Simply put we are joining the WPC to deliver what customers have been telling us they want:  better user experience with spatial freedom and multi-device charging and wireless solutions to more consumer devices.

We believe that consumers “vote with their wallets” and buy products that meet their needs.

Established in 2008, the WPC is a pioneer and leader that developed an interoperable specification and created an unparalleled ecosystem of suppliers to deliver the best products to market.  These products carry the Qi logo and today, Qi is by far the most established wireless power solution with more products in more countries—yet another reason why we joined the WPC. In fact, the WPC represents 130 companies supplying 200 products into an installed base of tens of millions of consumer devices.  Qi products and charging locations are available in US, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, at such places as airports and cafes. The momentum continues with new products announced from leading companies such as the Samsung Galaxy S4, Google Nexus 4, Nokia Lumia models, LG Optimus G Pro and many more. We’ve also seen car companies begin to adopt Qi – cars such as the Toyota Avalon and Prius and the 2014 Jeep Cherokee have all been announced with Qi compatibility.

Leveraging its ecosystem and installed base, the WPC is expanding rapidly and will be the first to market with a wide range of new product categories and features, including highly resonant solutions and backward compatibility, with the help of PowerbyProxi:

• Beyond smartphones, wireless power solutions will include tablets, ultrabooks, notebooks, kitchen appliances, and more.
• The next level of consumer convenience:
  • spatial freedom, no need to align the consumer device to the charging pad
  • multi-device charging allowing you to simultaneously charge on the same pad multiple smartphones, tablets, and others.

Here at PowerbyProxi we have deep expertise in highly resonant systems with field-proven solutions in industrial and consumer electronics ranging from less than one watt to kilowatts.

We have seen other wireless power ecosystems formed.  They are late to market with limited members and geography.  What new features and consumer convenience are they planning to provide?  Highly resonant with spatial freedom and multi-device?

We don’t want fragmentation in the industry, it doesn’t serve consumers. Instead, we want to continue to focus on giving consumers the solutions they want in products they can buy today or in the very near future.

 Tony Francesca is VP of Business Development – Consumer Technologies 

PowerbyProxi has worked with over 50 different companies since 2007 to define wireless power and data solutions for their industrial applications, however, as Jonathan noted, the use of the technology is still in in its infancy.  Why?  Well until a few years ago, wireless power had limited ability for control of variable loads and failed to be able to transfer working levels of power in small form factors.

Today it is a different story.  Innovative technologies like our Dynamic Harmonization Control (DHC) and unique coil designs matched with small form factor electronics continue to allow large, higher power transfer in smaller and smaller product footprints.  Our latest example, an M12 diameter connector that supports analog control signals and 6 watts of power,  is now being introduced by our partner TE Connectivity.  This connector, targeted for sensor and control systems on operations like robot grippers or injection molding machines, offer new levels of productivity and reliability in harsh and mission critical environments.

Yes, there are others in the market developing wireless power and data products, but none can match the size versus performance ratio that DHC and PowerbyProxi’s many years of wireless power know-how are bringing to industrial automation.  Ask TE Connectivity.  As a leader in industrial connectors, they are committed to helping their customers realize the return on investment from wireless power/data systems.  Jonathan is spot on when he says that wireless power will fuel the next wave of productivity and performance in industrial automation.

David Terkosky is VP of Business Development – Industrial Technologies

However, in 2010, TE understood the need for defining a next connectivity platform to support the innovation of their global customer base.  TE and PowerbyProxi teamed up to explore the ways that wireless power/data products could free their customers of limitations in design or system performance that might limit the productivity of their next generation of products.  This vision and exploration have led to TE and PowerbyProxi forming a strategic partnership for the development of a family of non-contacting (wireless) connectors that TE call the Ariso platform.

Now, isn’t it time you saw through the trees and into the new forest of contactless connectivity.  Let your mind envision the new ways that your products or systems can deliver even greater performance, freeing you of the limitations that contacting connectors inflict on you.

