Basic Experimental Study On Helical Antennas of Wireless Power Transfer For Electric Vehicles by Using Magnetic Resonant Couplings

Basic Experimental Study on Helical Antennas of
Wireless Power Transfer for Electric Vehicles by

using Magnetic Resonant Couplings
Takehiro Imura*, Hiroyuki Okabe** and Yoichi Hori***
*
Department of Electrical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. Email: imura@horilab.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp
**
Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Systems, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Email: okabe@horilab.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp
***
Institute of Industrial and Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. Email: hori@iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp
requires three main elements: large air gaps, high efficiency
and a large amount of power. The electromagnetic resonance
coupling is the only technology that deals with these three
elements. Until now, this phenomenon was explained by the
Mode Coupling theory; however, the sizes of antennas were
too big to be equipped on the bottom of EVs. The
characteristics of antennas and the relation between power and
efficiency are not proposed in this theory.
AbstractWireless power transfer is required for the diffusion of

Electric Vehicles (EVs) because it makes possible the process of
automatically charging EVs. The technology of wireless power
transfer requires three main elements: large air gaps, high
efficiency and a large amount of power. Though, there has been
no such technology, recently, the technology of electromagnetic
resonant couplings was proposed and named WiTricity. With this
technology there are large air gaps, high efficiency and large
amounts of power. In this paper, the feasibility of wireless power
transfer for EVs by electromagnetic resonance coupling is
studied. We studied small sized antennas that can be equipped on
the bottom of a vehicle and we studied the electrical
characteristics of the antenna with equivalent circuits,
electromagnetic analysis and experimentation. The length of the
air gaps between a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna
affect resonance frequencies. The resonance frequency changes
from two to one depending on the length of the air gap. Until a
certain distance, maximum efficiencies are not changed. Large
air gaps are weak couplings. In a weak coupling at resonance,
magnetic resonance couplings can transfer energy with high
efficiency. The specification results at high power are proposed.
In this paper, the feasibility of wireless power transfer with large
air gaps and high efficiency by small sized antennas that can be
equipped on the bottom of EVs is proposed.
In this paper, however, we consider the antenna size for

EVs. We use small antennas that can be equipped on the
bottom of EVs. The characteristics of antennas, relation of air
gaps, frequency and relation of power and efficiency are shown.
II.
CONFIGRATION OF EXPERIMENT
The entire system of wireless power transfer for EVs is

shown in Fig. 1. A high frequency power source distributes
power through the transmitting antenna. The transmitting
antenna sends energy to a receiving antenna using
electromagnetic resonance coupling wirelessly. The energy
with high frequency is rectified and charged by batteries or
electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) which are the energy
storage mediums.
Keywords - Contactless power transfer, Wireless, Resonance,

Coupling, Magnetic
I.
SYSTEM OF WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER AND
INTRODUCTION
Wireless power transfer is required for the diffusion of

Electric Vehicles (EVs) because it makes possible a convenient
charging system for EVs. This system can be used in automatic
charging systems for the consumer market. When one parks the
car, the system charges power to the EV automatically by
wireless power transfer. EV needs to be charged once a day.
Typically, one would use a cord and plug in one EV at home,
but it is not necessary if wireless power transfer technology is
used.
Fig. 1 Concept of contactless power transfer system for EV
The technology of wireless power transfer, electromagnetic

induction and microwave power transfer are famous, however,
electromagnetic resonance couplings have only been proposed
recently [1][5]. The technology of wireless power transfer
978-1-4244-2601-0/09/$25.00 2009 IEEE
936
The Parameters of the antenna are shown in Fig. 4 and table

1. Through a coaxial cable, the bottom transmitting antenna is
fed power. The power is transferred to the top receiving
antenna via a wireless magnetic resonance coupling.
The experimental setups are two types. The lower power
setup is shown in Fig. 5. Reflection S11 and transmission S21 is
measured by the vector network analyzer (VNA). The ratio of
power reflection is 11 and transmission is 21 which are
defined by equations (1) and (2). The ratio of power
transmission means the efficiency of power transfer. When
high powers are measured the power meter is used.
11 = S112 100
21 = S 212 100
[%]
1(1)
[%]
2(2)
Fig. 2 Transmitting antenna and Receiving antenna
Fig. 4 Parameters of antennas

Table 1 Parameters of antennas
Parameters
Values
radius
r = 150 mm
pitch
p = 3 mm
wire size
w = 2 mm
Fig. 3 Shielded room
In this paper we will study the antenna- which is very

important in wireless power transfer because it decides how
large the air gaps and efficiencies are. We will only consider
antennas with a 150mm radius since this size is able to be
equipped to the bottom of EVs (Fig. 2). The transmitting and
receiving antennas are same. Electromagnetic resonance
couplings cannot radiate like microwave power transfer.
Electromagnetic resonance couplings transfer power by
connecting the electromagnetic fields of the two antennas to
form a link that does not allow power to radiate outward, and
thus conserves energy. The experiment was held in a shielded
room at the University of Tokyo (Fig. 3).
Fig. 5 Experimental setup for low power
III.
EXPERIMENTAL RESULT AND REVIEW BY EQUIVALENT

