Long Duration Flight Using Wireless Power Transmission and Solar Power

The proposed research project will demonstrate the feasibility to fly a small uninhabited aircraft for very long, multiday missions by providing it with power using a mix of wireless power transmission and solar-power. The wireless power transmission will be sent as a directed microwave beam from a ground-based transmitter and received using rectennas that are attached to the lower surface of the aircraft wing. Solar-cells on the upper wing surface and batteries will complement the power needs. The subsequent ability to fly indefinitely has many benefits for Canada’s large, sparsely-populated areas that are often underserved with infrastructure and access. Similarly, this technology, which promises to be less cost-intensive than most alternatives, can become a useful airborne asset for Canadian Northern sovereignty operations. Aside from these domestic applications, the research will help to continue the expansion of Canada’s leadership in uninhabited autonomous aircraft technology worldwide.

Faculty Supervisor:

Goetz Bramesfeld;Marco Antoniades

Student:

Partner:

Columbiad Launch Services

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Toronto Metropolitan University

Program: