The Technology
Simultaneous transmission of power and data between devices is demonstrated by Extremely Ingenious Engineering. This technology uses spatially distributed resonant transformers to establish a network for data and power.

• Simultaneous audio signal and power transmission demonstrated.
• Omnidirectional power transmission of hundreds of watts demonstrated!
• Power is transmitted through tens of feet of free space.
• Multiple 'repeaters' for wide area coverage possible.
  

How It Works
Near field electromagnetic coupling occurs through two resonant coil transformer devices. Since these transformers are resonant, the energy transfer is relatively efficient. Instead of using coils magnetically coupled through a core material, the transformers can be spatially separated due to this resonance. These resonant transformer devices operate at a relatively high frequency (80 kHz) compared to power (60 Hz). Consequently, the transmitted power acts as a carrier wave, upon which information can be modulated.

Direct current power is output, which can be inverted to provide AC power for any consumer application.

Prototype applications transmit power on the order of hundreds of watts with audio-frequency signal data. Transmission is omnidirectional. Transfer efficiency varies with range but efficiencies as high as 30% are achievable at seven feet. We anticipate better efficiencies with planned improvements in the resonant coil transformers.

Application
The technology has numerous applications on a large and small scale but they all effectively derive from the usefulness of having spatially distributed, self-powered devices using a combined power and data signal.

• A current prototype application is a self-powered mobile speaker.
• Mobile robotic machines that exchange data and perform tasks without a power
  connection or battery.
• Process monitors in locations where presence of wired power presents a hazard.
• Machines that have plug-and-play components without power or data connectors or cabling.
• Computers or even circuit boards that interconnect wirelessly for both power
  and signals.
• Multi-transformer networks for entire buildings.

We envision this technology as useful in any manufacturing setting where mobile devices or robots are used, any setting for charging or powering devices without wiring or physical connection.

Research Directions

Resonant Transformers
We anticipate additional research into smaller resonant transformers for small-scale
application.

High Temperature Superconductivity
Advent of superconductivity at relatively high temperatures and application to coil technology permits higher magnetic fields and better transformer efficiencies. We plan to investigate the possibilities of using high temperature superconducting materials in our devices.

Power Semiconductors
Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) make rapid switching at relatively high power practical. Our work also involves improving the power handling and frequency performance of these devices.