Frequency division multiplexing for wireless power providers

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments for frequency-division multiplexing for wireless power providers using Zenneck surface waveguide probes to transmit power. Zenneck surface waveguide probes may transmit power on multiple frequencies with potentially overlapping service areas. Frequency-agile Zenneck surface wave receivers may tune to one or more frequencies. Cost, availability, and/or other information may be provided to the Zenneck surface wave receivers. Power usage may be reported by the Zenneck surface wave receivers to power providers.

Therefore, the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a Zenneck surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a Zenneck surface wave traveling along a terrestrial medium;   an electrical load coupled to the Zenneck surface wave receive structure, the electrical load being experienced as a load at an excitation source coupled to a Zenneck surface waveguide probe generating the Zenneck surface wave; and   control circuitry configured to at least:
 determine a frequency upon which the electrical energy is being transmitted; and 
 tune the electrical load to receive the electrical energy on the frequency. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to at least send a request for access to the electrical energy at the frequency to a power provider system. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to at least report a unique identifier of the apparatus to a power provider system. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to at least:
 determine a plurality of frequencies upon which electrical energy is being transmitted; and   select the frequency from the plurality of frequencies.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to at least:
 determine a second frequency upon which electrical energy is being transmitted; and   retune the electrical load to receive the electrical energy on the second frequency instead of or in addition to the frequency.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to at least determine the frequency based at least in part on a frequency scan performed by the apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to at least:
 monitor the electrical energy consumed by the electrical load; and   report a power usage metric to a power provider system.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further capable of receiving data modulated upon the Zenneck surface wave. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a load modulator configured to transmit a data signal to the Zenneck surface waveguide probe by modulating the electrical load. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to transmit data to a power provider system via a network. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to at least:
 determine a current location of the apparatus; and   receive data indicating a location of the Zenneck surface waveguide probe and a corresponding frequency used by the Zenneck surface waveguide probe to transmit electrical energy; and   wherein the frequency is determined based at least in part on the current location of the apparatus, the location of the Zenneck surface waveguide probe, and the corresponding frequency used by the Zenneck surface waveguide probe to transmit the electrical energy.   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a first Zenneck surface waveguide probe configured to transmit electrical energy on a first frequency, the first Zenneck surface waveguide probe having a first service area; and   a second Zenneck surface waveguide probe configured to transmit electrical energy on a second frequency, the second Zenneck surface waveguide probe having a second service area, wherein the first service area overlaps the second service area at an overlapping service area.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a wireless power receiver system located in the overlapping service area, the wireless power receiver system being capable of selectively receiving the electrical energy transmitted by the first Zenneck surface waveguide probe or the electrical energy transmitted by the second Zenneck surface waveguide probe. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first service area differs in size from the second service area. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein each of the first Zenneck surface waveguide probe and the Zenneck surface waveguide probe are configured to establish an electric field having a wave tilt corresponding to a wave illuminating a surface of a lossy conducting medium at a complex Brewster angle. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first Zenneck surface waveguide probe and the second Zenneck surface waveguide probe are co-located. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 receiving, via a computing device comprising a processor and a memory, a request from a Zenneck surface wave receiver to consume electrical energy;   determining, via the computing device, that a particular power provider of a plurality of power providers has available capacity to service the request; and   directing, via the computing device, the Zenneck surface wave receiver to tune to a corresponding power transmission frequency upon which the particular power provider transmits electrical energy via a Zenneck surface waveguide probe.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising determining an aggregate load of the particular power provider by measuring a current at a ground stake of the Zenneck surface waveguide probe. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising determining a location of the Zenneck surface wave receiver, wherein the particular power provider is determined based at least in part on the location of the Zenneck surface wave receiver. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising adjusting a generating capacity of the particular power provider to accommodate an electrical load of the Zenneck surface wave receiver.