Abstract: An antenna include a resonator element configured to radiate a wireless signal and a substrate embedding the resonator. The resonator element may be a 3D resonator element. The 3D resonator element may be a helical resonator element.

Abstract: An example method is performed at a near-field charging pad with a processor, a power-transferring element, a signature-signal-receiving circuit, and the processor of the near-field charging pad is in communication with a data source that includes predefined signature signals that each identify one of (i) a wireless power receiver, (ii) an object other than a wireless power receiver, and (iii) a combination of a wireless power receiver and an object other than a wireless power receiver. The method includes: after sending a plurality of test radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals, detecting, using the signature-signal-receiving circuit, respective amounts of reflected power; generating, based on variations in the respective amounts of reflected power, a signature signal; and determining whether (i) an authorized wireless power receiver is present on the near-field charging pad and/or (ii) an object other than a wireless power receiver is present on the near-field charging pad.

Abstract: A wireless-power receiver is disclosed including a first antenna configured to transmit first near-field radio frequency (RF) energy, a second antenna configured to receive second near-field RF energy, and a communications component configured to provide a communication signal including data indicating a location of the first wireless-power receiver. The wireless-power receiver is configured to, in accordance with a determination that the wireless-power receiver is in direct contact with a surface of another wireless-power receiver, transmit the first near-field RF energy, via the first antenna, to the other receiver.

Abstract: Methods of constructing a wireless power receiver that uses a battery as an antenna are provided. The method includes power conversion circuitry that has a connector, the first end connected to at least a part of a battery, and the part of the battery is configured to act as an antenna and receive radio frequency (RF) power signals. The second end of the connector is opposite to the first end and connected to the power conversion circuitry. The power conversion circuitry converts the RF power signals into a direct current (DC) voltage that is used to charge the battery. Additional, some methods for constructing a wireless power receiver include a different connector between the power conversion circuitry and charging circuitry. The charging circuitry is electrically coupled with at least the part of the battery via another connector and provides DC voltage to charge the battery.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a near-field antenna for transmitting radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals includes selecting a set of dimensions for one or more cutouts to be defined through a conductive plate of the near-field antenna. The conductive plate has opposing first and second planar surfaces. The method includes forming the one or more cutouts through the first and second surfaces of the conductive plate in a predefined arrangement. Each of the one or more cutouts has the set of dimensions. The method includes coupling an insulator to the first surface of the conductive plate, and coupling a feed element to the insulator.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for reducing mutual coupling between antennas. In one aspect, a wireless charging system includes: (1) two antennas configured to direct electromagnetic waves toward a wireless power receiver such that the electromagnetic waves interfere constructively at the receiver; and (2) a housing structure configured to receive the antennas, including: (a) a metallic base, (b) a first set of isolating components extending upwardly and defining a first region configured to receive a first antenna, and (c) a second set of isolating components extending upwardly and defining a second region configured to receive a second antenna, the second set including at least some isolating components distinct from those in the first set. The first and second sets of isolating components configured to: (i) create a physical gap between the antennas, and (ii) reduce a mutual coupling between the antennas.

Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving near-field wireless power at an electronic device. An electronic device includes a receiver with one or more receiving antenna elements formed by respective conductive lines in a meandering pattern. Each receiving antenna element is configured to receive near-field radio-frequency signals radiated from a transmitting antenna element of a near-field power transmitter. The receiving antenna elements are configured to receive the near-field radio-frequency signals radiated from the transmitting antenna element of the near-field power transmitter when the electronic device is on a surface of the near-field power transmitter, and the transmitting antenna element is formed by respective conductive lines in a meandering pattern. The transmitting antenna element is selectively activated from among a plurality of available transmitting antenna elements of the near-field transmitter.

Abstract: A microstrip antenna for use in a wireless power transmission system and a method for forming the microstrip antenna are described. The antenna includes a first multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the first multi-layer PCB include a first electrically conductive material. The antenna includes a second multi-layer PCB that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the second multi-layer PCT include a second electrically conductive material. A first plurality of vias each substantially pass through the top and bottom surfaces of the first multi-layer PCB. A second plurality of vias each substantially pass through the top and bottom surfaces of the second multi-layer PCB. The antenna further comprises a dielectric slab that is configured to receive the first multi-layer PCB and the second multi-layer PCB.

Abstract: An example method is performed at a near-field charging pad that includes a wireless communication component, and a plurality of power-transfer zones that each respectively include at least one power-transferring element and a signature-signal receiving circuit. The method includes: sending, by a respective power-transferring element included in a first power-transfer zone of the plurality of power-transfer zones, test power transmission signals with first values for a set of transmission characteristics. The method also includes: in conjunction with sending each of the power transmission signals: detecting, using the signature-signal receiving circuit, respective amounts of reflected power at the first power-transfer zone.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a wireless-power-transmitting antenna formed from a stamped piece of metal. One such antenna includes: (i) a signal feed, defined by a single stamped piece of metal, that conducts a signal that controls wireless power transmission and (ii) resonators, each of which is defined by the single stamped piece of metal, that transmits power transmission waves in response to receiving the signal, where each resonator: (a) is planar with respect to a first plane and vertically aligned with each resonator, (b) is coupled to another resonator via curved sections of the stamped piece of metal that are in contact with the signal feed, each curved section extending along a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane such that respective gaps are formed between each resonator, and (c) receives the signal via a respective curved section of the single stamped piece of metal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless power transmitter for wirelessly delivering power to a receiver device, the wireless power transmitter including: a plurality of unit cells configured to radiate one or more radio frequency (RF) power transmission waves, each unit cell in the plurality of unit cells including: (i) a metal portion having an interior perimeter that surrounds an aperture defined by the metal portion; and (ii) an antenna that is aligned with the aperture in a first dimension, the antenna being configured to radiate one or more RF power transmission waves for wirelessly charging a receiver device. The one or more RF power transmission waves leak from the wireless power transmitter at least in part through the aperture when the receiver device is positioned within a threshold distance from the unit cell.

