Wireless Power

Transmission

INTRODUCTION;
 Wireless power transmission (WPT), also known as wireless power
transfer, is the transfer of electrical energy from a power source to a receiver
without physical wires or connectors. It utilizes electromagnetic fields to transmit
energy, offering a convenient solution for charging devices and powering
equipment. Common methods include inductive coupling, resonant inductive
coupling, and microwave transmission.

. Wireless power techniques mainly fall into two categories: Near and
far field. In near field or non-radiative techniques, power is transferred over short
distances by magnetic fields using inductive coupling between coils of wire, or by
electric fields using capacitive coupling between metal electrodes. Inductive
coupling is the most widely used wireless technology; its applications include
charging handheld devices like phones and electric toothbrushes, RFID tags,
induction cooking, and wirelessly charging or continuous wireless power transfer
in implantable medical devices like artificial cardiac pacemakers, or electric
vehicles. In far-field or radiative techniques, also called power beaming, power is
transferred by beams of electromagnetic radiation, like microwaves or laser beams.
These techniques can transport energy longer distances but must be aimed at the
receiver. Proposed applications for this type include solar power satellites and
wireless powered drone aircraft.

OBJECTIVE:
The primary aim of this project is to build a simple and working
wireless charger capable of lighting up an LED. Through this project we aim to :
Understand the concept of Wireless power
transmission.
Understand the functioning of each component.
CONCEPT OVERVIEW:
Inductive charging (also known as wireless
charging or cordless charging) is a type of wireless power transfer. It uses
electromagnetic induction to provide electricity to portable devices. Inductive
charging is also used in vehicles, power tools, electric toothbrushes, and medical
devices. The portable equipment can be placed near a charging station or inductive
pad without needing to be precisely aligned or make electrical contact with a dock
or plug.
Inductive charging is named so because it transfers
energy through inductive coupling. First, alternating current passes through an
induction coil in the charging station or pad. The moving electric charge creates a
magnetic field, which fluctuates in strength because the electric current's amplitude
is fluctuating. This changing magnetic field creates an alternating electric current
in the portable device's induction coil, which in turn passes through a rectifier to
convert it to direct current. Finally, the direct current charges a battery or provides
operating power.
Greater distances between sender and receiver coils
can be achieved when the inductive charging system uses resonant inductive
coupling, where a capacitor is added to each induction coil to create two LC
circuits with a specific resonance frequency. The frequency of the alternating
current is matched with the resonance frequency, and the frequency is chosen
depending on the distance desired for peak efficiency.

COMPONENTS REQUIRED:
Transmitter (Charging Pad):
 Power Adapter: Converts AC power from a wall outlet to DC power.
 Charging Cable: Connects the power adapter to the charging pad.
 Transmitter Coil: A coil of wire that generates a magnetic field when an
alternating current passes through it.
 Switching Circuit: Generates the alternating signal needed for the
transmitter coil.
 Core and Shield: Components that help focus and direct the magnetic field.
Receiver (Device):
 Receiver Coil: Captures the magnetic field from the transmitter and
converts it into an alternating current.
 Rectifier: Converts the alternating current into direct current.
 Voltage Regulator: Ensures the DC voltage is at the correct level for
charging the device.
  Charging Detection and Power Management: Components that manage
the charging process, including detecting when a device is placed on the pad
and regulating the charging current.
 Protection Mechanisms: Safeguards against overcharging, overheating, and
other potential issues.
 Physical Protection: Protects the receiver components from damage.

Circuit Diagram :

CONSTRUCTION :
Building the Coils:
Transmitting Coil:
Wind the copper wire into a coil, ensuring a specific number of turns (e.g., 10-15
turns for a simple charger).
Receiving Coil:
Wind a similar coil, but it might need more turns depending on the desired voltage
output and distance between coils.
Coil Size:
The diameter of the coils will affect the power transfer efficiency. Aim for a size
that is suitable for the charging distance and the device's receiving coil.
Transmitting Circuit:
Connect the transmitting coil to the power source through a charging circuit that
can create a fluctuating magnetic field (often achieved with an oscillator circuit). If
using a module, connect the module's input to the power source and its output to
the transmitting coil.
Receiving Circuit:
Connect the receiving coil to the charging circuit module's input. If using a Qi-
compatible circuit, it will regulate the power and provide charging to the device.

