Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) Expands Board of Directors and Posts Certification Program Progress

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) today announced the expansion of its board to include global leaders Integrated Device Technology (IDT),Samsung Electro-Mechanics (SEMCO) and Gill Industries.  These companies join A4WP co-founders Qualcomm Incorporated and Samsung Electronics to significantly expand smartphone market segment representation and impact on the A4WP board.

"The Alliance for Wireless Power is focused on delivering spatial freedom to the smartphone wireless charging user experience," said Dr. Kamil A. Grajski, President of A4WP.  "The addition of IDT, a leading wireless charging chip manufacturer, SEMCO, a global leader in smartphone module manufacturing, and Gill Industries, an emerging leader in wireless charging infrastructure manufacturing, underscores the momentum and expansion of the A4WP ecosystem."

Formed in May 2012, the A4WP is a global, independently operated alliance dedicated to delivering a flexible wireless power technology to the consumer electronics and automotive marketplace. A4WP technology is a next generation wireless power technology (whose technical specification was approved on January 2, 2013) that gives manufacturers and industrial designers greater flexibility when integrating wireless power into devices and surfaces, and delivers a more convenient, easy to use charging experience.

"IDT today manufactures an array of award winning wireless power ICs that enable wireless charging across a broad range of applications and we are excited to add chip-level support for Alliance for Wireless Power compliant power-transmitting and power receiving modules and devices," said Arman Naghavi, vice president and general manager of the Analog and Power Division at IDT.

"SEMCO recognizes the opportunity that exists in the market to deliver module-level certified and compliant wireless charging products for chargers and smartphones," said Dr. Sung, principal engineer at Samsung Electro-Mechanics.  "The intricacies of managing and integrating multiple technologies into form factors that consumers desire make module-level wireless charging solutions of particular interest to smartphone and infrastructure manufacturers."

"Gill Industries sits at the top of the supply chain for wireless charging infrastructure by integrating chip-level and module-level products into solutions for automotive systems, home, office, and hospitality furniture, and professional work environments that deliver the spatial freedom that consumers desire for wireless charging of their mobile electronics," said Brad Miller, Director of Advanced Development at Gill Industries Inc.

Certification Program Progress

Following the announcement at CES 2013 of the approval of the Alliance for Wireless Power Version 1.0 interoperability specification and demonstration of prototype products, the A4WP Certification Working Committee has approved an overall certification program framework based on ISO Guide 65, the international standard listing requirements for operating product certification systems, ISO 9001, the international standard for quality system certification, and ISO 17025, the international standard for testing laboratories.

"The Alliance for Wireless Power, working with its broad base of smartphone industry suppliers, test labs and test equipment makers is focused in establishing a world class wireless charging certification program for modules and smartphones," said Scott Fischel, chair of the A4WP Certification Working Committee.  "Next up is finalization of the specification of the processes and procedures for the interactions amongst a to-be-named certification authority, authorized laboratories, test equipment vendors and OEMS."

Mobile World Congress

Representatives from the board of directors as well as member companies including SanDisk, Peiker Acustic, Maxim Integrated and Wurth Electronics, will demonstrate the latest advances in wireless power at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain from February 25-28. The Alliance for Wireless Power can be found at the Fira Gran Via in Hall 2, Stand 2MR204.

A video demonstrating A4WP's flexible wireless power can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/b9ppdn9

About The Alliance for Wireless Power
The Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) formed in May 2012 is an industry association open to companies interested in advancing the field of wireless power by delivering a specification that permits spatial freedom. The specification, based on non-radiative, near-field magnetic resonance, goes beyond current charging methods to transfer power wirelessly through surfaces to portable devices such as mobile phones, tablets, computers, headsets, digital cameras and e-readers. A4WP combines the research and design capabilities of some of the world's leading electronics companies to promote a specification for wireless power technology, products and services. For more information, visit www.a4wp.org.

For membership inquiries, please contact:

Debbie McGinnis
A4WP Account Manager
[email protected]
510-492-4027

SOURCE Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP)