Technology update on patent and development trend of power over fiber: a critical review and future prospects

Conventional electricity distribution using copper wires is well established due to its high efficiency. However, recent research and development on power-over-fiber (PoF) has proposed optical fiber as an alternative to copper wire as the transmission medium for electricity distribution. The research and development on PoF technology have gained significant momentum over the past decade due to its advantage over copper cables in providing electrical isolation and reducing space in remote sites. The technological advances in laser diodes, fiber optic cable fabrications, and semiconductor manufacturing contribute to developing an efficient PoF system, making them more commercially viable. This paper reviews various PoF systems that imply different arrangements of high-power lasers, fiber optic cables, and photovoltaic power converters. The PoF systems are made available for various applications such as in-home applications, smart power management, and powering sensors with bidirectional communications. The comparison of the PoF composition, commercialized PoF systems, and patented PoF systems are also comprehensively discussed. Finally, the challenges in implementing PoF systems are highlighted, as well as future prospects for research and applications. The information reviewed in this paper aims to provide a roadmap for developing a future PoF system with improved power conversion efficiency.