Microwave power transmission using a flexible rectenna for microwave-powered aerial vehicles

In exploiting the unique capabilities of smart actuators for applications in vehicle systems, even in unmanned or micro aerial vehicles, the power issues for smart actuators and devices have not been well addressed. This is due to the fact that the driving power for smart materials has not reached the level of the power specifications for conventional devices and systems. To answer the power issue, we have developed a wireless power transmission technology using a flexible rectenna system and implemented it for a microwave-powered aerial vehicle (MPAV) system. For this application, two flexible dipole rectennas were designed, manufactured and characterized over a frequency range of 9 - 12 GHz. These flexible dipole rectennas were attached and tested on the complex structure of small MPAVs. The maximum converted power output of a flexible dipole rectenna array was about 300 mA at 80 V-DC. The power output from this rectenna was sufficient to run the propellers of the MPAV. Each electrically driven propeller requires approximately 2 W for operation.