2014 International Conference on Connected Vehicles and Expo (ICCVE)
Application of Existing Wireless Power Transfer
Standards in Automotive Applications
Darya Bululukova
Embedded Systems Department
UAS Technikum Wien
Vienna, Austria
darya.bululukova@technikum-wien.at
Abstract This work reviews existing standards for wireless
power transfer and discusses possibilities for a unified standard
in consumer electronics and automotive industry. The
requirements for deployment of the wireless power transfer
technology in electric vehicles are the main focus of this survey.
The provided overview summarizes the applicable regulations,
points out the main limitations of the existing standards, and
proposes several key points for a wireless power transfer
standard in automotive industry.
Keywords wireless power transfer; inductive coupling;
wireless charging standard
I. GENERAL TECHNICAL ASPECTS
Wireless power transfer (WPT) is based on the principle of
electromagnetic induction. Similar to the basic transformer,
current flowing through the primary coil (transmitter Tx)
creates a magnetic field with reverse polarity in each cycle,
inducing an alternating field in secondary coil, also referred as
pick up coil (receiver Rx). The coupling factor of the system is
influenced by the lateral, angular and vertical misalignments
between the coils, and their size. Operating frequency defines
efficiency of the power transfer; higher frequency induces a
higher voltage in the Rx coil. Above the MHz range, the wiring
of both primary and secondary side suffer from the Skin effect.
Power inverter electronics lose efficiency primarily due to
switching losses [1]. The Proximity effect causes additional
power dissipation through the magnetic flux leakage in closely
spaced coils [1].
The overall system energy conversion rate of a WPT
system consists of the efficiency of the power electronics, the
magnetic link and the receiver side transformer. Efficiency of
approx.70% is typical for WPT systems. With precise design,
high quality components, shielding, high quality switching
devices and the usage of resonant coupling it is possible to
reach approx.90% efficiency [2].
Tx power consumption in idle mode - if no device is
present or the present device does not require further energy -
is a critical aspect for efficiency. Detection of either of the two
cases is done by measurement of capacitance change,
resonance change or by sending digital pings. Foreign object
detection (FOD) and live object detection (LOD) methods are
used to avoid the heat generation in ferrous metal objects and
to prevent damage of organic materials within the transmission
zone.
978-1-4799-6729-2/14/$31.00 2014 IEEE
Michael Kramer
Embedded Systems Department
UAS Technikum Wien
Vienna, Austria
michael.kramer@technikum-wien.at
A. Applicable Regulations
To manage the transition from existing use cases to
commercialization regulatory issues should be considered. Due
to the unclear specification of WPT systems, various
regulations for ISM equipment are applicable.
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) requirements prescribe
exposure limits in the broadband of 0Hz-300GHz. RF exposure
is regulated by the regional EMF standards and by independent
regulation bodies:
US FCC CFR 47 part 15, part 18 [3], [4]
EU CENELEC EN55011 [5]
Canada IC ICES-001 [6]
ICNIRP, ICNIRP 1998 (0Hz-100 GHz), ICNIRP 2010
(0Hz -100 kHz).
In the range of 100 kHz to 10 MHz following limits for
energy absorbed by human body when exposed to EMF are
defined by ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-
Ionizing Radiation Protection): maximum whole body average
exposure (Specific Absorption Rate) SAR 0.08 [W/kg], head or
trunk exposure SAR 1.6 [W/kg], limbs exposure SAR of 4
[W/kg] [7] [8]. The limits provided by ICNIRP have not been
adopted by any regulatory body.
Upper bound restrictive factor for the operating frequency
is broadcast licensing. Worldwide usage of RF spectrum is
regulated by the International Telecommunication Union Radio
Regulations (ITU). The European regulatory framework is
represented by European Conference of Postal and
Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) and European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The US RF
policy is regulated by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC).
II. EXISTING WPT STANDARDS
A. WPC QI Standard
The QI standard, by Wireless Power Consortium (WPC)
operates at power ratings up to 5W. Planned are power ratings
up to 120W. The standard supports FOD and power standby
mode of the Tx. The Tx classes A1-A18 specify single coil
fixed or free positioning primary coils. The B1-B5 classes
specify linear array of primary coils. The operating frequency
of the standard uses the band of 100-200 kHz. The system
utilizes amplitude modulation on the same magnetic coupling
path as power transfer for data communication between Rx and
863 DOI 10.1109/ICCVE.2014.243
Tx. The Tx is able to detect the Rx placed in the Zero voltage switching, high inductances and new concepts
communication zone by sensing the signal strength. for guided or automated alignment of coils, are key elements of
After the Rx provides information concerning power the WPT in automotive applications. Based on the available
requirements, the Tx is able to vary the power level [9]. QI is a test site projects, the optimal solution for charging concept is a
tightly coupled system, requiring precise coil alignment. rational mix of continuous charging strips and opportunity
charging. In order to ensure public safety of technology FOD,
B. Rezence A4WP LOD and additional EMF protection have to become
The Alliance for Wireless Power Transfer standard mandatory by standard.
implements a resonant coupling mechanism, operating at the
frequency of 6.78MHz. The Tx classes differentiate between
10W, 16W and 22W systems. The Rx specifies 3.5W and TABLE I. COMPARISON OF THE WPT STANDARDS
6.5W devices. Unlike QI, A4WP devices are loosely coupled
Test site projects
devices, allowing relative z-spatial freedom. Signaling and Standard WPC QI [9] A4WP [10]
[11] [12] [13]
control protocols operate separately from the power transfer, in Power Rating 5W 120W 10W 22W 60 kW 200kW
the Bluetooth Low Power based 2.4 GHz band. The standard Power
allows simultaneous charging of several devices in star Frequency 100 -200 kHz 6.78 MHz 20kHz- unspecified
topology [10]. Band
Comm.
100 -205 kHz 2.4 GHz ISM
Frequency NFC, unspecified
III. ELECTRICAL VEHICLES WITH WIRELESS CHARGING (Simplex) (Duplex)
Band
Tightly Loosely
Several installations for light rail vehicles and electric Coupling
coupled coupled
Tightly coupled
buses utilizing WPT for charging of built-in batteries were
FOD yes yes no
introduced in test site projects. Mentionable installations
include Bombardier PRIMOVE pilot projects. This Maximum air
5 mm 50 mm 40 mm-unspecified
gap
implementation offers several different charging strategies
such as equal distance or opportunity charging, with a power REFERENCES
rating of 200kW at 750Vdc [11].
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IV. NEED FOR STANDARDIZATION AND OUTLOOK
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The absence of a common communication protocol hinders
interoperability. Communication between Tx and Rx is a
precondition for a working charging process.

This project is founded by the City of Vienna, Austria, Department

MA23, under grant number MA23-Projekt 15-05

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