CIRCUITS
The experiments results are shown in Fig. 6. In this case,

air gaps are short (g = 100mm and g = 150mm). Resonant
frequencies divide into two frequencies that are shown in Fig.
6 (a) and (b). In this case, at resonant frequencys efficiency of
power transfer is very high and approximately 97% power can
be transferred from a transmitting antenna to a receiving
937
The relation of maximum efficiency to air gaps is shown in

Fig. 7. The results of electromagnetic analysis were determined
by the Method of Moment (Cal.) and the results (Exp.) are
shown. The two resonant frequencies are fm and fe (fm< fe). The
efficiency in Fig. 7 is the efficiency at fm. The relation of
resonant frequencies to air gaps is shown in Fig. 8. The relation
of coefficient couplings to air gaps is shown in Fig. 9. The
coupling coefficients during the experiments had small errors
which were caused by characteristic impedance.
[%]
antenna. When the air gaps are changed resonant frequencies

are changed but maximum efficiency is not changed. In this
case, air gaps become long-approximately g 200mm and two
resonant frequencies become one. The maximum efficiency is
still the same as two frequencies 97% as is shown in Fig. 6 (c).
The longer the air gaps become, the more efficiency is lost. In
this case, air gaps are 250mm and the efficiency becomes 80%
(Fig. 6 (d)).
100
80
60
40
20
0
When air gaps are large, the coupling coefficients become

small. Nevertheless, the efficiency of power transfer is very
high. By electromagnetic analysis, when an air gap is g =
200mm, the couplings coefficient is only k=0.057. This means
that in wireless power transfers using magnetic resonant
couplings, if the coupling is weak, the electromagnetic
resonance coupling can still transfer enough power to have a
large air gap.
21
11
12
14
16
Frequency [MHz]
18
20
100
Exp.
Cal.
80
100
80
60
40
20
0
21 [%]
[%]
(a) g = 100 mm
21
11
60
40
20
0
12
14
16
Frequency [MHz]
18
20
300
400
Frequency [MHz]
25
100
80
60
40
20
0
21
11
12
14
16
Frequency [MHz]
18
20
20
15
10
Cal.
Exp.
5
0
0
100
(c) g = 200 mm
200
g [mm]
300
400
Fig. 8 Air gaps g vs. two resonant frequencies fm and fe (fm < fe)
100
80
60
40
20
0
21
11
Exp.
0.8
Cal.
0.6
k
[%]
200
g [mm]
Fig. 7 Air gaps g vs. efficiency of power transfer 21
(b) g = 150 mm
[%]
100
12
14
16
18
Frequency [MHz]
0.4
20
0.2
(d) g = 250 mm
0
0
Fig. 6 Experimental results of efficiency in each gap
100
200
g [mm]
300
Fig. 9 Air gaps g vs. coupling coefficient k
938
400
IV.
efficiency is confirmed. The air gap is 200mm and the

frequency is set to act maximum efficiency of 15.9MHz.
EXPERIMENTAL RESULT OF RELATION EFFICIENCY TO

POWER
The coupling coefficient is set up by two resonant

frequencies. The equivalent circuit of the magnetic resonance
coupling is shown in Fig. 10. The only loss is copper, and in
this case we ignore resistance R in order to prevent the equation
from becoming too complicated. As well, the loss is so small
that it is insignificant. Therefore, in this equation, R = 0. L is
self induction and C is capacitance. These are decided by the
distribution parameter system. The coupling coefficient is
represented by the mutual inductance Lm. The transmission S21
is equivalent (3). The efficiency of power transfer is set up by
equivalent (3) and (2). Equivalent (4) is delivered by resonant
condition that leads to two equivalent frequencies in equivalent
(5) and (6). By two resonant frequencies, the coupling
coefficient is lead to equation (7). Angular frequency is . Z0 is
the characteristic impedance.
1
+
L m
m =
e =
km =
( L Lm )
0
1 k
1
C
=0
(L + Lm )C
1
(L Lm )C
Lm
=
L +
2
e
2
e
21 [%]
60
40
20
0
-15
1+ k
80
3(3)
1
1
L2m 2 L
+ 2 jZ 0 L
+ Z 02
C
C
100
2
m
2
m
-10
4(4)
-5
Power [dBm]
Fig. 11 Power vs. efficiency in low power
100
5(5)
80
21[%]
S 21 ( ) =
2 jLm Z 0
In this case, the power is low and is measured by VNA. The

