The efficiency of a Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) system is greatly dependent on both the geometry and operating frequency of the transmitting and receiving structures. By using Coupled Mode Theory (CMT), the figure of merit is calculated for resonantly-coupled loop and dipole systems. An in-depth analysis of the figure of merit is performed with respect to the key geometric parameters of the loops and dipoles, along with the resonant frequency, in order to identify the key relationships leading to high-efficiency WPT. For systems consisting of two identical single-turn loops, it is shown that the choice of both the loop radius and resonant frequency are essential in achieving high-efficiency WPT. For the dipole geometries studied, it is shown that the choice of length is largely irrelevant and that as a result of their capacitive nature, low-MHz frequency dipoles are able to produce significantly higher figures of merit than those of the loops considered. The results of the figure of merit analysis are used to propose and subsequently compare two mid-range loop and dipole WPT systems of equal size and operating frequency, where it is shown that the dipole system is able to achieve higher efficiencies than the loop system of the distance range examined.

Abstract-This paper presents a general theoretical analysis of the Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) efficiency that exists between electrically short, Perfect Electric Conductor (PEC) electric and magnetic dipoles, with particular relevance to near-field applications. The figure of merit for the dipoles is derived in closed-form, and used to study the WPT efficiency as the criteria of interest. The analysis reveals novel results regarding the WPT efficiency for both sets of dipoles, and describes how electrically short perfectly conducting dipoles can achieve efficient WPT over distances that are considerably greater than their size.

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