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Tesla's Wireless System: Wireless Power Now, Future High-
 Power Communications
By: Michael C Ellis
On: March 18, 2011
For: Terry O'Laughlin
605-150 Spring 2011 Electronic Data Transmission
Madison Area Technical College 3550 Anderson Street | Madison,
Wisconsin 53704
Table of Contents
Abstract ….................................................................................................... 3
Introduction …............................................................................................. 4
The True Wireless by Nikola Tesla (1919) …............................................. 4
Non-Hertzian Nature of Transmission …....................................... 4
Sympathetic Scalar Resonance …................................................... 5
Suggested Theories of Operation …............................................................ 6
Unconventional Ground Wave Phenomena …................................ 6
Communication Through Ground Current …................................ 6
Data Transmission Along a Single Line Without Return …........... 7
Modern Applications and Research …........................................................ 7
Commercial Wireless RF Platforms Fall Short ….......................... 7
Lunar Wireless Power ….................................................................. 7
Resonant Power Realized …............................................................. 7
Conclusion …................................................................................................. 8
Works Cited …................................................................................................ 9
Illustrations
Transmission With Return and Mechanical Analogue ….................... 5
Transmission Without Return and Mechanical Analogue …............... 5
NBS Wireless Telephone Demonstration ….......................................... 6
3
I. Abstract
Nikola Tesla's wireless power distribution system is feasible and applicable to modern
wireless electronic systems. Historic references to Tesla's wireless systems have been clouded
by the assumptions of modern radio theory. Not only could Tesla's system be used to create
truly wireless devices, but with the proper engineering, information systems of low loss through
obstructions otherwise impenetrable to conventional radio waves. Researchers have confirmed
the use of resonant magnetic coupling for powering local devices, and further suggest that this
may be scalable to manufacturing plants. Taking advantage of wireless power distribution
could reduce the use of resources expended on power distribution as well as create transmission
systems that have a lower environmental impact, and create a much safer environment for those
living and working around them.
4
II. Introduction
“Actually in 1892 -- before the birth of electrical engineering itself --- Lorentz arbitrarily
symmetrized the Heaviside equations precisely to eliminate those remaining asymmetrical
systems that had been uncovered by Tesla... Lorentz was elicited to do this at the specific will of
J. P. Morgan, who was in the process of destroying Tesla.” - Thomas E. Bearden
I author this document suggesting the consideration of Nikola Tesla's wireless power
transmission system for the transmission of both power for communications devices and data
in an amplitude modulated, broadband transmission line, or digital form as is appropriate to the
medium. This would require amending Tesla's original demonstration circuits with a receiver
branch for data interpretation, a power rectification/transformation branch connected to a local
power supply, and possibly other security measures to prevent misuse of the transmission.
Much as a crystal radio set requires no input power beside the signal itself, this system could
power a vehicle's radio, stereo and amplification system, and potentially the vehicle itself. The
capacitive element of the circuit used to induce resonance could couple via the conductive layer
of the atmosphere itself, enabling the transmission circuits to couple to a receiver at any point on
the globe.
Unfortunately my experimental model was unsuccessful due to poor transformer coupling
between the input stage/output stage and the transmission coils – easily remedied with a solid
core, and misunderstanding of the relationship of the inductances and capacitances to the
circuit behavior which have been conceptually corrected as explained later. Since significant
demonstration has already been successful in a university research setting (Kurs, et al.), it is
largely in vain to try to reproduce Tesla's power transmission experiment to merely prove that
it exists. This is the primary reason I have changed to authoring this research paper instead of
completing the intended project. This is not to imply that I will not further experiment with this
on a later date, as it appears a very promising undertaking.
III. The True Wireless by Nikola Tesla (1919)
In this groundbreaking article, Nikola Tesla outlines his research and design efforts
to transmit power wirelessly via non-conventional radio physics. He cites Michael Faraday's
research and moves to disprove the efforts of Heinrich Hertz to isolate radio physics into merely
transverse electromagnetic waves of energy. Tesla outlines a system that outperforms Hertzian
waves in such a way as to reveal his prejudice against the shortcomings of the prevailing model.
Non-Hertzian Nature of Transmission
Tesla, describing his system, verifies that he is not working with Hertzian electromagnetic
waves: “Recognizing the limitations of the devices he [Dr. Hertz] had employed, I concentrated
my attention on the production of a powerful induction coil but made no notable progress until
a happy inspiration led to the invention of the oscillation transformer. In the later part of 1891
I was already so far advanced in the development of this new principle that I had at my disposal
means vastly superior to those of the German physicist.”
5
One of those means was the capability to transmit great voltages at a distance with minimal
losses, so much so that Tesla planed to use it, from Wardenclyffe tower in New York, as a
world-wide power distribution network. One of the historical photos of these experiments
shows a high-wattage light bulb illuminated by nothing more than a large receiving coil. Tesla
also found that he could transmit power through mountains without reflection, and in front of
mountainsides without reinforcement. Unlike transverse radio waves, he favored the use of
high frequencies for high-power transfer of energy – this was presently confirmed feasible by
physicists at MIT, outlined later. (Trinkaus, 2)(Kurs, et al.)