Abstract: An example non-inductive, resonant near-field antenna includes: (i) a conductive plate having first and second opposing planar surfaces and one or more cutouts extending through the conductive plate from the first surface to the second surface; (ii) an insulator; and (iii) a feed element, separated from the first surface of the conductive plate by the insulator, configured to direct a plurality of RF power transmission signals towards the conductive plate. At least some of the plurality of RF power transmission signals radiate through the cutout(s) and accumulate within a near-field distance of the conductive plate to create at least two distinct zones of accumulated RF energy at each of the cutout(s). Furthermore, the at least two distinct zones of accumulated RF energy at the cutout(s) are defined based, at least in part, on a set of dimensions defining each of the cutout(s) and an arrangement of the cutout(s).

Abstract: An antenna for receiving electromagnetic waves having different polarizations that comprises a plurality of slots defined by a piece of metal, and each of the plurality of slots includes at least two continuous segments. In addition, for each of the plurality of slots: a first segment of the at least two continuous segments is: (i) defined by the piece of metal in a first dimension, and (ii) configured to receive radio frequency (RF) power transmission waves having a first polarization, and a second segment of the at least two continuous segments is: (i) defined by the piece of metal in a second dimension, distinct from the first dimension, and (ii) configured to receive RF power transmission waves having a second polarization different from the first polarization.

Abstract: A wireless charging system comprises (i) a transmitter structure comprising a first metallic core disposed in an opening of the transmitter structure and (ii) a receiver structure comprising a second metallic core disposed in an opening of the receiver structure. The transmitter structure is configured to carry one or more radio frequency (RF) signals to the first metallic core when the receiver structure is within a threshold distance from the transmitter structure. In addition, the receiver structure is configured to be excited by the one or more RF signals from the transmitter structure, whereby the one or more RF signals are transferred from the first metallic core to the second metallic core when the transmitter structure and the receiver structure are within the threshold distance from each other.

Abstract: An example antenna may include: (i) an electromagnetic band gap (EBG) ground plane, and (ii) a dipole antenna, coupled with a via that extends to the EBG ground plane, configured to transmit a wireless power signal having a wavelength to a wireless power receiver, the dipole antenna being positioned approximately one-quarter of the wavelength above the EBG ground plane. Furthermore, the via is configured to conduct the wireless power signal, and the wireless power receiver is configured to convert the wireless power signal into usable power.

Abstract: A near-field antenna is provided, which includes: a reflector and four distinct antenna elements, offset from the reflector, each of the four distinct antenna elements following respective meandering patterns. Two antenna elements of the four antenna elements form a first dipole antenna along a first axis, and another two antenna elements of the four antenna elements form a second dipole antenna along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The near-field antenna further includes: (i) a power amplifier configured to feed electromagnetic signals to one of the dipole antennas, (ii) an impedance-adjusting component configured to adjust an impedance of one of the dipole antennas, and (iii) switch circuitry coupled to the power amplifier, the impedance-adjusting component, and the dipole antennas. The switch circuitry is configured to switchably couple the first dipole antenna to the power amplifier and the second dipole antenna to the impedance-adjusting component, and vice versa.

Abstract: A microstrip antenna for use in a wireless power transmission system and a method for forming the microstrip antenna are described. The antenna includes a first multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the first multi-layer PCB include a first electrically conductive material. The antenna includes a second multi-layer PCB that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the second multi-layer PCT include a second electrically conductive material. A first plurality of vias each substantially pass through the top and bottom surfaces of the first multi-layer PCB. A second plurality of vias each substantially pass through the top and bottom surfaces of the second multi-layer PCB. The antenna further comprises a dielectric slab that is configured to receive the first multi-layer PCB and the second multi-layer PCB.

Abstract: An example wireless power transmitter includes: (i) a ground plate, (ii) a conductive wire offset from the ground plate, the conductive wire forming a loop antenna that is configured to radiate an RF signal for wirelessly powering a receiver device, (iii) a plurality of feed elements extending from the ground plate to the conductive wire, each feed element being connected to the conductive wire at a different position on the conductive wire, and (iv) a power amplifier connected to one or more feed elements of the plurality of feed elements. The power amplifier is configured to selectively feed the RF signal to a respective feed element of the one or more feed elements based on a location of the receiver device relative to the plurality of feed elements.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission antenna includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with a first transmission line that conducts a first power transmission signal. A dielectric resonator that is mechanically coupled to the PCB is configured to radiate the first power transmission signal. A first feed element that is electronically coupled to the first transmission line and to the dielectric resonator is configured to receive the power transmission signal via the first transmission line and excite the dielectric resonator with the first power transmission signal.

Abstract: An example method is performed at a near-field charging pad that includes a wireless communication component, and a plurality of power-transfer zones that each respectively include at least one power-transferring element and a signature-signal receiving circuit. The method includes: sending, by a respective power-transferring element included in a first power-transfer zone of the plurality of power-transfer zones, test power transmission signals with first values for a set of transmission characteristics. The method also includes: in conjunction with sending each of the power transmission signals: detecting, using the signature-signal receiving circuit, respective amounts of reflected power at the first power-transfer zone.