Investigation of a GaN-based Bidirectional Wireless Power Converter using resonant inductive coupling

Two-way wireless power transfer (WPT) shows advantages to share energy via air without employing cable connection. This paper presents a study on a proposed GaN-based bidirectional wireless power converter for a battery to battery system using resonant inductive coupling technique. This power converter is designed and tested that enables to wirelessly transfer power up to 45W at the frequency of 0.5 Mhz. By varying the aligned distance, lateral and angular misalignment of coils, the influence of the relative positions on the self and mutual inductance of two coils have been studied in 3D electromagnetic (EM) software. The results have been utilized to further investigate and analyze how the variations of coupling coefficient caused by the spatial positions of coils affect the operation, maximal power transfer and efficiency of this power converter.