Wireless Power Transmission

EE563-Graduate Seminar
Fall 2004 Group 5
Alan Chun-yip Yeung
Leanne Cheung
Jeff Samandari
Wehibe Belachew
Tesfa Mael
Jose A. Becerra
Presentation Outline

1. Introduction / Background

2. Theory of Wireless Power Trans.

3. Major Research Projects

4. Comparison of Efficiency

5. Proposed Project/Experiment

6. Conclusion
1. Introduction / Background
 Outline
History/Background
Solar Power Satellite
Microwave Power Transmission
Conclusion

Reference:
http://www.kentlaw.edu/classes/fbosselm/Spring2004/Power
Points/Wireless%20Power%20Transmission%20-
%20Soubel.ppt
 Background, Nikola Tesla
1856-1943
Innovations:
Alternating current
Wireless power
transmission
experiments at
Wardenclyffe
 Wardenclyffe
1899
Able to light lamps
over 25 miles away
without using wires
High frequency
current, of a Tesla
coil, could light
lamps filled with
gas (like neon)
 1940s to Present
World War II developed ability to convert
energy to microwaves using a magnetron,
no method for converting microwaves
back to electricity
1964 William C. Brown demonstrated a
rectenna which could convert microwave
power to electricity
 Solar Power from Satellites
1968s idea for Solar Power Satellites
proposed by Peter Glaser
Would use microwaves to transmit power to
Earth from Solar Powered Satellites
Idea gained momentum during the Oil
Crises of 1970s, but after prices stabilized
idea was dropped
US Department of Energy research program
1978-1981
 Problems
Issues identified during the DOE study
Complexity30 years to complete
Size6.5 miles long by 3.3 miles wide
Transmitting antenna mile in
diameter(1 km)

Cost$74 billion
Interference
 From the Satellite
Solar power from the satellite is sent
to Earth using a microwave
transmitter
Received at a rectenna located on
Earth
Recent developments suggest that
power could be sent to Earth using a
laser
 Microwaves
Frequency 2.45 GHz microwave
beam
Retro directive beam control
capability
Power level is well below international
safety standard
 Microwave vs. Laser Transmission
Microwave Laser
More developed Recently developed
High efficiency up to solid state lasers allow
85% efficient transfer of
Beams is far below the power
lethal levels of Range of 10% to 20%
concentration even for efficiency within a few
a prolonged exposure years
Cause interference Conform to limits on
with satellite eye and skin damage
communication
industry
 Rectenna
An antenna comprising a mesh of dipoles
and diodes for absorbing microwave
energy from a transmitter and converting it
into electric power.
Microwaves are received with about
85% efficiency
Around 5km across (3.1 miles)
95% of the beam will fall on the
rectenna
 5,000 MW Receiving Station
(Rectenna). This station is about a
mile and a half long.
2. Theory of Wireless Power Trans.
 Theory of Operation
Electromagnetic Radiation
Antenna basics
Phased-array antenna
Diffraction analogy
Energy distribution
Rectenna
Physical limitations & relationships
 Physics of Wireless Power
Transmission
Forms of
Electromagnetic
radiation
Travel at same speed
F = frequency
C = velocity of light
http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/clima/atmosph/images/waves.jpg L =wavelength
 Dipole Antenna
Transmission of power
is simpler than TV &
Radio
Transmitter: wire half a
wavelength
Pushes electrons back
and forth
Receiver: wire half a
wavelength

http://www.zorg.org/radio/dipole_antenna.shtml
Antenna Radiation Pattern

http://www.astromag.co.uk/portable/dipole.gif
 Phased-array antenna
The s for microwaves
are small dipoles small
Beam focusing: phased-
array antenna
Electronically steered by
varying the timing or
phase
Waves will merge
together

http://www.mcs.harris.com/oceannet/features/antenna.html
 Phased-Array Antenna

http://www.cea.com.au/products/phasedarray/i2_ceafar.html
 Diffraction analogy
Light same properties
Laser beam shinning
trough a narrow
opening & spreads
out or diffracts
Bright spot in the
center w/fainter spots
on the side

http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/technology/diffraction.html
Diffraction & Microwaves
Waves reinforce at
some points and they
cancel out at other
points (bright and
fainter points)
In microwaves: is a
scaled up version of
diffraction
Intensity
 Main lobe energy
Circular central max
Main lobe
84% of energy
Sidelobes surround
No energy minima
Intensity 84% in main lobe
Rectenna
Array of dipole
antennas known as
rectifying antenna or
Rectenna
Diameter = Dr
Rectenna
 Physical Limitations
The receiving diameter Dr increases with
transmitter receiver separation distance S.
Dr increases if transmitter diameter Dt
decreases
Physical Limitations
2. Sample Calculations
Calculations/Analysis

Frequency, f (Hz)
Intensity, I (watts per square meter)
Wave-Length, L (meters)
Received Main Beam Lope (spot) Diameter, Dr
(meters or kilometers)
Transmitting Phased Array Diameter, Dt (meters
or kilometers)

Example: how to estimate Intensity, I ?

