Abstract: A power transmitter for wireless power transfer includes a control and communications unit, an inverter circuit, at least one coil, a shielding, a housing, and a removable front plate. The housing is configured to house, at least in part, one or more of the control and communications unit, the invertor circuit, the at least one coil, the shielding, or combinations thereof. The removable front plate is configured to mechanically connect to the housing, the removable front plate including at least one magnet, the at least one magnet configured to attract a receiver magnet when a power receiver is proximate to the removable front plate.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus which comprises a wireless power transmission system. This system comprises features which allow it to transfer more power wirelessly to multiple devices simultaneously, each at extended distances than other systems operating in the same frequency range. The system including heat dissipation features, allowing the system to operate effectively in elevated-temperature environments and to transfer power at higher levels and/or greater distances than a typical power-transfer system. The system also may include design features to withstand mechanical shocks, stresses, and impacts for use in a rugged environment. The system may include features to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or specially shaped components with magnetic/ferrimagnetic properties that enhance performance.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission system includes a transmitter antenna, a transmission controller, an amplifier, and a variable resistor. The transmission controller is configured to (i) provide a driving signal for driving the transmitter antenna based on an operating frequency for the wireless power transfer system and (ii) perform one or more of encoding the wireless data signals, decoding the wireless data signals, receiving the wireless data signals, or transmitting the wireless data signals. The variable resistor is in electrical connection with the transmitter antenna and configured to alter a quality factor (Q) of the transmitter antenna, wherein alterations in the Q by the variable resistor change an operating mode of the wireless power transmission system.

Abstract: A testing device for testing electronic devices includes a test controller and a wireless power transmission system. The test controller is configured to generate testing signals for transmission to at least one of the plurality of electronic devices and receive testing data, in response to the testing signals. The wireless power transmission system is configured to receive the testing signal from the test controller, generate a power signal and a first asynchronous serial data signal in accordance with a wireless power and data transfer protocol, the first asynchronous serial data signal based on the testing signals, decode the power signal to extract a second data signal compliant with the wireless power and data transfer protocol, and decode the second data signal compliant with the wireless power and data transfer protocol to extract a second asynchronous serial data signal, the second asynchronous serial data signal based on the testing data.

Abstract: A method for providing an electronic device includes manufacturing the electronic device at a manufacturing location, wherein manufacturing the electronic device includes connecting a wireless receiver system to the electronic device. The method further includes packaging the electronic device at a packaging location. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting data to the electronic device at a data transmission site, wherein wirelessly transmitting the data to the electronic device is performed by transferring data via near field magnetic induction utilizing a wireless transmission system and transmitting data via an out of band communications system, the wireless transmission system configured to magnetically connect with the wireless receiver system associated with the electronic device.

Abstract: A power transmitter is configured for transmission of wireless power, to a wireless receiver, at extended ranges, including a separation gap greater than 8 millimeters (mm). The power transmitter further includes a coil configured to transmit the power signal to a power receiver, the coil formed of wound Litz wire and including at least one layer, the coil defining, at least, a top face. The power transmitter further includes a shielding comprising a ferrite core and defining a cavity, the cavity configured such that the ferrite core substantially surrounds all but the top face of the coil. The power transmitter includes at least one magnet, the at least one magnet configured to attract at least one receiver magnet when a power receiver is proximate to a surface associated with the power transmitter.

Abstract: A power transmitter for wireless power transfer includes a control and communications unit, a vehicular power input regulator, an inverter circuit, at least one coil, a shielding, a housing, and a removable front plate. The housing is configured to house, at least in part, one or more of the control and communications unit, the invertor circuit, the at least one coil, the shielding, or combinations thereof. The removable front plate is configured to mechanically connect to the housing, the removable front plate including at least one magnet, the at least one magnet configured to attract a receiver magnet when a power receiver is proximate to the removable front plate.

Abstract: A power transmitter for wireless power transfer includes a control and communications unit, an inverter circuit, at least one coil, a shielding, a housing, and a removable front plate. The housing is configured to house, at least in part, one or more of the control and communications unit, the invertor circuit, the at least one coil, the shielding, or combinations thereof. The removable front plate is configured to mechanically connect to the housing, the removable front plate including at least one magnet, the at least one magnet configured to attract a receiver magnet when a power receiver is proximate to the removable front plate.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission system includes a transmitter antenna, transmission controller, and an amplifier. The transmitter controller is configured to provide a driving signal for driving the transmitter antenna based on, at least, an operating mode for transmission of AC wireless signals and determine the operating mode for transmission of the AC wireless signals, wherein the operating mode includes a power level for the wireless power signals and a data rate for the wireless data signals, the power level chosen from a series of available power levels and the data rate chosen from a series of available data rates, each of the series of available power levels corresponding to one of the series of available data rates, wherein corresponding pairs of available power levels and available data rates are inversely related.

Abstract: A method for operating a wireless power transmission system includes providing a driving signal for driving a transmission antenna of the wireless power transmission system, the driving signal based, at least, on an operating frequency for the wireless power transmission system. The method further includes inverting, by the at least one transistor, a direct current (DC) input power signal to generate an AC wireless signal at the operating frequency, based on provided driving signals. The method includes receiving, at a damping circuit, damping signals configured for switching the damping transistor to one of an active mode and an inactive mode to control signal damping, wherein the damping signals switch to the active mode periodically. The method further includes selectively damping, by the damping circuit, the AC wireless signals, during transmission of the wireless data signals if the damping signals set the damping circuit to the active mode.

