Abstract: Aspects of magnetic coils having cores with relatively high magnetic permeability are described. In some embodiments, a system includes a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling across a terrestrial medium. The guided surface wave receive structure includes a magnetic coil and a core disposed in the magnetic coil. The core in some embodiments has a relative magnetic permeability greater than about 10 and less than about 1,000,000. An electrical load is coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure, with the electrical load being experienced as a load at an excitation source coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe generating the guided surface wave.

Abstract: Disclosed are various receive circuits by which to receive a plurality of guided surface waves transmitted by a plurality of guided surface waveguide probes over a surface of a terrestrial medium according to various embodiments.

Abstract: Disclosed are various approaches for determining positions of a navigation unit and correcting for errors. The navigation unit can receive a guided surface wave using a guided surface wave receive structure. The navigation unit can then determine a potential location of the guided surface wave receive structure. Finally, the navigation unit can determine an accuracy of the potential location based at least in part on a secondary data source.

Abstract: Disclosed are various systems and methods for remote surface sensing using guided surface wave modes on lossy media. One system, among others, comprises a guided surface waveguide probe configured to launch a guided surface wave along a surface of a lossy conducting medium, and a receiver configured to receive backscatter reflected by a remotely located subsurface object illuminated by the guided surface wave. One method, among others, includes launching a guided surface wave along a surface of a lossy conducting medium by exciting a charge terminal of a guided surface waveguide probe, and receiving backscatter reflected by a remotely located subsurface object illuminated by the guided surface wave.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface-waveguide mode along a lossy conducting medium such as, e.g., the surface of a terrestrial medium by exciting a polyphase waveguide probe. A probe control system can be used to adjust the polyphase waveguide probe based at least in part upon characteristics of the lossy conducting medium.

Abstract: Aspects of return coupled wireless power transmission systems are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a guided surface waveguide probe including a charge terminal elevated at a height over a lossy conducting medium, and a feed network. The system further includes a conductor coupled to the guided surface waveguide probe that extends a distance away from the guided surface waveguide probe across the lossy conducting medium, and at least one guided surface wave receivers coupled to the conductor. The conductor can help to provide additional efficiency in power transfer between the guided surface waveguide probe and the guided surface wave receivers, especially when the operating frequency of the probe is in the medium, high, or very high frequency ranges.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to mobile guided surface waveguide probes and receivers. In a representative embodiment, an excitation source such as a generator is coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe. The excitation source and the guided surface waveguide probe mounted to a rigid frame for transport.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for a guided surface waveguide probe and a guided surface wave receiver, where the guided surface wave receiver comprises processing circuitry that (a) identifies at least one frequency from a plurality of available frequencies associated with a transmission of Zenneck surface waves along a terrestrial medium, and (b) adjusts a frequency at which the guided surface wave receiver receives electrical energy from the Zenneck surface waves via the terrestrial medium to a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a guided surface waveguide probe including a charge terminal configured to generate an electromagnetic field and a support apparatus that supports the charge terminal above a lossy conducting medium, wherein the electromagnetic field generated by the charge terminal synthesizes a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle of incidence (?i,B) of the lossy conducting medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are various approaches for measuring and reporting the amount of electrical power consumed by an electrical load attached to a guided surface wave receive structure. A guided surface wave receive structure is configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a terrestrial medium. An electrical load is coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure, the electrical load being experienced as a load at an excitation source coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe generating the guided surface wave. An electric power meter coupled to the electrical load and configured to measure the electrical load.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for long distance transmission of offshore generated power. A turbine is located offshore. The turbine can be mechanically coupled to a generator. A guided surface waveguide probe is electrically coupled to the generator and configured to launch a guided surface wave on a terrestrial medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are various systems and methods for remote surface sensing using guided surface wave modes on lossy media. One system, among others, includes a guided surface waveguide probe configured to launch a guided surface wave along a surface of a lossy conducting medium, and a receiver configured to receive backscatter reflected by a remotely located object illuminated by the guided surface wave. One method, among others, includes launching a guided surface wave along a surface of a lossy conducting medium by exciting a charge terminal of a guided surface waveguide probe, and receiving backscatter reflected by a remotely located object illuminated by the guided surface wave.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of an electromagnetic hybrid phased array system. One such embodiment includes a guided surface waveguide probe, and a contrawound toroidal helix antenna collocated with the guided surface waveguide probe in which the contrawound toroidal helix comprises ring elements spaced from each other and wrapped around the guided surface waveguide probe. The system further includes a signal source applied to at least the guided surface waveguide probe, such that the guided surface waveguide probe and the contrawound toroidal helix contribute individual vertical electric fields to form a radiation pattern based on the phase and amplitude characteristics of the individual vertical electric fields.

Abstract: Disclosed are various systems and methods directed to the launching of a guided surface wave embodying a modulated signal using a guided surface waveguide probe. A modulated signal is generated and coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe. A resulting guided surface wave is launched that decays exponentially as a function of distance.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for embedding data on a guided surface wave. A guided surface waveguide probe emits power as a guided surface wave received by a guided surface wave receive structure circuit. An aggregate electric load of the receiver circuit is modulated with reference to a data signal. A current at the guided surface waveguide probe is monitored. A data signal is recaptured at the guided surface waveguide probe.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a guided surface wave transmitter/receiver configured to transmit a guided surface wave at a first frequency and to receive guided surface waves at a second frequency, concurrently with the transmission of guided surface waves at the first frequency. The various embodiments can be configured to retransmit received power and applied the received power to an electrical load. The various embodiments of the guided surface wave transmitter/receiver also can be configured as an amplitude modulation (AM) repeater.

Abstract: An object identification system includes a guided surface waveguide probe that produces a guided surface wave; and an object identification tag having a receive structure and a tag circuit, the tag circuit coupled to the receive structure and electrically powered as a load on the probe by conversion of the guided surface wave to electrical current at the receive structure, the tag circuit configured to emit a return signal containing a tag identifier when electrically powered by presence of the guided surface wave.

Abstract: A method of tracking an object including producing a guided surface wave with a guided surface waveguide probe, the guided surface wave having sufficient energy density to power object identification tags across an area of interest; receiving return signals from a tag of interest at plural receivers, the tag of interest associated with an object and the receivers that receive the return signals change over time as the tag moves with the associated object in the area of interest; and identifying a series of geolocations at which the object was present as a function of time according to the received reply signals from the tag.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for frequency-division multiplexing for wireless power providers using guided surface waveguide probes to transmit power. Guided surface waveguide probes may transmit power on multiple frequencies with potentially overlapping service areas. Frequency-agile wireless power receivers may tune to one or more frequencies. Cost, availability, and/or other information may be provided to the wireless power receivers. Power usage may be reported by the wireless power receivers to power providers.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface-waveguide mode along a lossy conducting medium such as, e.g., the surface of a terrestrial medium by exciting a polyphase waveguide probe. A probe control system can be used to adjust the polyphase waveguide probe based at least in part upon characteristics of the lossy conducting medium.