Control for Microwave-Driven Agricultural Vehicle

― Tracking System of Parabolic Transmitting Antenna and Vehicle Rectenna Panel ―

Abstract

This microwave-driven vehicle receives microwave power from a system with a magnetron and a parabolic antenna. Running paths, vehicle power consumption, turning angle, and the parabolic antenna depression angle were measured to assess the transmitting system orientation control. The system detects the vehicle position and turns the parabolic antenna to the vehicle. However, the maximum rotation speed of the transmitter turntable was 8.04° /s for a 2 m distance. The transmitter can follow the vehicle at speeds up to 0.14 m/s, but the maximum vehicle speed was 0.26 m/s with the microwave power supply. The low microwave electricity reception efficiency (ca. 5 %) was nevertheless higher than in earlier experiments using a horn antenna instead of a parabolic antenna.