This research introduces novel recharging systems and algorithms to supplement existing systems and lead to autonomous, sustainable energy management on sensor networks. The purpose of this project is to develop a wireless power transfer system that enables unmanned areal vehicles (UAVs) to provide power to, and recharge batteries of wireless sensors and other electronics far removed from the electric grid. We do this using wireless power transfer through the use of strongly coupled resonances. We have designed and built a custom power transfer and receiving system that is optimized for use on UAVs. We are investigating systems and control algorithms to optimize the power transfer from the UAV to the remote sensor node. In addition, we are investigating energy usage algorithms to optimize the use of the power in networks of sensors that are able to be recharged wirelessly from UAVs.
This research is funded in part by the National Science Foundation under grant numbers CNS-1217400 and CNS-1217428.
People
This project is a joint project between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of the Pacific. Below is a list of current and past lab members working on this project in the UNL NIMBUS Lab:
- Carrick Detweiler (PI)
- Dave Anthony
- Najeeb Najeeb
- Andrew Mittleider
- Jinfu Leng
- Brent Griffin
- Caleb Berggren
- Nick Goeser
And at the University of the Pacific:
- Elizabeth Basha (PI)
- Michael Eiskamp
- Jennifer Johnson
- John McGill
- Troy Morlan
- John Ott
- Jacob Palmer
- Nicholas Yuen
Publications
This project has resulted in a number of publications both directly related to this work and also a number of publications related to the longer-term goals of enabling heterogeneous systems of UAVs and Sensor Networks working closely together. Also see this site for additional publications.
- A. Mittleider, B. Griffin, and C. Detweiler, Experimental Analysis of a UAV-Based Wireless Power Transfer Localization System. International Symposium on Experimental Robotics (ISER 2014), Marrakech and Essaouira, Morocco, 2014.
- D. Anthony, S. Elbaum, A. Lorenz, and C. Detweiler. On Crop Height Estimation with UAVs. Proceedings of IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robotics and Systems (IROS), Chicago, Illinois, 2014.
- A. Mittleider. Analysis, Optimization, and Implementation of a UAV-Based Wireless Power Transfer System. M.S. Thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2014.
- J. Leng. Using a UAV to Effectively Prolong Wireless Sensor Network Lifetime with Wireless Power Transfer. M.S. Thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2014.
- T. Morlan. Wireless Power Transfer. Poster at Pacific Undergraduate Research & Creativity Conference, 2014.
- J. Johnson. Optimizing Network Lifetime in Sensor Networks with Limited Recharging Capabilities. M.S. Thesis, University of the Pacific, 2014.
- Nicholas Yuen. Communication on Limited-Mobility Underwater Sensor Networks. M.S. Thesis, University of the Pacific, 2013.
- H. Jiang, S. Elbaum, and C. Detweiler. Reducing Failure Rates of Robotic Systems Through Inferred Invariants Monitoring. IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems. Tokyo, Japan, 2013.
- J. Johnson, E. Basha, and C. Detweiler. Charge Selection Algorithms for Maximizing Sensor Network Life with UAV-Based Limited Wireless Recharging. IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Sensors, Sensor Networks and Information Processing (ISSNIP), Melbourne, Australia, 2013.
- M. O’Rourke. Simulating Underwater Sensor Networks and Routing Algorithms in Matlab. M.S. Thesis, University of the Pacific, 2012.
- M. O’Rourke, E. Basha, and C. Detweiler. Multi-Modal Communications in Underwater Sensor Networks Using Depth Adjustments. Proceedings of 7th ACM International Conference on Underwater Networks & Systems (WUWNet), Los Angeles, California, 2012.
- C. Detweiler, B. Griffin, and H. Roehr. Omni-Directional Hovercraft Design as a Foundation for MAV Education. Proceedings of IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robotics and Systems (IROS), Vilamoura, Portugal, 2012.
- B. Griffin and C. Detweiler. Resonant Wireless Power Transfer to Ground Sensors from a UAV. Proceedings of IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), St. Paul, Minnesota, 2012.