WiPower Advantages
WiPower delivers three key advantages over competitive systems:
- Freedom of position – WiPower’s system does not require strong magnetic coupling between the primary and secondary coils in order to achieve efficient power transfer. This allows users to charge devices in any position or orientation on top of the transmitter. It also enables the creation of receiver modules that are smaller and lighter than competitive modules, and have more stable operating characteristics.
- Multiple device support – The most innovative feature of WiPower’s technology is that the load network is unconditionally stable and naturally adjusts the transmitter output power to meet the power requirements of all devices without requiring control functionality (it is comprised entirely of passive components). The transmitter pad is capable of adapting to and powering multiple receivers simultaneously. As a result, the system requires less components and is straight-forward to design and implement.
- Simple and low cost design – Because the system is fundamentally stable, it does not require communication between the transmitter and receiver in order for the transmitter to deliver the appropriate amount of power to one or more devices. Eliminating the communication requirement from a wireless power system reduces unit cost, unit size, unit weight, design time, design cost, design complexity, and eliminates many electromagnetic interference (EMI) issues.
Wireless Power Technology Generations
Furthermore, WiPower’s technology represents the latest generation of wireless power solutions. The technology landscape can be segmented into three generations:
Generation 1: Generation one systems consisted of a simple disconnection between the primary and secondary coils using relatively low frequency for power transfer. These systems typically had large form factors, and were also heavy due to the use of ferrous core materials. They have been useful in situations where a contact based solution was not viable or hazardous. The most prominent consumer facing example of this technology has been the electric toothbrush.
Generation 2: Generation two systems have attempted to enlarge the relative number of end applications by reducing the form factors and weight issues. This has been done primarily by raising the frequency of power transfer. In order to support a reasonably efficient solution around the resonance point, generation two systems employ communication and controls systems to manage the power delivery process. These systems can support a wide range of consumer devices with reasonably small form factors. Nearly all of these systems, however, require very precise alignment to be operational, and cannot support multiple devices on a single coil.
Generation 3: Generation three systems not only raise frequency, but fundamentally change the power electronics to naturally tolerate a loose interface between the two coils. With this capability, significant freedom of movement can exist between the two coils and multiple devices can be handled concurrently. WiPower employs generation three solutions, and focuses on low-cost at the expense of long distances. These generation three systems offer the capability to radically improve mobility and thus enhance productivity for the marketplace.
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