Power–Packet Conversion Methods and Analysis of Scheduling Schemes for Wireless Power Transfer

Recently, electromagnetic wireless power transfer (WPT) has emerged as a promising technology for supplying power to multiple terminals. Previous studies have devised packet transmission methods, commonly used in telecommunication, for power analysis. This study develops a simulator that calculates the received power by integrating a power–packet conversion method, based on previous research. The simulator incorporates several scheduling functions to facilitate the investigation of the efficiency of the power-feeding methods. This study analyzes the efficacy of a first-come–first-served (FCFS) method, a round-robin (RR) method, and a multilevel feedback queue (MFQ) scheme for wireless power transfer, all of which were devised based on existing scheduling methods used in operating systems. Simulation results show that, although the FCFS method is simple, it may lead to battery depletion due to delayed power supply, particularly in terminals with lower initial battery levels. The RR method improves fairness by allocating the power supply in time slices; however, its performance is sensitive to the slice duration. The MFQ method, which incorporates a promotion mechanism based on battery status and power demand, exhibits higher adaptability, achieving efficient and balanced power distribution even when terminals differ in distance from the transmitter or in power consumption. These evaluations were conducted using a proposed power–packet conversion method that discretizes continuous power into packet units, allowing for the application of communication network-inspired scheduling and control techniques. The capacity to construct such models enables the simulator to analyze the flow and distribution of power, predict potential issues that may arise in real systems in advance, and devise optimal control methodologies. Moreover, the model can be employed to enhance the efficiency of power management systems and construct smart grids, and it is anticipated to be utilized for the integration of power and communication systems.