Adaptive impedance tuning in wireless power transmission

• US 8,338,991 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2010
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Von Novak, William H, Wheatley, Charles E III, Toncich, Stanley S, Ozaki, Ernest T
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US12/713,123
• Publication Number:
  US 20100277003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power. A wireless power receiver includes a receive antenna for coupling with near field radiation in a coupling-mode region generated by a transmit antenna operating at a resonant frequency. The receive antenna generates an RF signal when coupled to the near field radiation and a rectifier converts the RF signal to a DC input signal. A direct current-to-direct current (DC-to-DC) converter coupled to the DC input signal generates a DC output signal. A pulse modulator generates a pulse-width modulation signal to the DC-to-DC converter to adjust a DC impedance of the wireless power receiver by modifying a duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal responsive to at least one of a voltage of the DC input signal, a current of the DC input signal, a voltage of the DC output signal, and a current of the DC output signal.

Claims

1. A wireless power receiver, comprising:

a rectifier coupled to an antenna, the antenna configured to receive a wireless power signal, the rectifier configured to convert the wireless power signal to a direct current input signal;

a direct current-to-direct current converter configured to generate a direct current output signal based in part on the direct current input signal and a pulse-width modulation signal; and

a pulse modulator configured to adjust an alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver by modifying, based in part on the direct current input signal, a duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal to the direct current-to-direct current converter.

2. The wireless power receiver of claim 1, wherein the direct current-to-direct current converter is further configured to adjust a power output of the direct current output signal based in part on the voltage of the direct current input signal.

3. The wireless power receiver of claim 1, wherein the pulse modulator is further configured to modify the pulse-width modulation signal to the direct current-to-direct current converter responsive to a current of the direct current input signal.

4. The wireless power receiver of claim 1, wherein the pulse modulator is further configured to modify the pulse-width modulation signal to the direct current-to-direct current converter based at least in part on one of a voltage of the direct current output signal and a current of the direct current output signal.

5. The wireless power receiver of claim 1, wherein the pulse modulator further comprises a comparator configured to generate the pulse-width modulation signal based in part on a comparison of the direct current input signal and a reference signal.

6. The wireless power receiver of claim 1, wherein the pulse modulator further comprises a processor, the processor configured to:

receive the direct current input signal;

sample a value of the direct current input signal; and

adjust the alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver wherein adjusting comprises adjusting the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal based in part on the value sampled from the direct current input signal.

7. The wireless power receiver of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to:

sample at least one of a current of the direct current input signal, a voltage of the direct current output signal, and a current of the direct current output signal; and

further adjust the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal based in part on the sampled current of the direct current input signal, the sampled voltage of the direct current output signal, the sampled current of the direct current output signal, or combinations thereof.

8. The wireless power receiver of claim 6, further comprising:

an input current sensor configured to generate an input-current-sense signal based in part on a current of the direct current input signal; and

wherein the processor is further configured to;

receive the input-current-sense signal; and

sample the input-current-sense signal;

wherein adjusting the alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver further comprises adjusting the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal based in part on the sampled input-current-sense signal.

9. The wireless power receiver of claim 6, further comprising:

an output current sensor configured to generate an output-current-sense signal based in part on a current of the direct current output signal; and

wherein the processor is further configured to;

receive the output-current-sense signal;

sample the output-current-sense signal; and

sample the voltage of the direct current output signal,

wherein adjusting the alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver further comprises adjusting the pulse-width modulation signal based in part on the sampled voltage of the direct current output signal and the sampled output-current-sense signal.

10. The wireless power receiver of claim 6, wherein the value sampled is one or more of a current of the direct input signal and a voltage of the direct input signal.

11. The wireless power receiver of claim 1, wherein the pulse modulator further comprises a processor, the processor configured to:

receive the direct current input signal; and

sample a value of the direct current input signal, wherein modifying the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal comprises modifying the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal based in part on the sampled value from the direct current input signal to reduce a power output on the direct current output signal to a power level less than optimal and acceptable to a receiver device configured to receive the direct current output signal.

12. The wireless power receiver of claim 1, wherein the direct current-to-direct current converter comprises a buck converter or a boost converter configured to receive the direct current input signal, the direct current output signal, and the pulse-width modulation signal, the direct current-to-direct current converter configured to:

adjust an input impedance on the direct current input signal; and

adjust a voltage of the direct current output signal relative to the direct current input signal based in part on the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal.

