of the control loop shown as being within WLC receiver 208 may be implemented in other components of sink device 204. As one example, components of the current loop (e.g., current feedback module 232) may be located within application processor 244. For instance, application processor 244 may obtain a measured current level (e.g., IoutWLC, IoutC, or the like), and compare the measured current level to the determined target current level (Itarget) to determine the current loop feedback signal (e.g., VoutTarget). Application processor 244 may output the current loop feedback signal to WLC receiver 208, which may implement the voltage control loop as discussed above.

[0047] As noted above, WLC receiver 208 may receive the target current (Itarget) from application processor 244. As shown in FIG.2, application processor 244 may include target current module 243, which may be executed by application processor 244 to determine the target current level. For instance, target current module 243 may determine the target current level based on data received from one or both of battery 212A and system load 212B (example data paths shown as dashed lines). As one example, target current module 243 may receive a temperature of battery 212A and adjust the target current level based on the temperature.

[0048] FIG.3 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example sink device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. Sink device 304 of FIG.3 may be an example of sink device 104 of FIG.1. Similarly, WLC receiver 308, charger 310, loads 312A / 312B (collectively, “loads 312”), Rx coil 322, rectifier 324, and controller 326 of FIG.3 may respectively be examples of WLC receiver 108, charger 110, load 112, Rx coil 122, rectifier 124, and controller 126 of FIG.1. As shown in FIG.3, sink device 204 may further include load switch 342 and application processor 344 that includes target current module 343. Current sensor 325, load switch 342 and target current module 323 of FIG.3 may perform operations similar to current sensor 225, load switch 242 and target current module 243 of FIG.2.

[0049] As shown in FIG.3, as compared to the example of FIG.2, the current loop may be implemented by the application processor. For instance, in FIG.3, instead of the comparisonof the measured current level and the target current level being performed by components in WLC receiver 308, said comparison is performed by components in application processor 344. In particular, as shown in FIG.3, current feedback module 332 is located within application processor 344 whereas in FIG.2, current feedback module 232 is located within WLC receiver 208.

[0050] Voltage feedback module 336 and communication module 340 of controller 326 of FIG.3 may perform similar operations to Voltage feedback module 236 and communication module 240 of controller 226 of FIG.2. For instance, voltage feedback module 336 may receive the target voltage level (VoutTarget) from current feedback module 332 and output the voltage loop feedback signal (VLoopFeedback) to communication module 340, which may control the energy transfer based on such signal.

[0051] The architectures of FIGS.2 and 3 may each present their own advantages. As discussed above, an application processor (e.g., application processor 244 or 344) may perform a majority of the computation and / or application execution at sink device 204. As such, resources of application processor 244 may be considered to be “expensive” from a systems resources perspective. Due to this, application processor 244 may perform the target current determination and, when used for such, the current control loop at a sample / control rate that is relatively slow compared to a sample / control rate at which WLC receiver 208 uses for control loops. For instance, WLC receiver 208 may implement the voltage or voltage+current loops at a first rate (e.g., every 1 to 40 milliseconds) while application processor 244 may determine the target current level or determine the target current level and implement the current loop at a second rate (e.g., every 2 to 5 seconds). As such, with faster reaction time to changes in current being desirable, it may be desirable for WLC receiver 208 to implement both voltage and current loops. As such, the architecture of FIG.2 may present an advantage of faster response to changes in current levels.

[0052] FIG.4 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example sink device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. Sink device 404 of FIG.4 may be an example of sink device 104 of FIG.1 or sink device 204 of FIG.2. Similarly, WLC receiver 408, charger 410, loads 412A / 412B (collectively, “loads 412”), Rx coil 422, rectifier 424, and controller 426 of FIG.4 may respectively be examples of WLC receiver 108, charger 110, load 112, Rx coil 122, rectifier 124, and controller 126 of FIG.1. As shown in FIG.4, sink device 404 may further include load switch 442 and application processor 444 that includes target current module 443. Current sensor 425, load switch 442 and target currentmodule 423 of FIG.4 may perform operations similar to current sensor 225, load switch 242 and target current module 243 of FIG.2.

