Search Results (65)

This paper presents a passive wireless temperature sensor based on an SS-compensated LC-thermistor topology. The system consists of two magnetically coupled LC tanks—each composed of a coil and a series capacitor—forming a series–series (SS) compensation network. The secondary side includes a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor connected in series with its coil and capacitor, acting as a temperature-dependent load. Magnetically coupled resonant systems exhibit different coupling regimes: weak, critical, and strong. When operating in the strongly coupled regime, the original resonance splits into two distinct frequencies—a phenomenon known as bifurcation. At these split resonance frequencies, the load impedance on the secondary side is reflected as pure resistance at the primary side. In the SS topology, this reflected resistance is equal to the thermistor resistance, enabling precise wireless sensing. The advantage of the SS-compensated configuration lies in its ability to map changes in the thermistor’s resistance directly to the input impedance seen by the reader circuit. As a result, the sensor can wirelessly monitor temperature variations by simply tracking the input impedance at split resonance points. We experimentally validate this property on a benchtop prototype using a one-port VNA measurement, demonstrating that the input resistance at both split frequencies closely matches the expected thermistor resistance, with the observed agreement influenced by the parasitic effects of RF components within the tested temperature range. We also demonstrate that using the average readout provides first-order immunity to small capacitor drift, yielding stable readings. Full article

The aim of the study was to analyze the impedance characteristics of the transmitting coil used in a system for AC magnetometry and the measurement of the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of magnetic nanoparticles. A theoretical relationship for the current distribution in a multilayer air-core coil was derived. The formulas for the coil’s stray capacitance were modified to account for additional spacing between layers, introduced to reduce the interlayer capacitance. The developed theory was applied to a two-layer air-core coil with an additional gap between the layers. The frequency dependence of the coil impedance was measured. The measurements confirmed an extension of the useful operating frequency range of the constructed coil. Full article

The increasing power demand in substations and the advancement of smart-grid technology point to optical voltage sensors (OVSs) based on the Pockels effect as an attractive solution to replace traditional coil instrument transformers, due to their advantageous characteristics of lower cost and installation space, absence of explosion risks, as well as nonlinear effects such as magnetic hysteresis. Regarding the measurement, our OVS presents excellent linearity, 3 kHz bandwidth, and high input impedance. The primary contribution of this paper is to demonstrate, for the first time, the efficiency of a versatile nonlinear digital controller, based on sliding mode theory, for the optical phase demodulation of an OVS. A simple proportional-integral feedback control is employed to prevent signal fading and generate the two quadrature signals required by the observer, which includes the nonlinear digital controller. Experimental results, for 60 Hz sinusoidal voltages with amplitudes exceeding the half-wave voltage of the OVS, prove that peak-to-peak relative errors remain below 0.8%, while total harmonic distortion (THD) relative errors are under 1.5% when compared to a commercial high-voltage probe used as a reference. These results confirm compliance with Class 1.0 of the UNE-EN 60044-7 standard and show strong potential for applications in power quality measurements. Full article

Cumulative mistuning effects in electric vehicle wireless charging systems, arising from component tolerances, coil misalignments, and aging-induced drifts, can significantly degrade system performance. To mitigate this issue, this work establishes an analysis model for mistuned series–series-compensated wireless power transfer (WPT) systems. Through equivalent simplification of mistuned parameters, we systematically examine the effects of compensation capacitances and coil inductances on input impedance, output power, and efficiency in SS-compensated topologies across wide load ranges and different coupling coefficients. Results reveal that transmitter-side parameter deviations exert more pronounced impacts on input impedance and power gain than receiver-side variations. Remarkably, under receiver-side inductance mistuning of −20%, a significant 32° shift in the input impedance angle was observed. Experimental validation on a 500 W prototype confirms ≤5% maximum deviation between calculated and measured values for efficiency, input impedance angle, and power gain. Full article