13. A method, comprising:

receiving a wireless power signal at a wireless power receiver;

rectifying the wireless power signal to a direct current input signal;

converting the direct current input signal to a direct current output signal; and

modifying an alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver by adjusting a power output of the direct current output signal based in part on the direct current input signal.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the modifying the alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver further comprises adjusting the power output of the direct current output signal based in part on one or more of a voltage of the direct current input signal and a current of the direct current input signal.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the modifying the alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver further comprises adjusting the power output of the direct current output signal based in part on one or more of a voltage of the direct current input signal, a voltage of the direct current output signal, and a current of the direct current output signal.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the modifying the alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver further comprises adjusting the power output of the direct current output signal based in part on one or more of a voltage of the direct current input signal, a current of the direct current input signal, a voltage of the direct current output signal and a current of the direct current output signal.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein modifying the alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver is based in part on a comparison of the direct current input signal to a voltage reference signal.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the converting the direct current input signal to the direct current output signal comprises buck conversion or a boost conversion, the converting further comprising:

sampling the voltage of the direct current input signal;

determining a maximum power output responsive to the sampled voltage of the direct current input signal; and

adjusting a pulse-width modulation signal to substantially maximize the power output of the direct current output signal.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the converting the direct current input signal to the direct current output signal comprises buck conversion or a boost, the converting further comprising:

sampling a voltage of the direct current input signal;

determining a maximum power output based in part on the sampled voltage of the direct current input signal; and

adjusting a pulse-width modulation signal on the direct current output signal to a power level less than optimal and acceptable to a receiver device configured to receive the direct current output signal.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

sampling one or more values from at least one of a current of the direct current input signal, a voltage of the direct current output signal, and a current of the direct current output signal; and

wherein the determining the maximum power output is based in part on one or more of the sampled values.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the one or more values sampled is one or more of a current of the direct current input signal and a voltage of the direct current input signal.

22. A wireless power receiver, comprising:

means for receiving a wireless power signal;

means for rectifying the wireless power signal to a direct current input signal;

means for converting the direct current input signal to a direct current output signal; and

means for modifying an alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver comprising a means for adjusting, based in part on the direct current input signal, a power output of the direct current output signal from the means for converting the direct current input signal to a direct current output signal.

23. The wireless power receiver of claim 22, wherein the means for modifying the alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver further comprises means for adjusting the power output of the direct current output signal from the means for converting the direct current input signal to a direct current output signal based in part on one or more of a voltage of the direct current input signal and a current of the direct current input signal.

24. The wireless power receiver of claim 22, wherein the means for modifying the alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver further comprises means for adjusting the power output of the direct current output signal from the means for converting the direct current input signal to a direct current output signal based in part on one or more of a voltage of the direct current input signal, a voltage of the direct current output signal, and a current of the direct current output signal.

25. The wireless power receiver of claim 22, wherein the means for modifying the alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver further comprises means for adjusting the power output of the direct current output signal from the means for converting the direct current input signal to a direct current output signal based in part on one or more of the direct current input signal, a current of the direct current input signal, a voltage of the direct current output signal and a current of the direct current output signal.

26. The wireless power receiver of claim 22, further comprising means for comparing the direct current input signal to a voltage reference signal to determine a value, the means for modifying the alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver configured to modify the alternating current impedance based in part on the value.

27. The wireless power receiver of claim 22, wherein the means for converting the direct current input signal to the direct current comprises at least one of a means for buck conversion or a means for boost conversion, the means for converting the direct current input signal to the direct current output signal further comprising:

means for sampling one or more values from the direct current input signal;

means for determining a maximum power output based in part on the sampled values of the direct current input signal; and

means for adjusting a pulse-width modulation signal received by the means for converting the direct current input signal to the direct current output signal to substantially maximize the power output of the DC output signal.

28. The wireless power receiver of claim 27, wherein the means for modifying the alternating current impedance, the means for sampling, the means for determining the maximum power output, and the means for adjusting the pulse-width modulation signal are comprised within a processor means.

29. The wireless power receiver of claim 27, wherein the one or more values sampled is one or more of a current of the direct current input signal and a voltage of the direct current input signal.

30. The wireless power receiver of claim 22, wherein the means for converting the direct current input signal to the direct current output signal comprises at least one of a means for buck conversion or a means for boost conversion, the means for converting the direct current input signal to the direct current output signal further comprising:

means for sampling the voltage of the direct current input signal;

means for adjusting a pulse-width modulation signal received by the means for converting the direct current input signal to the direct current output signal to reduce the power output on the direct current output signal to a power level less than optimal and acceptable to a receiver device configured to receive the DC output signal.

31. The wireless power receiver of claim 22, further comprising:

means for sampling one or more values from at least one of a current of the direct current input signal, a voltage of the direct current output signal, and a current of the direct current output signal; and

means for determining the maximum power output based in part on the sampled values.

32. A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions executable by a processor of an apparatus that cause the apparatus to:

couple near field radiation in a coupling-mode region to generate a wireless power signal for a wireless power receiver;

rectify the wireless power signal to a direct current input signal;

convert the direct current input signal to a direct current output signal; and

modify an alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver by adjusting, based in part on the direct current input signal, a power output of the direct current output signal from the direct current-to-direct current.

33. The computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein modifying the alternating current impedance of the wireless power receiver comprises adjusting the power output of the direct current output signal from the direct current-to-direct current converter based in part on one or more of a voltage of the direct current input signal, a current of the direct current input signal, a voltage of the direct current output signal, and a current of the direct current output signal.