Increased data rate using higher-order digital modulation for simultaneous inductive data and power transfer systems

This paper presents an improved communication architecture with increased data rate for inductive power transfer (IPT) systems. The main challenge is to enable robust and reliable communication within the noisy environment of the power transfer. Therefore, the communication channel, consisting of the coupled pair of coils of the inductive power transfer system is analysed. From this, a frequency band with an excellent available signal to noise ratio has been identified. It is exploited using phase shift keying or higher-order digital modulation schemes as n-th quadrature amplitude modulation to increase the data rate. Furthermore the bandwidth of the system shall be extended by the utilisation of an equalizer. The implementation using a software defined radio will be presented in this paper and it will be shown that reliable and fast communication is possible in a harsh industrial environment.