TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter generally relates to methods, systems and apparatus to design, operate and manufacture wireless power and/or data transmission and/or communication systems, and more specifically, to methods, systems and apparatus to design, operate and manufacture a high efficiency structure for use in near-field wireless power and/or data transmission and/or communication systems.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, applications employing near-field wireless power and/or data transmission and/or communication systems, such as commercial electronics, medical systems, military systems, high frequency transformers, microelectronics including nanoscale power and/or data transfer or microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) thereof, industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band receivers, wireless sensing and the like, have been limited in achieving optimal performance because the antennas (also referred to as resonators) utilized in these systems have relatively low quality factors.

The relatively low quality factors of these wireless transmission and/or communication systems are mainly due to higher resistive losses caused by a phenomenon known as the “skin effect.” Generally, skin effect is the tendency of an alternating electric current (AC) to distribute itself within a conductor such that the current density is more predominant near the surface of the conductor with the remaining conductor body ‘unused’ relative to electrical current flow. The remaining conductor body is ‘unused’ relative to electrical current flow because the current density typically decays with distance therewithin away from the surface of the conductor. The electric current flows mostly near the surface, and is referred to as the “skin” of the conductor. The depth at which current flows from the surface is referred to as the “skin depth.” The “skin depth” then defines the electrical signal conducting path that is active in transmission and/or communication, while the conductor is defined as the body that is capable of conducting an electrical signal.

In systems employing wireless power and/or data transmission and/or communication, the skin effect phenomenon generally causes energy loss as current flows through the antenna wire and circuit. Higher resistive loss at high frequencies is a problem faced by most electronic devices or appliances. Skin effect becomes more prevalent when operating frequency increases. With higher frequencies, current that normally flows through the entire cross section of the wire forming the antenna becomes restricted to its surface. As a result, the effective resistance of the wire is similar to that of a thinner wire rather than of the actual diameter through which the current could be distributed. A wire exhibiting tolerable resistance for efficient performance at low frequency transitions into a wire of unacceptable resistance at high frequency. The transition from tolerable to unacceptable resistance translates into an inefficient power and/or data transmission and/or communication system that is unable to conduct an electrical signal as needed in particular applications. Additionally, today's antenna designs do not resolve these inefficiencies, and, in some cases, exacerbate the inefficiencies of a wireless power and/or data transmission and/or communication system. Although not exhaustive, typical applications limited by current antenna technology include, for example, radio frequency identification (RFID), battery charging and recharging, telemetry, sensing, communication, asset tracking, patient monitoring, data entry and/or retrieval and the like. Overheating of system components, rate and accuracy of data retrieval, rate of energy delivery, transmission distance constraints, and transmission misalignment limitations are other serious problems in wireless power and/or data transmission and/or communication applications.

In applications of Implanted Medical Devices (IMDs), such as pacemakers, defibrillators and neuromodulation or neuromuscular stimulation devices, there is a desire to minimize battery recharge time. Faster battery recharge time reduces, for example, patient duration of discomfort, inconvenience, and potential for injury. If antennas have less resistive losses, battery recharge could be accomplished from greater distances and with higher tolerance to antenna misalignment or disorientation without compromising performance. Precise orientation and alignment is known to be difficult to achieve, especially for obese patients. Additionally, and/or alternatively, if structures of smaller sizes can be designed and practically manufactured while maintaining the performance characteristics required for successful system operation, then the overall dimensions of IMD's could be decreased.

In RFID applications, such as supply chain management, product authenticity, and asset tracking, there is a need to increase read range, increase read rates, improve system reliability and improve system accuracy. At high frequency for example, read range is at most three feet which is generally insufficient for pallet tracking. Ultra high frequency readers enable greater read distances of eight to ten feet, however, they introduce other performance issues like signals that are reflected by metal or are absorbed by water, or display unreadable, null spots in read fields. Increased read range requires concentrated power to facilitate reflecting back the signal for better performance, hence, a more efficient structure could help solve these issues.