Join TE Connectivity, the leader in global connectivity, and PowerbyProxi, the leader in wireless power solutions, in the technology innovation revolution.

David Terkosky is VP of Business Development – Industrial Technologies

“The frequencies at which tightly coupled solutions operate are not that far from the frequencies that are used for conductive cooking,” he said. “The tightly coupled solutions today have a problem where they can heat the metal surfaces in the smartphone & or metal objects. The result is that a lot of times [with] the tightly coupled solutions, the foreign object detection either dials back the power or simply turns the power off”

Let’s get a few things clear first of all:

1. Tightly coupled does not equal low frequency (eg 100kHz -500kHz)
2. Loosely coupled does not equal high frequency (eg 6.78MHz – 13.56MHz)

You can have tightly coupled systems operating at high frequencies and loosely coupled systems operating at low frequencies.

And the good news here at PowerbyProxi is that in none of these cases do we design wireless power systems like you would design induction cookers! With an induction cooker inefficiency is the target, the less efficient the better – it’s how you create heat. The opposite is true for any respectable wireless power supply. High efficiency is the target.

PowerbyProxi continues to demonstrate real wireless power solutions that prove loosely coupled systems operating at low frequencies, when designed properly, actually have better thermal performance to tightly coupled systems (when measured on all key areas of the phone like the LCD, back cover and battery as well as the transmitter surface area). This is because loosely coupled systems operating a low frequencies have superior average efficiency.  Average efficiency is what the user experiences day to day (peak efficiency is what only test engineers experience).  Please see Kunal’s blog on average efficiency if you don’t know what I am talking about.

Let’s remember that the user does not care about how you achieve loosely coupled or what the frequency is. The user wants to place his or her phone and other electronics devices anywhere on the pad without any thought and have it recharge as fast as a wired charger.  Furthermore they want to know that is is safe to use, will not cause interference with other devices and is environmentally friendly.

The average efficiency of PowerbyProxi’s Proxi Smartphone pad (loosely coupled and operating at low frequencies) is almost triple that of a loosely coupled system operating at high frequencies. I know which one our customers call the induction cooker.

If you would like more information please contact us directly at info@powerbyproxi.com.

Introduction

In order to measure the emissions level and respective safety of the product, we have looked to verify emissions in terms of the electric, magnetic and electromagnetic emissions compliance with the major American and European safety guidelines.  In the United States of America, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mark is used to show safety compliance. In the European Union, the European Commission CE mark is used.

• The FCC and CE marking schemes each have their own standards for emissions safety. For a wireless power product to be legally sold in the United States of America, it must be compliant with the FCC regulations. For European Union countries and internationally, compliance with International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines is generally required.

Background

PowerbyProxi’s inductive power transmitter (IPT) systems are designed to operate far into the near field, using magnetic loops to generate the magnetic flux field. Therefore, only magnetic field emissions need to be considered when determining emissions safety. Electric field emissions are very low due to the near field operation of these magnetic loops. Further, because PowerbyProxi’s wireless power systems are designed to operate so far into the near field, far field emissions – electromagnetic waves – are not relevant from a safety perspective, as this far field will only occur at distances of around 100m away from the transmitter, by which point the emissions will be very weak.

It is also important to note that testing of the Proxi Smartphone Solution was conducted by an independent tester – EMC Technologies Melbourne (an accredited FCC testing and CE testing laboratory).  The maximum magnetic field strength observed was 0.28 A/m, or equivalently 0.352µT.

USA Emissions Safety Compliance

In the United States, electric, magnetic, electric and electromagnetic emission safety is demonstrated through compliance with FCC standards. The relevant FCC parts are covered in detail in this section.

Radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure limits (FCC Part 1.1310)

The FCC Par 1.1310 RF exposure limits are given in Figure 1 below. The operating frequency of the Proxi Smartphone Solution is 285kHz  - at the nearby frequency of 300kHz, the magnetic field exposure limit is 1.63 A/m.

