PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/111,618 filed in the United States Patent Office on November 09, 2020, U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/252,871 filed in the United States Patent Office on October 6, 2021, and of U.S. utility patent application No. 17/519,471 filed in the United States Patent Office on November 04, 2021, the entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth below in their entirety and for all applicable purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to wireless charging of batteries, including batteries in mobile computing devices, and more particularly to controlling power transmitted to a chargeable device.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Wireless charging systems have been deployed to enable certain types of devices to charge internal batteries without the use of a physical charging connection. Devices that can take advantage of wireless charging include mobile processing and/or communication devices. Standards, such as the Qi standard defined by the Wireless Power Consortium enable devices manufactured by a first supplier to be wirelessly charged using a charger manufactured by a second supplier. Standards for wireless charging are optimized for relatively simple configurations of devices and tend to provide basic charging capabilities.

[0004] Improvements in wireless charging capabilities are required to support continually increasing complexity of mobile devices and changing form factors. For example, there is a need for improved power control for wireless power transmissions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a charging cell that may be employed to provide a charging surface in accordance with certain aspects disclosed herein. [0006] FIG. 2 illustrates the arrangement of power transfer areas provided on a charging surface of a wireless charging device configured in accordance with certain aspects disclosed herein.

[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a wireless transmitter that may be provided in a charger base station in accordance with certain aspects disclosed herein.

[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a Class-E amplifier.

[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a charging system that includes a power supply constructed or configured in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 6 is a timing diagram that illustrates one example of the operation of the power supply illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0011] FIG. 7 is a timing diagram that illustrates a second mode of operation of the power supply illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates low-power and higher-power outputs of a power supply that is controlled using pulse width modulated signals in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 9 illustrates a charging system that includes a power supply constructed or configured for operation without a freewheeling phase in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 10 is a timing diagram that illustrates operation of the power supply illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0015] FIG. 11 illustrates a charging system that includes a power supply configured with a switched-mode power supply and a Differential Class-E amplifier in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 12 is a timing diagram that illustrates operation of the power supply illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0017] FIG. 13 illustrates a charging system that includes a tunable power supply constructed or configured in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 14 illustrates one example of an apparatus employing a processing circuit that may be adapted according to certain aspects disclosed herein.

[0019] FIG. 15 illustrates a method for amplifying power in a charging device in accordance with certain aspects of this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0021] Several aspects of wireless charging systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawing by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0022] By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements may be implemented with a “processing system” that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system may execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. The software may reside on a processor-readable storage medium. A processor-readable storage medium, which may also be referred to herein as a computer-readable medium may include, by way of example, a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strip), an optical disk (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., card, stick, key drive), Near Field Communications (NFC) token, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a register, a removable disk, a carrier wave, a transmission line, and any other suitable medium for storing or transmitting software. The computer- readable medium may be resident in the processing system, external to the processing system, or distributed across multiple entities including the processing system. Computer-readable medium may be embodied in a computer-program product. By way of example, a computer-program product may include a computer-readable medium in packaging materials. Those skilled in the art will recognize how best to implement the described functionality presented throughout this disclosure depending on the particular application and the overall design constraints imposed on the overall system.

Overview

[0023] Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems, apparatus and methods applicable to wireless charging devices and techniques. Charging cells may be configured to include one or more inductive coils on the surface of a charging device, where the charging cells may be activated to charge one or more devices wirelessly. The location of a device to be charged may be detected through sensing techniques that associate location of a device to changes in a physical characteristic centered at a known location on a surface of the charging device. Sensing of location may be implemented using capacitive, resistive, inductive, touch, pressure, load, strain, and/or another appropriate type of sensing.

[0024] In one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus has a battery charging power source, and at least one transmitting coil.

[0025] In another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus has a battery charging power source, a plurality of charging cells configured in a matrix, where each charging cell in the plurality of charging cells can include one or more coils surrounding a power transfer area. The plurality of charging cells may be arranged adjacent to a surface of the device without overlap of power transfer areas of the charging cells in the plurality of charging cells. Devices placed on the surface may receive power that is wirelessly transmitted through one or more of the charging cells. In some instances, the apparatus may be referred to simply as a charging surface. Power can be wirelessly transferred to a receiving device located anywhere on the surface of the apparatus. The devices can have an arbitrarily defined size and/or shape and may be placed without regard to any discrete placement locations predesignated or pre-enabled for charging. Multiple devices can be simultaneously charged on a single surface. The apparatus can track motion of one or more devices across the surface.

[0026] Certain aspects disclosed herein relate to improved wireless charging techniques. In various aspects of the disclosure, a wireless charging device may employ a switched mode power supply and a Class-E Amplifier to amplify power transmitted through one or more transmission coils. A method for amplifying power in the charging device includes configuring a choke in an amplifier stage to receive a current from an input of the amplifier stage, configuring a resonant network coupled to an output of the choke to provide an output current to a load of the power amplifier, configuring a first switch to short the output of the choke to circuit ground when turned on, configuring a power switching stage to couple a power supply to the input of the amplifier stage, configuring a second switch in the power switching stage to couple the input of the amplifier stage to circuit ground when turned on, and controlling operation of the first switch and the second switch in accordance with a timing sequence that defines a cycle of the output current. Controlling the first switch may include configuring the first switch to be turned on during a first stage of the cycle, to be turned on during a second stage of the cycle that follows the first stage of the cycle and to be turned off during a third stage of the cycle that follows the second stage of the cycle. Controlling the second switch may include configuring the second switch to be turned off during the first stage of the cycle, to be turned on during the second stage of the cycle, and to be turned on during the third stage of the cycle.

[0027] Certain aspects disclosed herein relate to circuits and methods for tuning the switched mode power supply and a Class-E Amplifier in a wireless charging device to accommodate changes in load. Changes in load my result, for example, from changes in the number and configuration of power transmitting coils or changes in the physical location of a receiving device that affects electromagnetic coupling. In a first example, a tunable power amplifier includes a first tuning element having a first tuning capacitance and a first tuning switch configured to couple the first tuning capacitance between circuit ground and the output of a choke. A controller may be configured to control operation of the first tuning switch in accordance based on based on a feedback signal representative of inductance measured in the resonant network. In a second example, a tunable power amplifier includes a second tuning element having a second tuning capacitance and a second tuning switch configured to connect the second tuning capacitance in parallel with a capacitance in the resonant network. A controller may be configured to control operation of the second tuning switch in accordance based on based on a feedback signal representative of inductance measured in the resonant network.

Charging Cells

[0028] According to certain aspects disclosed herein, a charging device may be provided using charging cells that are deployed adjacent to a surface of the charging device. In one example, the charging cells are arranged or deployed in accordance with a honeycomb packaging configuration. A charging cell may be implemented using one or more coils that can each induce a magnetic field along an axis that is substantially orthogonal to the surface of the charging device and adjacent to the coil. In this description, a charging cell may refer to an element having one or more coils where each coil is configured to produce an electromagnetic field that is additive with respect to the fields produced by other coils in the charging cell and directed along or proximate to a common axis.

[0029] In some examples, a charging cell includes coils that are stacked along a common axis and/or that overlap such that they contribute to an induced magnetic field substantially orthogonal to the surface of the charging device. In some examples, a charging cell includes coils that are arranged within a defined portion of the charging surface and the coils contribute to an induced magnetic field that is substantially orthogonal to the portion of the charging surface corresponding to the charging cell. In some implementations, charging cells may be configurable by providing an activating current to coils that are included in a dynamically-defined charging cell. For example, a charging device may include multiple stacks of coils arranged or deployed across a surface of the charging device, and the charging device may detect the location of a device to be charged and may select some combination of stacks of coils to provide a charging cell adjacent to the device to be charged. In some instances, a charging cell may include, or be characterized as a single coil. However, it should be appreciated that a charging cell may include multiple stacked coils and/or multiple adjacent coils or stacks of coils.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a charging cell 100 that may be deployed or configured in or near a charging surface of a charging device. In this example, the charging cell 100 has a substantially hexagonal shape that encloses one or more coils 102 constructed using conductors, wires or circuit board traces that can receive a current sufficient to produce an electromagnetic field in a power transfer area 104. In some examples, one or more coils 102 may have a shape that is substantially polygonal, including the hexagonal charging cell 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. In some examples, coils 102 can have other shapes. The shape of the coils 102 may be determined at least in part by the capabilities or limitations of fabrication technology, or to optimize layout of the charging cells on a substrate 106 such as a printed circuit board substrate. Each coil 102 may be implemented using wires, printed circuit board traces and/or other connectors arranged in a spiral configuration. Each charging cell 100 may span two or more layers separated by an insulator or substrate 106 such that coils 102 in different layers are centered around a common axis 108.

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an example arrangement of power transfer areas provided across a charging surface 200 of a charging device. Here, the charging device employs multiple layers of charging cells to provide a charging surface 200 that may be configured or operated in accordance with certain aspects disclosed herein. The charging surface 200 may be constructed from four layers of charging cells 202, 204, 206, 208. In FIG. 2, each power transfer area provided by a charging cell in the first layer of charging cells 202 is marked “LI”, each power transfer area provided by a charging cell in the second layer of charging cells 204 is marked “L2”, each power transfer area provided by a charging cell in the third layer of charging cells 206 is marked “L3”, and each power transfer area provided by a charging cell in the fourth layer of charging cells 208 is marked “L4”.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a wireless transmitter 300 that may be provided in a charger base station. In some instances, a controller 302 may receive a feedback signal filtered or otherwise processed by a filter circuit 308. The controller 302 may control the operation of a driver circuit 304 that provides an alternating current (AC) signal to a resonant circuit 306 that includes a capacitor 312 and inductor 314. The resonant circuit 306 may also be referred to herein as a tank circuit, an LC tank circuit and/or as an LC tank, and the voltage 316 measured at an LC node 310 of the resonant circuit 306 may be referred to as the tank voltage.

[0033] The wireless transmitter 300 may be used by a charging device to determine if a compatible device has been placed on a surface of the charging device. For example, the charging device may determine that a compatible device has been placed on the surface of the charging device by sending an intermittent test signal (active ping) through the wireless transmitter 300, where the resonant circuit 306 may receive encoded signals when a compatible device responds to the test signal. The charging device may be configured to activate one or more coils in at least one charging cell after receiving a response signal defined by standard, convention, manufacturer or application. In some examples, the compatible device can respond to a ping by communicating measured or estimated received signal strength such that the charging device can find an optimal charging cell to be used for charging the compatible device.

[0034] Passive ping techniques may use the voltage or current measured or observed at the LC node 310 to identify the presence of a receiving coil in proximity to the charging pad of a device adapted in accordance with certain aspects disclosed herein. In many conventional wireless charger transmitters, circuits are provided to measure voltage at the LC node 310 or to measure the current in the network. These voltages and currents may be monitored for power regulation purposes or to support communication between devices. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, voltage at the LC node 310 is monitored, although it is contemplated that current may additionally or alternatively be monitored to support passive ping. A response of the resonant circuit 306 to a passive ping (initial voltage Vo) may be represented by the voltage (VLC) at the LC node 310, such that:

VLC = V _o e~& (Eq. 1)

[0035] According to certain aspects disclosed herein, coils in one or more charging cells may be selectively activated to provide an optimal electromagnetic field for charging a compatible device. In some instances, coils may be assigned to charging cells, and some charging cells may overlap other charging cells. In the latter instances, the optimal charging configuration may be selected at the charging cell level. In other instances, charging cells may be defined based on placement of a device to be charged on a surface of the charging device. In these other instances, the combination of coils activated for each charging event can vary. In some implementations, a charging device may include a driver circuit that can select one or more cells and/or one or more predefined charging cells for activation during a charging event. Power Amplification in a Charging Device

[0036] One aspect of this disclosure relates to the use of a Class-E amplifier in a driver circuit that provides a charging current to a transmitting coil in a wireless charging device. A Class-E amplifier can operate as a tuned switching power amplifier and may be characterized by high efficiency operation. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a Class-E amplifier 400. A transistor switch is coupled to a load 410 through a resonant network 406. In one aspect, the transistor switch may be implemented using a metal-oxide- semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), such as the N-channel MOSFET (NFET) 402 illustrated in FIG 4. In the illustrated example, the drain of the NFET 402 is coupled to a direct current (DC) power source through a choke 404. The choke 404 may be implemented using an inductor and may be configured to block higher- frequency currents while passing DC and low-frequency alternating current (AC). The NFET 402 is switched at an operating frequency corresponding to the resonant frequency of the resonant network 406. The choke 404 may be selected based on its ability to block current cycling at the operating frequency. The NFET 402 provides a low-impedance path to ground for the input to the resonant network 406 when the NFET 402 is turned on. When the NFET 402 is turned off, the input to the resonant circuit receives a current flow from the DC power source through the choke 404.

[0037] The timing diagrams 420 illustrate operation of the Class-E amplifier 400 at the resonant frequency of the resonant network 406. The resonant frequency of the resonant network 406 may be affected or altered by the drain capacitance 408 of the NFET 402. A control signal 418 provided to the gate of the NFET 402 switches at a frequency corresponding to the resonant frequency of the resonant network 406. When the NFET 402 is switched on, a current 416 flows through the drain of the NFET 402. When the NFET 402 is switched off, a very low leakage current or no current 416 flows through the drain of the NFET 402. When the NFET 402 is switched off, the drain voltage 414 begins to rise at a rate determined by reactive components of the amplifier. The drain voltage 414 then falls from a peak voltage and the NFET 402 is switched on at a time 422 when the drain voltage 414 is approaching zero volts. The output voltage 412 oscillates with a fundamental frequency that corresponds to the resonant frequency of the resonant network 406. The Class-E amplifier 400 can achieve high operating efficiency by turning on the NFET 402 at points of zero current and turning off the NFET 402 at points zero voltage, thereby minimizing power lost in the switch. [0038] Wireless charging devices are expected to charge a variety of chargeable devices, and each chargeable device may present a variable impedance to the wireless transmitter based on positioning and other factors. A wireless charging device may be required to adjust its output power level to accommodate the operating state of a chargeable device including, for example, the temperature state of a battery. Additional control loop and filter components are typically required to control output power levels of a charging device. Output control for a Class-E amplifier may be provided as a buck/boost circuit for front-end DC power control. A buck/boost circuit operates as a DC-to-DC converter that can provide an output voltage that has increased or decreased magnitude with respect to the input voltage. A buck/boost circuit operates as a buck converter when it decreases the input voltage to obtain the output voltage. A buck/boost circuit operates as a boost converter when it increases the input voltage to obtain the output voltage.

[0039] In many systems, DC power is provided to the wireless transmitter using a pre-regulator switched-mode power supply (SMPS). The SMPS and associated power control circuits typically operate at a frequency much higher than the resonant frequency of the Class- E amplifier. High frequency SMPS operation can decrease the efficiency of the wireless charging device and can introduce or increase unwanted harmonic content in the magnetic components. In addition, the SMPS may operate at a frequency that is between 4 and 10 times the fundamental frequency of the transmitted output of the power amplifier and the difference in operating frequencies between SMPS and amplifier necessitates the use of more complex and costly power control circuits.

[0040] Certain aspects of this disclosure provide a power supply topology and architecture that includes a switched-mode power supply and a Class-E amplifier configured to provide output power control with low harmonics on the output load. When incorporated in a wireless charging device, the power supply topology may be referred to as a Free Boost topology.

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates a charging system 500 that includes a power supply 510 constructed or configured in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. The power supply 510 includes a switched-mode power supply (the SMPS 504) coupled to a power source 502 and a Class-E amplifier 506. The power supply 510 can synchronously control peak current in a choke, which is illustrated in FIG. 5 as Lc 518. A controller 530 provides control signals 522 and 524 to half-bridge switches (SWH 512 and SWL 514) in the SMPS 504, and provides a control signal 526 to the Class-E switch (SWE 516) in the Class-E amplifier 506. In one example, SWH 512, SWL 514 and SWE 516 are implemented using NFETs. The control signals 522, 524, 526 may be synchronized such that the SMPS 504 can operate at the same switching frequency as the Class-E amplifier 506. The duty cycle of one or more of the control signals 522, 524, 526 can be selected to control buck or boost operation in the power supply 510.