In applications requiring efficient low loss coils which need to maintain resonance under harsh conditions, conventional wire-based antennas could be deformed. It is well known that any deformation of the wire cross-section will lead to a change in inductance and possibly resistance, which in turn will change the resonance frequency of the antenna and consequently may increase overall system resistance. Improved methods of manufacturing these types of structures that reduce the potential for compromising deformation could eliminate this problem. The present teachings include methods of manufacture that include both rigid structure designs and fixed flexible structure designs.

Litz wires were developed, in part, in an attempt to address the issues discussed above. However, Litz wires are generally insufficient for use in high frequency applications, and are therefore generally not useful in applications having operating frequencies above about 3 MHz. A Litz wire is a wire consisting of a number of individually insulated magnet wires twisted or braided into a uniform pattern, so that each wire strand tends to take all possible positions in the cross-section of the entire conductor. This multi-strand configuration or Litz construction is designed to minimize the power losses exhibited in solid conductors due to “skin effect”. Litz wire constructions attempt to counteract this effect by increasing the amount of surface area without significantly increasing the size of the conductor. However, even properly constructed Litz wires exhibit some skin effect due to the limitations of stranding. Wires intended for higher frequency ranges generally require more strands of a finer gauge size than Litz wires of equal cross-sectional area but composed of fewer and larger strands. The highest frequency at which providers of Litz wires offer configurations capable of improving efficiencies is about 3 MHz. There is currently no solution for applications with operating frequencies beyond this 3 MHz maximum frequency limit.

Hence a need exists for an improved high efficiency structure design and method of manufacture that reduces the intrinsic resistive losses of the structure, and in particular reduces intrinsic resistive losses of the structure at high frequencies to achieve high quality factors.

SUMMARY

The teachings herein alleviate one or more of the above noted problems of higher resistive losses at high frequencies resulting in lower quality factors by utilizing a multi-layer (ML) wire structure concept to increase the area of conductance therewithin. The multi-layer wire configuration results in a reduction of conductor loss and an increase in the quality factor of the structure. The present teachings apply to wireless transmission and/or communication for near-field energy transfer, power transfer, data transfer or combinations thereof. More specifically, the present teachings apply to wireless transmission and/or communication for near-field antennas, energy networks, power networks or data networks, including any and all combinations of such networks.

Wireless energy transfer or wireless power transmission is the transmission of electrical energy from a power source to an electrical load without interconnecting wires. For wireless transmission of energy, power or data, efficiency is a significant parameter, as the transmission signal must arrive at the receiver or receivers to make the system practical. The most common form of wireless transmission involving energy, power, or data transfer is carried out using induction followed by resonant magnetic induction. Other methods currently being considered include electromagnetic radiation, for example but not limited to, microwaves or lasers.

In addition, wireless energy reception or wireless power reception is the reception of electrical energy from a power source without interconnecting wires. For wireless reception of energy, power or data, efficiency is a significant parameter, as the reception of a signal must be received from a transmitter or transmitters to make the system practical. As such, the forms of wireless reception embodying energy, power or data can be carried out using direct induction, resonant magnetic induction as well as electromagnetic radiation in the form of microwaves or lasers. In addition, wireless energy may comprise harvested energy. For example harvested energy may comprise solar energy, kinetic energy, vibration based-energy harvesting, or thermal energy.

Furthermore, the embodiments of the present application are capable of wireless communication of electrical energy, electrical power and/or data without interconnecting wires. Wireless communication embodies the transmission and/or reception of electrical energy, electrical power or data either simultaneously or independently.

One aspect of the present teachings is a resonator for wireless power and/or data transfer or reception wherein resistive losses within the resonator are minimized by maximizing useful conductor cross-sectional area in a wire cross section. In one embodiment, the resonator mitigates the unwanted high frequency skin effect by introducing non-conducting dielectric layers within its wire, resulting in a structure that comprises layers of conducting material alternating with layers of non-conducting material. The structure effectively provides an increased number of surfaces each with its characteristic skin depth and all electrically, or otherwise, connected. The skin depth may range from approximately one-half of the conductor depth to about equal to the conductor depth. The conductor depth may be in the range of skin depth to twice the skin depth. However, depending on the available technology, costs, and application, the conductor depth may be as large as twenty times or more the skin depth.