Frequency Formula

Dt * Dr
Frequency, f (Hz) = -------------- (2)
(L * S)

Dt: transmitting phased array diameter

Dr: received main beam lobe (spot)
diameter
L: wavelength
S: separation
Frequency Analysis

Dt * Dr
If (Frequency, f (Hz) = ----------- ) 2.44 GHz (2)
(L * S)
Then at least, 84% of the energy of the beam will be captured

Note:
This energy is not linear; 42% of the energy is not
equivalent to 1.22 GHz.
Equation (2) represent a best case scenario.
Practical antenna sizes may have to be larger if most of
the beam is to be captured.
The rectenna will have to be at least as large as Dt,
even if (2) says Dr is smaller.
Frequency Analysis

Such a wide beam can be focused, but only to a minimum size Dr.

For low Earth-orbit power-beaming demonstrations, it is easier to put

the smaller antenna in space and the larger antenna on Earth.

Early demonstrations may capture only a small percentage of the

total power, in order to keep antenna sizes small.
to light up a 60 watt bulb, thousands of watts may have to be
transmitted.
Since costly to launch such a power generating apparatus, the
most feasible demonstration project may be Earth-to-space
transmission from a large transmitting antenna (such as the
Arecibo dish) to a smaller rectenna in space.
Intensity, I Formula

Intensity, I (watts per square meter)

P Dt
= ( Pi * -----) * ( --------- ) (3)
4 L*S

Pi: 3.14
P: total power transmitted
Dt: transmitted phased array diameter
L: wave length
S: transmitter to receiver distance (separation)
Wave-Length, L Calculations

Wave-Length, L (meters)
c 300,000,000 meter/sec
= ----- = ( -------------------------------- ) = 0.1224 (1)
f 2,450,000,000/sec meter

c: speed of light
f: frequency
Received Main Beam Lope Diameter, Dr Calculations

Received Main Beam Lope (spot) Diameter, Dr

(meters or kilometers)
f*L*S 2.44 * 0.12224m * 35,800,000m
= -------------- = --------------------------------------------
Dt 1000m

= 10,700 meter = 10.7 kilometers

L: wave length
S: separation
Dt: transmitting phased array diameter
Transmitting Phased Array Diameter, Dt Calculations

Transmitting Phased Array Diameter, Dt (meters or

kilometers)
f*L*S 2.44 * 0.12224m * 35,800,000m
= -------------- = ----------------------------------------------
Dr 10,700 meter

= 1000m = 1 kilometers

L: wave length
S: separation
Dr: received main beam lope (spot) diameter
Example
What is the Intensity, I = ?
Given: f, Dr, and a typical solar power satellite transmitting 5
billion watts from geostationary orbit 35800 kilometers
high.

Solution: Use the following (1), (2), & (3)

C
f = ----- L (1)
L
Dt * Dr
Frequency, f (Hz) = -------------- Dt (2)
(L * S)
P Dt
Intensity, I (watts/m^) = ( Pi * -----) * ( --------- ) (3)
4 L*S
Example Calculations

Intensity, I (watts per square meter)

P Dt
= ( Pi * -----) * ( --------- ) (3)
4 L*S

2287485.869w 1000m
= ( Pi * ---------------------------) * ( ----------------------------------- )
4m 0.1224m* 35800,000m

= 205 watts/m^ or 20.5 milliwatts/cm^

Example Analysis

peak beam intensity, Ip = 20.5 milliwatts/cm^

This is about twice US industrial standard for human exposure
This is converted (by rectenna) to electricity by 90% efficiency

Average intensity, Ia 1/3 * 20.5 milliwatts/cm^

Rectangular Transmitting antenna array Calculations

Mathematics slightly different, but the same general principles

apply.
Central maximum of the beam contain 82% of the transmitted
energy.
Rectangular in shape, but will spread out more along TX arrays
short direction than its long direction.