[0042] The configuration of the SMPS 504 and the Class-E amplifier 506 can preserve the high efficiency levels associated with the Class-E amplifier 506 and can eliminate or limit high-frequency harmonics in Lc 518 and the inductor (LT 528) in the resonant output network 520. In one example, LT 528 includes a transmitting coil used to transmit power to a chargeable device, and the load 508 of the power supply 510 incorporates or corresponds to the reflected load presented by the chargeable device. The reduction of high-frequency harmonics can improve the efficacy of the charging system 500 and can limit electromagnetic interference. The power supply 510 can be implemented with a lower parts count than a comparable conventional, power-controlled power supply.

[0043] The controller 530 may be implemented using a state machine, sequencer or delay loops configured to produce a repeating sequence of pulses. The configuration of the SMPS 504 and the Class-E amplifier 506 provides for linear control of output power and for simple control of the SMPS 504 and the Class-E amplifier 506. In some instances, the controller 530 may be configured to control output power on a cycle-by-cycle basis.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a timing diagram 600 that illustrates a first mode of operation of the power supply 510 illustrated in FIG. 5. Three phases 604, 606, 608 may be defined within each cycle 602 of the output current 538. The three phases 604, 606, 608 correspond to three stages of power generation. In this first example, the cycle 602 includes a “freewheeling” phase. In some instances, one or more of the stages of power generation may map to angular phases of the cycle 602 of the output current 538, but such correspondence is not expected or required. In some instances, the output current 538 represents power transfer to the load 508.

[0045] In the first phase 604, the power supply 510 builds current 536 in Lc 518. The controller 530 configures the control signals 522, 524, 526 to turn on SWH 512 and SWE 516, and to turn off SWL 514 in the first phase 604. This configuration of switching causes the current 536 in Lc 518 to increase at a rate proportional to the ratio of Vin 532 and Lc 518. The rate of increase in the current 536 in Lc 518 may be expressed as: where k represents a scaling factor that may not equal 1 in some instances.

[0046] In the second phase 606, the controller 530 configures the control signals 522, 524, 526 to turn on SWL 514 and SWE 516 and turn off SWH 512. The current 536 in Lc 518 begins to free-wheel through SWL 514 and SWE 516.

[0047] The third phase 608 may be referred to as the power delivery stage. The controller 530 configures the control signals 522, 524, 526 to turn on SWL 514, to turn off SWH 512 and to turn off SWE 516. The current 536 in Lc 518 begins to decrease as it starts to flow into the resonant output network 520 that provides the output of the power supply 510. The voltage (VSWE 534) on the closed SWE 516 increases to a peak that is a multiple of Vin 532 and then transitions smoothly back to zero.

[0048] When VSWE 534 falls back to zero volts or crosses a threshold close to zero volts, the cycle 602 may be repeated commencing with a new first phase 614. A charging system 500 configured in accordance with certain aspects of this disclosure can provide a pure sinusoidal output current 538 flow through a load 508, and high frequency harmonics may be limited or absent in the core of Lc 518 and/or the inductor (LT 528) in the resonant output network 520.

[0049] The switching frequency of the charging system 500 may be configured or defined based on output AC load requirements. The on-time of SWE 516 may be defined by the resonant output network 520 and may be tuned using any suitable Class-E tuning technique. The on time of SWH 512 and of SWL 514 may be configured based on the level of output power that is required by the load. In one example, the level of output power that is required by the load is determined from a charging configuration to be used for wirelessly charging a chargeable device. The charging configuration may be defined by protocol or negotiation between the chargeable device and the charging system 500. In one example, the charging system 500 may be provided in a multidevice or multi-coil charger and the charging configuration may identify the level of output power to be delivered to one or more transmitting coils. As the duty cycle of the control signals 522, 524 provided to operate SWH 512 and SWL 514 increase toward 100%, output power delivered to the load increases. In some instances, the control signal 522 provided to SWH 512 may be the inverse of the control signal 524 provided to SWL 514.

[0050] A lower duty cycle of the control signals 522, 524 that are provided to operate SWH 512 and SWL 514 limits the peak current in Lc 518 when the power supply 510 is in the first phase 604. Having a lower peak current in Lc 518 when transitioning into the third phase 608 may limit the total power that is transferred to the load. Duty cycle control can be used to provide output power control without modifying the Class-E switching times.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a timing diagram 700 that illustrates a second mode of operation of the power supply 510 illustrated in FIG. 5. Three phases 704, 706, 708 may be defined within each cycle 702 of the output current 538. The three phases 704, 706, 708 define three stages of power generation and do not include a “freewheeling” phase. In some instances, one or more of the stages or phases of power generation may map to angular phases of one cycle 702 of the output current 538, but such correspondence is not expected or required. In one example, the output current 538 represents power transfer to the load 508. In this operational mode, turn on of SWH 512 is delayed until a predefined or preconfigured time before the power delivery stage. The delay duration can be used to control the output power. A longer delay results in less current built up in Ec 518.

[0052] In the first phase 704, the power supply 510 builds current 536 in Lc 518. The controller 530 configures the control signals 522, 524, 526 to turn on SWH 512 and SWE 516, and to turn off SWL 514. This configuration of switching causes the current 536 in Lc 518 to increase at a rate proportional to the ratio of Vin 532 and Lc 518.

[0053] The second phase 706 may be referred to as the power delivery stage. The controller 530 configures the control signals 522, 524, 526 to turn on SWL 514, to turn off SWH 512 and to turn off SWE 516. The current 536 in Lc 518 begins to decrease as it starts to flow into the resonant output network 520 that provides the output of the power supply 510. The voltage (VSWE 534) on the closed SWE 516 increases to a peak that is a multiple of Vin 532 and then transitions smoothly back to zero.

[0054] In the third phase 708, which may be referred to as the delay stage, the controller 530 configures the control signals 522, 524, 526 to turn on SWL 514 and SWE 516 and turn off SWH 512. The configuration of switches is maintained for the delay duration.

[0055] The switching frequency of the charging system 500 may be configured or defined based on output AC load requirements. The on-time of SWE 516 may be defined by the resonant output network 520 and may be tuned using any suitable Class-E tuning technique. The duration of the delay in the third phase 708 and/or the on time of SWH 512 may be configured based on the level of output power that is required to be delivered to the load 508. In one example, the level of output power that is required to be delivered to the load 508 is determined from a charging configuration to be used for wirelessly charging a chargeable device. The charging configuration may be defined by protocol or negotiation between the chargeable device and the charging system 500. In one example, the charging system 500 may be provided in a multidevice charger and the charging configuration may identify the level of output power to be delivered to one or more transmitting coils. As the duty cycle of the control signals 522, 524 provided to operate SWH 512 and SWL 514 increase toward 100%, output power delivered to the load 508 increases. In some instances, the control signal 522 provided to SWH 512 may be the inverse of the control signal 524 provided to SWL 514.

[0056] A lower duty cycle of the control signals 522, 524 that are provided to operate SWH 512 and SWL 514 limits the peak current in Lc 518 when the power supply 510 is in the first phase 704. Having a lower peak current in Lc 518 when transitioning to into the third phase 708 may limit the total power that is transferred to the load 508. Duty cycle control can be used to provide output power control without modifying the Class-E switching times.

[0057] A charging system 500 configured without a freewheeling phase in accordance with certain aspects of this disclosure can reduce or eliminate losses attributable to the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of Lc 518. ESR represents the series resistance of a non-ideal capacitor or inductor and may be measured or defined for the expected operating frequency of the circuit that includes the capacitor or inductor. The elimination of the freewheeling phase renders SWL 514 optional if operating in discontinuous mode and, if operating in continuous mode, SWL 514 may be replaced by a diode in some instances.

[0058] Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to controlling power output in a charging system that uses a switched-mode power supply and a Class-E amplifier. To facilitate description, reference will be made to the charging system 500 of FIG. 5, which includes the SMPS 504 and Class-E amplifier 506. In one aspect, the charging system 500 may be adapted, configured or controlled to obtain a high dynamic controllable range of output power. In another aspect, the charging system 500 may be adapted, configured or controlled to maintain zero voltage switching (ZVS) operation for the half bridge switches (SWH 512 and SWL 514) and Class-E switch (SWE 516). During ZVS operation, the voltage falls at a transistor switch falls to zero before the transistor is turned on or turned off. ZVS can reduce losses by preventing overlap between voltage and current during switching.

