System design for wireless powering of AUVs

摘要

The present work addresses the design of an electronic system for powering autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). We report the study and implementation of a system developed for transmitting and receiving wireless power in water from a docking station to an AUV. A simplified analysis is presented regarding the operation of a class-D power driver in a series-series inductive resonant coupling topology. We further investigate the compromise between link efficiency and power delivery of the system to circumvent the reduced power output capability. Simulation results are provided as well as measurement data validated using circuit prototypes in an experimental setup with a structure similar to the docking station of the AUV filled with salt water.