The resonator may include a coil having at least one turn wherein the coil is made up of a multi-layer wire structure. The multi-layer wire structure may include a first and second conductive layer separated by a layer of insulating material. The conductive layers may have substantially the same thickness and/or depth, wherein the thickness and/or depth may be in the range of skin depth to twice the skin depth. However, depending on the available technology, costs, and application, the conductor thickness and/or depth may be as large as twenty times or more the skin depth. Each conductive layer may be electrically connected to each other using at least one method of interconnect, such as but not limited to a via, a solder, a tab, a wire, a pin, or a rivet.

In another embodiment of the present teachings is an antenna for wireless power and/or data transfer or reception wherein resistive losses within the antenna are minimized by maximizing useful conductor cross-sectional area in a wire cross section. In an embodiment the present application incorporates the multi-layer structural design within an antenna configured to transmit or receive wireless energy and/or data. Specifically, the multi-layer structure may be incorporated as the antenna itself or, alternatively, may be positioned within an antenna housing.

The multi-layer structure improves antenna transmission and reception and alleviates one or more of the above noted problems of higher resistive losses at high frequencies that result in lower antenna quality factors. The antenna of the present application mitigates the unwanted high frequency skin effect by introducing non-conducting dielectric layers within its structure, resulting in a structure that comprises layers of conducting material alternating with layers of non-conducting material. In addition, as will be explained in more detail, the antenna of the present application may comprise a structure having a multi-layer-multi-turn (MLMT) design. The additional curved orientation of the multi-layer-multi-turn structure also minimizes resistive losses, particularly at high frequencies that results in lower antenna quality factors. Both the multi-layer and multi-layer-multi-turn structures of the antenna effectively provide for an increased number of surfaces each with its characteristic skin depth and all electrically, or otherwise, connected. The skin depth may be dimensioned to be about the same as or less than the conductor thickness. In an embodiment, the skin depth may range from approximately one-half of the conductor thickness to about equal to the conductor thickness.

The antenna may comprise the shape of a coil having at least one turn wherein the coil is made up of a multi-layer wire. The multi-layer wire may include a first and second conductive layer separated by a layer of insulating material. The conductive layers may have substantially the same thickness and/or depth, wherein the thickness and/or depth may be in the range of skin depth to twice the skin depth. Each conductive layer may be electrically connected to each other using at least one method of interconnect, such as but not limited to a via, a solder, a tab, a wire, a pin, or a rivet.

One purpose of the non-conducting layer within the multi-layer structure is to insulate two different conducting layers. The most basic design of the non-conducting layer would ideally be as thin as the manufacturing process practically permits, while still providing sufficient insulating properties. For example, in PCB technology, the thickness of layers is dictated by the “core thickness” and the pre-preg thickness. In another design, the thickness of the non-conducting layer is selected to modify the electrical behavior of the structure.

The resonator or antenna may have a quality factor greater than 50. Preferably, the quality factor is greater than 350. Most preferably, the quality factor is greater than 600. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that systems requiring two resonators or two antennas may exhibit substantially similar quality factors. Also, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that systems requiring two resonators or two antennas wherein one of the resonators or antennas may exhibit a quality factor that is substantially different than the other. The quality factor selection for each resonator or antenna will depend on the application, the design specification for each and the intended use of each resonator or antenna. Additionally, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the quality factor of a resonator or an antenna may be dependent on the environment in which it is used, so, for example, a resonator or an antenna that has a quality factor of 100 in air, may only have a quality factor of 50 or lower when implanted in human or animal tissue or when it is packaged in a compact hand held device within a metallic environment. In any given environment, the MLMT structure of the present application described herein should outperform traditional resonators or antennas.

As a result, the reduction of losses in the wire and the significantly reduced internal resistance of the resonator or antenna could enable high efficiency, extended range, compact wireless systems that consume less energy, have longer run time and simplify operation without compromising events like overheating.