[0059] Power output of a charging system 500 operated in accordance with certain aspects of this disclosure can be accomplished by controlling or configuring a duty cycle of the for the half bridge switches (SWH 512 and SWL 514). The duty cycle of SWH 512 and SWL 514 can be controlled by pulse width modulating the control signals 522, 524 that control switching of SWH 512 and SWL 514.

[0060] In one example, a 0% duty cycle that commands lowest power output is obtained when SWL 514 is turned on for 100% of the cycle and SWH 512 is turned off for 100% of the cycle. In another example, a 100% duty cycle that commands highest power output is obtained when SWL 514 is turned off for 100% of the cycle and SWH 512 is turned on for 100% of the cycle. The duty cycle for SWE 516 (the Class-E switch) may remain unchanged when the control signals 522, 524 are pulse width modulated.

[0061] According to certain aspects, the phase of the pulse width modulated control signals 522, 524 may be aligned with the phase of the control signal 526 provided to the Class- E switch (SWE 516) in the Class-E amplifier 506. In one example, the ZVS operation may be maintained for the half bridge switches (SWH 512 and SWL 514) by causing that the off time of the PWM signals to be center aligned with the control signal 526 provided to SWE 516.

[0062] FIG. 8 shows a timing diagram 800 for low-power output and a timing diagram 810 for higher-power output when the control signals 522, 524 are pulse width modulated. In the first timing diagram 800, the control signal 522 coupled to SWH 512 is shown and, for the purposes of this description, it may be assumed that the control signal 524 coupled to SWL 514 is the inverse of the control signal 522. In this first timing diagram 800, the control signals 522, 524 cause SWH 512 to be turned off for a longer percentage of each cycle than it is turned on, and further cause SWL 514 to be turned on for a longer percentage of each cycle than it is turned off. The center 802, 804 of each half cycle of the control signal 526 provided to the Class-E switch (SWE 516) is aligned with the center of each corresponding half cycle of the control signals 522, 524.

[0063] In the second timing diagram 800, the control signal 522 coupled to SWH 512 is shown and, for the purposes of this description, it may be assumed that the control signal 524 coupled to SWL 514 is the inverse of the control signal 522. In this second timing diagram 800, the control signals 522, 524 cause SWH 512 to be turned off for a shorter percentage of each cycle than it is turned on, and further cause SWL 514 to be turned on for a shorter percentage of each cycle than it is turned off. The center 812, 814 of each half cycle of the control signal 526 provided to the Class-E switch (SWE 516) is aligned with the center of each corresponding half cycle of the control signals 522, 524. [0064] The alignment of phases of the pulse width modulated control signals 522, 524 with the phase of the control signal 526 provided to the Class-E switch (SWE 516) in the Class- E amplifier 506 can ensure that switching transitions of the half bridge happen with the appropriate current polarity. Center aligning the pulse width modulated control signals 522, 524 ensures that the transitions will be centered about the zero crossing of the current 536 in Lc 518. The falling edge of switch output voltage (Vsw) measured at the half bridge switch node 540 occurs when current 536 in Lc 518 is positive and flowing out of half bridge switch node 540 in the direction of the load. The rising edge of Vsw occurs when current 536 in Lc 518 is negative and flowing into half bridge switch node 540. New cycles of the current 536 in Lc 518 commence at peaks of VSWE (534).

[0065] A charging system 500 constructed or configured in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure may include a Class-E amplifier 506 in which the Class-E switch (SWE 516) may be controlled using a pulse width modulated control signal 526. The phase of the control signal 526 may be aligned or locked with the phase of the pulse width modulated control signals 522, 524 coupled to the half bridge switches (SWH 512 and SWL 514). The class E section control signal 526 may be configured with a 50% duty cycle in many instances. Some variation in duty cycle may be provided to accommodate different configurations of resonant output network 520. Different configurations may be associated with different charging configurations where the number of power transmitting coils change.

[0066] Under nominal or ideal operating conditions, SWE 516 is turned ON when VSWE 534 falls to zero. In some instances, VSWE 534 may not be used to directly control the transition it can be beneficial to overestimate off time and allow SWE 516 to be turned off for more time than is needed or specified. In one example, one or more FETs included in SWE 516 may be hard switched when the SWE 516 is turned on early (before VSWE 534 has fallen to zero), causing voltage from drain to source to be shorted into the FET. In another example, conduction losses may increase when an FET included in SWE 516 is turned off late, causing the body diode of the FET to begin to conduct until the FET is turned back on. The FET continues to operate in ZVS mode but the slightly higher conduction losses occur during the period that the diode needs to carry the load current. This condition results in lower overall losses and electromagnetic compatibility.

[0067] A pulse width modulated control signal 526 provided to control the Class-E switch (SWE 516) may be configured using feedback or through a lookup table. In one example, a controller may be configured to use voltage sensing or current sensing to determine configuration of the resonant output network 520 and can adjust the pulse width modulation applied to the control signal 526 to obtain a desired or optimum performance level. Voltage or current sensing may be used to provide a feedback signal representative of voltage in the resonant output network 520, such as the voltage measured across LT 528, or the current flowing in the resonant output network 520, which may be equivalent to or represented by the output current 538. In some instances, voltage or current sensing may be unavailable and the controller may use a lookup table to find a pulse width modulation to be applied to the control signal 526 for a charging configuration that is currently in operation. In one example, the lookup table may crossreference Class-E duty cycles to inductance and capacitance of the resonant output network 520. Inductance may be calculated or defined based on the quantity and/or type of transmitting coils to be used for transmitting power to a chargeable device. The type of transmitting coil may be related to the location and manufacturing methodology of the transmitting coils.

[0068] FIG. 9 illustrates a charging system 900 that includes a power supply 910 constructed or configured for operation without a freewheeling phase in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. The power supply 910 includes a switched-mode power supply (the SMPS 904) coupled to a power source 902 and a Class-E amplifier 906. The power supply 910 can synchronously control peak current in the choke, which is illustrated in FIG. 9 as Lc 918. A controller 930 provides a control signal 922 to a halfbridge switch (SWH 912) in the SMPS 904 and provides a control signal 926 a Class-E switch (SWE 916) in the Class-E amplifier 906. The control signals 922 and 926 may be synchronized such that the SMPS 904 can operate at the same switching frequency as the Class-E amplifier 906. A diode 914 substitutes for the second switch in the power supply 510 illustrated in FIG. 5 (i.e., SWL 514).

[0069] The configuration of the SMPS 904 and the Class-E amplifier 906 can preserve the high efficiency levels associated with the Class-E amplifier 906 and can eliminate or limit high-frequency harmonics in Lc 918 and the inductor (LT 928) in the resonant output network 920. In one example, LT 928 includes a transmitting coil used to transmit power to a chargeable device. The load 908 of the power supply 910 corresponds or incorporates the reflected load presented by the chargeable device. The reduction of high-frequency harmonics can improve the efficacy of the charging system 900 and can limit electromagnetic interference. The power supply 910 can be implemented with a lower parts count than a comparable conventional, power-controlled power supply.

[0070] The controller 930 may be implemented using a state machine, sequencer or delay loops configured to produce a repeating sequence of pulses. The configuration of the SMPS 904 and the Class-E amplifier 906 provides for linear control of output power and for simple control of the SMPS 904 and the Class-E amplifier 906. In some instances, the controller 930 may be configured to control output power on a cycle-by-cycle basis.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a timing diagram 1000 that illustrates operation of the power supply 910 illustrated in FIG. 9. Three phases 1004, 1006, 1008 may be defined within each cycle 1002 of the output current 938. The three phases 1004, 1006, 1008 define three stages of power generation, without a “freewheeling” phase. In some instances, one or more of the stages of power generation may map to angular phases of the cycle 1002 of the output current 938, but such correspondence is not expected or required. In one example, the output current 938 represents power transfer to the load 908. In this operational mode, turn on of SWH 912 is delayed until a predefined or preconfigured time before the power delivery stage. The delay duration can be used to control the output power. A longer delay results in less current built up in Lc 918.

[0072] In the first phase 1004, the power supply 910 builds current 936 in Lc 918. The controller 930 configures the control signals 922, 926 to turn on SWH 912 and SWE 916. This configuration of switching causes the current 936 in Lc 918 to increase at a rate proportional to the ratio of Vin 932 and Lc 918.