Sympathetic Scalar Resonance
Tesla's system is physically marked by sympathetic action of two remote coils. In order
to achieve these effects he takes advantage of the principle of resonance along a single wire.
Tesla notes, “all kinds of devices could be operated through a single wire,” and “it might be
possible, under observance of proper conditions of resonance, to transmit electric energy through
the earth, thus dispensing with all artificial conductors.”(Trinkaus 2) The necessity of a ground
connection is obvious. “As the periodic impulses pass through the wire, differences of potential
will be created along the same as well as right angles to it... either of these may be usefully
applied.”(Trinkaus, 4)
Illustration 1: Transmission With A Return and Mechanical Analouge
When an elevated capacity of only one pole and inductance attached to the ground are tuned
to resonate at the same frequency, energy could essentially interact across the devices with
little consequence in the way of distance or losses through an artificially created reservoir.
By articulating the behavior of varied capacitance relationships for “self-inductance,” Tesla
arrived at the conclusion that the Earth's atmosphere plays a significant role as the other end
of the capacity in certain conditions, and that when the capacity is close to that of the Earth's
atmosphere, special considerations must be undertaken. (Trinkaus, 5) The remainder of his
system behaves like his previously demonstrated transformer systems.
Illustration 2: Transmission Without Return and Mechanical Analouge
6
IV. Suggested Theories of Operation
Unconventional Ground Wave Phenomena
Many modern theories suggest that Tesla was simply using ground-wave transmission
of power via conventional radio waves.(Peterson) These do not take into account the various
observations that Tesla made, and equally disregard that transmission through mountains and
reduced power dissipation when the system is not in use would be impossible when using
conventional radio waves; this behaves closer to a closed-circuit device.
Communication Through Ground Current
Photo 1: Can you hear me now? – Happily inspired, Nikola Tesla Watches Nathan
Stubblefield Demonstrate An Early Wireless Telephone.(qtd in Bedini)
Nathan Stubblefield, one of the early wireless researchers that likely inspired Tesla,
was a melon farmer from Kentucky who invented a number of wireless transmission devices
that took advantage of an earth common without return transmission. Like other farms of the
past, large acreage properties required the use of long expensive cables for communication
and power distribution - this is what is largely believed to have inspired him as an inventor.
Tesla is photographed in the crowd above as Stubblefield demonstrated communication via a
ground-current telephone at audio frequencies (see Photo 1). Stubblefield also patented earth-cell
technology that powered his devices entirely. John Bedini suggested that Stubblefield's design
is closer to Tesla's wireless system of magnetic coupling than a simple ground-current system.
Many hobbyists continue to replicate Stubblefield's earth cell results. (Lasersaber)
7
Data Transmission Along a Single Line Without Return
William Beaty, an avid Tesla technology researcher, suggests that the method of
transmission of power through Tesla's system made use of a similar phenomena to Goubou line
used in the UHF field.
A Goubou line functions as a single transmission line without return, taking advantage of the
dielectric coating on exposed UHF cables, as well as a set of directional horns to contain the
return. Beaty's illustration equivocates the Tesla transmission method to a transformer-like
coupling across the transmitter/receiver coil setup as a whole. This would similarly suggest the
use of ground conduction and include the use of what he proposes are longitudnal waves of
energy around the earth along the transmitter and receiver.
V. Modern Applications and Research
Commercial Wireless RF Energy Platforms Fall Short
Many modern commercial systems are available for wireless transmission of power by
gigahertz radio frequency receivers. The term used to describe them is energy harvesting, due to
the fact that they involve the transmission and re-collection of RF energy at a distance.(Cantrell)
Unfortunately they are not true Tesla wireless systems in contradiction to many of their sale
claims, and would likely waste more energy than simple wires due to the fact that in many
systems the energy is transmitted in all directions constantly instead of through some type of
mutual load or beaming system.
Lunar Wireless Power
In 2008, a research team at Colorado university published an attempt to apply Tesla's
wireless technology to lunar colony scenario. The major problem with a lunar model of wireless
power, the DOE study found, is the lack of an electrical ground in the lunar soil. The wireless
power transfer on the lunar surface would thus require the use of high-energy microwave or RF
energy transmission in a concentrated beam onto collector arrays. This would be more efficient
and lighter weight, they found, than traditional transmission wires but would also present a
significant danger to any workers in the vicinity of the transmission arrays.(Popovic)
Resonant Power Realized
A team of physicists at MIT decided to tackle the problem of recharging wireless devices
by making them truly wireless for all of their power requirements. They used a model of mutual
magnetic resonance in the 6.4MHz spectrum to create devices that recharged themselves across
the distance of a room (a similar scenario to a home appliance system).
Professor Soljacic's project was supposedly inspired by many nights of interrupted sleep from
ailing cell phones. The research was funded by the US Army Research Office, however the
physics behind the concept are already familiar to most musicians and acoustic engineers –
resonance.(Hadley)
"When you have two resonant objects of the same frequency they tend to couple very strongly,
8
When energy is applied to these objects it remains bound to them, rather than escaping to
space. 'Tails' of energy, which can be many metres [sic] long, flicker over the surface.”
