Long-range wireless charging technology for flying drones

A group of experts at the University of Texas is developing technology that allows electric discharge to charge drones in mid-air based on electromagnetic waves.

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is committed to funding more long-range wireless power transfer technology, or electrodischarge , to charge drones while in flight, eliminating the need for them to abandon their mission. service to recharge or replace exhausted batteries, New Atlas reported on May 28.

MQ9-Reaper drone. (Photo: General Atomics).

Dr. Ifana Mahbub, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Texas, received a Young Faculty Award from DARPA in 2021, giving her project $500,000 over two years. She now receives an additional $250,000 to continue developing electric discharge technology.

Wireless charging technology is not new. Some mobile phones use near-field wireless technology to charge the battery with low-frequency electromagnetic waves over very short distances. The charger is a coil that creates an electromagnetic field. The receiving end, such as the coil in a telephone, captures these electromagnetic waves. They create an electric current that is then fed into the battery.

Mahbub and his colleagues are researching far-field technology to transmit electromagnetic waves much farther. One of the biggest obstacles is preventing electromagnetic beams from scattering and losing energy over large distances. Mahbub came up with the idea of ​​using a phased antenna array, a small transmitter and antenna system that helps direct the electromagnetic beam along a certain path. The new technology uses the drone's real-time telemetry to ensure a straight-through connection, thereby achieving maximum charging.

Military drones such as the Medium Altitude, High Endurance (MALE) are designed to fly up to 7,620 meters. The high-altitude, high-endurance (HALE) type typically operates at an altitude of 15,240 m. Meanwhile, tactical drones usually fly about 600 - 1,500 m high.

Launching electromagnetic waves strong enough to charge a small plane in mid-air may sound scary, but humans have long been doing similar things. Radio, television, cell phone service, radar, Wi-Fi, even GPS all use electromagnetic waves.

In addition to charging drones in flight, the new technology has many other potential applications, for example charging electric cars while driving on the highway. Mahbub is also researching wireless charging technology that can be used at low frequencies and safely to help charge medical implants in humans.