Figure 1: Limits for Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE)

Independent tests conducted on the Proxi Smartphone Solution showed that the system does not emit more than 0.28A/m field strength, which is approximately 83% under the FCC limits.  Likewise the electric field strength for the Proxi Smartphone Solution is very low and is estimated to be around 0.066 V/m at 10cm distance, which is 99.99% under the FCC MPE limit.

Radiofrequency radiation exposure evaluation: portable devices (FCC Part 2.1093)

This measures the specific absorption rate (SAR) of radiation allowed into human tissue.  In practice, measuring SAR at frequencies as low as 285kHz (the operating frequency of the Proxi Smartphone Solution), is challenging. This is because, for a given field strength, the SAR falls as frequency decreases and so the SAR is very low at 285kHz.  The most stringent SAR limits on both the FCC and ICNIRP standards are the same, at 0.08W/kg for general public exposure. The Proxi Smartphone Solution is already compliant with ICNIRP reference levels by a wide margin, so it can be inferred that it will comply with the ICNIRP SAR limit of 0.08W/kg also.

The FCC regulation states:

Figure 2: FCC 2.1093 exposure limits

European Union emissions safety compliance

In the European Union, magnetic, electric and electromagnetic emission safety is demonstrated through compliance with ICNIRP standards. The relevant ICNIRP documents are covered in detail in this section.

ICNIRP 1998 reference levels and basic restrictions

Most European Union members still use the ICNIRP 1998 standard for emissions safety,  even though ICNIRP 2010 is the more recent standard.

Within ICNIRP 1998, there are two ways to check emissions safety: the reference levels and the basic restrictions. The reference levels, shown in Figure 3 below, are by far the more stringent of the two, and serve as a “quick check” that a system will be compliant. The reference levels are chosen by ICNIRP such that if a system passes the reference levels, it will definitely pass the basic restrictions. Compliance with the reference levels is relatively straightforward to measure as the reference levels are given in terms of E-field strength, H-field strength and B-field strength, at the frequencies relevant for wireless power systems. Measuring these quantities is relatively straightforward using standard test equipment.

Figure 3: Reference levels for generic public exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fields

As mentioned previously the electric field strength for the Proxi Smartphone system is very low and is estimated to be around 0.066 V/m at 10cm distance, which is 99.92% under the ICNIRP reference level limit.  At 285kHz (the operating frequency of the Proxi Smartphone system), the maximum magnetic field strength allowed under the ICNIRP 1998 reference levels is 2.56A/m, and the maximum allowed flux density is 3.22µT. From the testing data alluded to earlier, the Proxi Smartphone system does not emit more than 0.28A/m field strength and just 0.35µT flux density, both of which are around 89% under the reference level limit.

If a wireless power system fails to pass the reference levels, the basic restrictions, shown in Figure 4 below, can be used to assess compliance. The quantities given in the basic restrictions cannot be easily measured and must be assessed using sophisticated numerical modelling techniques, taking into account a range of possible consumer use cases and human body models. While some of PowerbyProxi’s competitors in the consumer space are forced to fall back on these basic restrictions in order to prove safety compliance, PowerbyProxi’s system is designed with consumer safety in mind and as such passes the more stringent reference levels test by a wide margin.

Figure 4: Basic restrictions for time varying electric and magnetic fields for frequencies up to 10GHz

ICNIRP 2010 reference levels and basic restrictions

At 285kHz, the reference levels for magnetic field strength and magnetic flux density of ICNIRP 2010 are significantly less stringent than those in ICNIRP 1998. In ICNIRP 2010 and tested at 285kHz, the maximum magnetic field strength is 21 A/m, and the maximum magnetic flux density is 27µT. Since the Proxi Smartphone system is compliant with ICNIRP 1998 reference levels, it will also be compliant with ICNIRP 2010 reference levels.

The ICNIRP 2010 reference levels and basic restrictions are given in Figures 5 & 6 below.

