Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods of wirelessly charging an electronic device. An example device disclosed is a near-field transmitter. The near-field transmitter includes (i) a metal layer having an interior perimeter that surrounds an aperture defined by the metal layer, (ii) a patch antenna configured to radiate an RF energy signal having a plurality of different harmonic frequencies including a center frequency, and (iii) a harmonic RF filter positioned on at least the patch antenna. The harmonic RF filer is configured to suppress radiation of any of the plurality of different harmonic frequencies, except for the center frequency, when the RF energy signal is radiated by the patch antenna and the RF energy signal interacts with the harmonic RF filter.

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 radio frequency (RF) charging pad includes: at least one processor for monitoring an amount of energy that is transferred from the RF charging pad to an RF receiver of an electronic device. The pad also includes: one or more transmitting antenna elements that are in communication with the processor for transmitting RF signals to the RF receiver. In some embodiments, each respective transmitting antenna element includes: (i) a conductive line forming a meandered line pattern; (ii) a first terminal of the conductive line for receiving current at one or more frequencies controlled by the processor; and (iii) one or more adaptive load terminals coupled with a plurality of respective components that allows for modifying an impedance value at each of the adaptive load terminals. In some embodiments, the processor adaptively adjusts the frequency and/or the impedance value to optimize the amount of energy that is transferred from the one or more transmitting antenna elements to the RF receiver.

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 system including RF circuitry configured to generate an RF signal; a plurality of unit cells configured to receive the RF signal and to cause an RF energy signal having a center frequency to be present within the unit cells; and receiver circuitry configured to charge an electronic device in response to an antenna of the electronic device receiving the RF energy signal when the antenna is tuned to the center frequency and positioned in a near-field distance from one or more of the unit cells.

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: Disclosed is a system including RF circuitry configured to generate an RF signal; a plurality of unit cells configured to receive the RF signal and to cause an RF energy signal having a center frequency to be present within the unit cells; and receiver circuitry configured to charge an electronic device in response to an antenna of the electronic device receiving the RF energy signal when the antenna is tuned to the center frequency and positioned in a near-field distance from one or more of the unit cells.

Abstract: A wireless power receiver including an antenna to receive radio frequency (RF) waves via a plurality of slots defined by a metal plate. Each slot comprises at least two continuous segments that are orthogonally positioned relative to each other, where: (i) a first segment of the at least two continuous segments is defined by the metal plate in a first planar dimension and receives RF waves having a first polarization; and (ii) a second segment of the at least two continuous segments is defined by the metal plate in a second planar dimension and receives RF waves having a second polarization. The receiver further includes a circuit configured to convert the RF waves received by the antenna into power for powering a device. Additionally, the antenna is coupled with the circuit, and the metal plate at least partially houses the circuit, and operates as a heat sink for the circuit.

Abstract: An antenna may include an electromagnetic band gap (EBG) ground plane, and a plurality of unit cells that are periodically spaced and inclusive of respective dipole antennas, and positioned over the EBG ground plane.

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: An example radio frequency (RF) charging pad includes: at least one processor for monitoring an amount of energy that is transferred from the RF charging pad to an RF receiver of an electronic device. The pad also includes: one or more transmitting antenna elements that are in communication with the processor for transmitting RF signals to the RF receiver. In some embodiments, each respective transmitting antenna element includes: (i) a conductive line forming a meandered line pattern; (ii) a first terminal of the conductive line for receiving current at one or more frequencies controlled by the processor; and (iii) one or more adaptive load terminals coupled with a plurality of respective components that allows for modifying an impedance value at each of the adaptive load terminals. In some embodiments, the processor adaptively adjusts the frequency and/or the impedance value to optimize the amount of energy that is transferred from the one or more transmitting antenna elements to the RF receiver.

