Wireless Inductive Power Transmitter Time Slot Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power transfer systems, such as those following the Qi Specification, face challenges in efficiently managing communication between a power transmitter and multiple power receivers, leading to potential conflicts and interference due to the use of load modulation for data transmission, which can result in lost data messages and degraded power control loop performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a power transmitter with a time slot allocation system that divides the load modulation channel into dedicated and common time slots, using temporary identities to differentiate and manage messages from multiple power receivers, thereby reducing conflicts and enhancing communication reliability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If load modulation is used for data transmission from multiple power receivers to the power transmitter, then communication capability is enabled, but conflicts and interference occur leading to lost data messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication channel by dividing time slots into dedicated time slots (for specific power receivers) and common time slots (for any power receiver). This temporal segmentation prevents simultaneous transmissions from multiple receivers, eliminating conflicts and data loss while maintaining communication capability through structured time-division multiplexing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple power receivers communicate simultaneously using load modulation, then communication flexibility is improved, but interference and conflicts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic time slot allocation where power receivers transmit data in alternating dedicated and common time slots. This periodic structure allows multiple receivers to communicate flexibly while preventing simultaneous transmissions, thereby maintaining communication adaptability while significantly improving reliability by eliminating interference conflicts.
3Reliability
If dedicated time slots are allocated to each power receiver, then communication reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges dedicated time slot allocation with common time slot availability, creating a hybrid system where receivers have guaranteed transmission opportunities in dedicated slots while also being able to utilize common slots when available. This combination maintains high reliability through dedicated allocation while reducing overall system complexity by allowing flexible shared access during common slots, avoiding the need for completely separate dedicated channels.
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 allows for reliable and efficient communication between the power transmitter and multiple power receivers, reducing the risk of message loss and interference, while enabling flexible and differentiated communication characteristics, thus improving the overall performance and compatibility of wireless power transfer systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transmit inductor arranged to generate a wireless inductive power signal for providing power to a plurality of power receivers
Implementation Method 2
receiving data messages on a load modulation channel for load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal by the plurality of power receivers
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless power transfer system comprises a power transmitter generating a wireless power signal providing power to a plurality of power receivers (105, 109). The power transmitter (101) comprises a receiver (203) receiving data messages from the power receivers (105, 109) on a load modulation channel divided into time slots. A time slot processor (205) allocates time slots as dedicated time slots for individual power receivers or as common time slots for load modulation by any power receiver (105, 109). An identity controller (207) links a temporary identity to each of the power receivers (105) and a message processor (209) determines the source power receiver for messages in response to temporary identity information in the messages. Specifically, the message processor (209) determines the source for a first message received in a common time slot as the first power receiver (105) if the temporary identity information in the first message is indicative of a temporary identity assigned to the first power receiver (105).