The eddy current testing (ECT) technique enables efficient and non-destructive conductivity measurement. However, conventional ECT is significantly influenced by the thickness of the material, often resulting in the arbitrary selection of excitation frequency. In addition, complex inverse calculations in the eddy current analytical model pose challenges for practical application. This paper proposes a method for measuring the conductivity of non-ferromagnetic materials based on a simplified analytical model. Firstly, the classical Dodd–Deeds analytical model is simplified based on the electromagnetic properties of materials under high-frequency conditions, resulting in a simplified model that directly relates the coil impedance phase to the material’s conductivity. Furthermore, in combination with a finite element method (FEM) analysis, a frequency selection criterion is proposed, and a corresponding measurement method is developed. This method enables direct conductivity calculation by substituting the measured coil impedance phase into the simplified model. Finally, experiments were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results demonstrate that the proposed method accurately measures the conductivity of non-ferromagnetic materials over a range of 0.5–58.5 MS/m, achieving absolute and relative errors less than 1.05 MS/m and 1.83%, respectively, without requiring complex inversion calculations or multiple calibrations. This advancement in measurement principles provides a new theoretical foundation and technical pathway for developing online inspection systems and portable instrumentation. Full article

This study introduces a novel and versatile application of neural networks (NNs) to enhance two distinct aspects of Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) systems. First, a compact NN architecture is presented for accurate distance estimation and automated impedance matching in a WPT system. Trained on either impedance measurements or scattering parameters acquired from the transmitter side, this NN effectively predicts the inter-coil distance and identifies optimal capacitance values for maximizing power transfer. Validation using both simulated and experimental data demonstrates consistently low prediction error rates. Second, a separate NN is employed to predict the optimal transmission frequency for minimizing the phase angle between voltage and current, thereby maximizing the power factor. This NN, validated on experimental data spanning various load conditions and inter-coil distances, achieves performance comparable to traditional PI control, but with significantly faster prediction speeds. This speed advantage is crucial for real-time applications and directly contributes to improved power efficiency. The results presented in this study, including the high accuracy of distance and capacitance prediction and the rapid determination of optimal frequencies for power factor maximization, showcase the significant potential of NNs for optimizing WPT systems. These findings open the way for more efficient, adaptable, and intelligent wireless energy transfer solutions, with potential applications ranging from dynamic charging of electric vehicles to real-time optimization of implantable medical devices. Full article

This work presents a system developed to determine changes in the impedance of an eddy current probe placed above a conductive disc containing two layers of different diameters. In the first step, an analytical model was derived with an employment of the truncated region eigenfunction expansion (TREE) method. The final formula for the probe impedance change was presented in a closed form, which makes it possible to implement it in any programming language or computer algebra system. The mathematical model was implemented in MATLAB and used to design probes and to determine the optimal test parameters. In the next step, two eddy current probes with a single coil with different geometric dimensions were constructed. Impedance measurements were carried out using an LCR meter for three sets of double-layer discs. The tested discs were made of materials with different electrical conductivities. The upper and lower layers of the disc also differed in terms of the geometric dimensions, i.e., the diameter and thickness. The tests were performed for the operating frequency of the probe ranging from 1 kHz to 10 kHz. In all cases, a very good agreement was obtained between the measurement and the calculation results. Both the error in the changes in resistance and the error in the changes in reactance did not exceed 3.5%. Full article

A wideband high-efficiency circularly polarized (CP) dual-coil antenna array is presented for 60-GHz applications in this letter. The proposed CP dual-coil antenna is composed of a resonant substrate-integrated cavity (SIC) and a pair of centrally symmetrical coils, which are fed differentially by a substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) coupling slot. A novel sequential rotation feeding technique is introduced to enhance the axial ratio (AR) and impedance bandwidths of both the 2 × 2 subarray and the 4 × 4 array. The proposed feeding network significantly improves radiation efficiency. The measured results of the fabricated prototype indicate that the proposed array achieves an impedance bandwidth of 20.8% (54.6–67.3 GHz) for |S₁₁| ≤ −10 dB, a 3-dB AR bandwidth of 21.5% (54–67 GHz), a high radiation efficiency of 96.6%, and a peak gain reaching 19.3 dBic at 58 GHz. The proposed circularly polarized (CP) antenna element and array design stand out as strong contenders for 60-GHz wireless applications. Full article

High frequency air transformers for switched-mode power supply (SMPS) are important components of wireless power transfer systems (WPT). This paper describes a compact thermal model of such transformers. This model takes into account self-heating in all components of such a transformer and mutual thermal couplings between these components. Methods of measurement of self- and transfer transient thermal impedances characterizing properties of the considered devices are proposed. The form of the elaborated model is described together with a parameters estimation method. Some results of measurements and calculations illustrating an influence of selected factors on waveforms of self- and transfer transient thermal impedances obtained for different constructions of the tested devices are shown and discussed. Two kinds of constructions of the air transformers are considered—with ferrite plates and without them. Different dimensions of the coils and different distances between them are considered. A good agreement is obtained between the results of measurements and simulations for all the considered constructions of the tested transformers operating in different conditions. Full article

