Beam collecting efficiency analysis in microwave power transmission demonstration system for SSPS

This paper presents a microwave power transmission demonstration system comprehensively simulating the operating mode and validating the functions and efficiency of microwave power transmission technologies for SSPS (Space Solar Power Station). The transmitting antenna array is a planar microstrip antenna array with quasi-Gaussian distribution. The beam collecting efficiency of this system is about 94% analyzed by theoretical transmission equation and radiation field integral method respectively. Compared with uniform distribution, the beam collecting efficiency in this system is well enhanced.

I. Introduction

Energy problem is one of the major global challenges that every county will be facing. The Space Solar Power Station (SSPS) concept proposed in 1968 by Peter Glaser converts the sun's energy into electricity in space and transmits it to Earth using microwaves [1]. SSPS is one of the environmentally sustainable energy solutions in the future. Although SSPS is a long term development goal, it is attracting increased attention. Microwave power transmission (MPT) one of the key technologies in SSPS has been studied and demonstrated extensively [2]–[4], but some problems still exist such as high accurate beam control, signal synchronization in ultra large array, beam collecting efficiency improving and so on.