[0053] As compared to WLC receiver 208 of FIG.2, WLC receiver 408 includes low- dropout regulator (LDO) 430, which may receive an output of rectifier 424 (having voltage level Vrec) and generate a regulated power signal that is then supplied to charger 410 (having voltage level Voutand current level IoutWLC). As compared to controller 226 of FIG.2, controller 426 of FIG.4 may include an additional feedback module. For instance, controller 426 may include voltage feedback module 438 which may implement a third control loop.

[0054] In operation, current feedback module 432 may determine, based on a comparison between a target current level (Itarget) and a measured current level (IoutWLC), a target voltage level (VoutTarget). Voltage feedback module 436 may determine, based on a comparison between the target voltage level (VoutTarget) and a measured voltage level (Vout), a target rectified voltage level (VrecTarget). LDO 430 may use the target rectified voltage level as a setpoint for its own power regulation. Voltage feedback module 438 may control, based on a comparison between the target rectified voltage level (VrecTarget) and a measured voltage level input the LDO 430 (Vrec), an amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link. For instance, similar to voltage feedback module 236 of FIG.2, voltage feedback module 438 may output a request to communication module 440. As the output of voltage feedback module 438 is based on the output of voltage feedback module 436, controller 426 may still be considered to control the amount of electrical energy transferred based on a comparison between the target voltage level (VoutTarget) and a measured voltage level (Vout).

[0055] FIG.5 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example sink device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. Sink device 504 of FIG.5 may be an example of sink device 104 of FIG.1 or sink device 304 of FIG.3. Similarly, WLC receiver 508, charger 510, loads 512A / 512B (collectively, “loads 512”), Rx coil 522, rectifier 524, and controller 526 of FIG.5 may respectively be examples of WLC receiver 108, charger 110, load 112, Rx coil 122, rectifier 124, and controller 126 of FIG.1. As shown in FIG.5, sink device 504 may further include load switch 542 and application processor 544 that includes target current module 543. Current sensor 525, load switch 542 and target current module 523 of FIG.5 may perform operations similar to current sensor 325, load switch 342 and target current module 343 of FIG.3.

[0056] Similar to sink device 304 of FIG.3, current feedback module 532 may be implemented by application processor 544. LDO 530, voltage feedback module 536, voltage feedback module 538, and communication module 540 of FIG.5 may perform similaroperations as LDO 430, voltage feedback module 436, voltage feedback module 438, and communication module 440 of FIG.4.

[0057] FIG.6 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example sink device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. Sink device 604 of FIG.6 may be an example of sink device 104 of FIG.1 or sink device 304 of FIG.3. Similarly, WLC receiver 608, charger 610, loads 612A / 612B (collectively, “loads 612”), Rx coil 622, rectifier 624, and controller 626 of FIG.6 may respectively be examples of WLC receiver 108, charger 110, load 112, Rx coil 122, rectifier 124, and controller 126 of FIG.1. As shown in FIG.6, sink device 604 may further include load switch 642 and application processor 644 that includes target current module 643. Current sensor 625, load switch 642 and target current module 623 of FIG.6 may perform operations similar to current sensor 325, load switch 342 and target current module 343 of FIG.3.

[0058] Similar to sink device 304 of FIG.3, current feedback module 532 may be implemented by application processor 544. Voltage feedback module 636, current feedback module 632, and communication module 640 of FIG.6 may perform similar operations as voltage feedback module 336, current feedback module 332, and communication module 340 of FIG.3.

[0059] In some examples, it may be desirable to incorporate additional feedback to control the amount of power transferred. For instance, it may be desirable to incorporate overcurrent protection. As shown in the example of FIG.6, WLC receiver 608 may include current protection module 646 and select module 648. Current protection module 646 may receive a measured current level (IoutWLC) and a maximum current level (IoutMax) and output a signal to select module 648 indicating whether or not the measured current level is greater than the maximum current level. Responsive to receiving a signal indicating that the measured current level is not greater than the maximum current level, select module 648 may pass the VLoopFeedback signal to communication module 640, which may control the amount of power transferred based on such signal. However, responsive to receiving a signal indicating that the measured current level is greater than the maximum current level, select module 648 may output a message for transmission by communication module 640 to reduce the amount of power transferred. In this way, WLC receiver 608 may provide overcurrent protection. It is understood that the overcurrent protection may be included in any of the various architectures of this disclosure.

