Digital Beamforming Algorithm for Wireless Power Transfer
Disciplines
Electromagnetics and Photonics | Other Electrical and Computer Engineering | Signal Processing
Abstract (300 words maximum)
There are billions of Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected worldwide with that number growing year after year. IoT devices include smart locks, motion and pressure sensors, digital assistants, and anything else that connects to the internet. All IoT devices require power. A majority of IoT devices use cables to deliver power and truly wireless devices use batteries, which typically also require cables to charge. Charging billions upon billions of batteries can be a challenge. Additionally, many IoT devices are buried underground or are embedded within walls or other inaccessible areas. We are developing a wireless power transfer system to address the problem of physically accessing the device in order to be charged or powered. Specifically, this is an algorithm to control the RF subsystem to enable beam steering with a patch antenna array. This algorithm consists of four stages: start-up, searching, optimization, and charging. The startup stage ensures that the algorithm has the necessary information available and ensures that the array has power. The searching state searches the available area to find the approximate location of the device before moving into the optimization state. The optimization state narrows down the search area to find the more precise location of the device. Once the more precise location has been found, the algorithm starts a clock and continuously checks the battery level. Once the battery is adequately charged, or enough time has elapsed, it returns to the searching state to find the next device.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
SPCEET - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Hoseon Lee
Digital Beamforming Algorithm for Wireless Power Transfer
There are billions of Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected worldwide with that number growing year after year. IoT devices include smart locks, motion and pressure sensors, digital assistants, and anything else that connects to the internet. All IoT devices require power. A majority of IoT devices use cables to deliver power and truly wireless devices use batteries, which typically also require cables to charge. Charging billions upon billions of batteries can be a challenge. Additionally, many IoT devices are buried underground or are embedded within walls or other inaccessible areas. We are developing a wireless power transfer system to address the problem of physically accessing the device in order to be charged or powered. Specifically, this is an algorithm to control the RF subsystem to enable beam steering with a patch antenna array. This algorithm consists of four stages: start-up, searching, optimization, and charging. The startup stage ensures that the algorithm has the necessary information available and ensures that the array has power. The searching state searches the available area to find the approximate location of the device before moving into the optimization state. The optimization state narrows down the search area to find the more precise location of the device. Once the more precise location has been found, the algorithm starts a clock and continuously checks the battery level. Once the battery is adequately charged, or enough time has elapsed, it returns to the searching state to find the next device.