Figure 5: Reference levels for general public exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fields

 

Figure 6: Basic restrictions for human exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fiel

Conclusion

Tests have shown that the Proxi Smartphone Solution system is compliant with electric field, magnetic field and electromagnetic field emissions safety regulations, in both the US and Europe. Given that the FCC and ICNIRP regulations represent the benchmark for emissions safety testing, the Proxi Smartphone Solution is considered safe for use by the general public.

To get an appreciation for how close to the thermal edge smartphones operate at today, you only need to play music or stream a video over 3G / WiFi on a sunny day and see how long it takes before smartphone goes into self-preservation mode. It is said that computer design is more like refrigerator design these days to see who can design the best heat sinks. For a long time Apple did not put i7 processors in their MacBook Pros due to the inability to get heat outside the slick Aluminium shell.

To ensure that wireless charging for consumer devices is widely adopted, the technology should not limit the usability of devices while charging is taking place. In my view efficiency is actually a means to achieving thermal performance which is the “end”, and NOT the “end” itself. Other parameters that matter are; cost, Human RF Exposure, EMC performance, Rx size, and how quickly the device charges.

Kunal Bhargava is Engineering Manager for PowerbyProxi

a) how it is measured, and

b) how it is analysed to compare the performance of various systems – specifically ones with two-dimensional charging zones i.e. charging pads.

Having been in the industry for almost a decade now I have seen multiple dimensions ranging from transmitter only efficiency, receiver only efficiency, efficiency of coils and so on and so forth. Our efficiency measurements here at PowerbyProxi are more simplistic. We define efficiency as total DC power out divided by DC power in @ the rated load “fast charging” load. This rated fast charging load tends to be 3.5W to 5W for most smartphones. If there are multiple devices, the DC power out is the sum of DC power to all devices.

Looking at the voltage and max current stated on your wall wart wired charger you can calculate the rated load. Wired power supply manufacturers rarely over-spec the current rating of their power supplies, in order to keep cost and size down.

With this methodology you will be able to measure efficiency at any given point.

So how do you analyse a system with a 2D charging area?

What we think really matters is not just how efficiency changes as you move a receiver around the charging area of a transmitter,  but also the size of the transmitter coil(s) vs. the area in which the the centre of the receiver coil can move while the receiver still receives rated power (charging area).

Take the following scenarios for example:

• You have system A with a 100cm² transmitter coil with a charging area of 25cm² at an efficiency of 65-70%
• You have system B with a 100cm² transmitter coil with a charging area of 50cm² area at efficiency of 55-60%

Which system is better?

According to a basic analysis of minimum and maximum efficiency, system A wins – hands down!

However  if we apply weighting for the charging area, we will get a better insight into overall system performance. Let us walkthrough the above example using really simple numbers:

• System A has a 100cm² transmitter coil with a charging area of 25cm² area at an efficiency of 70% everywhere in this charging area
• System B with a 100cm² transmitter coil with a charging area of 50cm² area at an efficiency of 60% everywhere in this charging area

In this case the charging area weighted efficiency is:

• System A 25/100 x 0.7 = 17.5%
• System B 50/100 x 0.6 = 30%

So actually system B is better if you use the charging area weighted efficiency.

The charging area weighted efficiency helps define “how loose” a loosely coupled system actually is.

We believe this is the right metric for comparing efficiency of wireless power systems. What are other people’s views?

Kunal Bhargava is Engineering Manager for PowerbyProxi

PowerbyProxi remains the leader in the development of non-contacting, wireless power solutions with a full line of capabilities from milliwatts to kilowatts, all with the ability to also have integrated data communications.  Our expertise in harsh environment, flexible system architectures, one-to-one or one-to-many power transfer, and our unparalleled Proxi-Ring products for rotating applications, can help any company solve their critical electrical power reliability or design constrained applications.  Isn’t it time you started looking at how non-contacting wireless power can help the performance of your plant or product?  Join us in the revolution to achieve new levels of reliability and productivity!