power is changed from -15dBm to 5dBm. This result is shown
in Fig. 11. The result shows the efficiencies are approximately
95-96% and are almost constant. In this case, the power is high
and is measured by a power meter. The power is changed from
5W to 100W and the efficiencies are almost the same as the
efficiencies of low power. In this case, the input power is
104.2W and the received power is 100.0W. The efficiency is
96.0%. In this experiment, the exactly temperatures arent
measured; however the antennas arent heated at all and no arc
is observed.
6(6)
60
40
20
0
7(7)
20
40
60
80
100
Power [W]
Fig. 12 Power vs. efficiency in high power
V.
CONCLUSION
We have studied the characteristics of antennas for

magnetic resonance couplings by equivalent circuits,
electromagnetic analysis and experimentation. The antennas
size is small enough to be equipped to the bottom of the EV.
The resonant frequencies change from two points to one point
depending on the length of the air gaps. Until a certain distance,
the maximum efficiencies at resonant frequency are not
changed. The efficiencies are approximately 95-97%. Wireless
power transfer across large air gaps while maintaining such a
high efficiency is possible, even when the coupling coefficient
is 0.057. Weak couplings can transfer power wirelessly though
they have large air gaps. Characteristics of efficiency at low
and high power are same have been shown.
Fig. 10 Equivalent circuit of magnetic resonant coupling
Theoretically, the efficiency of power transfer does not

depend on the amount of power which is described in equations
(2) and (3). Therefore, the efficiencies should be constant.
Experimental verification is needed, however, because the
effect of heat, arc, etc. is not known until constant power
939
REFERENCES
[1] Y. Kamiya, T. Nakamura, T. Sato, J. Kusaka, Y. Daisho, S.
Takahashi, K. Narusawa, Development and performance
evaluation of advanced electric micro bus equipped with noncontact inductive rapid-charging system, Proceedings of the
23rd international electric vehicle symposium (EVS), Electric/
hybrid-electric session, pp. 1- 14(CD-ROM). 2007. 12
[2] Brown W.C., Status of the Microwave Power Transmission
Components for the Solar Power Satellite, IEEE Transactions on
Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol.Mtt-29, NO.12,
December 1981.
[3] N. Shinohara, H. Matsumoto, Wireless Charging System by
Microwave Power Transmission for Electric Motor Vehicles,
IEICE. C, Vol.J87-C, No.5, pp.433-443, 2004.
[4] Andr Kurs, Aristeidis Karalis, Robert Moffatt, J. D.
Joannopoulos, Peter Fisher, Marin Soljai, Wireless Power
Transfer via Strongly Coupled Magnetic Resonances, in Science
Express on 7 June 2007, Vol. 317. no. 5834, pp. 83 86.
[5] Aristeidis Karalis, J.D. Joannopoulos and Marin Soljai,
Efficient wireless non-radiative mid-range energy transfer,
Annals of Physics, Volume 323, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 3448, January Special Issue 2008.
940

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Basic Experimental Study on Helical Antennas of

Wireless Power Transfer for Electric Vehicles by

AbstractWireless power transfer is required for the diffusion of

In this paper, however, we consider the antenna size for

The entire system of wireless power transfer for EVs is

Keywords - Contactless power transfer, Wireless, Resonance,

SYSTEM OF WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER AND

Wireless power transfer is required for the diffusion of

The technology of wireless power transfer, electromagnetic

978-1-4244-2601-0/09/$25.00 2009 IEEE

The Parameters of the antenna are shown in Fig. 4 and table

Fig. 2 Transmitting antenna and Receiving antenna

Fig. 4 Parameters of antennas

Fig. 3 Shielded room

In this paper we will study the antenna- which is very

Fig. 5 Experimental setup for low power

EXPERIMENTAL RESULT AND REVIEW BY EQUIVALENT

The experiments results are shown in Fig. 6. In this case,

The relation of maximum efficiency to air gaps is shown in

antenna. When the air gaps are changed resonant frequencies

When air gaps are large, the coupling coefficients become

Fig. 7 Air gaps g vs. efficiency of power transfer 21

Fig. 6 Experimental results of efficiency in each gap

Fig. 9 Air gaps g vs. coupling coefficient k

efficiency is confirmed. The air gap is 200mm and the

EXPERIMENTAL RESULT OF RELATION EFFICIENCY TO

The coupling coefficient is set up by two resonant

Fig. 11 Power vs. efficiency in low power

In this case, the power is low and is measured by VNA. The

We have studied the characteristics of antennas for

Fig. 10 Equivalent circuit of magnetic resonant coupling

Theoretically, the efficiency of power transfer does not

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