Abstract: Near-field antennas and methods of operating and manufacturing near-field antennas are provided herein. An example near-field antenna for transmitting radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals includes: (i) a conductive plate including one or more channels extending through the conductive place, a respective channel of the one or more channels having first and second segments, and (ii) a feed element configured to direct a plurality of RF power transmission signals towards the conductive plate. At least some of the RF power transmission signals cause an accumulation of RF energy within a near-field distance of the conductive plate. Furthermore, the accumulation of RF energy includes: (i) a first zone of accumulated RF energy at the first segment, and (ii) a second zone of accumulated RF energy at the second segment, the second zone of accumulated RF energy being distinct from the first zone of accumulated RF energy.

Abstract: A transceiver includes a radiating block that radiates or receives radio frequency (RF) signals and a non-radiating block including non-radiating components that do not radiate RF signals. A device model of the transceiver is generated based on a combination of a model of the radiating block and the non-radiating block. The device model of the transceiver is used to estimate location attributes of other transceivers that transmit incoming RF signals to the modeled transceiver.

Abstract: A transceiver system includes one or more groups of transceivers. The locations of the transceivers are initially unknown. During deployment, the location of each transceiver in the group is automatically estimated by the remaining transceivers in the group. Once the locations of the transceivers in the group are estimated, deployment of the transceivers is complete. The transceivers may estimate location attributes of mobile transceivers within a vicinity of the transceivers in the group.

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 example wireless power transmitter includes a ground plate, a conductive wire offset from the ground plate, and a signal-conveyance member. The conductive wire of the wireless power transmitter forms a loop antenna that is configured to radiate a radio frequency (RF) signal for wirelessly powering a receiver device. And the signal-conveyance member of the wireless power transmitter is configured to selectively feed a waveform to a connection point of a plurality of connection points along the conductive wire, wherein the waveform, when provided to the conductive wire, causes the loop antenna to radiate the RF signal.

Abstract: A near-field charging system for wirelessly charging electronic devices using electromagnetic energy having a low frequency is provided. The near-field charging system comprises: (A) a transmitting antenna comprising: a first substrate; and a first antenna, coupled to the first substrate, that follows a first meandering pattern having a first length, wherein the transmitting antenna has a first port impedance, and (B) a receiving antenna comprising: a second substrate; and a second antenna, coupled to the second substrate, that follows a second meandering pattern having a second length, wherein: (i) the second length is less than the first length, and (ii) the receiving antenna has a second port impedance that is less than the first port impedance. The transmitting antenna is configured to transmit electromagnetic energy having a frequency at or below 60 MHz to the receiving antenna at an efficiency above 90%.

Abstract: Single antenna direction finding is performed by physically moving a device to different device positions. As the device is physically moved, signal processing hardware within the device is used to make a plurality of signal response measurements of a wireless signal detected by a single antenna of the device. The wireless signal emanates from an object. The plurality of signal response measurements are made by sampling signal response at a plurality of sample times. An inertial measurement system makes a plurality of inertial measurements at the plurality of sample times. The plurality of signal response measurements and the plurality of inertial measurements are used to produce a virtual response array vector. The virtual response array vector is used to calculate a direction of arrival from the object to the device.

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: 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 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: Single antenna direction finding is performed by physically moving a device to different device positions. As the device is physically moved, signal processing hardware within the device is used to make a plurality of signal response measurements of a signal detected by a single antenna of the device. The signal emanates from an object. The plurality of signal response measurements are made by sampling signal response at a plurality of sample times. A means for 3-dimensional positioning makes a plurality of inertial measurements at the plurality of sample times. The plurality of signal response measurements and the plurality of inertial measurements are used to produce a virtual response array vector. The virtual response array vector is used to calculate a direction of arrival from the object to the device.

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: 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: Single antenna direction finding is performed by physically moving a device to different device positions. As the device is physically moved, signal processing hardware within the device is used to make a plurality of signal response measurements of a wireless signal detected by a single antenna of the device. The wireless signal emanates from an object. The plurality of signal response measurements are made by sampling signal response at a plurality of sample times. An inertial measurement system makes a plurality of inertial measurements at the plurality of sample times. The plurality of signal response measurements and the plurality of inertial measurements are used to produce a virtual response array vector. The virtual response array vector is used to calculate a direction of arrival from the object to the device.

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: 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 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: 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.