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: 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: 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 distributing power to loads and classifying loads that receive electrical energy in the form of guided surface waves that are transmitted by guided surface waveguide probes along a terrestrial medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for fixing a navigational position using guided surface waves launched from guided surface wave waveguide probes at various ground stations. A navigation unit may fix its position by determining the travel time of guided surface waves from the ground stations to the navigation unit. In another embodiment, the navigation unit may also fix its position by determining the change in intensity of the guided surface waves after travelling from the ground stations to the navigation unit. In other embodiments, the navigation unit may also fix its position by determining the difference in phases of phase-locked guided surface waves as they travel from the ground stations to the navigation unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disaster warning device with a guided surface wave receive structure, an impedance matching network, a power circuit, a data processing circuit, and a warning output. The power circuit and the data processing circuit may be coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure. The power circuit may supply electrical energy to power to the data processing circuit and warning output. The power circuit may receive power from a guided surface wave. The data processing circuitry may receive data communications from a guided surface wave.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for enhanced guided surface waveguide probes, systems and methods. In one example, a guided surface waveguide probe includes a charge terminal comprising a upper terminal portion coupled to a lower terminal portion through a variable capacitance. In another example, a method includes positioning the charge terminal at a defined height over a lossy conducting medium; adjusting a phase delay (?) of a feed network connected to the charge a terminal to match a wave tilt angle (?) corresponding to a complex Brewster angle of incidence (?i,B) associated with the lossy conducting medium; adjusting the variable capacitance based upon an image ground plane impedance (Zin) associated with the lossy conducting medium; and exciting the charge terminal with an excitation voltage via the feed network. The excitation voltage can establish an electric field that couples into a guided surface waveguide mode along a surface of the lossy conducting medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for superposition of guided surface wave launched along the surface of a lossy medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium by exciting a guided surface waveguide probe. In one example, among others, a system includes an array of guided surface waveguide probes configured to launch guided surface waves along a surface of a lossy conducting medium and an array control system configured to control operation of waveguide probes in the array via one or more feed networks. The array control circuit can control operation of the guided surface waveguide probes to maintain a predefined radiation pattern produced by the guided surface waves. In another example, a method includes providing voltage excitation to first and second guided surface waveguide probes to launch guided surface waves with the voltage excitation provided to the second guided surface waveguide probe delayed by a defined phase delay.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for a guided surface wave receiver, comprising circuitry that identifies at least one frequency from a plurality of available frequencies associated with a transmission of a plurality of guided surface waves along a terrestrial medium; and circuitry that adjusts a frequency at which the guided surface wave receiver receives the transmission to the at least one frequency via the terrestrial medium.

Abstract: The use of a combination of wired and wireless power distribution equipment, coexisting together in various embodiments, is described. For example, one or more sub-transmission and/or distribution stations for wired power distribution, for example, can be retrofitted to include wireless power distribution equipment. Using the wireless power distribution equipment, power received via a wired transmission network can be re-transmitted using a sub-transmission and/or a distribution probe, for example. Similarly, power received by wireless receive structures through transmission, sub-transmission, or distribution frequency guided surface waves can be re-transmitted over wired networks, such as wired transmission, sub-transmission, and/or distribution networks.

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, a ground stake, and a feed network. The system further includes a conductor coupled to the ground stake that extends a distance away from the guided surface waveguide probe across the lossy conducting medium, and at least one guided surface wave receivers including a ground connection 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: 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 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: A power multiplier and method are provided. The power multiplier includes a power multiplying network that is a multiply-connected, velocity inhibiting circuit constructed from a number of lumped-elements. The power multiplier also includes a launching network, and a directional coupler that couples the launching network to the power multiplying network. The power multiplier provides for power multiplication at nominal power generation frequencies such as 50 Hertz, 60 Hertz, and other power frequencies, in a compact circuit.

Abstract: A system for power smoothing in power distribution and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a power multiplying network is provided that comprises a multiply-connected, velocity inhibiting circuit constructed from a number of lumped-elements. The power multiplying network is coupled to a power distribution network. The power multiplying network is configured to store power from and supply power to the power distribution network.

Abstract: Disclosed is hybrid communication in which a first message from a guided surface wave probe node is embedded in a guided surface wave, and a second message from a guided surface wave receive node uses a different messaging mechanism.

Abstract: Various power processing systems are described that employ a multiply-connected velocity inhibiting circuit. At least one active circuit can be employed to synthesize at least one passive lumped element in the multiply-connected velocity inhibiting circuit.

Abstract: In various embodiments, power multipliers and associated methods are provided that employ parametric excitation. In one embodiment, a ring power multiplier is provided that has a ring. A parametric reactance is associated with the ring that negates at least a portion of a physical resistance of the ring.

Abstract: Various power processing systems are described that employ a multiply-connected velocity inhibiting circuit. At least one active circuit is employed to synthesize at least one passive lumped element in the multiply-connected velocity inhibiting circuit.

Abstract: A power multiplier and method are provided. The power multiplier includes a power multiplying network that is a multiply-connected, velocity inhibiting circuit constructed from a number of lumped-elements. The power multiplier also includes a launching network, and a directional coupler that couples the launching network to the power multiplying network. The power multiplier provides for power multiplication at nominal power generation frequencies such as 50 Hertz, 60 Hertz, and other power frequencies, in a compact circuit.