[0073] The second phase 1006 may be referred to as the power delivery stage. The controller 930 configures the control signals 922, 926 to turn off SWH 912 and to turn off SWE 916. SWH 912 may be turned off at a different point in the phase 1006 than SWE 916. The current 936 in Lc 918 begins to decrease as it starts to flow into the resonant output network 920 that provides the output. The voltage VSWE 934 on the closed SWE 916 increases to a peak that is a multiple of Vin 932 and then transitions smoothly back to zero 1010. [0074] In the third phase 1008, which may be referred to as the delay phase, the controller 930 configures the control signals 922 and 926 to turn on SWE 916 and turn off SWH 912. The configuration of switches is maintained for the delay duration.

[0075] The switching frequency of the charging system 900 may be configured or defined based on output AC load requirements. The on-time of SWE 916 may be defined by the resonant output network 920 and may be tuned using any suitable Class-E tuning technique. The duration of the delay in the third phase 1008 and/or the on time of SWH 912 may be configured based on the level of output power that is required to be delivered to the load 908. In one example, the level of output power that is to be delivered to the load 908 is determined from a charging configuration to be used for wirelessly charging a chargeable device. The charging configuration may be defined by protocol or negotiation between the chargeable device and the charging system 900. In one example, the charging system 900 may be provided in a multidevice charger and the charging configuration may identify the level of output power to be delivered to one or more transmitting coils. As the duty cycle of the control signal 922 provided to operate SWH 912 increases toward 100%, output power delivered to the load 908 increases. Duty cycle control of the control signal 922 provided to operate SWH 912 can be used to provide output power control without modifying the Class-E switching times.

[0076] Certain aspects of this disclosure are applicable to charging systems, including wireless charging systems and to different configurations of SMPS or amplifiers in the power supply. For example, a differential Class-E amplifier may be used in some applications. FIG. 11 illustrates a charging system 1100 that includes a power supply 1110 configured with a switched-mode power supply (the SMPS 1104) coupled to a power source 1102 and a Differential Class-E amplifier 1106 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 12 is a timing diagram 1200 that illustrates operation of the power supply 1110 illustrated in FIG. 11. The Differential Class-E amplifier 1106 includes two sections, each delivering a half-cycle 1142, 1144 of the current luoad 1130 output by the power supply 1110. Each section operates as a Class-E amplifier and includes a choke (LCKI 1118 and LCK2 1138), and a switch (SWEI 1116, SWE2 1136). Peak current may be synchronously controlled in LCKI 1118 and LCK2 1138. A controller 1140 provides control signals 1122 and 1124 to the switches (SWH 1112 and SWL 1114) in the SMPS 1104. The controller 1140 provides control signal 1132 to SWEI 1116 and control signal 1134 to SWE2 1136 in the Differential Class-E amplifier 1106. In the illustrated example, there is a phase shift of 180° between the control signal 1132 provided to SWEI 1116 and the control signal 1134 provided to SWE2 1136. In other examples, the control signal 1132 provided to SWEI 1116 may be more or less than 180° out of phase with the control signal 1134 provided to SWE2 1136.

[0077] The control signals 1122, 1124, 1132 and 1134 may be synchronized such that the SMPS 1104 can operate at the same switching frequency as the Differential Class-E amplifier 1106. Power control may be obtained through control of a duty cycle or through a duration of a delay phase of the power cycle.

[0078] The configuration of the SMPS 1104 and the Differential Class-E amplifier 1106 can preserve the high efficiency levels associated with the Differential Class-E amplifier 1106 and can eliminate or limit high-frequency harmonics in LCKI 1118 and LCK2 1138 and the inductor (LT) in the resonant output network 1120. In one example, LT includes a transmitting coil used to transmit power to a chargeable device, and the load 1146 of the power supply 1110 corresponds or incorporates the reflected load presented by the chargeable device. The reduction of high-frequency harmonics can improve the efficacy of the charging system 1100 and can limit electromagnetic interference.

[0079] The controller 1140 may be implemented using a state machine, sequencer or delay loops configured to produce a repeating sequence of pulses. The configuration of the SMPS 1104 and the Differential Class-E amplifier 1106 provides for linear control of output power and for simple control of the SMPS 1104 and the Differential Class-E amplifier 1106. In some instances, the controller 1140 may be configured to control output power on a cycle-by-cycle basis.

[0080] FIG. 13 illustrates a charging system 1300 that includes a tunable power supply 1310 constructed or configured in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. The charging system 1300 may correspond in some respects to the charging system 500. The tunable power supply 1310 includes a switched-mode power supply (the SMPS 1304) coupled to a power source 1302 and a Class-E amplifier 1306. The tunable power supply 1310 can synchronously control peak current in a choke, which is illustrated in FIG. 13 as Lc 1318, and can accommodate variability in inductances in a resonant output network 1320.

[0081] A controller 1330 provides control signals 1322 and 1324 to half-bridge switches (SWH 1312 and SWL 1314) in the SMPS 1304, and provides a control signal 1326 to the Class- E switch 1316 (SWE) in the Class-E amplifier 1306. In one example, SWH 1312, SWL 1314 and a Class-E switch 1316 are implemented using NFETs. The control signals 1322, 1324, 1326 may be synchronized such that the SMPS 1304 can operate at the same switching frequency as the Class-E amplifier 1306. The duty cycle of one or more of the control signals 1322, 1324, 1326 can be selected to control buck or boost operation in the tunable power supply 1310.

[0082] The configuration of the SMPS 1304 and the Class-E amplifier 1306 can preserve the high efficiency levels associated with the Class-E amplifier 1306 and can eliminate or limit high-frequency harmonics in Lc 1318 and the inductor (LT 1328) in the resonant output network 1320. In one example, LT 1328 includes one or more transmitting coils used to transmit power to a chargeable device, and the load 1308 of the tunable power supply 1310 incorporates or corresponds to the reflected load presented by the chargeable device. The reduction of high-frequency harmonics can improve the efficacy of the charging system 1300 and can limit electromagnetic interference. The tunable power supply 1310 can be implemented with a lower parts count than a comparable conventional, power-controlled power supply.

[0083] The controller 1330 may be implemented using a state machine, sequencer or delay loops configured to produce a repeating sequence of pulses. The configuration of the SMPS 1304 and the Class-E amplifier 1306 provides for linear control of output power and for simple control of the SMPS 1304 and the Class-E amplifier 1306. In some instances, the controller 1330 may be configured to control output power on a cycle- by-cycle basis.

[0084] The inductance in the resonant output network 1320 can vary dynamically in a wireless charging system. The inductor (LT 1328) in the resonant output network 1320 represents a net inductance that includes contributions from fixed inductors and one or more wireless transmitting coils in the wireless charging device and the effects of load transference or the reflected load presented by the receiving device. The inductance in the resonant output network 1320 can vary with the type of receiving device, the circuit configuration in the receiving device and the electromagnetic coupling between the wireless charging device and the receiving device. Variations in inductance can affect the operation of the SMPS 1304 and the Class-E amplifier 1306, and may negatively impact system gain. [0085] In accordance with certain aspects of this disclosure, ZVS operation for the half bridge switches (SWH 1312 and SWL 1314) and system gain may be controlled or maintained by retuning switch capacitance 1342 (Cs) and tank capacitance 1348 (CT) after changes are detected or expected in the load. The switch capacitance 1342 and tank capacitance 1348 may have a nominal value provided by a physical capacitor and the nominal value may be tuned by connecting additional capacitances in parallel.

[0086] The switch capacitance 1342 may be tuned using one or more tuning elements 1350. The switch capacitance 1342 is coupled in parallel with the Class-E switch 1316. In the illustrated example, each tuning element 1350 includes a tuning capacitor 1352 that is configured to be coupled in parallel with the Class-E switch 1316 when an associated switch 1354 is closed. In some examples, the switch 1354 is controlled by a control signal 1356 provided by the controller 1330. In other examples, the controller 1330 may write a control word to a decoder (not shown) that provides control signals to the switches 1354 in a selected set of tuning elements 1350. The control word may indicate a number of tuning elements 1350 to be activated. In some instances, the control word may indicate types of tuning elements 1350 to be activated. For example, the controller 1330 may indicate a number of tuning elements 1350 of each of multiple types of tuning elements 1350 to be activated in order to obtain a desired tuning capacitance value to be added to the switch capacitance 1342. The different types of tuning elements 1350 may correspond to different capacitance values in some examples.