In one example, there is disclosed a structure for wireless transmission or wireless reception. The structure is designed to wirelessly transmit and/or receive electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, and/or electrical power. In addition, the structure is capable of electronic data transmission. Furthermore, the structure is capable of transmitting and/or receiving a combination of electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, electrical power and electronic data together or separately. Moreover, the transmission of either or both of the electrical energy and data may be wirelessly transmitted at about the same or different frequencies. For example, electrical energy may be wirelessly transmitted at a first frequency while data may be wirelessly transmitted at a second frequency that is about the same or different than the first frequency. Furthermore, the wireless transmission of the electrical energy and electronic data may occur simultaneously or at different times or time intervals.

In addition, transmission or reception of the electrical energy or data by the antenna may be triggered or halted by an identification code. In this embodiment, an identification code is received by the antenna prior to wireless transmission of the electrical energy and/or data. In an embodiment, the identification code serves to provide a handshake or identification marker that helps ensure wireless transmission or reception to a specific antenna or antennas. In addition, the identification code may serve to activate or deactivate an antenna. The identification code may also signal that the transmission or reception of data or electrical energy is forthcoming and may provide parameters about a future transmission, such as size, duration, or time. The identification code may include, but is not limited to, a data signal, an alpha numeric string, a binary code, an amount of electrical power, an electrical voltage, an electrical current or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the identification code may be transmitted at a specific sequence, frequency, frequencies or time interval such that the identification code is a unique.

The multi-layer structure of the resonator or antenna may comprise a plurality of conductor layers, an insulator layer separating each of the conductor layers, and at least one connector connecting two or more of the conductor layers. Each of the plurality of conductor layers may have at least one turn and may further be placed in a parallel orientation. Each conductor layer may be formed from an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material may be comprised of copper, Aluminum, titanium, platinum and platinum/iridium alloys, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, hafnium, nitinol, Co—Cr—Ni alloys, stainless steel, gold, a gold alloy, palladium, carbon, silver, a noble metal or a biocompatible material and any combination thereof. The conductor layer may have a cross-sectional shape, such as, but not limited to, a circular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, a square cross-section, a triangular cross-section, or an elliptical cross-section. The connector connecting the conductor layers may be but is not limited to a via, a solder, a tab, a wire, a pin, or a rivet.

The MLMT structure may have structural shape, such as but not limited to a circular solenoidal configuration, a square solenoidal configuration, a circular spiral configuration, a square spiral configuration, a rectangular configuration, a triangular configuration, a circular spiral-solenoidal configuration, a square spiral-solenoidal configuration, and a conformal solenoid configuration. Other configurations may be used to modify the electrical properties of the structure, or to conform to the space available on a specific device

An electrical resistance in the MLMT structure may be reduced when an electrical signal is induced in the resonator or antenna at a frequency. The frequency may be selected from a frequency range from about 100 kHz to about 10 GHz. Further, the frequency may be a frequency band that ranges from or is within about 100 kHz to about 10 GHz. The electrical signal may be an electrical current, an electrical voltage, a digital data signal or any combination thereof.

The resonator or antenna may comprise a plurality of conductors, each conductor having a conductor length, a conductor height, a conductor depth, and a conductive surface having a skin depth. The skin depth may range from approximately one-half of the conductor depth to about equal to the conductor depth. The conductor depth may be in the range of skin depth to twice the skin depth. However, depending on the available technology, costs, and application, the conductor depth may be as large as twenty times or more the skin depth. The plurality of conductor layers may have at least one turn. Further, each of the plurality of conductor layers may or may not have substantially the same conductor length, conductor height, or conductor depth. The conductor layers may be formed from an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material may be comprised of copper, aluminum, titanium, platinum and platinum/iridium alloys, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, hafnium, nitinol, Co—Cr—Ni alloys, stainless steel, gold, a gold alloy, palladium, carbon, silver, a noble metal or a biocompatible material and any combination thereof.

The plurality of conductors may be arranged to form a resonator body. The resonator body may have a resonator body length, a resonator body width and a resonator body depth. When an electrical signal is induced through the resonator body, the electrical signal propagates through the conducting surface of skin depth. The electrical signal may be an electrical current, an electrical voltage, a digital data signal or any combination thereof. Similarly, the plurality of conductors may be arranged to form an antenna body. The antenna body may have an antenna body length, an antenna body width and an antenna body depth. When an electrical signal is induced through the antenna body, the electrical signal propagates through the conducting surface of skin depth. The electrical signal may be an electrical current, an electrical voltage, a digital data signal or any combination thereof.

