Retro-Reflective Wireless Power Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power transmission technologies face challenges in achieving high efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in complex environments, due to power loss during RF-DC conversion and RF propagation, and the need for large, heavy, and costly equipment, as well as safety concerns from high-frequency radio waves.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing spatially distributed planar charging panels with retro-reflective beamforming, which includes a pilot analysis circuitry and processor to analyze pilot signals from devices, determine complex conjugates, and radiate focused wireless power beams, ensuring efficient and safe power delivery even in obstructed environments, using multiple discrete frequencies and low-cost, compact antenna elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional phased-array beamforming is used for wireless power transmission, then power delivery capability is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wireless power transmission system into multiple distributed charging panels, each with simpler antenna elements. Instead of one large phased array, multiple smaller panels segment the power transmission function across spatially distributed locations, reducing individual device weight while maintaining overall power delivery capability through collaborative beamforming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional planar phased-array beamforming to three-dimensional retro-reflective beamforming. By utilizing spatial reflection principles in 3D space, the system achieves focused power delivery without requiring large horizontal arrays, thereby reducing device footprint and weight while maintaining transmission efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If high-gain/highly-directive antennas are used for beamforming, then RF propagation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical phased-array beamforming systems with an electronic retro-reflective beamforming approach. By using simple retro-reflective antenna elements that passively reflect incoming power beams back to their source, the system achieves high RF propagation efficiency without complex active beam control mechanisms, reducing device complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If line-of-sight path is obstructed in traditional beamforming, then power transmission reliability deteriorates, but system adaptability should be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional active beamforming approach by using passive retro-reflective beamforming. Instead of actively transmitting and steering beams from the power source, the system transmits omnidirectional power signals that are passively reflected back by the retro-reflective antenna elements at the receiver. This inversion allows the system to penetrate obstacles and maintain reliable power transmission in non-line-of-sight conditions, improving both reliability and environmental adaptability.
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
The solution achieves high power transmission efficiency, ensures human safety, and is deployable in various environments, including indoor and outdoor settings, with the ability to track and power multiple devices simultaneously, while being cost-effective and compact in size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
spatially distributed planar charging panels with retro-reflective beamforming
Implementation Method 2
the power transmitter may be configured to operate in the power-delivery mode to cause radiation of a focused wireless power beam
Implementation Method 3
The pilot analysis circuitry may be configured to operate in the radar mode to analyze the magnitude and phase of a pilot signal from the powered device
Implementation Method 4
The processor may be configured to operate in the radar mode to determine a complex conjugate of the pilot signal based on the magnitude and phase
Implementation Method 5
The charging panel may be one of a plurality of spatially-distributed charging panels each of which includes respective antenna elements that may form an array of antenna elements configured to collaboratively radiate wireless power as a distributed, retro-reflective beamformer
Data Source
AI summary
A system for wireless power transmission may include one or more charging panels and one or more powered devices. The charging panel may include a pilot analysis circuitry, processor and power transmitter. The pilot analysis circuitry may be configured to analyze the magnitude and phase of a pilot signal from the powered device, based on which the processor may be configured to determine a complex conjugate of the pilot signal. And the power transmitter may be configured to cause radiation of a focused wireless power beam to the powered device in accordance with the complex conjugate of the pilot signal and via one or more antenna elements. The charging panel may be one of a plurality of spatially-distributed charging panels each of which includes respective antenna elements that may form an array of antenna elements configured to collaboratively radiate wireless power as a distributed, retro-reflective beamformer.