Wireless Power Transfer Control Using a Receiving Power Window

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless power transfer technologies face inefficiencies due to high Peak to Average Power Ratio, leading to potential overheating and hardware breakdown, as power conversion efficiency is not monotonic with receiving power, requiring a new power control scheme to optimize power transfer in wireless communication systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power control scheme that defines a receiving power window for wireless power transfer, where terminal devices report lower and higher thresholds to maintain high power conversion efficiency, and base stations adjust transmission power based on this information to keep receiving power within optimal ranges, avoiding saturation and diode breakdown.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If wireless power transfer transmission power is increased to improve power transfer efficiency, then power conversion efficiency improves, but overheating and hardware breakdown occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower conversion efficiencyVSAvoidoverheating and hardware breakdown
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the transmission power level based on the power conversion window. The base station modifies the power transmission parameters (power level, bandwidth) according to feedback from the terminal device about its power conversion efficiency characteristics, thereby optimizing power transfer while preventing overheating and hardware damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal device measures its power conversion efficiency at different power levels and reports this information back to the base station. The base station uses this feedback to adjust subsequent transmission power, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal power conversion efficiency while preventing harmful overheating effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If power level is increased to improve power transfer rate, then productivity improves, but power conversion efficiency becomes non-monotonic and hardware may break down

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer rateVSAvoidhardware reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes power transmission parameters dynamically by establishing a power conversion window with upper and lower bounds. The base station adjusts transmission power within this window to maintain high power transfer rates while avoiding the non-monotonic efficiency region that leads to hardware breakdown, thus balancing productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-defining the power conversion window based on terminal device characteristics and power conversion efficiency measurements. This preventive measure establishes safe operating boundaries before hardware damage can occur, cushioning against potential reliability failures while maintaining high power transfer rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Loss of energy

If a new power control scheme is implemented to optimize power transfer, then power conversion efficiency is optimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower conversion efficiencyVSAvoidpower control scheme complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by integrating the power conversion efficiency measurement and reporting functionality into existing terminal devices and base station infrastructure. The power control scheme leverages existing communication channels and processing capabilities, avoiding the need for separate dedicated hardware systems, thus optimizing power conversion efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 optimizes power conversion efficiency, preventing overheating and hardware damage by maintaining the optimal power range for wireless power transfer, ensuring reliable and efficient energy harvesting in wireless communication systems.

Implementation Method 1

power conversion efficiency is not monotonic with receiving power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP4412035A1Wireless power transfer control
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP4412035A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4412035A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4A
  • EP4412035A1 patent drawingFigure 4B~5

AI summary

Apparatuses and methods in a communication system and controlling power of wireless power transfer are disclosed. A solution comprises receiving (400) from at least one terminal device information on power conversion window of wireless power transfer transmission requested by the terminal device, determining (402) the power level of wireless power transfer transmission based at least in part on the received information and controlling (404) wireless power transfer transmission based on the determination.