The plurality of conductors in the resonator or antenna may comprise a first conductor layer and a second conductor layer separated by an insulator layer wherein the first conductor layer is connected to the second conductor layer or more by at least one connector. The conductor may have a cross-sectional shape, such as but not limited to a circular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, a square cross-section, a triangular cross-section, or an elliptical cross-section. The resonator or antenna may have a structural shape such as but not limited to a circular solenoidal, a square solenoidal configuration, a circular spiral configuration, a square spiral configuration, a rectangular configuration, a triangular configuration, a circular spiral-solenoidal configuration, a square spiral-solenoidal configuration, or a conformal solenoid configuration.

There is also disclosed a circuit for wireless transmission or wireless reception. The circuit is designed to wirelessly transmit and/or receive electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, and electrical power. In addition, the circuit is capable of electronic data transmission. Furthermore, the circuit is capable of transmitting a combination of electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, electrical power and electronic data together or separately. In addition, the circuit may be configured to receive or prepare the identification code for transmission. The circuit may activate or de-activate the antenna as well as control the operation of the antenna so that a specific amount of energy or data is transmitted or received. Furthermore, the circuit may be used to control the frequency, time interval or sequence at which electrical energy and/or data is transmitted or received.

Circuits at high frequencies extensively use passive elements such as inductors, capacitors, and the like. Some examples of such circuit configurations include but are not limited to band pass, high pass and low pass filters; mixer circuits (e.g., Gilbert Cell); oscillators such as Colpitts, Pierce, Hartley, and clap; and, amplifiers such as differential, push pull, feedback, and radio-frequency (RF). Specifically, inductors are used in matching and feedback in low noise amplifiers (LNAs) as a source degeneration element. Lumped inductors are also essential elements in RF circuits and monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs). Lumped inductors are used in on-chip matching networks where transmission line structures may be of excessive length. Often, they are also used as RF chokes allowing bias currents to be supplied to circuits while providing broad-band high impedance at RF frequencies and above. RF MEMS switches, matching networks and varactors that are ideal for reconfigurable networks, antennas and subsystems also need high Q inductors. Note, passive circuit element and lumped element, such as lumped inductor, may be used interchangeably with passive circuit element being the broader term. The passive circuit element may be an inductor, a capacitor, a resistor or just a wire. In nearly all the above mentioned circuit examples, not meant to be limiting, it is desired that the passive components are minimally lossy.

Given circuits at high frequencies extensively use passive elements such as inductors and capacitors, an embodiment is given using but is not limited to an inductor. Specifically considering an inductor, the designs should be such that maximum Q is attained while achieving the desired inductance value. In other words, the resistive loss in the inductor needs to be minimized. Depending on the frequency of operation, available area on the substrate, the application and the technology, the inductor can be implemented as, but not limited to, a TEM/transmission line, a conductive loop, or a spiral/solenoid/combination structure of several shapes, for example, but not limited to, a circle, a rectangle, an ellipsoid, a square, or an irregular configuration. All these embodiments, not meant to be limiting, may be realized using the multi-layer structure in the present application.

In another example, a resonator as part of a larger circuit is discussed. A resonator is a device or a system that exhibits resonance (i.e., oscillates) at specific frequency, frequencies, or frequency band(s), called the resonance frequency, frequencies, or frequency band(s). At the resonance frequency, frequencies, or frequency band(s), there is minimum impedance to oscillation. In the context of electrical circuits, there is minimum electrical impedance at the resonance frequency, frequencies, or frequency band(s). The MLMT structure of the present invention may act as a resonator under two fundamental conditions: (1) When the MLMT structure is designed to resonate at a specific frequency, frequencies, or frequency band(s), in its environment without any additional electrical components; (2) When the MLMT structure is designed to resonate at a specific frequency, frequencies, or frequency band(s), in its environment in combination with other components (for example, but not limited to, a capacitor, a capacitor bank, a capacitor and/or an inductor network). Thus, the resonator may be part of a larger circuit, and the resonance behavior may be designed to occur at a frequency, frequencies, or frequency band(s), or at a frequency, frequencies, or frequency band(s) with a certain bandwidth or certain bandwidths. Additional components (e.g., resistance) may also be added to alter the bandwidth(s).