Abstract: A method of operating a power and data transfer system includes determining, by a wireless transmission system, presence of a wireless receiver system. The method further includes starting wireless power and data transfer via the wireless transmission system, if presence of the wireless receiver system is detected. The method further includes determining if power at a load associated with the wireless receiver system exceeds a threshold for out of band communications. The method further includes, if the power at the load exceeds the threshold for out of band communications, handing over wireless data transfer to an out of band communications system that is in operative communication with the wireless transmission system.

Abstract: A method of providing a single structure multiple mode antenna is described. The antenna is preferably constructed having a first inductor coil that is electrically connected in series with a second inductor coil. The antenna is constructed having a plurality of electrical connections positioned along the first and second inductor coils. A plurality of terminals is connected to the electrical connections that facilitate numerous electrical connections and enables the antenna to be selectively tuned to various frequencies and frequency bands.

Abstract: A wireless receiver system, configured to receive both electrical data signals and electrical energy, includes a first receiver antenna, configured to receive one or both of the electrical data signals and the electrical energy, and a power conditioning system in electrical connection with the first receiver antenna, configured to receive electrical energy from the first receiver antenna. The wireless receiver system further includes a second receiver antenna configured to receive the electrical data signals and a receiver controller operatively associated with the first receiver antenna and the second receiver antenna and configured to determine switching instructions. The wireless receiver system further includes a switch operatively associated with the receiver controller and configured to switch receiving operations between the first and second receiver antennas based, at least in part, on the switching instructions.

Abstract: A method for operating a wireless power transfer system includes selecting an operating mode from a plurality of transmission modes, which includes, at least, a first operating mode having a first power level and a first data rate and a second operating mode having a second power level and a second power rate, wherein the first data rate is greater than the second data rate and the first power level is less than the second power level. The method further includes performing, one or more of encoding the wireless data signals, decoding the wireless data signals, receiving the wireless data signals, transmitting the wireless data signals or combinations thereof. The method further includes driving a transmitter antenna of the wireless power transmission system, by the amplifier, based on a driving signal generated in accordance with the selected operating m.

Abstract: A method of operating a power and data transfer system includes determining, by a wireless transmission system, presence of a wireless receiver system. The method further includes starting wireless power and data transfer via the wireless transmission system, if presence of the wireless receiver system is detected. The method further includes determining if power at a load associated with the wireless receiver system exceeds a threshold for out of band communications. The method further includes, if the power at the load exceeds the threshold for out of band communications, handing over wireless data transfer to an out of band communications system that is in operative communication with the wireless transmission system.

Abstract: A method of operating a power and data transfer system includes determining, by a wireless transmission system, presence of a wireless receiver system. The method further includes starting wireless power and data transfer via the wireless transmission system, if presence of the wireless receiver system is detected. The method further includes determining if power at a load associated with the wireless receiver system exceeds a threshold for out of band communications. The method further includes, if the power at the load exceeds the threshold for out of band communications, handing over wireless data transfer to an out of band communications system that is in operative communication with the wireless transmission system.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus which comprises a wireless power transfer (WPT) system. This system comprises features which allow it to transfer more power wirelessly at extended distances than other systems operating in the same frequency range. The system possesses heat dissipation features; these features allow it to operate effectively in elevated-temperature environments, and to transfer power at higher levels and/or greater distances than a typical power-transfer system. The system also might include design features to withstand mechanical shocks, stresses, and impacts for use in a rugged environment. The system can also comprise adaptations to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI), and can comprise specially shaped components with magnetic/ferrimagnetic properties that enhance performance. Other potential features include power conditioning by combining, within one circuit or one board, multiple elements that protect against excessive current, over-voltage, and/or reverse voltage.

Abstract: A device charging system includes a legacy battery-powered electronic device configured for wired-only charging and a wireless charging enabled battery pack. The wireless charging enabled battery pack may contain one or more battery cells as well as a power management integrated circuit (IC) configured to manage charging of the battery cells. The wireless charging enabled battery pack also contains a wireless power module to receive power wirelessly from a WPT (wireless power transfer) power source outside of the legacy device. In keeping with embodiments of the disclosure, a pack microcontroller in the battery pack interfaces to the legacy device, presenting an interface consistent with a wired-only charged battery pack.

Abstract: A device charging system includes a legacy battery-powered mobile electronic device configured for wired-only charging and a wireless charging enabled battery pack. The wireless charging enabled battery pack may contain one or more battery cells as well as a power management integrated circuit (IC) configured to manage charging of the battery cells. The wireless charging enabled battery pack also contains a wireless power module to receive power wirelessly from a WPT (wireless power transfer) power source outside of the legacy device. In keeping with embodiments of the disclosure, a pack microcontroller in the battery pack interfaces to the legacy device, presenting an interface consistent with a wired-only charged battery pack.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a multi-mode antenna are described. The antenna is preferably constructed having a first inductor coil and a second inductor coil. A plurality of shielding materials are positioned throughout the antenna to minimize interference of the magnetic fields that emanate from the coils from surrounding materials. The antenna comprises a coil control circuit having at least one of an electric filter and an electrical switch configured to modify the electrical impedance of either or both the first and second coils.