Resonant wireless power driver with adjustable power output

• US 10,084,345 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 09/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MediaTek Singapore Pte. Ltd. (MediaTek, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MediaTek Singapore Pte. Ltd. (MediaTek, Inc.)
• Inventors: Riehl, Patrick Stanley, Satyamoorthy, Anand, Yen, Yung-Chih
• Primary Examiner(s): Skibinski, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US14/771,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20160013660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,656 Days
• Field of Search: 307104, 375295-308, 455 411, 455 412, 455 413
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/2171 with field-effect devices H03F3/2173 - H03F3/2178 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/2176 Class E amplifiers

Abstract

A resonant wireless power (RWP) system is provided that includes a signal generator that provides an input signal waveform. An amplifier structure amplifies signals for transmissions to a receiver that is powered from a fixed DC voltage supply. The amplifier structure is operated either using differential or single-ended amplifiers to provide two different output power levels, in burst mode to provide a range of output power levels, or using a capacitor in a matching network that is adjusted to provide a range of output power levels.

Claims

1. A wireless power (WP) system comprising:

a signal generator that provides an input signal waveform; and

an amplifier structure powered from a voltage supply, wherein the amplifier structure is arranged to be operated (1) switching between operating as a differential amplifier and operating as a single ended amplifier to provide a first output power level when operating as a differential amplifier and a second output power level when operating as a single ended amplifier, (2) as a differential amplifier in burst mode to provide a range of output power levels, or (3) with a phase angle of the input signal waveform adjusted to provide a range of output power levels.

2. The WP system of claim 1, wherein the amplifier structure has the effect of varying the power levels to a load.

3. The WP system of claim 1, wherein amplifier structure comprises Class-D, E, or F amplifiers.

4. The WP system of claim 1, wherein the amplifier structure does not use duty-cycle control, frequency variation or a dc-dc converter.

5. The WP system of claim 1, wherein the amplifier structure is arranged to be operated (1) switching between operating as a differential amplifier and operating as a single ended amplifier to provide a first output power level when operating as a differential amplifier and a second output power level when operating as a single ended amplifier.

6. The (WP) system of claim 5, wherein the first output power level is double the second output power level.

7. The (WP) system of claim 1, wherein the amplifier structure is arranged to be operated (2) as a differential amplifier in burst mode to provide a range of output power levels.

8. The WP system of claim 1, wherein the signal generator adjusts the phase angle of the input signal waveform between 0 and 180 degrees, and the amplifier structure is arranged to be operated to provide an output power level varying according to the adjusted phase angle.

9. A method of controlling the power of a wireless power (WP) system comprising:

providing a signal generator that provides an input signal waveform; and

providing an amplifier structure that is powered from a voltage supply, wherein the amplifier structure is arranged to be operated (1) switching between operating as a differential amplifier or as a single ended amplifier to provide a first output power level when operating as a differential amplifier and a second output power level when operating as a single ended amplifier, (2) as a differential amplifier in burst mode to provide a range of output power levels, or (3) with a phase angle of the input signal waveform adjusted to provide a range of output power levels.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the amplifier structure has the effect of varying the power levels to a load.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein amplifier structure comprises Class-D, E, or F amplifiers.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the amplifier structure does not use duty-cycle control, frequency variation or a dc-dc converter.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the amplifier structure is arranged to be operated (1) switching between operating as a differential amplifier and operating as a single ended amplifier to provide a first output power level when operating as a differential amplifier and a second output power level when operating as a single ended amplifier.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first output power level is double the second output power level.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the amplifier structure is arranged to be operated (2) as a differential amplifier in burst mode to provide a range of output power levels.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the signal generator adjusts the phase angle of the input signal waveform between 0 and 180 degrees, and the amplifier structure is arranged to be operated to provide an output power level varying according to the adjusted phase angle.