There is also disclosed a system for wireless transmission or wireless reception. The system is designed to wirelessly transmit and/or receive electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, and electrical power. In addition, the system is capable of electronic data transmission. Furthermore, the system is capable of transmitting a combination of electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, electrical power and electronic data together or separately.

The system may comprise a first resonator or antenna comprising a plurality of first conductors, each first conductor having a first conductor length, a first conductor height, a first conductor depth, and a first conductive surface having a first skin depth. The plurality of first conductors may be arranged to form a first resonator body or first antenna body having a first resonator body length or first antenna length, a first resonator body width or first antenna body width and a first resonator body depth or first antenna body depth. The system may also comprise a second resonator or antenna comprising a plurality of second conductors, each second conductor having a second conductor length, a second conductor height, a second conductor depth, and a second conductive surface having a second skin depth. The plurality of second conductors may be arranged to form a second resonator body or second antenna body having a second resonator body length or second antenna body length, a second resonator body width or second antenna body width and a second resonator body depth or second antenna body depth. The first skin depth and the second skin depth may be dimensioned to be less than or about equal to its respective conductor depth. In an embodiment, the first skin depth and the second skin depth may be dimensioned to be approximately one-half of the conductor depth to about equal to the conductor depth of the respective conductor depth. The first and second conductors may have at least one turn and each of the plurality of first and second conductor layers may or may not have substantially the same conductor length, conductor height, and conductor depth. The first conductor depth and the second conductor depth may be dimensioned to be in the range of skin depth to twice the skin depth. However, depending on the available technology, costs, and application, the first conductor depth and the second conductor depth may be dimensioned to be as large as twenty times or more the skin depth. The first and second conductor layers may be formed from an electrically conductive material such as, but not limited to, copper, Aluminum, titanium, platinum and platinum/iridium alloys, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, hafnium, nitinol, Co—Cr—Ni alloys, stainless steel, gold, a gold alloy, palladium, carbon, silver, a noble metal or a biocompatible material and any combination thereof.

When an electrical signal is propagated through the first resonator body or first antenna body, the electrical signal propagates through the first conducting surface of skin depth and further induces an electrical signal through the second resonator body. The induced electrical signal propagates through the second conducting surface at skin depth. The electrical signal may be an electrical current, an electrical voltage, and a digital data signal, or combinations thereof.

The plurality of first conductors may comprise a first conductor layer and a second conductor layer separated by an insulator layer wherein the first conductor layer is connected to the second conductor layer or more by at least one connector. The connector connecting the conductor layers may be, but is not limited to, a via, a solder, a tab, a wire, a pin, or a rivet. The first conductor may have a first cross-sectional shape and the second conductor may have a second cross-sectional shape. The first and the second cross-sectional shapes are non-limiting and may be one of a circular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, a square cross-section, a triangular cross-section, or an elliptical cross-section.

The first resonator or first antenna may have a first structural shape and the second resonator or second antenna may have a second structural shape. The first and the second structural shapes are non-limiting and may be a circular solenoidal configuration, a square solenoidal configuration, a circular spiral configuration, a square spiral configuration, a rectangular configuration, a triangular configuration, a circular spiral-solenoidal configuration, a square spiral-solenoidal configuration, or a conformal solenoid configuration.

In addition, there is disclosed a method for manufacturing a structure for wireless transmission or wireless reception. The method of manufacturing creates the multi-layer (ML) or multi-layer-multi-turn (MLMT) structure of the present application that is capable of wirelessly transmitting and/or receiving electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, and electrical power. In addition, the resulting structure is capable of electronic data transmission or reception. Furthermore, the resulting structure is capable of transmitting and/or receiving a combination of electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, electrical power and electronic data together or separately.

