Proposal and Experimental Study of Position Sensor Using Relay Antennas via Magnetic Resonance Coupling

Power source and sensing of self position are commonly required for mobile robots. Recently, wireless power transmission and position sensing from the systems embedded in the surrounding space are proposed as effective measures. Since wireless power transmission and position sensing are regarded as totally different functions, they have been realized by independent systems. However, combining multi-function into a single system has various advantages such as cost down and space-saving. Therefore, in order to realize both functions in single system, the authors have researched on position sensor via magnetic resonance coupling which have been used in the wireless power transmission field. However, there were several problems in the prototype system using arrayed transmitter antenna such as, reduction of Q factor due to the increase of wire length, the compensation capacitance values have to be set individually and antenna alignment are fixed. Therefore, as a solution, position sensor using relay antennas via magnetic resonance coupling is proposed in this paper. The novel position sensing method is proposed and evaluated through the position sensing experiment assuming mobile robot as the target.