This description sounds much like one would visualize the behavior of a plasma or line-of-
force through the electromagnetic aether.(Dollard, 7) According to their research abstract, they
transmitted power “8 times the radius of the coils,” and “were able to transfer 60 watts with
40% efficiency over ∼ distances in excess of 2 meters.”(Kurs, et al.) Their study also included
scalability and efficiency improvement suggestions. If a large coil was built under the upper
floor of a 2-story residence, for example, wireless power could be easily realized anywhere in
the dwelling. The losses cited, however, are a far cry from what Tesla proposed for long-distance
transmission, namely due to the lack of a common ground which would eliminate the necessity
for the formation of tunnels through the air – a low-impedance path of paramagnetic 'conduction'
would already exist.
Soljacic likens the concept to musical resonance between two similarly tuned instruments – the
exact same reference that Tesla makes in his wireless coupling model description. "If you bring
another resonant object with the same frequency close enough to these tails then it turns out that
the energy can tunnel from one object to another," said Professor Soljacic during an interview
with the BBC. (qtd. In Fildes)
Soljacic noted that this would be ideal to scale up for a manufacturing plant's power
requirements. This would obviously eliminate many of the hazards associated with wiring and
transmission of high voltages across the plant.
VI. Conclusion
Modern research into wireless power is presently phenomenal, but very promising. The
studies noted above imply that a major overhaul of our power and communication distribution
may be feasible and even practical once this technology is properly developed. Energy savings
could result for wireless communication technologies that would no longer need to constantly
broadcast at full power without use.
The elimination of the miles of wire used in just a local grid alone could significantly reduce
setup costs for communication/power networks, and nearly eliminate the need for remote
maintenance and hazard services. The aesthetic and health benefits of the removal of said
elevated lines would be worth it alone. With greatly reduced setup cost, comes great savings for
the consumers themselves, increased competition as witnessed with our present cellular wireless
communication technology boom, and thus a boost to the energy-supply sector of our economy.
Power could be generated more remotely from the service area than wires would allow, and
thus safer application of dangerous emissions and radiations from generators could be realized.
At home, wall outlets and their associated hazards would disappear. The only electrical contact
would be through the solid wall, floor or ceiling, or for more distant applications a single ground
wire – no dangerous electrical contacts would need to be exposed.
Should this be realized for the dragging automotive industry, long-range, remotely powered
electrical vehicles may soon become a reality, along with a number of other consumer
applications. High power transmission with minimal obstruction would eventually solve a
majority of the problems modern
9
communication systems face today.
VII. Works Cited
Bearden, Thomas E. “RE: Questions for Mr. Bearden.” June, 2008. <http://www.cheniere.org/
correspondence/060408.htm> Accessed March 18, 2011.
Beaty, William. Tesla's Big Mistake? 1999. <http://amasci.com/tesla/tmistk.html> Accessed
March 13,
2011.
Bedini, John. Nathan Stubblefield Earth Battery: NBS Wireless... Lyoness.com 2006.
<http://www.lyoness.com/science-a- technology/electricity-and-magnetism/item/nathan-
stubblefield-earth-battery> Accessed March 13, 2011. (website currently down)
Cantrell, Tom. “Tune In, Turn On: Power Via Radio Waves” Circuit Cellar, Issue 247, Feb.
2011.
Dollard, Eric. Introduction to Dielectric & Magnetic Discharges in Electrical Windings,
Borderland Sciences, 1982. Currently avaliable through <http://www.TeslaTech.info/>
bookstore.
Fildes, Jonathan. “Physics Promises Wireless Power,” BBC: Daily Tech, Nov. 2006.
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6129460.stm?www.dailytech.com> Accessed March 13,
2011.
Hadley, Franklin. “Goodbye Wires!: MIT Team Successfully Demonstrates...” MIT News, June,
2007.
<http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/wireless-0607.html> Accessed March 14, 2011.
Kurs, et al. Wireless Power Transfer via Strongly Coupled Magnetic Resonances, 2007
<http://www.sciencemag.org/content/317/5834/83.full> Accessed March 14, 2011.
Lasersaber. “Nathan Sutbblefield Coil Runs Motor!” YouTube, 2010 <http://www.youtube.com/
watch?
v=JHPKSdRRPCQ> Accessed March 15, 2011. Lasersaber demonstrates an earth cell with
voltage capable of easily powering a small motor.
Peterson, Gary. Wireless Transmission Theory, June, 2008. TeslaRadio.com.
<http://www.teslaradio.com/pages/wireless_102.htm> Accessed March 13, 2011.
Popovic, Zoya, et al. Lunar Wireless Power Transfer Feasibility Study March, 2008.
Trinkaus, George. Tesla, The True Wireless. (Nikola Tesla. (edited) “The True Wireless” 1919)
High
Voltage Press, 1998. (Illustration 1 and 2)
Wikipedia: “Nathan B. Stubblefield” <http://www.wikipedia.org/> Accessed March 14, 2011.