Example: Canadas Radar sat

rectangular transmitting antenna: 1.5m 15m
footprint on the ground: 7,000m 50,000m
frequency: 5.3 GHz
altitude: 800,000m
output power: 5000 watts
The power is too spread out at the ground to use in a practical
demonstration project.
Two more points

1. Use certain transmitting methods

to reduce the level of the sidelobes
to put some of the sidelobe energy into the main
lobe
Price to pay: Larger Rectenna (because main
lobe spreads out)

2. Principal of diffraction also limits the resolution of

optical systems:
Lenses
Telescopes
3. Major Research Projects
1979 SPS Reference System concept
(GEO)
 Accomplishments of Solar Power
Satellites
1980, 30 kW of microwave power was
transmitted to a receiving antenna over
one mile
1993, Japan successfully transmitted a
800W microwave beam from a rocket to a
free-flying satellite in space.
1998, Microwave to DC conversion
efficiency of 82% or higher by the
rectenna.
 NASAs 1995-1997 Fresh Look Study
MEO (Mid-Earth Orbit)
Sun Tower:

- 6 SPS yields near 24-hr

power to sites

- 30 degrees Latitude
Coverage

- Power services of 200-

400 MW
 Continued
Solar Disc

- 1 SPS provides nearly 24-

hr
power to markets

- Spin-stabilized solar array,

de-spun phased array with
electronic beam-steering

- Geostationary Earth Orbit

- 60 degrees Latitude
Coverage

- Power services of about 5

GW
per SPS
 1999-2000 Space Solar Power (SSP)
Exploratory Research and Technology
(SERT) program
Exploration and Commercial Development
Integral Symmetrical Concentrator
NASAs SSP Strategic Research &
Technology Roadmaps
SPS 2000
 Details of SPS 2000

Japan is to build a low cost

demonstration of SPS by
2025.

Eight countries along the

equator agreed to be the
rectenna sites.

10 MW satellite delivering
microwave power in the low
orbit 1100 km(683 miles)
Will not be in
geosynchronous orbit,
instead low orbit 1100 km
(683 miles)
Much cheaper to put a
satellite in low orbit
 Japans Recent Research Efforts
Japan
- 2001, Japaneses Ministry of Economy, Trade
and Industry (METI) launched a research
program for a solar-powered-generated
satellite.

- By 2040, beginning of a SPS operation. The

planned satellite will be able to generate
1GW/Sec. (equivalent to the output of a
nuclear plant) in a geostationary orbit. The
receiving antenna (rectenna) on the ground will
be either positioned at desert or sea.
Japans Roadmaps for SPS
Development
 References
www.on-orbit-servicing.com/pdf/OOS2004_
presentations_pdf/OOSIssuesOverview_Oda.pdf
www.kentlaw.edu/classes/fbosselm/Spring2004/
PowerPoints/Wireless%20Power%20Transmission%20-%20Soubel.ppt
www.spacefuture.com/.../a_fresh_look_at_space_
solar_power_new_architectures_concepts_and_technologies.shtml
Lin, James C., Space solar power stations, wireless power transmissions,
and biological implications, IEEE microwave magazine, March, 2002
4. Comparisons Among Other Power
Sources
Efficiency and Costs

Space Solar Power (Wireless Power

Transmission)
Ground Based Solar Power
Nuclear Energy
Fossil Fuel
 Advantages over Earth-based solar power
More intense sunlight
In geosynchronous orbit, 36,000 km (22,369
miles) an SPS would be illuminated over 99%
of the time
No need for costly storage devices for when
the sun is not in view
 Cont.
Waste heat is radiated back into space
Power can be beamed to the location where
it is needed, dont have to invest in as large a
grid
No air or water pollution is created during
generation
Ground based solar only works during clear
days, and must have storage for night. Thus
it is More reliable than ground based solar
power
 Advantages over Nuclear Power
There are advantages
Possible power generation of 5 to 10
gig watts
If the largest conceivable space
power station were built and
operated 24 hours a day all year
round, it could produce the
equivalent output of ten 1 million
kilowatt-class nuclear power
stations.
 Cont
Nuclear power doesn't pollute the
atmosphere like fossil fuels. But it does
produce waste. This stays radioactive for
thousands of years and is very dangerous.
At the moment most stations bury their
waste deep underground, at sea or send it to
other countries. (Britain, for example,
accepts and buries nuclear waste from
several countries.)
 Cont
One of the disadvantage of Nuclear
On April 26, 1986 the worst catastrophe in nuclear
history occurred in the station at Chernobyl, Ukraine.
Due to the failure of one of reactor, two people died
immediately from the explosion and 29 from radiation.
About 200 others became seriously ill from the radiation;
some of them later died. It was estimated that eight
years after the accident 8,000 people had died from
diseases due to radiation (about 7,000 of them from the
Chernobyl cleanup crew). Doctors think that about
10,000 others will die from cancer. The most frightening
fact is that children who were not born when the
catastrophe occurred inherited diseases from their
parents.
Source http://oii.org/html/story.html by Vessela
Daskalova
 Advantages over Fossil Fuel

