The continued proliferation of wireless communication devices has many benefits, such as mobility and flexibility, ease of scalability and improved security over wired technologies. But powering those devices presents challenges, as traditional methods like manual recharging, battery replacement or wireless charging pads, become increasingly impractical and costly to maintain.
Radio frequency (RF) technology offers a promising alternative. Traditionally, RF signals have been used only for data transmission, but they can also transfer energy over the air. A device with RF power transfer capabilities can convert RF signals into a direct current (DC) signal to power its circuitry. RF wireless powering allows multiple devices to be powered simultaneously within several meters of a power source, eliminating the need for wires and the hassle of maintaining batteries. It also offers environmental benefits, given the highly energy-intensive process of battery manufacturing and the potential for toxic materials to end up in water sources.
Test and measurement solutions provider Rohde & Schwarz is an active member of the AirFuel Alliance, a global coalition that is leading efforts toward the development of a standardized RF wireless charging technology. Earlier this year, at the IEEE Wireless Power Transfer Conference and Expo in Kyoto, Japan, the company showcased a proof of concept with a wireless power tester (WPT) system prototype that supports the AirFuel RF standard.
The Rohde & Schwarz WPT project aims to develop a comprehensive testing solution for wireless power transmitters and receivers. The test setup presented in Kyoto comprises the R&S SMB100B RF and microwave signal generator, R&S FSV3000 signal and spectrum analyzer and R&S NGU source measure unit (SMU) used as a battery emulator, along with two R&S HMC8012 digital multimeters — all of which can be controlled and automated via a web interface.
“Today, we have over 15 billion connected IoT devices, yet we still power them manually,” said Dr. Rania Morsi, head of the WPT project at Rohde & Schwarz. “Low-power IoT devices should be powered over the air and without human interaction. We clearly see that wireless RF energy can meet this need, offering a maintenance-free solution that provides power on demand to multiple devices — even when the devices are in use or in motion."