Microwave Wireless Power Transfer System Based on a Frequency Reconfigurable Microstrip Patch Antenna Array

Abstract

The microwave wireless power transfer (MWPT) technology has found a variety of applications in consumer electronics, medical implants and sensor networks. Here, instead of a magnetic resonant coupling wireless power transfer (MRCWPT) system, a novel MWPT system based on a frequency reconfigurable (covering the S-band and C-band) microstrip patch antenna array is proposed for the first time. By switching the bias voltage-dependent capacitance value of the varactor diode between the larger main microstrip patch and the smaller side microstrip patch, the working frequency band of the MWPT system can be switched between the S-band and the C-band. Specifically, the operated frequencies of the antenna array vary continuously within a wide range from 3.41 to 3.96 GHz and 5.7 to 6.3 GHz. For the adjustable range of frequencies, the return loss of the antenna array is less than −15 dB at the resonant frequency. The gain of the frequency reconfigurable antenna array is above 6 dBi at different working frequencies. Simulation results verified by experimental results have shown that power transfer efficiency (PTE) of the MWPT system stays above 20% at different frequencies. Also, when the antenna array works at the resonant frequency of 3.64 GHz, the PTE of the MWPT system is 25%, 20.5%, and 10.3% at the distances of 20 mm, 40 mm, and 80 mm, respectively. The MWPT system can be used to power the receiver at different frequencies, which has great application prospects and market demand opportunities.

Wireless Power Transfer: A Review of Existing Technologies

“…In [32], a novel Microwave power transfer (MWPT) system based on a frequency reconfigurable (covering the Sband and C-band) microstrip patch antenna array is proposed for the first time in place of a magnetic resonant coupling WPT system. The working frequency band of the MWPT system can be changed from the S-band to the C-band by changing the bias voltage-dependent capacitance value of the varactor diode between the main microstrip patch and the smaller side microstrip patch.…”

Electric Power Network Interconnection: A Review on Current Status, Future Prospects and Research Direction

“…The main fields of research in UHV transmission for the global electric grid interconnections are: UHV AC/DC substations and circuit design [146,147]; electromagnetically controlled environmental systems [148]; project management, construction and handling guidelines of tests on UHV equipments [149,150]; development of standard for testing of equipments; gas insulated transmission lines [151,152]; unmanned aerial and robot inspecting vehicles [153]; HVDC power grid protection and control [154][155][156]; performance and design evaluation of wireless, super-conductive and pipe power transmission technology [157][158][159][160][161].…”

Design and fabrication of microwave transmitting antenna using HTS thick disk for wireless power transfer

“…Wireless power transmission (WPT) is classified into radiative and non-radiative transmission. Nonradiative transmission can achieve high-efficiency transmission over short distances, whereas in radiative transmission, while there is the possibility of long-distance transmission, it is very difficult to improve the transmission efficiencies [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Yang has reported that the transmission efficiency of 46.9% with a distance of 100 cm can be obtained by using 8×8 array antennas for both transmitting and receiving [8].…”