[0060] The various voltage feedback modules (e.g., 236, 336, 436, 438, 536, 538, and 636) and the current feedback modules (e.g., 232, 332, 432, 532, 632, and 646) discussed abovemay represent hardware or software modules executed by their respective host components. As one example, current feedback modules 232 and 432 may represent hardware or software modules respectively executed by controller 226 and 426. As another example, current feedback modules 332, 532, and 632 may represent hardware or software modules respectively executed by application processor 344, 544, and 644. As another example, voltage feedback modules 236, 336, 436, 438, 536, 538, and 636 may represent hardware or software modules respectively executed by controller 226, 326, 426, 526, and 626.

[0061] FIG.7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system 700 that includes source device 702, sink device 704, and power adapter 711, in accordance with various aspects of this disclosure. Power adapter 711 may be an AC adapter, AC / DC adapter, or AC / DC converter. Power adapter 711 may be a type of external power supply, enclosed in a case (e.g., an AC plug). Power adapter 711 may also be a plug pack, plug-in adapter, adapter block, domestic mains adapter, line power adapter, wall wart, power brick, and power adapter. Power adapter 711 may contain a transformer to convert the mains electricity voltage to a lower voltage. As shown in FIG.7, power adapter 711 may output a direct current (DC) power signal to sink device 704 having voltage level VIN and current level IIN.

[0062] Source device 702 may be an example of source device 102 of FIG.1. Sink device 704 may be an example of sink device 104 of FIG.1, sink device 204 of FIG.2, sink device 304 of FIG.3, or sink device 404 of FIG.4. As shown in the example of FIG.7, sink device 704 may include Rx coil 722, WLC receiver 708, main charger 750, parallel charger 710, loads 712A / 712B (collectively, “loads 712”).

[0063] System load 712B may be an example of load 112B of FIG.1. System load 712B may include one or more of a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an accelerated processing unit (APU), an application processor (AP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry. The functions attributed to the processing circuitry in this disclosure may be embodied as software (as noted above), firmware, hardware and combinations thereof.

[0064] Battery 712A may be an example of battery 112A of FIG.1. For instance, battery 712A may be configured to store electrical energy for use by components of source device 102. Some examples of battery 712A include a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or any other type of rechargeable battery such as nickel-metal hydride, lead acid or lithium ion polymer. In some examples, battery 712A may represent an array of power storage devices. For instance, where sink device 704 is a foldable device, battery 712A mayinclude a first battery in a first housing of the foldable device and a second battery in a second housing of the foldable device.

[0065] Main charger 750 may represent a circuit configured to generate a power signal to charge battery 712A and / or provide power to other components of sink device 704. For instance, main charger 750 may include power converter 754 that operates as a DC / DC power converter. Power converter 754 may be a regulated power converter in that a voltage and / or a current of the power signal output by power converter 754 may be adjusted through operation of components of power converter 754. Examples of power converter 754 include DC / DC converters such as buck, boost, buck-boost, Cuk (also known as a two-inductor inverting converter), flyback, or any other type of regulated DC / DC converter. In some examples, main charger 750 may be a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). As such, power converter 754 may be considered a regulated power converter included in a PMIC.

[0066] As shown in FIG.7, main charger 750 may include load switch 742. Load switch 742 may be an example of load switch 242 of FIG.2, load switch 342 of FIG.3, load switch 442 of FIG.4, load switch 542 of FIG.5, and load switch 642 of FIG.6.

[0067] Sink device 704 may include Rx coil 722, which may transduce a magnetic field into an AC electrical signal and provide said AC electrical signal to WLC receiver 708. Rx coil 722 may be an example of Rx coil 222 of FIG.2, Rx coil 322 of FIG.3, Rx coil 422 of FIG. 4, Rx coil 522 of FIG.5, and Rx coil 622 of FIG.6.

