Drones could stay airborne longer with help from microwave beams

Drones have long been tipped for widespread use in future smart cities, including delivery services, search and rescue operations and surveillance.

However, powering the unmanned aerial vehicles has so far been limited to small battery packs, giving them a flight time of only around 20 minutes.

Now researchers at Queen’s University Belfast are developing technology that could see the drones powered by microwave beams from the ground, opening up the possibility of continuous flight.

Existing wireless power transfer (WPT) systems require very close proximity, such as the charging pads used for smartphones and electric cars, based on electromagnetic induction.

Instead, in an EPSRC-funded project, which also involves Qinetiq, the researchers are developing RF-DC technology to wirelessly transfer up to 200W over distances of around 25m, according to Dr Neil Buchanan, the project leader.

As part of the project, the researchers will be developing new wireless power transmitters and receivers, said Buchanan.