WORKING PRINCIPLE:
Fundamental Principles
At the core of wireless charging is the concept of electromagnetic
induction and resonant inductive coupling. These principles enable the
transfer of energy without direct electrical contact.
What is Electromagnetic Induction?
Electromagnetic induction is the process by which a changing magnetic
field within a coil of wire induces an electromotive force (EMF) across
the ends of the coil.
When the transmitter coil in the charging pad is energized with an
alternating current (AC), it generates a time-varying magnetic field. This
magnetic field is confined within a specific area around the coil,
influenced by factors like coil geometry and current frequency. When a
receiver coil in a device is placed within this magnetic field, the
changing magnetic flux induces an AC voltage across the receiver coil.
This induced voltage can drive a current through a load connected to the
receiver coil, effectively transferring power wirelessly. This principle,
discovered by Michael Faraday, forms the basis of wireless charging
technology.
Resonant Inductive Coupling
Resonant inductive coupling is the near-field wireless transmission of
electrical energy between two coils, coupled by a magnetic field. Both
coils must be tuned to resonate at the same frequency. Power is
transferred via magnetic fields between two resonant-tuned circuits: one
in the transmitter and one in the receiver, as illustrated in Figure 2
below. Each resonant circuit consists of a coil connected to a capacitor.
To achieve increased coupling and maximum power transfer, the two
coils must be tuned at the same resonant frequency. We also need a high
Q-factor of the coils and a significantly high coupling factor as well.
If you are wondering how is that different from the concept of
electromagnetic induction that we just discussed, here are a few key
differences

Electrical resonance occurs in an electric circuit at a particular resonance

frequency, where the imaginary parts of impedances or admittances of
circuit elements are equal in magnitude but opposite in phase, effectively
nulling each other out. This results in the circuit exhibiting purely
resistive impedance at resonance, often seen in LC and RLC circuits.
If we consider the resonance in a circuit involving capacitors and
inductors, it primarily occurs because the collapsing magnetic field in
the inductor generates an electric current in its windings, which charges
the capacitor. Then, the discharging capacitor provides an electric
current that rebuilds the magnetic field in the inductor. This process
repeats continuously, creating a resonant frequency as energy oscillates
between the inductor and capacitor.

Resonance tuning is achieved by designing the coils with specific

inductance (L) and capacitance (C) values to resonate at a particular
frequency, given by the formula:

When the coils are at resonance, the energy transfer between them is
maximized.
The Q-factor of a coil measures how good the inductor is at storing
energy. It primarily depends on the shape and size of the coil and the
materials used. It is an important parameter to take care of, because
every coil has a small resistance in addition to its inductance. The lower
the value of this resistance (R), the higher the Q factor of the coil.
Values for the Q-factor typically range between 10 and 100. A Q-factor
below ten is generally useless.

The quality factor (Q) at the operating frequency (ω) is defined as:

The efficiency of power transfer is heavily influenced by the magnetic

coupling factor (k), which represents how efficiently the magnetic field
of the transmitter couples with the receiver. This factor depends on coil
alignment, distance, and orientation. A higher coupling factor indicates
better energy transfer.

The coupling factor (k) is a dimensionless value that defines the

interaction between the primary and secondary coils of any wireless
power transfer system. It should be between zero and one, with one
indicating perfect coupling, meaning all flux generated penetrates the
receiver coil. Common coupling factors range from 0.32 to 0.65. A
negative coupling factor indicates the capture of magnetic flux from
behind, leading to opposite-phase voltage induction. The coupling factor
is given by:

Detailed Wireless Charging Process

The wireless charging process involves several critical steps, each with
important components and mechanisms.

Energy Transmission Process

The wireless mobile battery charger works through inductive coupling,
which involves several steps. First, the transmitter coil generates a high-
frequency AC signal that creates an alternating magnetic field. This
alternating magnetic field is crucial for energy transfer as it radiates
around the transmitter coil. The receiver coil, when placed within the
range of this magnetic field, captures the energy and induces an AC
voltage within its windings through electromagnetic induction. This
induced AC voltage is then rectified to DC by the receiver's rectifier
circuit to ensure compatibility with the electronic components of the
mobile phone. Subsequently, the voltage regulator adjusts this DC
voltage to a level suitable for the mobile phone battery, preventing
overcharging and ensuring a steady flow of power.

Finally, the adjusted DC voltage charges the mobile phone battery,

providing a seamless and efficient energy transfer process that powers
the device without the need for physical connectors. This process not
only enhances the user experience by offering convenience but also
reduces wear and tear on charging ports, contributing to the longevity of
mobile devices.

If you still need help understanding the process, we recommend

checking out what our Friends at CircuitBread have to say about
wireless charging in their blog: How does Wireless Power Transmission
work?. Not only this, you’ll find several other tutorials on their website
which deal with the components involved in the wireless charging
process.

Wireless Charging Standards

There are multiple standards that govern wireless charging technology to
ensure safety and compatibility. The most popular standards are as
follows:

Qi (pronounced "chee")
Developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), Qi is the most
widely adopted wireless charging standard. It supports both low-power
(up to 30 watts) and high-power (up to 1 kilowatt) charging applications.
Qi ensures interoperability between different devices and chargers,
making it a popular choice for smartphones and other small electronic
devices.

AirFuel Alliance
The AirFuel Alliance, formed by the merger of the Alliance for Wireless
Power (A4WP) and the Power Matters Alliance (PMA), promotes two
wireless charging technologies: resonant inductive and radio frequency
(RF) charging. AirFuel's resonant technology allows for greater spatial
freedom and multiple device charging, while RF charging supports
charging over longer distances.

Efficiency Considerations
Wireless charging systems must be designed to minimize energy loss
and maximize efficiency. Key factors influencing efficiency include coil
design, alignment, frequency, and heat management. Optimizing the
shape, size, and materials of the coils can significantly improve
efficiency.

Proper alignment of the transmitter and receiver coils ensures optimal

coupling and energy transfer. The operating frequency affects both the
efficiency and range of wireless charging, with higher frequencies
offering better efficiency but potentially requiring more precise
alignment. Additionally, efficient wireless charging systems must
manage heat generation to prevent energy loss and ensure safe operation.
As we continue to innovate and refine wireless charging technology, its
applications will expand, offering new possibilities and transforming
how we interact with our electronic devices.

ADVANATGES:
 Protected connections – No corrosion when the electronics are
enclosed, away from water or oxygen in the atmosphere. Less risk
of electrical faults such as short circuits due to insulation failure,
especially where connections are made or broken frequently
 Low infection risk – For embedded medical devices, the
transmission of power via a magnetic field passing through the
skin avoids the infection risks associated with wires penetrating the
skin.
 Durability – Without the need to constantly plug and unplug the
device, there is significantly less wear and tear on the socket of the
device and the attaching cable.
 Increased convenience and aesthetic quality. Automated high
power inductive charging of electric vehicles allows for more
frequent charging events and consequently an extension of driving
range. Inductive charging systems can be operated automatically
without dependence on people to plug and unplug. This can result
in higher reliability. Automatic operation of inductive charging in
roads theoretically allows vehicles to run indefinitely.

DISADVANATGES:
The following disadvantages have been noted for low-power (i.e., less
than 100 watts) inductive charging devices, and may not apply to high-
power (i.e., greater than 5 kilowatts) electric vehicle inductive charging
systems

 Slower charging – Due to the lower efficiency, devices take 15

percent longer to charge when supplied power is the same amount.
 More expensive – Inductive charging also requires drive
electronics and coils in both device and charger, increasing the
complexity and cost of manufacturing
 Inconvenience – When a mobile device is connected to a cable, it
can be moved around (albeit in a limited range) and operated while
charging. In most implementations of inductive charging, the
mobile device must be left on a pad to charge, and cannot be
moved around or easily operated while charging. With some
standards, charging can be maintained at a distance, but only with
nothing present between the transmitter and receiver.
 Compatible standards – Not all devices are compatible with
different inductive chargers. However, some devices support
multiple standards.
 Inefficiency has other costs besides longer charge times. Inductive
chargers produce more waste heat than wired chargers, which may
negatively impact battery longevity. An amateur 2020 analysis of
energy use conducted with a Pixel 4 found that a wired charge
from 0 to 100 percent consumed 14.26 Wh (watt-hours), while a
wireless charging stand used 19.8 Wh, an increase of 39%. Using a
generic wireless charging pad and mis-aligning the phone
produced consumption up to 25.62 W or an 80% increase. The
analysis noted that while this is not likely to be noticeable to
individuals, it has negative implications for greater adoption of
smartphone wireless charging.
  Newer approaches reduce transfer losses through the use of ultra
thin coils, higher frequencies, and optimized drive electronics. This
results in more efficient and compact chargers and receivers,
facilitating their integration into mobile devices or batteries with
minimal changes required. These technologies provide charging
times comparable to wired approaches, and they are rapidly finding
their way into mobile devices.

SAFETY:
An increase in high-power inductive charging devices has led to
researchers looking into the safety factor of the electromagnetic fields
(EMF) put off by larger inductor coils. With the recent interest in the
expansion of high power inductive charging with electric cars, an
increase in health and safety concerns has arisen. To provide a larger
distance of coverage people would in return need a larger coil for the
inductor. An electric car with this size conductor would need about 300
kW from a 400 V battery to emit enough charge in order to charge the
vehicle. This much exposure of electromagnetic waves to the skin of a
human could prove harmful if not met within the right conditions.
Exposure limits can be satisfied even when the transmitter coil is very
close to the body.

