Wi-Charge
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Gen2 Receiver Boosts Over-the-Air Wireless Charging

Feb. 16, 2023
Enhancements reduce footprint and increase power to expand range of devices, use cases, and capabilities for wireless charging.

The Overview

In its efforts to expand the application of wireless power transfer to a broader range of devices and use cases, Wi-Charge has released its Gen2 wireless power receiver, which it claims is a significant step forward in terms of power, ease of integration, and form factor.

Who Needs It & Why?

Wireless-charging technology is deployed worldwide and has been embedded in devices ranging from smart locks to advertising video displays to contactless charging pads. By enabling a constant source of power to devices, regardless if they have access to an outlet or charged battery, wireless power transfer opens up almost limitless capabilities free of restrictions from the lowest common design denominator: access to power.

Under the Hood

Wi-Charge's technology comprises a wireless power transmitter and receiver. The transmitter converts electricity into safe infrared beams, which are then delivered to the receiver embedded in host devices. The receiver converts the infrared energy into electricity that's used to charge the internal battery or supercapacitor. The receiver also sends telemetry data back to the transmitter, including battery status, usage statistics, and billing information.

The second generation of Wi-Charge’s receiver is claimed to deliver 40% more power than the first generation, enabling it to power more devices from one transmitter as well as power devices with greater demand. It also offers a 30% smaller footprint, which means easier mechanical integration and opening up an even broader range of devices and use cases.

Among other enhancements to the device, the Gen2 receiver now includes a battery charger, configurable output voltage, and control interface, resulting in simpler integration and lower bill-of-materials costs for OEMs. It can transfer customer alerts and telemetries from the receiver to the transmitter and from there to the Wi-Charge cloud, where charging data is aggregated. A that point, smart power delivery can be controlled remotely.

About the Author

David Maliniak | Executive Editor, Microwaves & RF

I am Executive Editor of Microwaves & RF, an all-digital publication that broadly covers all aspects of wireless communications. More particularly, we're keeping a close eye on technologies in the consumer-oriented 5G, 6G, IoT, M2M, and V2X markets, in which much of the wireless market's growth will occur in this decade and beyond. I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, developers, and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.

You can send press releases for new products for possible coverage on the website. I am also interested in receiving contributed articles for publishing on our website. Use our contributor's packet, in which you'll find an article template and lots more useful information on how to properly prepare content for us, and send to me along with a signed release form. 

About me:

In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy, leaving to rejoin the EOEM B2B publishing world in January 2020. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.

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