The key to making the Internet of Things really take off: wireless charging

From the average suburban home to the factory assembly line, every corner of our lives is being enhanced by "smart" technology. Internet of Things (IoT) technology seems to be everywhere, but providing continuous power to these devices remains a major challenge, and unless this problem can be solved, many exciting IoT innovations will ultimately be unattainable.

It is estimated that by 2020, there will be more than 30.7 billion IoT devices on the market, which is almost twice the 15.4 billion in 2015, but less than half of the 75.4 billion in 2025. It is obviously not feasible to use the common alkaline batteries and wired chargers to power all IoT devices. It is undoubtedly the most effective to use wireless charging to power IoT wireless communication devices. The biggest question is, when will such a wireless remote charging solution be available? In fact, it will take less time than you think.

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The DA4100 RF transmission IC is a complete system-on-chip that enables a highly integrated, small, and cost-effective WattUp wireless power transmission system. This solution can fully power all devices within a range of millimeters to several meters through wireless transmission; wireless charging will be the key to unlocking the full potential of the Internet of Things.

Future families should not be limited to "lines"

Today, there are more than three digits of devices in homes that frequently require replacement batteries or use wires. These may include sensors that support security monitoring systems or even fire and carbon monoxide safety alarms, which must remain powered to ensure people's safety. If the number of IoT devices in consumers' homes does indeed nearly double in the next five years, wireless charging will be the best way to avoid the scene of numerous wires tangled in every wall socket in the home.

This factor is especially important from a homeownership economics perspective, as more Americans rent rather than buy homes, limiting their ability to modernize their homes. However, wireless charging could allow homeowners to lower their electric bills, improve security, and access new technologies using IoT-connected thermostats and doorbells, all without touching the wiring in their rented space.

Only wireless power management can make Industry 4.0 a reality

Wireless charging could have an even greater impact on the industrial sector, where a sensor that performs a specific function in a workflow could stop functioning as soon as it runs out of power. Today’s industrial-grade sensors cost an average of about $50, but the wiring to keep them powered can cost more than $1,000. Wired sensors typically don’t have a backup power source, so even if they can use Bluetooth LE connectivity to appear wireless, these sensors still rely on imperfect circuitry to stay powered on.

In such an environment, wireless power will help Industry 4.0 to truly take off while helping companies simplify power management infrastructure costs. Wireless charging can be configured with a redundancy system, placing multiple wireless power transmitters within the range of each sensor. When one of the sensors fails, the backup transmitter can function.

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Figure 2: (source: internetsociety.org)

Needless to say, wireless charging needs to be ubiquitous, safe, and have long-range transmission capabilities, just like modern Wi-Fi capabilities. Energous's Near Field wireless charging has been approved by US regulators and is being used in wearable, hearable and other IoT devices. Now we are working to obtain Mid Field certification, extending the distance between the transmitter and the IoT receiver to several feet, so that more IoT applications can benefit. Eventually, we will see the realization of full room charging, supporting long-range charging (Far Field) up to 5 meters. Through our collaboration with Energous, we are continuing to work hard to push the benchmark of wireless charging capabilities.