The feasibility of using resonant inductive power transfer to recharge wireless sensor network nodes

Resonant inductive power transfer is gaining popularity as a means to wirelessly supply devices with power. It can be applied in numerous applications, ranging from medical applications to supplying power to electric vehicles. This paper investigates the feasibility of using resonant inductive power transfer to recharge wireless sensor network (WSN) nodes. Several coil types with dimensions applicable to WSN nodes are analysed theoretically, and a new hybrid coil type is presented. The coils were implemented, and the efficiencies of the coils measured. The results achieved indicate that the efficiencies of all the coil types investigated are too low to be feasible for recharging WSN nodes within the ideal design parameters for this particular application. However, an important contribution of this work is to indicate what can be achieved with this technique, which is a good basis for further research and other possible applications.