AirFuel launches standard for RF wireless power transfer
The AirFuel Alliance has released a global interoperable specification for RF-based wireless power transfer (WPT) and plans to launch a certification programme.
AirFuel RF allows radio frequency (RF) wireless power over a distance of a few metres and enables rapid charging of multiple devices simultaneously, with systems demonstrated this week at CES 2023 by Energous and Atmosic. The Alliance already has a specification for resonant wireless charging.
Having AirFuel RF as an industry specification opens up RF-based wireless power to further support the growing power needs of the rapidly expanding IoT ecosystem of devices such as sensors, smart tags, asset trackers and other IoT applications.
- 1W distance charging transmitter approved in Europe
- Energous teams for free space power to always-on edge AI
Multiple devices across an array of applications can be powered simultaneously several feet from the power source without the need for precise placement, eliminating the need for wires or the hassle and e-waste associated with batteries. RF technology can be integrated into very small electronic devices, such as electronic shelf labels, wearables, and IoT sensors, making it an attractive wireless power option for large-scale, low-power deployments where cable and battery elimination, placement flexibility, and maintenance avoidance are key considerations, such as large fleets of devices.
“Our members on the RF Working Committee, such as Energous, Atmosic, and SK Telesys, have worked tirelessly to design and release this global interoperable standard,” said Dr. Sanjay Gupta, President, and Chairman of the AirFuel Alliance, which was formed from the merger of the PMA and A4WP groups in 2015.
“Standardization is crucial to worldwide consumer acceptance, interoperability of devices and chargers, and infrastructure development, by creating a network effect for the adoption of technology and sharing a proven framework for others to follow. We will offer an AirFuel Certified Engineer program for RF in the spring as well as other educational opportunities and resources,” he said.
- Xiaomi drives free space wireless charging into the living room
- Atmosic launches self powered Bluetooth 5.3 chip
- Atmosic teams for Exeger’s IoT solar cells
The approval was welcomed by Energous which also has RF WPT for its WattUp technology. Energous received the world’s first FCC Part 18 certification for at-a-distance wireless charging and has been awarded over 200 patents for its WattUp wireless charging technology to-date.
“Energous has been on the AirFuel Alliance board of directors since 2016 and we are proud to have supported this development, a critical milestone for the scalability of the growing ecosystem of IoT devices which need consistent and reliable power,” said Cesar Johnston, CEO of Energous and a member of the AirFuel Alliance Board of Directors.
“The AirFuel RF standard paves the way for broader adoption and deployment of RF-energy harvesting ecosystems that offer ground-breaking multi-device charging capability with true spatial freedom. Energous is proud to have led the efforts since the founding of the AirFuel RF working group chartered to establish this final RF specification,” he said.
“Over-the-air RF-based wireless power enabled by AirFuel RF and our WattUp technology frees IoT deployments from the burdens of replaceable batteries and power cables, enabling a new reality of batteryless, mobile, waterproof, maintenance-free, and easier-to-implement devices.”
“Today marks a significant milestone for the wireless power industry, as it establishes RF-based wireless power as a recommended standard form of wireless power transfer for the industry,” said Dr. Sanjay Gupta, President of AirFuel Alliance. “AirFuel RF allows for the charging of multiple IoT devices with different power needs all at once. Ultimately, this technology enables battery-less devices in applications including wearables, retail, smart sensors, accessories, and more. We are thrilled at its availability as an industry standard.”
“The AirFuel RF specification is a standards-based wireless power transfer solution designed specifically to power the IoT market. With the continued and explosive growth in IoT already contributing to over 3 billion depleted batteries being thrown away every year, we now have a robust solution that can power IoT devices no matter where they may be located in our homes and buildings,” said David Su, CEO of Atmosic.
www.airfuel.org; www.energous.com; www.atmosic.com
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