[0087] The tank capacitance 1348 may be tuned using one or more tuning elements 1360. The tank capacitance 1348 is included in the resonant output network 1320. In the illustrated example, each tuning element 1360 includes a tuning capacitor 1362 that is configured to be coupled in parallel with the tank capacitance 1348 when an associated switch 1364 is closed. In some examples, the switch 1364 is controlled by a control signal 1366 provided by the controller 1330. In other examples, the controller 1330 may write a control word to a decoder (not shown) that provides control signals to the switches 1364 in a set of tuning elements 1360. The control word may indicate a number of tuning elements 1360 to be activated. In some instances, the control word may indicate types of tuning elements 1360 to be activated. For example, the controller 1330 may indicate a number of tuning elements 1360 of each of multiple types of tuning elements 1360 to be activated in order to obtain a desired tuning capacitance to be added to the tank capacitance 1348. The different types of tuning elements 1360 may correspond to different capacitance values in some examples.

[0088] In the illustrated example, the tuning elements 1350, 1360 are controlled or configured by the controller 1330. In some examples, the tuning elements 1350, 1360 may be controlled by a finite state machine or another type of controller. In some examples, the tuning elements 1350, 1360 may be automatically controlled by a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit may use voltage or current sensing to provide a feedback signal used to control or configure the tuning elements 1350, 1360. The feedback signal may represent or be used to calculate or estimate inductance in the resonant network. Voltage or current sensing may be used to provide a feedback signal that represents voltage in the resonant output network 1320, or that represents the current flowing in the resonant output network 1320. In one example, a feedback signal may be generated based on the voltage measured across LT 1328. In another example, a feedback signal may be generated based on the voltage (VSWE 1334) measured across the Class-E switch 1316. In the latter example, switch capacitance 1342 (Cs) or tank capacitance 1348 (CT) may be retuned if VSWE 1334 is not falling to zero. In another example, a feedback signal may be generated based on the current flowing in the resonant output network 1320, which may be equivalent to or represented by the output current 1338. In another example, a feedback signal may be generated based on the current 1336 flowing in Lc 1318.

[0089] In some instances, voltage or current sensing may be unavailable and the controller may use a lookup table or algorithm to control or configure the tuning elements 1350, 1360. In some examples, a lookup table or algorithm may be used when a known load change occurs. A known load change may occur, for example, when a change in charging configuration causes a change in the number of transmission coils included in LT 1328. The lookup table may identify a number or combination of tuning elements 1350, 1360 to be enabled for a selected combination of transmission coils. The lookup table may identify a number or combination of tuning elements 1350, 1360 to be enabled for an expected or defined inductance value for LT 1328 for each possible combination of transmission coils. The combination of transmission coils may include transmission coils that contribute different inductance values to LT 1328. An algorithm may be used to calculate capacitance values to be used for tuning switch capacitance 1342 (Cs) and tank capacitance 1348 (CT) under different loading conditions or for changes in loading conditions. The calculate capacitance values may relate to capacitances to be provided by tuning elements 1350, 1360 or to total capacitance to be achieved using tuning elements 1350, 1360.

Example of a Processing Circuit

[0090] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1400 that may be incorporated in a charging device or in a receiving device that enables a battery to be wirelessly charged. In some examples, the apparatus 1400 may perform one or more functions disclosed herein. In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, an element, or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements as disclosed herein may be implemented using a processing circuit 1402. The processing circuit 1402 may include one or more processors 1404 that are controlled by some combination of hardware and software modules. Examples of processors 1404 include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), SoCs, ASICs, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, sequencers, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. The one or more processors 1404 may include specialized processors that perform specific functions, and that may be configured, augmented or controlled by one of the software modules 1416. The one or more processors 1404 may be configured through a combination of software modules 1416 loaded during initialization, and further configured by loading or unloading one or more software modules 1416 during operation.

[0091] In the illustrated example, the processing circuit 1402 may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus 1410. The bus 1410 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing circuit 1402 and the overall design constraints. The bus 1410 links together various circuits including the one or more processors 1404, and storage 1406. Storage 1406 may include memory devices and mass storage devices and may be referred to herein as computer-readable media and/or processor-readable media. The storage 1406 may include transitory storage media and/or non-transitory storage media. [0092] The bus 1410 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, timers, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits. A bus interface 1408 may provide an interface between the bus 1410 and one or more transceivers 1412. In one example, a transceiver 1412 may be provided to enable the apparatus 1400 to communicate with a charging or receiving device in accordance with a standards- defined protocol. Depending upon the nature of the apparatus 1400, a user interface 1418 (e.g., keypad, display, speaker, microphone, joystick) may also be provided, and may be communicatively coupled to the bus 1410 directly or through the bus interface 1408.

[0093] A processor 1404 may be responsible for managing the bus 1410 and for general processing that may include the execution of software stored in a computer-readable medium that may include the storage 1406. In this respect, the processing circuit 1402, including the processor 1404, may be used to implement any of the methods, functions and techniques disclosed herein. The storage 1406 may be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor 1404 when executing software, and the software may be configured to implement any one of the methods disclosed herein.

[0094] One or more processors 1404 in the processing circuit 1402 may execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, algorithms, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. The software may reside in computer-readable form in the storage 1406 or in an external computer-readable medium. The external computer-readable medium and/or storage 1406 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. A non- transitory computer-readable medium includes, by way of example, a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strip), an optical disk (e.g., a compact disc (CD) or a digital versatile disc (DVD)), a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., a “flash drive,” a card, a stick, or a key drive), RAM, ROM, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM) including EEPROM, a register, a removable disk, and any other suitable medium for storing software and/or instructions that may be accessed and read by a computer. The computer-readable medium and/or storage 1406 may also include, by way of example, a carrier wave, a transmission line, and any other suitable medium for transmitting software and/or instructions that may be accessed and read by a computer. Computer-readable medium and/or the storage 1406 may reside in the processing circuit 1402, in the processor 1404, external to the processing circuit 1402, or be distributed across multiple entities including the processing circuit 1402. The computer-readable medium and/or storage 1406 may be embodied in a computer program product. By way of example, a computer program product may include a computer-readable medium in packaging materials. Those skilled in the art will recognize how best to implement the described functionality presented throughout this disclosure depending on the particular application and the overall design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0095] The storage 1406 may maintain and/or organize software in loadable code segments, modules, applications, programs, etc., which may be referred to herein as software modules 1416. Each of the software modules 1416 may include instructions and data that, when installed or loaded on the processing circuit 1402 and executed by the one or more processors 1404, contribute to a run-time image 1414 that controls the operation of the one or more processors 1404. When executed, certain instructions may cause the processing circuit 1402 to perform functions in accordance with certain methods, algorithms and processes described herein.

[0096] Some of the software modules 1416 may be loaded during initialization of the processing circuit 1402, and these software modules 1416 may configure the processing circuit 1402 to enable performance of the various functions disclosed herein. For example, some software modules 1416 may configure internal devices and/or logic circuits 1422 of the processor 1404 and may manage access to external devices such as a transceiver 1412, the bus interface 1408, the user interface 1418, timers, mathematical coprocessors, and so on. The software modules 1416 may include a control program and/or an operating system that interacts with interrupt handlers and device drivers, and that controls access to various resources provided by the processing circuit 1402. The resources may include memory, processing time, access to a transceiver 1412, the user interface 1418, and so on.

[0097] One or more processors 1404 of the processing circuit 1402 may be multifunctional, whereby some of the software modules 1416 are loaded and configured to perform different functions or different instances of the same function. The one or more processors 1404 may additionally be adapted to manage background tasks initiated in response to inputs from the user interface 1418, the transceiver 1412, and device drivers, for example. To support the performance of multiple functions, the one or more processors 1404 may be configured to provide a multitasking environment, whereby each of a plurality of functions is implemented as a set of tasks serviced by the one or more processors 1404 as needed or desired. In one example, the multitasking environment may be implemented using a timesharing program 1420 that passes control of a processor 1404 between different tasks, whereby each task returns control of the one or more processors 1404 to the timesharing program 1420 upon completion of any outstanding operations and/or in response to an input such as an interrupt. When a task has control of the one or more processors 1404, the processing circuit is effectively specialized for the purposes addressed by the function associated with the controlling task. The timesharing program 1420 may include an operating system, a main loop that transfers control on a round-robin basis, a function that allocates control of the one or more processors 1404 in accordance with a prioritization of the functions, and/or an interrupt driven main loop that responds to external events by providing control of the one or more processors 1404 to a handling function.