[0068] In operation, main charger 750 may generate heat as a byproduct of the power conversion process. For instance, where main charger 750 is a buck type power converter, the amount of heat generated by main charger 750 may be positively correlated with the voltage of the input power signal received from power adapter 711 (e.g., higher voltages may result in greater amounts of heat). Components of main charger 750 may be selected to produce an acceptable amount of heat at a particular voltage of the input power signal (e.g., at 5 volts). However, some charging standards may allow for increased voltage levels of the input power signal to, e.g., decrease charging time. To enable sink device 704 to take advantage of such increased voltage levels, sink device 704 may include a second charger circuit, such as parallel charger 710, that may generate less heat at higher voltage levels of the input power signal than main charger 750.

[0069] Parallel charger 710 and main charger 750 may be configured such that only one of parallel charger 710 and main charger 750 provides a power signal to charge battery 712A at any given time. For instance, main charger 750 may generate, during a first time period andusing electrical energy received from a power source external to the device (e.g., power adapter 711), a first power signal to charge battery 712A. Parallel charger 710 may generate, during a second time period that is non-overlapping with the first time period, using electrical energy received from the power source, a second power signal to charge battery 712A. In some examples, parallel charger 710 and main charger 750 may operate at the same time (e.g., contemporaneously) to accomplish different tasks. For instance, at a particular time, parallel charger 710 may convert a power signal received from power adapter 711 to charge battery 712A while main charger 750 generates a power signal to charge another device (e.g., such that sink device 104 may simultaneously charge battery 712A and provide power to another device via wireless transfer). As such, parallel charger 710 may be considered to be a first power converter that generates a first converted power signal to charge a power storage device (e.g., battery 712A) and operate an electrical load (e.g., system load 712B), main charger 750 may be considered to be a second power converter that is configured to generate a second converted power signal to charge the power storage device and operate the electrical load.

[0070] Parallel charger 710 may be an example of charger 110 of FIG.1, charger 210 of FIG.2, charger 310 of FIG.3, charger 410 of FIG.4, charger 510 of FIG.5, and charger 610 of FIG.6. As shown in FIG.7, parallel charger 710 may include power converter 752. In some examples, parallel charger 710 may be an unregulated power converter. For instance, power converter 752 of parallel charger 710 may be a 2:1 switch-capacitor power converter that converts the input power signal into an output power signal with half the voltage and twice the current (e.g., VPC_OUT=VoutWLC / 2 and IoutC=2*IoutWLC). In examples where parallel charger 710 is an unregulated power converter, processing circuitry sink device 704 may provide regulation of the amount of current provided to battery 712A via communication with power adapter 711 and / or source device 702. For instance, parallel charger 710 may output a representation of the amount of current flowing through parallel charger 710. Based on the amount of current flowing through parallel charger 710, processing circuitry of system load 712B (e.g., an application processor) may output a request to source device 702 to change the amount of power transferred from source device 702 to sink device 704.

[0071] Sink device 704 may include WLC receiver 708, which may be an example of WLC receiver 208 of FIG.2, WLC receiver 308 of FIG.3, WLC receiver 408 of FIG.4, WLC receiver 508 of FIG.5, and WLC receiver 608 of FIG.6. WLC receiver 708 may perform operations similar to WLC receiver 208 of FIG.2, WLC receiver 308 of FIG.3, WLC receiver 408 of FIG.4, WLC receiver 508 of FIG.5, and WLC receiver 608 of FIG.6. Forinstance, WLC receiver 708 may determine, based on a comparison between a target current level (e.g., a target current level of one or more of IoutWLC, IoutC, Isys, and IBatt) and a measured current level (e.g., a measured current level of one or more of IoutWLC, IoutC, Isys, and IBatt), a target voltage level for a power signal (e.g., a target voltage level for a rectified power signal such as a target voltage level for VoutWLC, or a target voltage level for a converted power signal such as VPC_OUT). WLC receiver 708 may further control, based on a comparison between the target voltage level and a measured voltage level, an amount of electrical energy transferred via a wireless link between source device 702 and sink device 704. For instance, WLC receiver 708 may control the amount of electrical energy transferred by sending a power request to source device 702 via ASK.

