"We had long-range RF (radio frequency) and short-range SmartInductive covered, but by adding Magnetic Resonance we can now apply mid-range solutions that deliver more power than RF, and with more freedom of placement than induction offers," said Charles Greene, Ph.D., COO and CTO of Powercast. "With full capabilities across wireless power, we can save manufacturers time and money, and help them create sustainable, maintenance-free, wire-and-disposable-battery-free devices."
Powercast's Magnetic Resonance technology, powered by ETI, wirelessly powers multiple devices with up to 100 watts of total power in a 3D magnetic energy field covering spaces as large as a common desktop (4 x 2 feet). A transmitter with a flexible wire loop is embedded into a surface to create a Wire-Free Power Zone. As devices embedded with power receivers enter the zone, they convert the magnetic energy into electricity to power themselves or charge their batteries. Example applications include a Wire-Free Desk that charges desktop components (i.e., a computer monitor, laptop charging stand, mouse, keyboard, desk lamp, and Qi-compatible phone charger), or a Wire-Free Wall or Workbench where power tools can be hung or placed to recharge.
"This partnership represents a powerful step forward for the wireless power ecosystem," said Jeff Yen, CEO, ETI. "By combining our strengths, we're empowering engineers and innovators with tools that make it easier than ever to design, prototype, and deploy wire-free solutions at scale."
An Eval Kit designed for R&D teams to explore Magnetic Resonance Wire-Free Power is now available: https://www.powercastco.com/magres-devkit/
Powercast's WPT technologies all involve transmitters that send power to receivers embedded in end devices, but they differ in strength, transfer distance and alignment requirements to fit different applications:
- Contact-based SmartInductive, which charges one product at a time like Qi charging of a mobile phone, is the most powerful (up to 600 watts), but the transmitter and receiver must closely align, almost touching. SmartInductive is suited for power-hungry products like telecom, robotics, micro-mobility, medical and underwater charging.
- Over-the-air (OTA) RF delivers lower power (100s of milliwatts to single-digit microwatts) but over longer distances (up to 200 feet) to trickle charge many products at a time over longer periods of time. RF is suited for devices that consume low amounts of power like IoT and home automation sensors, game controllers, wearables, headphones and hearables, keyboards and mice, TV remotes, bathroom devices like electric toothbrushes and shavers, and more.
- Magnetic Resonance covers the middle range, providing up to 100 watts to charge many products at a time that are within range of the desktop-sized (4 x 2 feet) wireless charging loop. This is suited for higher wattage charging for home, office, and industrial applications where multiple devices need power at the same time.
About Powercast
Powercast Corporation, founded in 2003 and based in Pittsburgh, PA, is the go-to resource for wireless charging solutions, ranging from short to long distances and from microwatts to kilowatts, with the industry's broadest technology portfolio backed by over 300 patents worldwide. We design, develop, and manufacture semiconductor chips as well as complete wirelessly-powered products, enabling various levels of customer integration.
Powercast's solutions include RF power-over-distance charging, high-performance short-range inductive charging, mid-range magnetic resonance charging and low-power sensors with up to 25-year battery life, making Powercast the industry's most comprehensive source for wireless power technology. For more information, visit https://www.powercastco.com.
SOURCE Powercast
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