Testing has been done on how organs can be affected by these fields
when put under low levels of frequency from these fields. When
exposed to various levels of frequencies, dizziness, light flashes, or
tingling through nerves can be experienced. At higher ranges, heating or
even burning of the skin can be experienced as well. Most people
experience low EMF in everyday life. The most common place to
experience these frequencies is with a wireless charger, usually on a
nightstand located near the head.

EXAMPLES:
 Oral-B rechargeable toothbrushes by the Braun company have
used inductive charging since the early 1990s.
 At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2007,
Visteon unveiled its inductive charging system for in-vehicle use
that could charge only specially made cell phones to MP3 players
with compatible receivers.
 April 2009: An Energizer inductive charging station for the Wii
remote was reported on IGN.
 At CES in January 2009, Palm, Inc. announced its new Pre
smartphone would be available with an optional inductive charger
accessory, the "Touchstone". The charger came with a required
special backplate that became standard on the subsequent Pre Plus
model announced at CES 2010. This was also featured on later
Pixi, Pixi Plus, and Veer 4G smartphones. Upon launch in 2011,
the ill-fated HP Touchpad tablet (after HP's acquisition of Palm
Inc.) had a built in touchstone coil that doubled as an antenna for
its NFC-like Touch to Share feature.
 March 2012: Samsung launched the Galaxy S3, which supports an
optionally retrofittable back cover accessory, included in their
separate “Wireless Charging Kit”.
 Nokia announced in September 2012, the Lumia 920 and Lumia
820, which supports respectively integrate inductive charging and
inductive charging with an accessory back.
 March 2013: Samsung launched the Galaxy S4, which supports
inductive charging with an accessory back cover.
 July 2013: Google and ASUS launched the Nexus 7 2013 Edition
with integrated inductive charging.
  September 2014: Apple announced Apple Watch (released in
April 2015), which uses wireless inductive charging.
 August 2017: Wärtsilä claimed operation of a full scale pilot
installation with 1.6MW and 500mm distance between landside
and onboard coils for charging of an electric hybrid ferry in
commercial operation, the pilot test was run for one year.
 September 2017: Apple announced the AirPower wireless
charging mat. It was meant to be capable of charging an iPhone, an
Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously; however, the product
was never released. In September 2018, Apple removed most
mentions of the AirPower from its website and in March 2019, it
canceled the product completely
Qi devices
 Wireless charging pad used to charge devices with the Qi standard
 Nokia launched two smartphones (the Lumia 820 and Lumia 920)
in September 2012, which feature Qi inductive charging.
 Google and LG launched the Nexus 4 in October 2012 which
supports inductive charging using the Qi standard.
 Motorola Mobility launched its Droid 3 and Droid 4, both
optionally support the Qi standard.
 In November 2012 HTC launched the Droid DNA, which also
supports the Qi standard.
 In October 2013 Google and LG launched the Nexus 5, which
supports inductive charging with Qi.
 April 2014 - Samsung launched the Galaxy S5 that supports Qi
wireless charging with either a wireless charging back or receiver.
 November 2015 - Microsoft launched the Lumia 950 XL and
Lumia 950 which support charging with the Qi standard.
 February 2016 - Samsung announced its new flagship Galaxy S7
and S7 Edge which use an interface that is almost the same as Qi.
 The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy Note 8 released in
2017 also feature Qi wireless charging technology.
 September 2017 - Apple announced that the iPhone 8 and iPhone
X would feature Qi wireless charging. 2020 models branded this
capability MagSafe with added magnets.
Dual standard
 March 2015: Samsung announced its new flagship Galaxy S6 and
S6 Edge with wireless inductive charging through both Qi and
PMA compatible chargers. All phones in the Samsung Galaxy S
and Note lines following the S6 have supported wireless charging.
 November 2015 - BlackBerry released its new flagship
BlackBerry Priv, the first BlackBerry phone to support wireless
inductive charging through both Qi and PMA compatible chargers.

CONCLUSION:
Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technologies offer a promising solution
for wirelessly transmitting electrical energy, with applications ranging
from consumer electronics to electric vehicles and industrial automation.
WPT offers advantages like convenience, enhanced safety through the
elimination of physical connectors, and potential for more efficient and
sustainable energy distribution. While challenges remain in terms of
efficiency, range, and cost, ongoing research and development efforts
are continuously improving WPT technology.