Beamformed Wireless Charging for Long-Endurance UAV Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Field Service Operation (FSO) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in balancing small size with long battery life, necessitating either large batteries for long life but large size, or small size with short battery life, making them inefficient for site surveillance and repair tasks.
Innovation Solution
A method using a first network node to modulate beamforming beams with pulse width modulation for wireless charging of UAVs, allowing them to perform long-range site surveillance without increasing size or weight, and a second node determining routes based on charging possibilities and energy needs to facilitate efficient UAV operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If UAVs are equipped with large batteries to extend battery life, then duration of action is improved, but weight of moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical battery system with a wireless energy transfer system using electromagnetic fields. The UAV receives power wirelessly through rectennas from ground-based transmitting antennas, eliminating the need for large onboard batteries while maintaining extended operational duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground-based transmitting antenna system serves multiple functions: it provides wireless communication with the UAV and simultaneously transfers energy for power supply. This multi-functionality allows the UAV to operate without carrying heavy batteries while maintaining communication capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If UAVs are made small in size for ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but duration of action deteriorates due to limited battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the limited onboard battery system with wireless energy transfer, allowing small UAVs to receive unlimited power from the ground. This enables small, easy-to-operate UAVs to achieve extended operational duration without the weight and size constraints of large batteries.
3Use of energy by moving object
If beamforming beams are modulated with pulse width modulation for wireless charging, then use of energy by moving object is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pulse width modulation as an intermediary control mechanism between the ground-based power source and the UAV. By modulating the beamforming beams with PWM, the system efficiently controls energy transfer to the UAV's rectennas, improving energy efficiency while the ground-based system handles the complexity of modulation control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables low-cost UAVs to perform long-range site surveillance efficiently without the need for increased size or weight, allowing them to visit multiple sites without a technician, reducing infrastructure and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The first network node modulates one or more beamforming beams in an antenna array controlled by the first network node with a pulse width modulation
Implementation Method 2
The first network node charges, wirelessly, the wireless device, with the modulated one or more beamforming beams
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a first network node (111). The method is for handling charging of a wireless device (130). The first network node (111) and the wireless device (130) operate in a wireless communications network (100). The first network node (111) modulates (307) one or more beam forming beams (121) in an antenna array (124) controlled by the first network node (111) with a pulse width modulation. The first network node (111) then charges (308), wirelessly, the wireless device (130), with the modulated one or more beam forming beams (121).