Class-E power converters for AC (50/60 Hz) wireless transmission

Abstract

In this paper, class-E power amplifiers (PAs) and rectifiers, operating at UHF band, are properly integrated in efficient AC-to-RF and RF-to-AC converters for their use in 50/60 Hz wireless power transmission (WPT). Slightly modifying a center-tap full-wave rectifier, it is proved that a 915 MHz frequency carrier may be high-level amplitude modulated by each of the semi-cycles of the utility waveform. Assuming those components are transmitted by means of orthogonal antenna polarizations, the high-fidelity recovery of both semi-sinusoids in the remote position is also demonstrated, to be stepped-up and combined at the ∆ port of an additional center-tap transformer. GaN HEMT packaged devices were selected for the designed PAs, while Schottky diodes for the rectifiers, resulting in average efficiency figures of 83.3% and 75.4%, respectively.