Integrated Device Technology, Inc.

Renesas Electronics America Inc.

Chan Young Jeong

Nicholaus Wayne Smith

Tao Qi

Gustavo James Mehas

Amit D Bavisi

Detelin Borislavov Martchovsky

Pooja Agrawal

Adnan Dzebic

Daryl Sugasawara

Xinyun Gu

Aihua Lee

Rui Liu

Jiangjian Huang

Jianbin Hao

Damla Solmaz Acar

Arman Naghavi

Daryl Jay Sugasawara

Young Chul Ryu

Kwangmuk Choi

Krishal Jaswantsinh Solanki

Ashley DeWolfe

Steve Jaycox

Tianze Kan

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for detecting a foreign object on a wireless power charging region are described. A circuit can detect an object inductively coupled to a wireless power transmitter. The circuit can further measure an input parameter prior to a power transfer stage, the input parameter can be one of an input current and an input power. The circuit can further compare the measured input parameter with a predetermined value. The circuit can further determine whether the object is a foreign object or the wireless power receiver based on a result of the comparison between the measured input parameter with the predetermined value.

Foreign object detection based on transmitter input parameter

A wireless power device is presented that avoids transmit conflicts. The device can include a rectifier circuit coupled to a coil; a transmit driver coupled to the rectifier circuit; a transmit detect circuit configured to detect receipt of transmitted wireless power at the coil; and a controller coupled to the transmit driver and the transmit detect circuit, the controller receiving a signal from the transmit detect circuit and providing an alert of the presence of the transmitted wireless power, the controller activating the transmit driver to transmit wireless power in absence of the signal. The wireless device can determine an operating mode and in a transmit mode determine presence of a received power. If received power is detected an alert can be provided and an off state initiated. If transmit power is not detected the transmit driver can be activated.

Wireless power Tx to Tx conflict and protection

A method of over-current protection in a wireless power receiver operating in a high-power mode includes digitally receiving an output current signal, generating an OC INT signal if the output current signal is greater than a current limit value, and if the OC INT signal is generated, transmitting Count A number of End Power Transfer (EPT) packets. If wireless power transmission has not stopped, transmitting Count C number of Control Error Packets (CEPs) with Value B. If wireless power transmission has not reduced such that the output current IL is below the current limit value, then enabling an LDO current limit circuit in a power block of the wireless power receiver. In a low-power mode, the receiver enables a hardware over-current circuit that generates an OC INT signal when the output current exceeds a current limit.

Wireless power system

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method of controlling and correcting negative modulation is presented. In some embodiments, a method of operating a receiver includes detecting a negative modulation and adjusting one or more parameters to force a transition to a positive modulation. The parameters can be the output voltage Vout, the transmitter input voltage Vin, or receiver structural elements.

Negative modulation solution for fixed coil designs

Embodiments herein provide a device for calibrating a voltage driven by a PWM signal for a circuit board. The device includes a controller configured to generate the PWM signal according to a PWM duty cycle value, and a voltage regulator configured to generate an output voltage according to the PWM signal. The controller is further configured to calibrate a relationship between the PWM duty cycle value and the output voltage based on a plurality of configured PWM duty cycle values and a plurality of corresponding voltages measured from the voltage regulator, and drive the circuit board by configuring the PWM duty cycle value based on the calibrated relationship.

Fixed-frequency voltage calibration in a wireless power transfer system

Embodiments described herein provide a wireless power transmitter that dynamically adjusts the deadtime to reduce power loss. Specifically, the wireless power transmitter includes a transistor circuit for switching a first voltage at a first node and a second voltage at a second node, and a LC circuit coupled between the first node and the second node. The wireless power transmitter further includes a controller coupled to the transistor circuit. The controller is configured to determine whether either of the first voltage and the second voltage is negative during a deadtime of switching. The controller is configured to increment or decrement the deadtime by an adjustment amount depending on whether negative voltage is detected.

Dynamic deadtime control in a wireless transmission function

A capacitor sensor array (or grid) over a wireless power transmission coil can include a first set of lines; a second set of lines intersecting the first set of lines; a first multiplexer coupled to provide a charge (e.g. in the form of a DC voltage) from a voltage source to the first set of lines and provide first signals to detect voltages on each line; and a second multiplexer coupled to provide a charge from the voltage source to the second set of lines and provide second signals to detect voltages on each line, wherein an object positioned with respect to the first set of lines and the second set of lines is located. According to some embodiments, a wireless power receive coil and a rectifier circuit can be used in forming a capacitor sensor, to sense the capacitance between the receive and transmit coils for better alignment between the two coils. Other embodiments are also provided.

Wireless power transmission using a capacitive sensor

A wireless power circuit is presented that includes a transmit coil coupled to a first node; a receive coil coupled to the first node; a switch circuit coupled to the transmit coil and the receive coil opposite the first node, the switch switching the transmit coil to a second node in a transmit mode and switching the receive coil to the second node in a receive mode; a controller coupled to the first node and the second node, the controller coupled to provide signals to the switch circuit; and a self-start circuit coupled to the receive coil (or Tx coil) that automatically selects one of the coils to be used, the self-start circuit providing power to the switch circuit to hold the switch circuit in the receive mode (or predefined coil to be selected by default).

Wireless power multiple receive coil self-startup circuit for low battery condition

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a coil design for the transmission of wireless power. In some embodiments, the coil can include a winding with one or more turns of conductive traces mounted on a substrate, wherein the one or more turns include characteristics that enhance operation of the coil. In some embodiments, the winding includes a transmit coil and a receive coil, each coupled to terminals that provide for a transmit functionality and a receive functionality. In some embodiments, the traces are varied in width and/or thickness in order to optimize the inductance and the coil resistance. In some embodiments, parameters of a control circuit coupled to the coil to affect a transmit functionality or a receive functionality can be optimized.

Optimization of transmit and transmit/receive (TRX) coils for wireless transfer of power

A wireless power receiver may include a receive coil configured to generate an AC power signal responsive to wireless power transfer from a wireless power transmitter, and control logic configured to detect misalignment of the receive coil and a transmit coil of the wireless power transmitter responsive to a determination of efficiency of wireless power transfer therebetween. A method for operating a wireless power receiver may include detecting misalignment between a receive coil and a transmit coil of a wireless power transmitter responsive to detecting monitoring a value indicative of efficiency of wireless power transfer between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver, and causing an indication to be provided to a user to assist with correcting the misalignment.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Chan Young Jeong