Tech Briefs Magazine - June 2021 - ST-17

TECHNOLOGY LEADERS Sensors
the device or recharges the battery. The
transfer of RF wireless power can be
described in the far-field using the wellknown
Friis Equation. The equation
shows us how the transmitted power,
types of antennas, and frequency of the
RF signal impact the received power at
different distances.
RF wireless power can be implemented
as a charging spot where multiple
devices can simultaneously be powered;
as an RF beam that can be sent directly
ttoward a particular device several meters
away from the transmitter; or as a
focused spot directly in front of the transmitter.
Because
it is a two-sided system
(transmit and receive), a solution can be
engineered for most applications. One
big advantage of RF wireless power is that
it can be implemented in a variety of different
environments and configurations,
for example, large-scale facilities such as
hotels, office complexes, and campuses.
Most times there are unoccupied areas of
a hotel, office complex, or campus,
which do not need lights on or the temperature
systems to be running at a
steady state. The ability to change these
conditions (not having lights on in certain
unoccupied rooms and not having
the AC or heating system kick on or running
less often) can create eco-friendly
facilities, enhancing the user experience
and providing significant cost savings.
Typically, sensor networks are only
integrated when the building is
designed, or during a large-scale remodel
effort, due to the complexity of implementation.
However, wireless sensor networks
(WSNs) using RF wireless power
make implementation much easier. No
need to run wires, no need to consider
battery issues. A WSN enables unrestricted,
spatially dispersed, and dedicated
sensors for monitoring and reporting
the physical conditions of the environment
and organizing the collected data
at a centralized location.
Today, WSNs still primarily rely on battery
power, which as noted, is not entirely
ROBOTIC END-EFFECTORS
reliable or preferable. But, the introduction
of WSN tech's 'cut the cords' mentality
allows for sensing to take place out
of sight and in hard-to-reach places.
Integrating energy harvesting takes WSN
versatility a step farther by removing
human interaction after installation so
that these systems can reliably operate
continuously without the need for maintenance.
Furthermore, while energy harvesting
does add an initial upfront cost,
the economic ROI from greater control
is rapid, and the freedom from future
maintenance (battery replacement) and
disposal have a compounding effect.
Outside of environmental monitoring
and control, other ways this technology
can be applied include battery-free personal
temperature scanning systems
designed to help with COVID-19 protocols,
battery-free sensing in hazardous
material chambers or storage containers
where it's dangerous for individuals to be
around, and even vaccine temperature
tracking using existing RFID equipment
Measure all six components of force
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Interface Structure
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Sensing Beams and Flexures
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esign
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ectionion w
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Sensor Technology, June 2021
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Cov
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17
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Tech Briefs Magazine - June 2021

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