Wireless energy transfer: Dielectric lens antennas for beam shaping in wireless power-transfer applications

Publication date: Available online 9 December 2016 Source:Comptes Rendus Physique Author(s): Ricardo Gonçalves, Nuno B. Carvalho, Pedro Pinho In the current contest of wireless systems, the last frontier remains the cut of the power cord. In that sense, the interest over wireless energy transfer technologies in the past years has grown exponentially. However, there are still many challenges to be overcome in order to enable wireless energy transfer full potential. One of the focus in the development of such systems is the design of very-high-gain, highly efficient, antennas that can compensate for the propagation loss of radio signals over the air. In this paper, we explore the design and manufacturing process of dielectric lenses, fabricated using a professional-grade desktop 3D printer. Lens antennas are used in order to increase beam efficiency and therefore maximize the efficiency of a wireless power-transfer system operating at microwave frequencies in the K u band. Measurements of two fabricated prototypes showcase a large directivity, as predicted with simulations.

Source: Comptes Rendus Physique - December 8, 2016 Category: Physics Source Type: research