Abstracts Engineering

Design and prototype development of a wireless power transmission system for a micro air vehicle (MAV)

by Robert L. Vitale

Microwave radiation at 1.0 GHz and 1.3 GHz is used to demonstrate remote powering of a micro air vehicle (MAV). Several prototype microwave rectifier systems were fabricated in microstrip using EEsof(registered) computer aided engineering (CAE) software to assist in their design. Radio frequency (RF) parameters of the rectifiers were measured on a vector network analyzer. RF-to- DC conversion efficiency was measured for several designs and with various circuit loads consisting of lumped elements and DC motors. A peak RF-to-DC conversion efficiency of 33 percent was achieved. MAV antenna designs were investigated by simulating 68 geometries using the GNEC(registered) numerical electromagetics computer program. Two prototype MAVs were assembled, each consisting of microwave rectifier, antenna and a miniature DC motor. It was demonstrated that a 1.8-Watt, 1.3-GHz microwave signal could power the DC motor at free space distance of 30 inches from transmitting antenna to prototype MAV. Greater operating distances are proposed by using higher transmitting power and antenna gain