David Terkosky is VP of Business Development – Industrial Technologies

So what does this have to do with PowerbyProxi and wireless power? One key issue is the cost of power generated by the wind turbines currently in operation and the on-going cost for turbines that will be erected under the tax credit.  PowerbyProxi has been intimately involved in designing solutions that address one key source of turbine downtime and maintenance costs, the slip ring on the turbine pitch control system.

The pitch control system is the key safety system on an operating turbine.  The reliability of this system directly impacts uptime and power production efficiency.  Proxi’s wireless slip ring, the Proxi-Ring, has just completed its two year trial on a wind turbine in Spain with zero downtime. This is compared to what the operator previously experienced with necessary downtime for cleaning and maintenance on the mechanical slip ring being 6 times during a comparable period.

With this extended reliability testing behind us, PowerbyProxi will be moving to full commercial roll out in 2013 to help reduce operating costs on current wind turbine installations, and working to get OEMs to include high reliability Proxi-Rings on new turbines.  In doing so, we can secure the value of the Tax Credit investment and provide low cost power to the consumer.  As a Green Energy company, we ask that you support the PTC and continued expansion of clean energy technology.

David Terkosky is VP of Business Development – Industrial Technologies

Finally someone gets what it will take for wireless power to go mainstream in consumer applications. In an extract from the latest Frost & Sullivan report Debowski notes: “Companies have already started offering wireless charging systems with consumer electronics. However, it can become a standard feature in smartphones or laptops only when it offers higher efficiency and power, electromagnetic interference compliance and flexibility in the positioning of the charged device.”  See the original article here.

We have been saying this since we were founded in 2007. Lets discuss Jacek’s points one by one.

At PowerbyProxi we have focused on providing:

• The highest efficiencies (as of last week these were officially proven to be the highest of any system available today – even higher than all tightly coupled systems currently available on the market).
• High power so that you can cater for all your electronic devices, not just your smartphone. We work from mW to kW.
• Electromagnetic interference compliance – we are the only loosely coupled system that can meet EMC requirements. At the CEA WG4 on Wireless Power Standards (in our view the only truly independent standards organization) we remain the only company to have submitted independent test results (or any results for that matter). Qualcomm and others still refuse to share their results!
• Flexibility in the positioning of the charged device – take a look at our In-Device wirelessly rechargeable battery solution and Integrated charging solution for smartphones and tablets, offering the ultimate in spatial freedom. Check out our future of wireless power video also so you can see why this is so important for our vision of what wireless power will become in everyday life.

In my opinion there are a few things missing from Jacek Debowski’s comment quoted above, but I was impressed to see electromagnetic interference compliance on his list.  So few comment on this important topic which puzzles me, especially when so few flexible positioning technology platforms can actually meet it!

What did I think was missing? The other key things that are critical for widespread adoption of wireless power in consumer electronics are:

• Charging speeds. They must be as fast as wired chargers (many wireless power systems take hours longer).
• The receiver must be tiny for integration. Very few wireless power systems can fit inside a standard smartphone without a sleeve or cosmetic modification. Check out our Integrated solution for smartphones and tablets for one that does this without any modification to the existing device.  Please send me an email (fady.mishriki@powerbyproxi.com) if you would like to see details on how we do this.
• It’s got to run cool! For OEM’s to integrate wireless power receivers into their handsets, thermal performance is key. Very few wireless power systems operate at a temperature that OEM’s would integrate onto the main board of their devices – and don’t forget this has to be tested whilst the device is running at peak demand (for example with WiFi on and YouTube HD video streaming).
• FOD or Foreign Object Detection. Whatever technologies the companies behind them claim they operate with (e.g. magnetic resonance or inductive power – see my other blog post on this topic) everyone uses time varying magnetic fields. Where you have magnetic fields you have the potential to heat foreign metal like keys and coins inadvertently placed on or in the charger. Reliable FOD is paramount and we do it without any in-band or out-band communication. This is important for reliability, safety and performance – not to mention cost.

Some say we are the only ‘real’ wireless power company as a result

 Fady Mishriki is CEO & Co-Founder of PowerbyProxi