Problem Statement:

The problem we are exploring concerns companies and scientific missions which use UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) in collaborative systems, who desire more efficiency in remote operations. The inability to efficiently charge a cooperative UAV with tolerance for misalignment while providing robust charging capabilities reduces the efficiency of scientific missions which leaves mission planners and operators feeling frustrated.

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Value Proposition:

Our wireless charging system gives companies and scientific missions a way to wirelessly charge their UAVs in an efficient manner. The system reduces operator frustration by providing a robust charging method that is tolerant to misalignment and resistant to physical degradation, increasing available flight time.

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Marketing Requirements:

M.R.1: The system shall provide power transfer wirelessly.

M.R.2: The system shall have an efficient charging cycle.

M.R.3: The system shall allow for misalignment while charging. 

M.R.4: The receiving module shall supply DC power sufficient for a small UAV battery.

M.R.5: The transmitting module shall require no manual interaction to activate.

M.R.6: The receiving module shall be able to determine the charge state of the UAV.

M.R.7: The system shall operate in an FCC compliant manner. 

M.R.8: The transmitting module shall serve as a landing pad for a small UAV.

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Engineering Requirements:

E.R.1: The system shall transfer no less than 1W power wirelessly between a source and load coil. (M.R.1) 

E.R.2: The power transfer efficiency shall be no less than 70% at optimal alignment and displacement.  (M.R.2)

E.R.3: The system shall offer lateral forgiveness up to 50mm while maintaining 60% power transfer efficiency between coils. (M.R.3)

E.R.4: The receiving system shall provide no less than 0.2W  power to the battery during peak consumption. (M.R.4)

E.R.5: The receiving module shall activate within 50mm of the base station. (M.R.5)

E.R.6: The receiving system shall monitor current with an accuracy of +/-5 mAh. (M.R.6)

E.R.7: System shall meet FCC regulation Part 15 where applicable regarding equivalent radiated power (ERP) for communications. (M.R.7)

E.R.8: System shall meet FCC regulation Part 18 where applicable regarding specific absorption rate (SAR) for power transfer. (M.R.8)

E.R.9: The receiving system shall sit in an assembly approximately 20x20 cm² in area. (M.R.9)

Proposed Solution:

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System Overview:

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Hardware Block Diagram:

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Software Flowchart:

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