[0072] FIG.8 is a flowchart illustrating an example technique for combined voltage and current loop control of wireless charging, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. For purposes of explanation, the technique of FIG.8 is described as being performed by sink device 204 of FIG.2. However, the technique of FIG.8 may be performed by a wireless sink device, such as sink device 104 of FIG.1, sink device 204 of FIG.2, sink device 304 of FIG.3, sink device 404 of FIG.4, sink device 504 of FIG.5, sink device 604 of FIG.6, or sink device 704 of FIG.7.

[0073] Sink device 204 may transduce a magnetic field received via a wireless link into an alternating current (AC) power signal (802). For instance, Rx coil 222 may transduce magnetic field received via a wireless link between sink device 204 and a source device into an AC power signal that is provided to rectifier 224.

[0074] Sink device 204 may rectify the AC power signal into a rectified power signal (804). For instance, rectifier 224 may rectify the AC power signal into a rectified power signal having voltage level Voutand current level IoutWLC. The rectified power signal, be it processed by an intervening LDO (e.g., as in FIG.4 and FIG.5) or not (e.g., as in FIG.2 and FIG.3), may be provided to a charger.

[0075] Sink device 204 may generate, from the rectified power signal, a converted power signal (806). For instance, charger 210 may use electrical energy from the rectified power signal to generate a converted power signal having current level IoutC. Charger 210 may provide the converted power signal to one or more loads, such as loads 212. As discussed above, in some examples, charger 210 may be unregulated in that the current level of the converted power signal may be a fixed multiple of a current level of the rectified power signal. As such, as also discussed above, sink device 204 may achieve regulation of theconverted power signal via communication with the source device that is generating the magnetic field transduced by Rx coil 222.

[0076] In accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure, sink device 204 may utilize both current and voltage loops to control the amount of power transferred via the wireless link. For instance, sink device 204 may determine, based on a comparison between a target current level and a measure current level, a target voltage level (808). As one example, controller 226 of WLC receiver 208 may determine, based on a comparison between a target current level of the converted power signal (Itarget) and a measured current level of the rectified power signal (IoutWLC), a target voltage level for the rectified power signal (VoutTarget). In some examples, an application processor of sink device 204 that is a separate chip / component from WLC receiver 208, such as application processor 244 may determine the target current level of the converted power signal, and output the determined target current level to controller 226. As discussed above, the application processor may determine the target current level of the converted power signal based on measured parameters of the power storage device.

[0077] Sink device 204 may control, based on a comparison between the target voltage level and a measured voltage level, an amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link (810). For instance, voltage feedback module 236 of controller 226 may determine, based on the target voltage level (VoutTarget) and a measured voltage level (Vout), a voltage loop feedback signal (VLoopFeedback). The voltage loop feedback signal may take any suitable form. As one example, the voltage loop feedback signal may take the form of one of an increase voltage request, a decrease voltage request, or a maintain voltage request. Communication module 240 may communicate, based on the voltage loop feedback signal, with the source device to control the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link. For instance, communication module 240 may use ASK to transmit, to the source device, a request for a change in the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

[0078] As noted above, in some examples, sink devices may include LDOs. As such, in some examples, the measured voltage level may be at an output of the LDO (e.g., Vout in FIG. 4), while in other examples the measured voltage level may be at an input of the LDO (e.g., Vrec in FIG.4).

[0079] As discussed above, controller 226 and application processor 244 may be able to dedicate different resources to the power feedback process. As such, controller 226 and application processor 244 may implement voltage and current feedback loops with differentrates (e.g., sample input data at different rates and / or compared sampled data with target data at different rates). For instance, controller 226 may implement loops at a faster rate than application processor 244. As one example, controller 226 may control the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link at a first rate, application processor 244 may determine the target current level at a second rate, and the first rate may be greater than the second rate.

