Reach Enables Wireless Power Mesh Networking for In-Flight Drone Charging
24 May 2024 - 1:00AM
Business Wire
Under a BAA (Broad Agency Announcement) funded project with
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Reach, the
Wireless Power-at-a-Distance company developed and demonstrated a
groundbreaking radio frequency (RF) based wireless power transfer
(WPT) system for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The
demonstration, which took place at National Aeronautics and Space
Administration’s (NASA) Ames Research Center, showcased Reach's
Wireless Power-at-a-Distance solution by beaming 256 watts of power
at a drone in flight. The demo used four Reach Wireless Power
Transmitters collaborating to create a mesh network. This
transmitter network sent power to a Reach Wireless Power Receiver
integrated with a 5 lbs. quadcopter drone.
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Reach Power wireless power transmitters
collaborating to keep a tethered UAV in flight with wireless
power-at-a-distance which leverages radio frequency (RF) energy to
move power without wires or cords. (Graphic: Business Wire)
“This successful demonstration is a critical step towards
creating a practical, scalable RF-based wireless power network,”
said Reach Founder and Chief Executive Officer Chris Davlantes.
“Energy is fundamental to every aspect of our lives. We believe
that more flexible and resilient power distribution networks
enabled by wireless power transfer will revolutionize a vast array
of military and commercial applications in the near future.”
The Reach system sent power to the in-flight drone by beaming
wireless electricity at a distance of approximately 6 meters. The
primary objective of the project was to demonstrate that multiple
wireless power transmitters could work in unison forming a mesh
network to wirelessly power a device.
Building a Wireless Power Mesh Network
A wireless power mesh network is a collection of interconnected
devices – collocated or dispersed – functioning as a unified
network. The wireless power mesh provides numerous sources of
power, delivering more power and a wider coverage area. Widespread
adoption of mesh networking for Wi-Fi has opened the door to
similar architectures for wireless power as it has driven
innovation, cost reduction, and availability.
Like conventional Wi-Fi mesh networks, Reach's wireless power
mesh network delivers uninterrupted service to devices within its
coverage area but provides wireless power access versus Wi-Fi
connectivity. This innovative network of wireless power holds
immense potential across various domains, including energizing
robots in manufacturing plants, charging tools at construction
sites, and establishing temporary power grids for efficient
disaster response efforts.
Wireless power mesh networks have several key advantages:
- They facilitate higher power levels and extended distances
between the transmitter and receiver.
- They employ intelligent algorithms to optimize power delivery
based on demand.
- They deliver resilience by incorporating redundant backup
technology and ensuring continued power supply in the event of
physical interference with or failure of a transmitter.
- They are flexible and highly scalable with modular mesh
components that are easy to add or remove as needed.
During this demonstration Reach achieved three ground-breaking
milestones:
- Transmitting constant power in the 100s of watts at a wireless
power receiver at-a-distance.
- Demonstrating the capability to mesh multiple transmitters –
power beams – to increase overall power at the receiving end.
- Demonstrating a resilient power beaming network with no single
point of failure that can deliver uninterrupted power even if
transmitters are removed.
By meshing four transmitters together, the system delivered 50
Watts to the drone to charge its battery. The team also
demonstrated fault tolerant networking that enabled the graceful
failover of individual power sources. Even as the power reduced,
the remaining power sources were still able to deliver power to the
drone.
The successful demonstration by Reach represents a significant
step forward in the use of wireless power technology to keep UAVs,
robots, and other electronic devices powered and charging while
operational. This technology revolutionizes operations for
government, military, and commercial customers, providing them with
a safe, efficient, and dependable source of persistent power to
optimize their activities and extend their missions.
About Reach
Reach is the Wireless Power-at-a-Distance company. Reach’s
wireless power changes electric power delivery in the same way that
Wi-Fi changed data delivery. The system is built on
state-of-the-art, patented technology, including high-efficiency
power beaming circuits, network optimization algorithms, and
adaptive electromagnetic surfaces, delivering a highly scalable,
safe, and easy-to-use power platform. Ideally suited for
manufacturing, government, energy, logistics, and retail, the Reach
solution provides flexible access to power where and when needed,
streamlining device deployment, and improving device
performance.
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Anna Porteus media@reachpower.com