Abstract: An example radio frequency (RF) charging pad includes: at least one processor for monitoring an amount of energy that is transferred from the RF charging pad to an RF receiver of an electronic device. The pad also includes: one or more transmitting antenna elements that are in communication with the processor for transmitting RF signals to the RF receiver. In some embodiments, each respective transmitting antenna element includes: (i) a conductive line forming a meandered line pattern; (ii) a first terminal of the conductive line for receiving current at a frequency controlled by the processor; and (iii) a second terminal coupled with a component that allows for modifying an impedance value at the second terminal. In some embodiments, the processor adaptively adjusts the frequency and/or the impedance value to optimize the amount of energy that is transferred from the one or more transmitting antenna elements to the RF receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an RFID tag. The methods comprise: inducing current through a magnetic loop or solenoid disposed within the RFID tag that is caused by a inductive field, a magnetic field or an RF field being generated within a surrounding environment; using the current which is induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid to charge a capacitor disposed within the RFID tag; decreasing the amount of current induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid; receiving a detaching signal at the RFID tag; electrically connecting the capacitor to a detaching unit disposed within the RFID tag in response to the detaching signal; and activating the detaching unit by supplying current from the capacitor to the detaching unit, whereby the RFID tag can be detached from an article.

Abstract: Antenna system includes a fixture having a first portion and a second portion joined along an alignment axis. A first planar antenna element having a first polarization direction is aligned with a first plane, and secured to the first portion of the antenna fixture. A second planar antenna element has a second polarization direction aligned with a second plane. The second planar antenna element is secured to the second portion of the antenna fixture so that the second plane is transverse to the first plane and the first and second planes intersect along a line parallel to the alignment axis. At least one tuned element mitigates near-field interference as between the first planar antenna element and the second planar antenna element. Signals applied to the antenna feed port will result in three-polarization radiation.

Abstract: A wireless charging system comprises a first coaxial structure configured to have an RF signal present on a conductor; and a second coaxial structure configured to have an RF signal present, power being transferred from the first coaxial structure to the second coaxial structure when the first coaxial structure and the second coaxial structure are excited in proximity to each other.

Abstract: Near-field power transfer systems can include antenna elements that constructed or printed close to each other in a meandered arrangement, where neighboring antenna elements conduct currents that flow in opposite directions. This current flow entirely or almost entirely cancels out any far field RF radiation generated by the antennas or otherwise generated by the electromagnetic effects of the current flow. For a first current flowing in a first path, there may be a second current flowing in a second cancellation path, which cancels the far field radiation produced by the first current flowing in the first path. Therefore, there may be no radiation of power to the far field. Such cancellation, may not occur in a near-field active zone, where the transfer of power may occur between the transmitter and the receiver. A ground plane may block the leakage of power from the back of a transmitter and/or a receiver.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system including RF circuitry configured to generate an RF signal; a plurality of unit cells configured to receive the RF signal and to cause an RF energy signal having a center frequency to be present within the unit cells; and receiver circuitry configured to charge an electronic device in response to an antenna of the electronic device receiving the RF energy signal when the antenna is tuned to the center frequency and positioned in a near-field distance from one or more of the unit cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system including RF circuitry configured to generate an RF signal; a plurality of unit cells configured to receive the RF signal and to cause an RF energy signal having a center frequency to be present within the unit cells; and receiver circuitry configured to charge an electronic device in response to an antenna of the electronic device receiving the RF energy signal when the antenna is tuned to the center frequency and positioned in a near-field distance from one or more of the unit cells.

Abstract: An antenna may include an electromagnetic band gap (EBG) ground plane, and a plurality of unit cells that are periodically spaced and inclusive of respective dipole antennas, and positioned over the EBG ground plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system including RF circuitry configured to generate an RF signal; a plurality of unit cells configured to receive the RF signal and to cause an RF energy signal having a center frequency to be present within the unit cells; and receiver circuitry configured to charge an electronic device in response to an antenna of the electronic device receiving the RF energy signal when the antenna is tuned to the center frequency and positioned in a near-field distance from one or more of the unit cells.