[0080] In some examples, controller 226 may further control the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link based on a maximum current level. For instance, controller 226 may compare the measured current level with the maximum current level (e.g., Iout_max) and, responsive to determining that the measured current level has exceeded the maximum current level, causing a reduction in the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

[0081] The following numbered examples may illustrate one or more aspects of this disclosure:

[0082] Example 1. A device comprising: a power storage device; an electrical load; and a wireless power module comprising: a controller; and a circuitry configured to generate a rectified power signal using electrical energy received from an external device via a wireless link; a power converter configured to generate, from the rectified power signal, a converted power signal to charge the power storage device and operate the electrical load, wherein the controller of the wireless power module is configured to: determine, based on a comparison between a target current level of the converted power signal and a measured current level of the rectified power signal, a target voltage level for the rectified power signal; and control, based on a comparison between the target voltage level and a measured voltage level of the rectified power signal, an amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

[0083] Example 2. The device of example 1, further comprising: an application processor configured to determine the target current level of the converted power signal, the application processor is a separate chip from the wireless power module.

[0084] Example 3. The device of example 2, wherein the application processor is configured to determine the target current level of the converted power signal based on measured parameters of the power storage device.

[0085] Example 4. The device of example 2, wherein the controller of the wireless power module controls the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link at a first rate, wherein the application processor determines the target current level of the converted power signal at a second rate, and wherein the first rate is greater than the second rate.

[0086] Example 5. The device of example 1, wherein the power converter comprises an unregulated power converter.

[0087] Example 6. The device of example 1, wherein the power converter is a first power converter that generates a first converted power signal to charge the power storage device and operate the electrical load, the device further comprising a second power converter that is configured to generate a second converted power signal to charge the power storage device and operate the electrical load.

[0088] Example 7. The device of example 6, wherein the second power converter comprises a regulated power converter included in a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0089] Example 8. The device of example 1, wherein the circuitry further comprises a low-dropout regulator (LDO), and wherein the measured voltage level of the rectified power signal is at an output of the LDO.

[0090] Example 9. The device of example 1, wherein the circuitry further comprises a low-dropout regulator (LDO), and wherein the measured voltage level of the rectified power signal is at an input of the LDO.

[0091] Example 10. The device of example 1, wherein the controller of the wireless power module is further configured to control the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link based on a maximum current level.

[0092] Example 11. The device of example 1, wherein, to control the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link, the controller of the wireless power module is configured to communicate, to the external device, a request for a change in the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

[0093] Example 12. A method comprising: generating, by circuitry of a wireless power module of a mobile computing device, a rectified power signal using electrical energy received from an external device via a wireless link between the mobile computing device and the external device; generating, by a power converter of the mobile computing device and from the rectified power signal, a converted power signal; operating, by an electrical load of the mobile computing device, using the converted power signal; determining, by a controller of the wireless power module and based on a comparison between a target current level and a measured current level, a target voltage level for the rectified power signal; and controlling, by the controller of the wireless power module and based on a comparison between the target voltage level and a measured voltage level of the rectified power signal, an amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

[0094] Example 13. The method of example 12, wherein generating the converted power signal comprises generating the converted power signal as an unregulated power signal with a fixed current multiple from the converted power signal.

[0095] Example 14. The method of example 12, wherein the power converter is a first power converter, wherein operating, by the electrical load, using the converted power signal comprises operating, by the electrical load and at a first time, the converted power signal, and wherein the method further comprises: generating, by a second power converter, a second converted power signal; and operating, by the electrical load and at a second time that is not overlapping with the first time, using the second converted power signal.

[0096] Example 15. The method of example 12, further comprising: determining, by an application processor that is a separate component from the wireless power module, the target current level.

[0097] The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide variety of devices or apparatuses, including a wireless handset, an integrated circuit (IC) or a set of ICs (e.g., a chip set). Various components, modules, or units are described in this disclosure to emphasize functional aspects of devices configured to perform the disclosed techniques, but do not necessarily require realization by different hardware units. Rather, as described above, various units may be combined in a hardware unit or provided by a collection of interoperative hardware units, including one or more processors as described above, in conjunction with suitable software and / or firmware.

[0098] The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific implementations. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit implementations of the disclosed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The implementations were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of implementations of the disclosed subject matter and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize those implementations as well as various implementations with various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated.between the target voltage level and a measured voltage level of the rectified power signal, an amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

[0094] Example 13. The method of example 12, wherein generating the converted power signal comprises generating the converted power signal as an unregulated power signal with a fixed current multiple from the converted power signal.

