FEATURE Wireless Technologies y


Better management of robot fl eets with autonomous wireless charging


A


s robotic fl eets reshape logistic, delivery and inspection industries, the demand for more effi cient and fl exible charging


solutions is increasing whilst the feasibility for these fl eets to be managed manually and recharged ad hoc by a 24/7 rotation of personnel is decreasing. The next step is toward enhanced autonomy, whereby normal operations can be sustained without human intervention, which is where WiBotic comes in.


Robotic autonomy WiBotic, located in Seattle, the US, provides wireless charging and power optimisation solutions that are integral to charging the rapidly-growing ecosystem of aerial, mobile, marine and industrial robots. A range of solutions enable robots and unmanned vehicles (UVs) to be recharged through wireless charging stations, eliminating the need for human operators to physically connect the robots to chargers. In addition, wireless charging technology reduces wear and tear on physical connection points, trip hazards from power cords and fl oor-mounted charging stations, as well as the space requirement for dedicated charging rooms. WiBotic wireless charging solutions are designed to facilitate the operation of many- to-many, whereby multiple robots (including from diff erent manufacturers) can charge from the same transmitter at diff erent times. Alternatively, an entire fl eet of robots can move between a network of transmitters in diff erent locations within a warehouse.


WiBotic delivers a dynamic wireless charging solution that enables the next generation of autonomy


In short, any robot can charge from any station, even if the robots have diff erent battery chemistries, voltages and charging current.


Wireless charging innovation The Vicor 48V VI Chip PRM regulator is a 400W high-effi ciency converter that operates from a 36V to 75V input to generate a regulated output. The device powers the adaptive matching transmitter onboard the WiBotic TR-110 wireless charging station, which feeds power wirelessly to the robot’s or UV’s onboard receiver. The PRM accepts 48V from an AC-DC power supply and the output voltage is adaptively controlled and trimmed from approximately 20-55V. The Vicor PRM enables consistent, high-


effi ciency conversion across the full range of impedances, fl exibly supporting full and trickle-charge modes with no signifi cant


drop-off in effi ciency at lower power levels – a critical performance benchmark that competing power components have failed to achieve.


This high-effi ciency conversion capability yielded a tightly-consistent, maximum device temperature of 40-45°C, helping to neutralise thermal management constraints across the full power range. WiBotic delivers a dynamic charging solution that enables the next generation of autonomy. Freed from the confi nes of manually-managed charging processes, these devices can achieve new levels of functionality and productivity – with no power constraints to hold them back.


CONTACT:


WiBotic & Vicor Europe www.wibotic.com & www.vicorpower.com


RFS expands its underground footprint worldwide


Radio Frequency Systems (RFS), wireless and broadcast infrastructure solutions supplier, has enlarged its metro footprint to 41% worldwide. RFS counts 82 metro projects in the world that use its RADIAFLEX cable for in-tunnel consumer and critical communications; this includes a presence in 60% of North America’s subways and 49.25% of all metros across Europe.


The RFS RADIAFLEX radiating cables


were patented by RFS in 1972. They are the communication backbone for some of the world’s busiest metros.


RFS has constantly evolved the capabilities automationmagazine.co.uk CONTACT:


Eighty-two metros worldwide use the RFS RADIAFLEX cable for in-tunnel consumer and critical communications


Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) www.rfsworld.com


of its radiating cable with the latest version supporting all mission-critical


and commercial wireless services, working in all 3GPP bands up to 3.8GHz. RFS’s unique mode suppression technology allows the ultra-broadband cable to work with no stopbands. This enables 4G connectivity today, whilst also anticipating future requirements, giving customers fl exibility to migrate to 5G without additional infrastructure investment. The cable is technology-agnostic.


Automation | September 2020


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