[0098] In one implementation, the apparatus 1400 includes or operates as a wireless charging apparatus that has a battery charging power source coupled to a charging circuit, a plurality of charging cells and a controller, which may be included in the one or more processors 1404. The plurality of charging cells may be configured to provide a charging surface. Each charging cell may include at least one transmitting coil that is configured to direct an electromagnetic field through a charge transfer area of the charging cell. The apparatus 1400 may have a power amplifier that has an amplifier stage, a power switching stage and a controller.

[0099] The power amplifier may be configured to operate as a Class-E amplifier. The amplifier stage may include a choke configured to receive a current from an input of the amplifier stage, a resonant network coupled to an output of the choke and configured to provide an output current to a load of the power amplifier, and a first switch configured to short the output of the choke to circuit ground when turned on.

[0100] The power switching stage may be configured to couple a power supply to the input of the amplifier stage and may have a second switch operable to couple the input of the amplifier stage to circuit ground when turned on. The controller may be configured to control operation of the first switch and the second switch in accordance with a timing sequence that defines a cycle of the output current. In one example, the first switch is turned on during a first stage of the cycle, turned on during a second stage of the cycle that follows the first stage of the cycle and turned off during a third stage of the cycle that follows the second stage of the cycle, while the second switch is turned off during the first stage of the cycle, turned on during the second stage of the cycle, and turned on during the third stage of the cycle.

[0101] In one aspect, a duration of the timing sequence corresponds to a period of the cycle of the output current. In one aspect, the power switching stage includes a diode coupled to the output of the power supply and the input of the amplifier stage. The diode may be provided in place of the second switch. In another aspect, the power switching stage includes a third switch that provides the coupling between the power supply and the input of the amplifier stage when turned on. The controller may be further configured to control operation of the third switch. The third switch may be turned on during the first stage of the cycle and turned off during the second stage of the cycle and during the third stage of the cycle. The third switch may be turned on when the second switch is turned off. The controller may be further configured to control power level provided to an output of the power amplifier. Power level may be controlled using variable duty cycles of control signals provided to control operation of the second switch and the third switch. The duty cycle of each of the control signals may be configured based on a feedback signal representative of inductance measured in the resonant network.

[0102] In one example, an output of the power amplifier is coupled to a transmitting coil of a wireless charging device. In the latter and in other examples, the load of the power amplifier may include one or more transmitting coils of a multi-device wireless charging device.

[0103] In some examples, the power amplifier has a second amplifier stage and the power amplifier may be configured to operate as a Differential Class-E amplifier. The second amplifier stage may have a second choke configured to receive a current from an input of the amplifier stage. A switch in the second amplifier stage may be configured to short the output of the second choke to circuit ground when turned on. The controller may be configured to control operation of the fourth switch in accordance with the timing sequence that defines a cycle of the output current. The controller may be configured to provide a control signal to the fourth switch that is 180° out of phase with a control signal provided to the first switch.

[0104] In some implementations, the storage 1406 maintains instructions and information where the instructions are configured to cause the one or more processors 1404 to cause a choke in an amplifier stage to receive a current from an input of the amplifier stage, cause a resonant network coupled to an output of the choke to provide an output current to a load of the power amplifier, configure a first switch to short the output of the choke to circuit ground when turned on, configure a power switching stage to couple a power supply to the input of the amplifier stage, configure a second switch in the power switching stage to couple the input of the amplifier stage to circuit ground when turned on, and control operation of the first switch and the second switch in accordance with a timing sequence that defines a cycle of the output current. Controlling the operation of the first switch may include configuring the first switch to be turned on during a first stage of the cycle, turned on during a second stage of the cycle that follows the first stage of the cycle and turned off during a third stage of the cycle that follows the second stage of the cycle. Controlling the operation of the second switch may include configuring the second switch to be turned off during the first stage of the cycle, turned on during the second stage of the cycle, and turned on during the third stage of the cycle. [0105] In some examples, a duration of the timing sequence corresponds to a period of the cycle of the output current. The instructions may be configured to cause the one or more processors 1404 to configure a diode in the power switching stage to provide the coupling between the power supply and the input of the amplifier stage. The instructions may be configured to cause the one or more processors 1404 to configure a third switch in the power switching stage to provide the coupling between the power supply and the input of the amplifier stage, and control operation of the third switch in accordance with the timing sequence. The instructions may be configured to cause the one or more processors 1404 to configure the third switch to be turned on during the first stage of the cycle, turned off during the second stage of the cycle, and turned off during the third stage of the cycle. The instructions may be configured to cause the one or more processors 1404 to configure the third switch to be turned on when the second switch is turned off. The instructions may be configured to cause the one or more processors 1404 to configure the charging device to control power level provided to an output of the power amplifier. The power level is controlled by duty cycles of control signals provided to control operation of the second switch and the third switch.

[0106] In one example, the instructions cause the one or more processors 1404 to configure a second choke provided in a second amplifier stage to receive a current from an input of the amplifier stage, configure a fourth switch to short the output of the second choke to circuit ground when turned on, configure the power switching stage to couple a power supply to the input of the second amplifier stage, and control operation of the fourth switch in accordance with the timing sequence that defines the cycle of the output current. The operation of the fourth switch may be controlled by providing a first signal to a gate of the first switch and providing a second signal to a gate of the fourth switch. In one example, the second signal is 180° out of phase with the first signal. In other examples, the phase difference between the first signal and the second signal may be more or less than 180°.

[0107] In one example, an output of the power amplifier is coupled to a transmitting coil of a wireless charging device. In the latter and in other examples, the load of the power amplifier may include one or more transmitting coils of a multi-device wireless charging device.

[0108] FIG. 15 is a flowchart 1500 illustrating a method for providing an amplified current, voltage or power in a charging device in accordance with certain aspects of this disclosure. The method may be performed by a controller in the charging device. At block 1502, the controller may configure a choke in an amplifier stage to receive a current from an input of the amplifier stage. At block 1504, the controller may configure a resonant network coupled to an output of the choke to provide an output current to a load of the charging device. At block 1506, the controller may configure a first switch to short the output of the choke to circuit ground when turned on. At block 1508, the controller may configure a power switching stage to couple a power supply to the input of the amplifier stage. At block 1510, the controller may configure a second switch in the power switching stage to couple the input of the amplifier stage to circuit ground when turned on. At block 1512, the controller may control operation of the first switch and the second switch in accordance with a timing sequence that defines a cycle of the output current. Controlling operation of the first switch may include configuring the first switch such that it is turned on during a first stage of the cycle, turned off during a second stage of the cycle that follows the first stage of the cycle and turned off during a third stage of the cycle that follows the second stage of the cycle. Controlling operation of the second switch may include configuring the second switch such that it is turned off during the first stage of the cycle, turned on during the second stage of the cycle, and turned on during the third stage of the cycle. In one example, a duration of the timing sequence corresponds to a period of the cycle of the output current. [0109] In one aspect, the controller may configure a diode in the power switching stage to provide a coupling between the power supply and the input of the amplifier stage. In another aspect, the controller may configure a third switch in the power switching stage to provide a coupling between the power supply and the input of the amplifier stage. The controller may control operation of the third switch in accordance with the timing sequence. The controller may configure the third switch to be turned on during the first stage of the cycle, turned off during the second stage of the cycle, and turned off during the third stage of the cycle. The controller may configure the third switch to be turned on when the second switch is turned off. The controller may configure the charging device to control power level provided to an output of the charging device. The power level can be controlled using variable duty cycles of the control signals provided to control operation of the second switch and the third switch. For example, power can be increased by adjusting the duty cycle toward 100%. In some examples, the duty cycle of each of the control signals may be dynamically configured based on a feedback signal representative of inductance measured in the resonant network.

