Wireless Information and Power Transfer: A Bottom-Up Multi-Layer Design Framework

Abstract

The efficiency of wireless information and power transfer (WIPT) systems requires an essential reevaluation and rethinking of the entire transceiver chain, which is characterized by a bottom-up multi-layer design approach. In this article, we introduce and describe the key design layers: “Mathematical modeling,” associated with the investigation of mathematical models for the wireless power transfer process, “Information-theoretic limits,” which refers to the fundamental limits of the WIPT channel, “Link design,” corresponding to signal processing techniques that make WIPT feasible, “System-level perspective,” which studies the developed WIPT techniques from a macroscopic system-level point-of-view, and “Experimental studies,” that refers to real-world implementation of WIPT systems. These layers are well-connected and their interplay is imperative for the effective design of WIPT systems. Specific case studies are discussed, which demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of the aforementioned multi-layer design framework.