A 6.78-MHz Wireless, Mode-Convertible Single-Stage Resonant CC/CV Battery Charger for Implantable Biomedical Devices

We present a 6.78-MHz wireless, mode-convertible single-stage resonant charger (SSRC) that provides constant current/constant voltage charging in an extended coupling range for implantable biomedical devices. To extend the charging range in a wireless inductive link for reliable and seamless power transfer, it automatically switches between normal and resonant modes (NM and RM) by sensing current variation induced from the frequency splitting phenomenon, thereby achieving an extended charging distance up to 104.34 %. In addition, the proposed charger limits the maximum current to avoid excessive charging, that potentially degrades the battery’s health. The prototype SSRC has been fabricated using a 180 nm bipolar/CMOS/DMOS high voltage process with an active area of 0.575 mm2. The performance of the fabricated chip has been characterized on benchtop and ex vivo using a custom-designed 3-D printed fixture. The measurement results verified efficient power delivery to batteries while extending the charging distance from 23 mm to 47 mm in air and a 20-mm-thick pork slice without over-current issues. The measured peak power conversion efficiencies were 89.42 and 76.6 % in the NM and RM, respectively.