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Micro Wirelessly Powered LED Modules - Possible?

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GlowPros

Fri Feb 06 2015, 03:22PM

Registered Member #54354 Joined: Tue Jan 27 2015, 04:10AM
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Hello - new here so forgive me for my ignorance when it comes to the feasibility of these projects... however, I was referred to your forum by a person that's familiar with your site.

I've been doing a lot of research for a project/application that I'm trying to meet - the request may not be too practical at this point due to the physical limitations I have to work with here. I'd like to have a configuration that uses a wireless power transmitter that can send low voltage power across a distance of say 24"-36" to individual LED modules... but the LED modules must be able to fit within a space limitation of 5mm x 5mm x 7mm.

I understand this is extremely small - but I did want to ask this of experts familiar with the technologies available to use here because I've been told it's possible to it's absolutely impossible to do.

If this can be accomplished, I would be interested in working with someone capable of laying out the design of the setup.

loneoceans

Fri Feb 06 2015, 05:09PM

Registered Member #4098 Joined: Fri Sept 16 2011, 09:26PM
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Making the LED Module 5x5x7 might be a bit tricky to do by hand conventionally, but you can easily lay out a small circuit board with surface mount LEDs with the energy capture circuit and it shouldn't be too difficult.

What sort of technologies are you planning for wireless transmission, and is efficiency as well as directionality a big concern? A simple low-efficiency wireless power transmitter is quite straightforward to make - basically just a big antenna radiating power. You can capture it with a resonant receiver. More difficult is if you plan to have high efficiency and make the radiated power directional with phased anntenna arrays, but that sounds like too complex a project for your scope.

GlowPros

Fri Feb 06 2015, 05:28PM

Registered Member #54354 Joined: Tue Jan 27 2015, 04:10AM
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Thank you for the response... basically, I'd like to power individual LED modules (high output LEDs if possible) - I've seen DigiKey and Kingsbright for instance offer some extremely small LEDs... so small I can barely handle them, so I know I could not create the layout by hand.

In an "ideal" setup, I'd like to have a relatively flat transmitter, say something that was no more than 8"-12" in diameter or size, thin if possible. Something that could lay flat on a table top for example. Or, if that's not practical, even something that could sit off to the side would be fine... maybe even envisioning something like the old-style car phone antennas?

The transmitter would be best if it could light these LED modules anywhere within that 24"-36" range, but if it had to be similar to something like the ering product that was briefly introduced on Kickstarter (where the LED modules must be above the circumference of the transmitter antenna) then that could likely work too. (

Since my goal is to turn this into a consumer-friendly device, the safest method of transmitting the energy would be most preferred. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar enough with all of the options to rattle them off correctly, but I've seen things such as Wiitricity as an example.

The big takeaways I'm looking for is something somewhat small (on the transmitter side), that can power up multiple LED module receivers that are within the transmitter's capable range. I'd also like to be able to power up different colors of LEDs, and I only mention this because I'm aware that a red LED may not require the same power as a white or pink, for example.

Since it seems like something you understand, is it also something you can demonstrate or possibly show how it could come together?

Conundrum

Fri Feb 06 2015, 10:09PM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
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There are now single chip "Smart" LEDs available which are IIRC based on the WS5812B and can be driven from Bluetooth headsets etc with a bit of hackery.

GlowPros

Fri Feb 06 2015, 10:59PM

Registered Member #54354 Joined: Tue Jan 27 2015, 04:10AM
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No kidding? Are they physically as small as I'm looking for and do you have any examples?

Carbon_Rod

Sat Feb 07 2015, 03:38AM

Registered Member #65 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:43AM
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While most users here could easily prove a power system is technically possible, it will certainly violate FCC broadcast strength regulations. Even if one overlooks the interference aspect of the design, devices that are knowingly attenuating an RF signal are prohibited.

It is likely not a viable consumer product in RF...

GlowPros

Sat Feb 07 2015, 12:07PM

Registered Member #54354 Joined: Tue Jan 27 2015, 04:10AM
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I would still like to know if this is a viable option - perhaps more than anything for my own personal applications.

johnf

Sat Feb 07 2015, 06:33PM

Registered Member #230 Joined: Tue Feb 21 2006, 08:01PM
Location: Gracefield lower Hutt
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Check out

GlowPros

Sat Feb 07 2015, 06:40PM

Registered Member #54354 Joined: Tue Jan 27 2015, 04:10AM
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Posts: 10

I'm trying to review their site on my phone, but may need to check on my laptop. From what I can tell, the power by proxi company appears to offer more of a short range charging solution, similar to Wiitricity... Say by placing a phone or remote on a base.

Does it offer wireless power over a distance of 2-3 feet? (Approx. 1 meter)

loneoceans

Sat Feb 07 2015, 06:56PM

Registered Member #4098 Joined: Fri Sept 16 2011, 09:26PM
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Carbon_Rod wrote ...

While most users here could easily prove a power system is technically possible, it will certainly violate FCC broadcast strength regulations. Even if one overlooks the interference aspect of the design, devices that are knowingly attenuating an RF signal are prohibited.

It is likely not a viable consumer product in RF...

Yes that's correct. Suppose I was just starting out in electronics, the easiest way to get something working (just what I can think at the top of my head now) is to make a very simple oscillator perhaps using a simple half bridge driving a small coil of wire, maybe one or two turns with a resonant capacitor at something like 1 to a few MHz. This would radiate RF power, which can be picked up by small receivers made using a tuned LC circuit or even a split ring resonator as the receiver. It would probably work, but be massively inefficient.

The only way I can think of which will be directional and feasible would be to use phased antenna arrays and phase shifters (very difficult). Side-tracking a bit, I've heard of many proposals using light to transmit power wirelessly (picked up by solar cells), but I don't think this is the solution you're looking for.

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