Abstract:
A system for detecting and characterizing an object proximate to a wireless power transmitting unit includes a transmit circuit having a transmit antenna, the transmit circuit configured to transmit at least one signal having a frequency related to a fundamental power transmit frequency, the transmit circuit configured to measure a response of the transmit antenna, and a controller circuit configured to characterize the object based on the response of the transmit antenna.
Abstract:
An apparatus for wirelessly transferring charging power is provided. The apparatus comprises a coupler configured to generate a wireless field when driven with a time-varying current. The apparatus comprises a measurement circuit configured to determine a parasitic capacitance between the coupler and ground while the coupler generates the wireless field. The apparatus comprises a controller circuit configured to determine a presence of a foreign object in response to the determined parasitic capacitance satisfying a detection criteria. The detection criteria may comprises a time-varying pattern of the determined parasitic capacitance predetermined to correspond to presence of a presence of the foreign object. The detection criteria may also comprises a threshold change in the determined parasitic capacitance predetermined to correspond to presence of a presence of the foreign object.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method and system for precisely measuring AC power and detecting load impedance using a precise analog front-end, zero-crossing detectors, and a phase detection system capable of extracting precise phase information from the sensed voltage and current measurements. More particularly, the invention provides an apparatus, comprising a transmit circuit configured to generate a wireless field via an antenna for transferring charging power to a receiver device, for determining a phase difference between a first signal and a second signal. The apparatus further comprises a phase detection circuit to output a phase signal indicating a duration of a phase offset between a time-varying voltage and a time-varying current of the transmit circuit. The apparatus further comprises a capacitor configured to receive a variable current from a current source for the duration of the phase offset between the time-varying voltage and a time-varying current.
Abstract:
A system for detecting and characterizing an object proximate to a wireless power transmitting unit includes a transmit circuit having a transmit antenna, the transmit circuit configured to transmit at least one signal having a frequency related to a fundamental power transmit frequency, the transmit circuit configured to measure a response of the transmit antenna, and a controller circuit configured to characterize the object based on the response of the transmit antenna.
Abstract:
An apparatus for wireless power transfer may include a resonator circuit configured to couple to an externally generated magnetic field to produce an AC current. A rectifier circuit may be configured to produce a DC signal from the AC current. A variable impedance circuit may be electrically connected as an electrical load to an output of the rectifier circuit. A control circuit may be configured to produce a control signal based on an electrical characteristic of the DC signal produced at the output of the rectifier circuit. The variable impedance circuit may be configured to change its impedance in response to the control signal of the control circuit.
Abstract:
Techniques for wired and wireless charging of electronic devices are provided. An example of a method for charging a device according to the disclosure includes receiving a signal from a power source with an electronic circuit, such that the electronic circuit includes a synchronous rectifier comprising a first phase leg and a second phase leg, utilizing the first phase leg to implement synchronous rectification and the second phase leg to implement a single phase buck converter when the signal is a wireless signal received from the power source, utilizing the first phase leg and the second phase leg to implement a multi-phase buck converter when the signal is received from a wired power source, and providing an output signal with the electronic circuit.
Abstract:
An aspect of this disclosure is an apparatus for receiving power wirelessly. The apparatus comprises a power transmission circuit and a power transceiver circuit. The power transmission circuit has a first antenna and is configured to provide power sufficient to charge a receiver via a first magnetic field. The power transmission circuit experiences a level of impedance based at least in part on an impedance of the receiver. The power transceiver circuit has a transceiver impedance and operates in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the power transceiver circuit is configured to generate a second magnetic field. In the second mode, the power transceiver circuit is configured to receive power from the first magnetic field and maintain the level of impedance experienced by the power transmission circuit within a target impedance range based on controlling variations in the transceiver impedance.
Abstract:
Resonant rectifier topologies are described for tuning the rectifier so that it performs from an electromagnetic interference (EMI) point of view, while maintaining the voltage regulation at the output that a series tuned rectifier would maintain. Examples include a an inductor of a receive coupler and a rectifier connectable to drive a load, along with first and second filter elements that are each configured to provide an impedance inversion function in a frequency band and that are connected in series between the inductor of a receive coupler and rectifier. In one set of examples, both filter elements are implemented as pair filters, while in other examples the first filter element includes the inductor of a receive coupler in parallel with a capacitance connected to ground.
Abstract:
An apparatus for wirelessly transferring charging power is provided. The apparatus comprises a coupler configured to generate a wireless field when driven with a time-varying current. The apparatus comprises a measurement circuit configured to determine a parasitic capacitance between the coupler and ground while the coupler generates the wireless field. The apparatus comprises a controller circuit configured to determine a presence of a foreign object in response to the determined parasitic capacitance satisfying a detection criteria. The detection criteria may comprises a time-varying pattern of the determined parasitic capacitance predetermined to correspond to presence of a presence of the foreign object. The detection criteria may also comprises a threshold change in the determined parasitic capacitance predetermined to correspond to presence of a presence of the foreign object.
Abstract:
A wireless power receiver includes: a power-receiving antenna configured to receive power wirelessly from a transmitter; power-processing circuitry that is coupled to the power-receiving antenna to receive power from the power-receiving antenna and that is configured to process the power received from the power-receiving antenna; and a controller communicatively coupled to the power-processing circuitry and configured to: determine a value of a dynamic parameter indicative of at least one of content of the power-processing circuitry, operation of the power-processing circuitry, or a relationship between the receiver and the transmitter; and determine an estimated impedance using the value of the dynamic parameter, the estimated impedance being an estimate of at least a portion of reflected impedance presented to the transmitter by the receiver.