Hearables dev kit for RF-based charging of smart earbuds, headphones

New Products | September 26, 2019

By Rich Pell

Medical Electronics Batteries / Power Supplies Energy Harvesting Wearables Development Kits Power Management Analog RF transmission

Energous has launched a hearable developer kit for manufacturers using its WattUp fast wireless charging.

The hearable developer kits enable fast-charging of devices that require higher power levels, such as Bluetooth earbuds, smart headphones and more.

Each devkit includes a transmitter reference design with power supply, a receiver reference design, mobile app and reference design user guide, as well as transmitter schematic and layout, receiver schematic and layout and software SDK alogside a developer and antenna design guide.

“Interest in our RF-based WattUp wireless charging technology continues to grow as our technology offers substantial benefits over coil and other contact-based wireless charging solutions,” said Stephen R. Rizzone, president and CEO of Energous. “Our new hearable developer kits enable fast-charging and deliver higher power levels required by many of the emerging smart hearables coming to the market. With our developer kits, we are helping make integration easier for manufacturers, while supporting accelerated product development cycles and go-to market timeframes.”

The receiver reference design included in the developer kits incorporates the DA2223 and DA14585 ICs, while the transmitter reference design incorporates the DA14680 and DA4100 ICs and introduces the company’s latest EN3921 and EN3913M front-end ICs.

A common receiver that enables interoperability across WattUp-enabled devices while a small footprint allows WattUp to be integrated into products of various form factors, including devices with curved edges or without flat surfaces. Foreign object detection eliminates thermal issues with metal and other materials and it supports full orientation freedom and 90-degree angle support.

energous.com/applications/hearables