Standards and methods of power control for variable power bidirectional wireless power transfer

Abstract

Unmanned and autonomous systems are used extensively for Navy missions. While most of these systems are able to operate without human interaction, limitations in power capacity place a fundamental limit on overall system autonomy. Inductive wireless power transfer provides an effective way to enhance unmanned systems (vehicles, sensors, etc.). This report examines different methods for efficiently controlling power modulation and determining which side, transmitter or receiver, commands power needs. The need for charging a wide array of systems and bidirectional power capabilities are considered, which point toward a need of underwater wireless power standards, a framework of which is proposed.