FEM simulation to characterize wireless electric power transfer elements

Wireless power transfer systems are expected to be a new mean for power distribution in the non-distant future for household electronics and handheld devices. However, even with the progress achieved to date, it is difficult to find literature that address the Federal Communications Commission, the Comité Européen or Military Standards compliance for electromagnetic emissions. This paper provides further insight for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) compliance and coupling characterization considerations by performing Finite Element Method simulations. It was demonstrated by model simulation that Finite Element Method (FEM) provides adequate design insight for possible EMC compliance concerns before proceeding to the prototype phase. In addition, it was also demonstrated that FEM simulation provides adequate coupling characterization to determine the range of the wireless power transfer element as well as its optimal frequency of operation based on the separation distance between the transmitter element and the receiver element.