[0095] Example 14. The method of example 12, wherein the power converter is a first power converter, wherein operating, by the electrical load, using the converted power signal comprises operating, by the electrical load and at a first time, the converted power signal, and wherein the method further comprises: generating, by a second power converter, a second converted power signal; and operating, by the electrical load and at a second time that is not overlapping with the first time, using the second converted power signal.

[0096] Example 15. The method of example 12, further comprising: determining, by an application processor that is a separate component from the wireless power module, the target current level.

[0097] The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide variety of devices or apparatuses, including a wireless handset, an integrated circuit (IC) or a set of ICs (e.g., a chip set). Various components, modules, or units are described in this disclosure to emphasize functional aspects of devices configured to perform the disclosed techniques, but do not necessarily require realization by different hardware units. Rather, as described above, various units may be combined in a hardware unit or provided by a collection of interoperative hardware units, including one or more processors as described above, in conjunction with suitable software and / or firmware.

[0098] The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific implementations. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit implementations of the disclosed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The implementations were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of implementations of the disclosed subject matter and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize those implementations as well as various implementations with various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A device comprising: a power storage device; an electrical load; and a wireless power module comprising: a controller; and a circuitry configured to generate a rectified power signal using electrical energy received from an external device via a wireless link; a power converter configured to generate, from the rectified power signal, a converted power signal to charge the power storage device and operate the electrical load, wherein the controller of the wireless power module is configured to: determine, based on a comparison between a target current level of the converted power signal and a measured current level of the rectified power signal, a target voltage level for the rectified power signal; and control, based on a comparison between the target voltage level and a measured voltage level of the rectified power signal, an amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an application processor configured to determine the target current level of the converted power signal, the application processor is a separate chip from the wireless power module.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the application processor is configured to determine the target current level of the converted power signal based on measured parameters of the power storage device.

4. The device of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the controller of the wireless power module controls the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link at a first rate, wherein the application processor determines the target current level of the converted power signal at a second rate, and wherein the first rate is greater than the second rate.

5. The device of any of claims 1-4, wherein the power converter comprises an unregulated power converter.

6. The device of any of claims 1-5, wherein the power converter is a first power converter that generates a first converted power signal to charge the power storage device and operate the electrical load, the device further comprising a second power converter that is configured to generate a second converted power signal to charge the power storage device and operate the electrical load.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the second power converter comprises a regulated power converter included in a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

8. The device of any of claims 1-7, wherein the circuitry further comprises a low- dropout regulator (LDO), and wherein the measured voltage level of the rectified power signal is at an output of the LDO.

9. The device of any of claims 1-7, wherein the circuitry further comprises a low- dropout regulator (LDO), and wherein the measured voltage level of the rectified power signal is at an input of the LDO.

10. The device of any of claims 1-9, wherein the controller of the wireless power module is further configured to control the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link based on a maximum current level.

11. The device of any of claims 1-10, wherein, to control the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link, the controller of the wireless power module is configured to communicate, to the external device, a request for a change in the amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

12. A method comprising: generating, by circuitry of a wireless power module of a mobile computing device, a rectified power signal using electrical energy received from an external device via a wireless link between the mobile computing device and the external device; generating, by a power converter of the mobile computing device and from the rectified power signal, a converted power signal; operating, by an electrical load of the mobile computing device, using the converted power signal; determining, by a controller of the wireless power module and based on a comparison between a target current level and a measured current level, a target voltage level for the rectified power signal; and controlling, by the controller of the wireless power module and based on a comparison between the target voltage level and a measured voltage level of the rectified power signal, an amount of electrical energy transferred via the wireless link.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein generating the converted power signal comprises generating the converted power signal as an unregulated power signal with a fixed current multiple from the converted power signal.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the power converter is a first power converter, wherein operating, by the electrical load, using the converted power signal comprises operating, by the electrical load and at a first time, the converted power signal, and wherein the method further comprises: generating, by a second power converter, a second converted power signal; and operating, by the electrical load and at a second time that is not overlapping with the first time, using the second converted power signal.

15. The method of any of claims 12-14, further comprising: determining, by an application processor that is a separate component from the wireless power module, the target current level.

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