Multi-layer conductive structures, especially those with features like bolt holes, are vulnerable to hidden corrosion and cracking, posing a serious threat to equipment integrity. Early defect detection is vital for implementing effective maintenance strategies. However, the subtle signals produced by these defects necessitate highly sensitive non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques. Analytical modeling plays a critical role in both enhancing defect-detection capabilities and guiding the design of highly sensitive sensors for these complex structures. Compared to the finite element method (FEM), analytical approaches offer advantages, such as faster computation and high accuracy, enabling a comprehensive analysis of how sensor and material parameters influence defect detection outcomes. This paper introduces a novel T-core eddy current sensor featuring a central air gap. Utilizing the vector magnetic potential method and a truncated region eigenfunction expansion (TREE) method, an analytical model was developed to investigate the sensor’s interaction with multi-layer conductive materials containing a hidden hole. The model yielded closed-form expressions for the induced eddy current density and coil impedance. A comparative study, implemented in Matlab, analyzed the eddy current distribution generated by T-core, E-core, I-core, and air core sensors under identical conditions. Furthermore, the study examined how the impedance of the T-core sensor changed at different excitation frequencies between 100 Hz and 10 kHz when positioned over a multi-layer conductor with a hidden air hole. These findings were then compared to those obtained from E-core, I-core, and air-core sensors. The analytical results were validated through finite element simulations and experimental measurements, exhibiting excellent agreement. The study further explored the influence of T-core design parameters, including the air gap radius, dome radius, core column height, and relative permeability of the T-core material, on the inspection sensitivity. Finally, the proposed T-core sensor was used to evaluate crack and hole defects in conductors, demonstrating its superior sensitivity compared to I-core and air core sensors. Although slightly less sensitive than the E-core sensor, the T-core sensor offers advantages, including a more compact design and reduced material requirements, making it well-suited for inspecting intricate and confined surfaces of the target object. This analytical model provides a valuable tool for designing advanced eddy current sensors, particularly for applications like detecting bolt hole defects or measuring the thickness of non-conductive coatings in multi-layer conductor structures. Full article

This article proposes a single-transmitter multi-receiver wireless power transfer (STMR-WPT) system, which uses a cross-overlapped bipolar coil as the transmitter and multiple square unipolar coils as the receivers. By using this structure, the magnetic field of the system can be adjusted to accommodate different coil misalignment conditions. In addition, the proposed system uses C-CLCs networks to achieve separate load power allocation. Thus, relay coils, complex multi-frequency transmission channels and multiple independent power supplies can be avoided. A mapping impedance-based circuit model was established to analyze the characteristics of the system, and then a single-frequency power allocation method was presented. Through this method, the STMR-WPT system can achieve load power allocation at any specified ratios under different mutual inductance and load impedance conditions. Finally, an experimental STMR-WPT system was built. The side lengths of the transmitter and receiver coils are 400 mm and 160 mm, respectively. The measurement results indicated that when the lateral or longitudinal coil misalignment varies within the range of 0~200 mm, the coupling coefficient decreases by a maximum of 6% compared to the initial value, and when the angular coil misalignment varies within the range of 0~90 degrees, the coupling coefficient decreases by a maximum of 22% compared to the initial value. In four different power allocation scenarios, the experimental STMR-WPT system successfully achieved the expected power allocation goals. Full article

This paper presents a high-frequency (HF) magnetic pulse generator designed for low-intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation (LI-TMS) applications. HF pulse stimulation can induce a strong electric field with minimal current and enhance the penetration depth of the electric field in human tissue. The HF magnetic pulse generator was designed and fabricated using a microcontroller unit, gate driver, full-bridge coil driver, and stimulation coil. Measurements with a full-bridge circuit supply voltage of 10 V demonstrated an electric field intensity of 6.8 V_pp/m at a frequency of 1 MHz with a power dissipation of 2.45 W. Achieving a similar electric field intensity at a frequency of 100 kHz required approximately ten times the coil current. Additionally, a quasi-resonant LC load was introduced by connecting a capacitor in series with the stimulation coil, which set the resonant frequency to approximately 10% higher than the frequency of 1 MHz. This approach reduced the coil impedance, achieving higher current with the same bias supply voltage. Experimental results showed an enhanced electric field intensity of 19.1 V_pp/m with a supply voltage of only 1.8 V and reduced power dissipation of 1.11 W. The proposed HF pulse train with quasi-resonant coil system is expected to enable a low-power LI-TMS system. Full article