[0110] In one example, the controller may configure a second choke provided in a second amplifier stage to receive a current from an input of the amplifier stage, configure a fourth switch to short the output of the second choke to circuit ground when turned on, configure the power switching stage to couple a power supply to the input of the second amplifier stage, and control operation of the fourth switch in accordance with the timing sequence that defines the cycle of the output current. The operation of the fourth switch may be controlled by providing a first signal to a gate of the first switch and providing a second signal to a gate of the fourth switch. In one example, the second signal is 180° out of phase with the first signal. In other examples, the phase difference between the first signal and the second signal may be more or less than 180°.

[0111] In various examples, an output of the power amplifier is coupled to a transmitting coil of a wireless charging device. In the latter and in other examples, the load of the power amplifier may include one or more transmitting coils of a multi-device wireless charging device.

[0112] In certain examples, the method includes tuning a first capacitor that is coupled in parallel with the first switch by determining a first set of tuning capacitors in a plurality of capacitors configured to be coupled in parallel with the first capacitor, and for each tuning capacitor in the first set of tuning capacitors, closing a switch connected in series with the each tuning capacitor. The first set of tuning capacitors may be configured based on inductive load of the charging device.

[0113] In certain examples, the method includes tuning a second capacitor in the resonant network by determining a second set of tuning capacitors in a plurality of capacitors configured to be coupled in parallel with the second capacitor, and for each first tuning capacitor in the second set of tuning capacitors, closing a switch connected in series with the each tuning capacitor. The second set of tuning capacitors may be configured based on inductive load of the charging device.

[0114] Some implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

1. A power amplifier, comprising: an amplifier stage comprising: a choke configured to receive a current from an input of the amplifier stage; a resonant network coupled to an output of the choke and configured to provide an output current to a load of the power amplifier; and a first switch configured to short the output of the choke to circuit ground when turned on; a power switching stage configured to couple a power supply to the input of the amplifier stage and comprising a second switch operable to couple the input of the amplifier stage to circuit ground when turned on; and a controller configured to control operation of the first switch and the second switch in accordance with a timing sequence that defines a cycle of the output current, wherein the first switch is turned on during a first stage of the cycle, turned on during a second stage of the cycle that follows the first stage of the cycle and turned off during a third stage of the cycle that follows the second stage of the cycle, and wherein the second switch is turned off during the first stage of the cycle, turned on during the second stage of the cycle, and turned on during the third stage of the cycle.

2. The power amplifier as described in clause 1, wherein a duration of the timing sequence corresponds to a period of the cycle of the output current.

3. The power amplifier as described in clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the power switching stage further comprises a diode that provides a coupling between the power supply and the input of the amplifier stage.

4. The power amplifier as described in any of clauses 1-3, wherein the power switching stage further comprises a third switch that provides a coupling between the power supply and the input of the amplifier stage when turned on, and wherein the controller is further configured to control operation of the third switch. The power amplifier as described in clause 4, wherein the third switch is turned on during the first stage of the cycle and turned off during the second stage of the cycle and during the third stage of the cycle. The power amplifier as described in clause 4, wherein the third switch is turned on during the first stage of the cycle and turned off during the second stage of the cycle and during the third stage of the cycle. The power amplifier as described in clause 6, wherein the controller is further configured to: control power level provided to an output of the power amplifier, wherein power level is controlled using variable duty cycles of control signals provided to control operation of the second switch and the third switch. The power amplifier as described in clause 7, wherein a duty cycle of each of the control signals is configured based on a feedback signal representative of inductance measured in the resonant network. The power amplifier as described in any of clauses 1-8, wherein the controller is further configured to: pulse width modulate a control signal provided to the first switch based on a quantity and type of one or more transmitting coils included in the load of the power amplifier. The power amplifier as described in any of clauses 1-9, wherein the load of the power amplifier includes one or more transmitting coils of a multi-device wireless charging device. The power amplifier as described in any of clauses 1-10, further comprising: a second amplifier stage comprising: a second choke configured to receive a current from an input of the amplifier stage; and a fourth switch configured to short the output of the second choke to circuit ground when turned on, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the fourth switch in accordance with the timing sequence that defines a cycle of the output current, and wherein the controller is configured to provide a control signal to the fourth switch that is 180° out of phase with a control signal provided to the first switch. The power amplifier as described in any of clauses 1-11, further comprising: a first tuning element comprising: a first tuning capacitance; and a first tuning switch configured to couple the first tuning capacitance between circuit ground and the output of the choke, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the first tuning switch in accordance based on based on a feedback signal representative of inductance measured in the resonant network. The power amplifier as described in any of clauses 1-12, further comprising: a second tuning element comprising: a second tuning capacitance; and a second tuning switch configured to connect the second tuning capacitance in parallel with a capacitance in the resonant network, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the second tuning switch in accordance based on based on a feedback signal representative of inductance measured in the resonant network. A method for amplifying power in a charging device, comprising: configuring a choke in an amplifier stage to receive a current from an input of the amplifier stage; configuring a resonant network coupled to an output of the choke to provide an output current to a load of the charging device; configuring a first switch to short the output of the choke to circuit ground when turned on; configuring a power switching stage to couple a power supply to the input of the amplifier stage; configuring a second switch in the power switching stage to couple the input of the amplifier stage to circuit ground when turned on; and controlling operation of the first switch and the second switch in accordance with a timing sequence that defines a cycle of the output current, including: configuring the first switch to be turned on during a first stage of the cycle, turned on during a second stage of the cycle that follows the first stage of the cycle and turned off during a third stage of the cycle that follows the second stage of the cycle, and configuring the second switch to be turned off during the first stage of the cycle, turned on during the second stage of the cycle, and turned on during the third stage of the cycle. The method as described in clause 14, wherein a duration of the timing sequence corresponds to a period of the cycle of the output current. The method as described in clause 14 or clause 15, further comprising: configuring a diode in the power switching stage to provide a coupling between the power supply and the input of the amplifier stage. The method as described in any of clauses 14-16, further comprising: configuring a third switch in the power switching stage to provide a coupling between the power supply and the input of the amplifier stage; and controlling operation of the third switch in accordance with the timing sequence. The method as described in clause 17, further comprising: configuring the third switch to be turned on during the first stage of the cycle, turned off during the second stage of the cycle, and turned off during the third stage of the cycle. The method as described in clause 17 or clause 18, further comprising: configuring the third switch to be turned on when the second switch is turned off. The method as described in clause 19, further comprising: configuring the charging device to control power level provided to an output of the charging device, wherein power level is controlled using variable duty cycles of control signals provided to control operation of the second switch and the third switch. The method as described in clause 19 or clause 20, further comprising: configuring a duty cycle of each of the control signals based on a feedback signal representative of inductance measured in the resonant network. The method as described in any of clauses 14-21, further comprising: pulse width modulating a control signal provided to the first switch based on a quantity and type of one or more transmitting coils included in the load of the charging device. The method as described in any of clauses 14-22, wherein the load of the charging device includes one or more transmitting coils of a multi-device wireless charging device. The method as described in any of clauses 14-23, further comprising: configuring a second choke provided in a second amplifier stage to receive a current from an input of the amplifier stage; configuring a fourth switch to short the output of the second choke to circuit ground when turned on; configuring the power switching stage to couple a power supply to the input of the second amplifier stage; and controlling operation of the fourth switch in accordance with the timing sequence that defines the cycle of the output current, including providing a first signal to a gate of the first switch and providing a second signal to a gate of the fourth switch wherein the second signal is 180° out of phase with the first signal. 25. The method as described in any of clauses 14-24, further comprising tuning a first capacitor that is coupled in parallel with the first switch by: determining a first set of tuning capacitors in a plurality of capacitors configured to be coupled in parallel with the first capacitor; and for each tuning capacitor in the first set of tuning capacitors, closing a switch connected in series with the each tuning capacitor.

26. The method as described in clause 25, wherein the set of first tuning capacitors is configured based on inductive load of the charging device.

27. The method as described in any of clauses 14-26, further comprising tuning a second capacitor in the resonant network by: determining a second set of tuning capacitors in a plurality of capacitors configured to be coupled in parallel with the second capacitor; and for each first tuning capacitor in the second set of tuning capacitors, closing a switch connected in series with the each tuning capacitor.

28. The method as described in clause 27, wherein the second set of tuning capacitors is configured based on inductive load of the charging device.

[0115] The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.”