The method may comprise the steps of creating a plurality of conductor layers having an insulator between each of the conductor layers and forming at least one connection between two of the plurality of conductors. The connector connecting the conductor layers may be but is not limited to a via, a solder, a tab, a wire, a pin, or a rivet. The conductor layers may be created by depositing through a mask. The step of creating a plurality of conductor layers having an insulator between each of the conductor layers may further include the steps of placing a first conductive layer on top of a second conductive layer and separating the first conductive layer from the second conductive layer with a first insulator. Further, the step of forming at least one connection between two of the plurality of conductors may include the steps of connecting at least two of the conductive layers comprising but not limited to a via, a solder, a tab, a wire, a pin, or a rivet. The conductor layers may be formed from an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material may be comprised of copper, titanium, platinum and platinum/iridium alloys, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, hafnium, nitinol, Co—Cr—Ni alloys, stainless steel, gold, a gold alloy, palladium, carbon, silver, a noble metal or a biocompatible material and any combination thereof.

There is also disclosed a method for operating a structure to provide wireless transmission or wireless reception, such the multi-layer or multi-layer-multi-turn structure of the present application. The method comprises the steps of providing a structure that is capable of wireless transmission and/or wireless reception of electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, and/or electrical power. In addition, the method provides the steps of providing a structure that is capable of electronic data transmission or reception. Furthermore, the method provides the steps of providing a structure that is capable of transmitting and/or receiving a combination of electrical energy, electromagnetic energy, electrical power and electronic data together or separately.

The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of conductors, each conductor having a conductor length, a conductor height, a conductor depth, and a conductive surface having a skin depth. Further, the method comprises the steps of providing the skin depth to range approximately one-half of the conductor depth to about equal to the conductor depth. The conductor depth may be in the range of skin depth to twice the skin depth. However, depending on the available technology, costs, and application, the conductor depth may be as large as twenty times or more the skin depth. The plurality of conductors may be arranged to form a resonator body having a resonator body length, a resonator body width and a resonator body depth; and, inducing an electrical signal in at least one of the plurality of conductors such that the electrical signal propagates through the conducting surface of the skin depth. The electrical signal may be an electrical current, an electrical voltage, a digital data signal or any combination thereof.

The method may also include the step of providing a second plurality of conductors, each of the second conductors having a second conductor length, a second conductor height, a second conductor depth, and a second conductive surface having a second skin depth wherein the plurality of second conductors are arranged to form a second resonator body having a second resonator body length, a second resonator body width and a second resonator body depth. When an electrical signal is propagated through the resonator body, the electrical signal propagates through the conducting surface of the skin depth and further induces an electrical signal through the second resonator body, and the induced electrical signal propagates through the second conducting surface at the second skin depth.

The plurality of conductors may comprise a first conductor layer and a second conductor layer separated by an insulator layer wherein the first conductor layer is connected to the second conductor layer by at least one connector. Further, the at least one connection connecting at least two of the conductive layers comprises but is not limited to a via, a solder, a tab, a wire, a pin, or a rivet. The conductor may have a cross-sectional shape not limited to a circular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, a square cross-section, a triangular cross-section, and an elliptical cross-section. The plurality of conductor layers may have at least one turn and each of the plurality of conductor layers may or may not have substantially the same conductor length, conductor height, and conductor depth. The conductor layer may be formed from an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material may be comprised of copper, aluminum, titanium, platinum and platinum/iridium alloys, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, hafnium, nitinol, Co—Cr—Ni alloys, stainless steel, gold, a gold alloy, palladium, carbon, silver, a noble metal or a biocompatible material or any combination thereof.

The resonator may have a structural shape not limited to a circular solenoidal configuration, a square solenoidal configuration, a circular spiral configuration, a square spiral configuration, a rectangular configuration, a triangular configuration, a circular spiral-solenoidal configuration, a square spiral-solenoidal configuration, and a conformal solenoid configuration. Additional advantages and novel features will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The advantages of the present teachings may be realized and attained by practice or use of various aspects of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations set forth in the detailed examples discussed below.

