RF System Design for Phased Array Beam Steering for Far-Field Wireless Charging for Remote, Inaccessible IoT Sensors
Disciplines
Electrical and Computer Engineering | Electromagnetics and Photonics | Systems and Communications
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Wireless power transfer is of interest for applications such as remote, inaccessible IoT sensor deployment. There is a challenge to charging these sensors due to their remote location and inaccessibility. This work is part of a larger system that includes a transmitter and receiver for wireless power transfer. Specifically, this work addresses the radio frequency system design for a flat, phased-array antenna that produces a narrow, steerable beam of focused energy in the 2.4 GHz – 2.5 GHz frequency range. The antenna is mounted on a mobile charging system that can be moved close enough to the remote sensor for charging. The beam power must be capable of charging the sensor’s energy storage batteries or supercapacitors, but not exceed regulated power limits. The antenna and RF system design should be capable of 2-way communication with the sensor. A survey of possible phased-array system designs is performed and the tradeoff between analog and digital phased-array beamforming is investigated. A preliminary RF system design is proposed, and possible available components identified. Simulations are used to assess aspects of the design.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
SPCEET - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Hoseon Lee
RF System Design for Phased Array Beam Steering for Far-Field Wireless Charging for Remote, Inaccessible IoT Sensors
Wireless power transfer is of interest for applications such as remote, inaccessible IoT sensor deployment. There is a challenge to charging these sensors due to their remote location and inaccessibility. This work is part of a larger system that includes a transmitter and receiver for wireless power transfer. Specifically, this work addresses the radio frequency system design for a flat, phased-array antenna that produces a narrow, steerable beam of focused energy in the 2.4 GHz – 2.5 GHz frequency range. The antenna is mounted on a mobile charging system that can be moved close enough to the remote sensor for charging. The beam power must be capable of charging the sensor’s energy storage batteries or supercapacitors, but not exceed regulated power limits. The antenna and RF system design should be capable of 2-way communication with the sensor. A survey of possible phased-array system designs is performed and the tradeoff between analog and digital phased-array beamforming is investigated. A preliminary RF system design is proposed, and possible available components identified. Simulations are used to assess aspects of the design.