Drive-Sense Circuit for Adaptive Wireless Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power transfer systems face challenges in efficiently managing power signals and communication signals simultaneously, particularly in detecting changes in electrical characteristics of sensors and actuators, which affects the accuracy and reliability of data communication and power transfer.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of drive-sense circuits that can simultaneously drive and sense signals via a single line, using a resonating capacitor to facilitate electromagnetic coupling between coils, allowing for the detection of electrical characteristics and generation of digital signals representative of these changes, enabling adaptive power transfer and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless power transfer systems use separate lines for power and communication signals, then signal interference is reduced, but device complexity and connection requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power signal transmission and communication signal transmission into a single wire or transmission medium. The drive-sense circuit enables simultaneous driving and sensing functions through one line, merging what were traditionally separate channels into a unified interface that reduces complexity while maintaining reliability through intelligent signal separation and processing
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensors and actuators operate in complex electromagnetic environments, then measurement accuracy decreases, but system adaptability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive-sense circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms where the sensed signal from the sensor is fed back to the driving circuit. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring and adjustment, allowing the system to detect electrical characteristics accurately even in complex electromagnetic environments by continuously compensating for interference and adapting to changing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time sensing feedback. The drive-sense circuit can modify driving parameters, frequency, or amplitude in response to detected electrical characteristics, enabling the system to adapt to varying electromagnetic conditions while maintaining measurement precision through active compensation
3Productivity
If real-time monitoring of electrical characteristics is implemented, then power transfer efficiency improves, but processing requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is merged with the existing drive circuit through the drive-sense architecture. Rather than adding a separate monitoring system, the same transmission line and circuitry used for power delivery are also used for sensing electrical characteristics, enabling real-time monitoring without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The drive-sense circuit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it drives the sensor/actuator, senses electrical characteristics, and provides communication. This multi-functional approach enables real-time monitoring for efficiency optimization while using the same hardware infrastructure, thereby improving power transfer efficiency without linearly increasing system complexity
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
This approach enhances the efficiency and accuracy of wireless power transfer and communication by allowing real-time monitoring and adaptation of power signals, ensuring reliable data transmission and optimal power delivery to devices.
Implementation Method 1
using a resonating capacitor to facilitate electromagnetic coupling between coils
Data Source
AI summary
A device operative to transfer power wirelessly includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s). The DSC generates a drive signal based on a reference signal and provides the drive signal to a first coil via a single line and via a resonating capacitor, and simultaneously senses the drive signal via the single line, to facilitate electromagnetic coupling to a second coil to transfer power wirelessly to another device. The DSC also detects electrical characteristic(s) of the drive signal. The processing module(s) generates the reference signal and processes the digital signal to determine the electrical characteristic(s) of the drive signal. In some examples, the processing module(s) adapts the reference signal based on detection of the other device (e.g., based on interpreting the electrical characteristic(s) of the drive signal).