To increase the acceptance of electric vehicles (EVs), inductive charging technology can be an important tool because of the simplified charging process for the user. This paper presents the fundamentals of wireless power transfer (WPT) for EVs, while focusing on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). This work deals with the investigation of the conducted and field-bound interference emissions using a WPT system with a max. input power of $3.6 \mathrm{k}\mathrm{W}$. During the research, a new frequency-tracking algorithm is developed, to find the optimal operating frequency at any coil misalignment. The impedance behavior as well as the possible interference paths are investigated, showing the great geometric influence of the test bench setup. The conducted interference currents are analyzed and subsequently filtered. The filter shows good performance in attenuating common mode currents. The measured radiated magnetic field is directly rated against the proposed limits of various standards. Finally, the EMC influence of the direct current (DC) power supply line to the inverter is examined, which is not defined precisely in the standard. This underlines the significance of a standardized test setup, since the limit values can be met under different geometric circumstances of the DC cable. Full article

A deep brain stimulator (DBS) device is a surgically implanted system that delivers electrical impulses to specific targets in the brain to treat abnormal movement disorders. A DBS is like a cardiac pacemaker, but instead of sending electrical signals to the heart, it sends them to the brain instead. When DBS leads and extension wires are exposed in the biological environment, this can adversely affect impedance and battery life, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. A posthumously extracted DBS device was evaluated using visual inspection and optical microscopy as well as electrical and mechanical tests to quantify the damage leading to its impairment. The implantable pulse generator (IPG) leads, a component of the DBS, contained cracks, delamination, exfoliations, and breakage. Some aspects of in vivo damage were observed in localized areas discussed in this paper. The duration of the time in months that the DBS was in vivo was estimated based on multiple regression analyses of mechanical property testing from prior research of pacemaker extensions. The test results of three DBS extensions, when applied to the regressions, were used to estimate the in vivo duration in months. This estimation approach may provide insight into how long the leads can function effectively before experiencing mechanical failure. Measurements of the extension coils demonstrated distortion and stretching, demonstrating the changes that may occur in vivo. These changes can alter the impedance and potentially reduce the effectiveness of the clinical treatment provided by the DBS system. Ultimately, as both DBSs and pacemakers use the same insulation and lead materials, the focus of this paper is to develop a proof of concept demonstrating that the mechanical properties measured from pacemaker extensions and leads extracted posthumously of known duration, measured in months while in vivo, can be used to predict the duration of DBS leads of unknown lifespan. The goal is to explore the validity of the proposed model using multiple regression of mechanical properties. Full article

The variation of mutual inductance and load parameters will affect the transmission power and efficiency of the inductive power transfer (IPT) system. The identification of mutual inductance and load parameters is an essential part of establishing a stable and reliable IPT system. This paper presents a joint identification method of load and mutual inductance for the LCC-S IPT system, which does not require the establishment of primary and secondary communication and related control. Firstly, the resistance-inductance characteristics of the equivalent load of the rectifier are analyzed by simulation, and then the rectifier and system load are equivalent to the circuit model of resistance and inductance in series. Secondly, the characteristics of the reflected impedance are analyzed, and the functional relationship between the transmitter impedance and the rectifier impedance is established by using the ratio of the real part to the imaginary part of the reflected impedance, which realizes the decoupling of the load and the mutual inductance. Thirdly, the functional relationship between the equivalent impedance of the rectifier and the load resistance of the system is obtained by data fitting. Then, the equations of the above two functional relationships are combined. By measuring the voltage of the parallel compensation capacitor at the transmitting side, the current of the transmitting coil and the phase difference between the two, the battery load can be solved first, and then the mutual inductance can be calculated, so that the high-precision identification of the load and mutual inductance can be realized. Finally, an experimental platform of the LCC-S IPT system is built for experimental verification. The experimental results show that the maximum identification errors of mutual inductance and load are 5.20% and 5.53%, respectively, which proves that the proposed identification method can achieve high precision identification. Full article