Fossil fuels won't last forever (next 50yrs)

It is not renewable
The ability to match supply to demand
may already have run out, especially for
oil
Fossil Fuel fired electric power plants in
the US emits about 2 billion tons of
greenhouse gas CO2 in to air every year.
This courses climate change in the future
via greenhouse effect.
 Cost

Costprototype would have cost $74 billion

According to Kyle Datta the Oil Factor,

which predicts that oil could hit $100 a barrel
by 2010.
 Disadvantages
If microwave beams carrying power could be
beamed uniformly over the earth. They could
power Mobile Devices Eg. cell phones

Microwave transmission
Interference with other electronic devices
Health and environmental effects
 Cont
Possible health hazards
Effects of long term exposure
Exposure is equal to the amount that
people receive from cell phones and
Microwaves

Location
The size of construction for the rectennas
is massive and also Implementation
Complexity
Initial conceptual looks at a mega-engineering project as shown in this Boeing design.
New technologies point to more efficient, less expensive space solar power systems.
Credit: Boeing/Space Studies Institute
Early and simple schematic of how a space solar power satellite would beam
energy to electrical power grid on Earth. Credit: Space Studies Institute
 Sustainable energy

To meet the final goal of providing sustainable energy for

future growth and protection of the environment, the
design and technology for space solar power should be
evaluated by the criteria of availability of resources,
energy economy (payback time) and waste production
such as carbon-dioxide through all the processes
required for production of SPS . Power from space
should be competitive with other energy sources in this
respect. We also need a space solar future if our
children are to live in an intact environment. They will be
grateful to us
5. Proposed Project/Experiment
 Goal of the Proposal

Obtain $10,000 grant from EPA to fund our

research
 Proposed Project
Transmit power from AC outlet to
a remote circuit wirelessly
to demonstrate the capability of the
technology,
to explore the problems we'll face in a small-
scale experiment, and
to use this experiment as a probe to explore
the potential problems of transmitting power
from space to earth
 Benefits
1) For graduate and undergraduate
students to research and study about
wireless power transmission

2) Demonstration tool for a potential

laboratory course

3) Potential commercialization of the

proposed project
 Block Diagram of Proposed
Experiment1
Transmitting
Side:

AC Power Power Microwave

Outlet Conversion Transmitter

This
This converts transmits
This is the
the AC power to the
AC power a microwave microwave
supply power signal
power
signal
 Block Diagram of Proposed
Experiment2
Receiving
Side:

Rectenna Power Power Remote

Conversion Regulator Device

Remote
This Device uses
This converts the this DC
regulates
microwave power signal to power the
DC voltage same way it
DC power signal
level uses a
battery
Vision on Future Development

Local Regional Orbital

Ability to
Ability to
transmit power
transmit
Ability to from a
power from
transmit power
a
within a geostationary
local power
laboratory satellite to a
plant to local
specific
households
reception site
6. Conclusion
 Conclusion
This idea worth to invest in since this
technology brings in virtually unlimited
power from the sun.

This also benefits the intercontinental

power providers.

Absolutely environmentally friendly since it

is emission-free.
 Reference
1) A Few Things you occasionally wanted to know about wireless power
transmission. Potter, Seth.
http://www.spacefuture.com/archive/a_few_things_you_occasionally_wanted_to_k
now_about_wireless_power_transmission.shtml

2) Solar Power Satellites and Microwave Power Transmission

http://www.kentlaw.edu/classes/fbosselm/Spring2004/PowerPoints/Wireless%20P
ower%20Transmission%20-%20Soubel.ppt

3) www.on-orbit-
servicing.com/pdf/OOS2004_presentations_pdf/OOSIssuesOverview_Oda.pdf

4) www.kentlaw.edu/classes/fbosselm/Spring2004/
PowerPoints/Wireless%20Power%20Transmission%20-%20Soubel.ppt

5) www.spacefuture.com/.../a_fresh_look_at_space_
solar_power_new_architectures_concepts_and_technologies.shtml

6) Lin, James C., Space solar power stations, wireless power transmissions, and
biological implications, IEEE microwave magazine, March, 2002