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: Wireless power transmitters and methods of management thereof are disclosed herein. An example wireless power transmitter includes an antenna array and a communication radio configured to: establish a communication connection with a respective wireless power receiver; and receive device data from the respective wireless power receiver, the device data used to determine a location of the respective wireless power receiver. The example wireless power transmitter also includes a controller in communication with the antenna array and the communication radio, the controller configured to: determine whether the respective wireless power receiver is authorized to receive power from the wireless power transmitter; if so, determine a particular time at which RF power waves should be transmitted to the respective receiver, the particular time based at least in part on a charging schedule for the transmitter; and instruct the antenna array to transmit radio frequency (RF) power waves at the particular time.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may generate and transmit power waves that, as result of their physical waveform characteristics (e.g., frequency, amplitude, phase, gain, direction), converge at a predetermined location in a transmission field to generate a pocket of energy. Receivers associated with an electronic device being powered by the wireless charging system, may extract energy from these pockets of energy and then convert that energy into usable electric power for the electronic device associated with a receiver. The pockets of energy may manifest as a three-dimensional field (e.g., transmission field) where energy may be harvested by a receiver positioned within or nearby the pocket of energy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are examples of wireless charging transmitters and methods. As one example, a wireless charging transmitter includes a sensor to detect the presence of a receiver device and/or a living being and the sensor generates data according to the presence detected. The wireless charging transmitter also includes an array of antennas configured to transmit power waves to the receiver device and a surface layer that is adjacent to the array of antennas. The transmitted power waves converge to form a constructive interference pattern at a non-zero distance from the surface layer. The non-zero distance being based on the sensor data. Further, the phases and amplitudes of the transmitted power waves are determined based, at least in part, on the sensor data.

Abstract: Wireless charging systems, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed herein. As an example, a method includes: receiving, by a radio of a transmitter, a communication signal from a wireless-power-receiving device, the communication signal containing location data indicating a location of the wireless-power-receiving device. The method further includes, in response determining that the location of the wireless-power-receiving device is within a predetermined range from the transmitter: (i) generating sound waves from a sound wave integrated circuit of the transmitter and (ii) transmitting the sound waves through a plurality of transducer elements to the location of the wireless-power-receiving device, wherein the sound waves are transmitted so that they converge constructively to form a controlled constructive interference pattern in three-dimensional (3-D) space at the location of the wireless-power-receiving device.

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: 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: The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits power transmission signals. An example method of transmitting power includes: (i) in response to an input being received at a button in communication with a transmitter and before receiving any signals from a receiving electronic device identifying a location of the receiving electronic device, transmitting, by the transmitter, a first plurality of power transmission waves within a first distance of the transmitter; (ii) ceasing to transmit the first plurality of power transmission waves, and (iii) transmitting, by the transmitter, a second plurality of power transmission waves within a second distance of the transmitter that differs from the first distance, the second distance corresponding to the location of the receiving electronic device.

Abstract: Integrated antenna structures described herein include, as one example, a multi-layered printed circuit board (PCB), including an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) cell that includes a backing metal layer defining a first inner layer of the multi-layered PCB and an AMC metal layer defining a second inner layer of the multi-layered PCB. The metal layer defining the second inner layer is separated from at least one edge of the multi-layered PCB, and a planar inverted F antenna (PIFA) surrounds the AMC cell. The AMC metal layer is configured to reflect energy radiated by the PIFA. In some embodiments, the energy radiated by the PIFA includes radio frequency waves that can be used by a receiver to power or charge an electronic device.

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: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to wireless charging systems and method of transmitting power waves. An exemplary method includes receiving, from one or more first sensors, first data of a transmission field. After receiving the first data, the method includes determining whether a path between a wireless power receiver located in the transmission field and a first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed based, at least in part, on the first data. In accordance with a determination that the path between the wireless power receiver and the first wireless power transmitter is unobstructed, the method includes transmitting, by the first wireless power transmitter, electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to the wireless power receiver. The wireless power receiver uses energy from at least some of the electromagnetic wireless power transmission waves to power or charge an electronic device coupled to the wireless power receiver.

Abstract: An example method includes detecting, via a wireless communication component of a near-field charging pad (pad), that a receiver is within a threshold distance of the pad. In response to the detecting, the method includes: determining whether the receiver has been placed on the pad. In accordance with determining that the receiver has been placed on the pad, the method includes: selectively transmitting, by respective antenna elements included in a plurality of antenna zones of the pad, respective test power transmission signals with a first set of transmission characteristics until a determination is made that a particular power-delivery parameter associated with transmission of a respective test power transmission signal by at least one particular antenna zone satisfies power-delivery criteria.

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 method includes, at a transmitter, performing a test of communications with a receiver, the test comprising: (i) sending, by a communications component of the transmitter, a first message to the receiver, (ii) receiving, by the communications component, a second message from the receiver in response to the first message, and (iii) comparing operational metric(s) associated with the first and second messages with respective expected values for each of the operational metric(s) to determine an outcome for the test. The method further includes sending a report to a remote server that includes the determined outcome for the test, and after sending the report, stopping performance of the test and starting normal operation of the transmitter in which the transmitter transmits, by at least some of the transmitter's antennas, power waves to a location of the receiver. The receiver uses energy from the power waves to charge/power an electronic device.

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: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for transmitting wireless power. One example method includes: receiving, by at least one of a plurality of antennas of a wireless power transmitter, a first communication signal from a wireless power receiver coupled with an electronic device, the first communication signal including information identifying a location of the electronic device and device parameters associated therewith.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices and methods for wireless power transmission. These devices and methods may extend the battery life of electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, Bluetooth headsets, smart-watches among others. An example method may include, when a receiver coupled to an electronic device is within a threshold distance from a transmitter: (i) receiving a plurality of wireless power transmission waves transmitted by the transmitter, (ii) converting the plurality of wireless power transmission waves into usable electricity, and (iii) providing the usable electricity to a backup battery of the receiver to at least partially charge the backup battery. Further, when the receiver is not within the threshold distance from the transmitter, and after providing the usable electricity to the backup battery to at least partially charge the backup battery, draining the backup battery to provide power to the battery of the electronic device.

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: A plurality of integrated antenna structures described herein may be formed in a flat panel antenna arrays which may be arranged in equally spaced grid and may be used in transmitters for sending focused RF waves towards a receiver for wireless power charging or powering. Each of the integrated antenna structures may include planar inverted-F antennas (PIFAs) integrated with artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) metamaterials. As a result of their high directionality and form factor, the integrated antenna structures may be placed very close together, thus enabling the integration of a high number of integrated antenna structures in a single flat panel antenna array which may fit about 400+ integrated antenna structures. Each integrated antenna structure in the flat panel antenna arrays may be operated independently, thus enabling an enhanced control over the pocket forming. In addition, the higher number of integrated antenna structures may contribute to a higher gain for the flat panel antenna arrays.