Powercast has released their P1110-EVAL-01 development kit. The kit has the pieces manufacturers need when they are designing wireless devices with wireless power technology. The kit has Powercats’ FCC-approved Powercaster transmitter, battery recharging boards, a Powerharvester evaluation board, receiving antennas, BLE radio boards and the first generation of PowerSpot transmitter.
Powercast's Wireless Power Development Kit (P1110-EVAL-01) includes the FCC-approved Powercaster transmitter, battery-recharging boards in typical device shapes (wristbands, smart cards), a Powerharvester evaluation board and receiving antennas, BLE radio boards, and a first generation of a new PowerSpot transmitter. (Powercast)
The Powercaster transmitter is targeted towards the commercial and industrial development of wearable devices, smart cards, and sensor applications, for wirelessly charging enabled devices. Wireless recharging can allow hermetically-sealed, washable wearables, like heated jackets, to recharge while in a closet. It can allow smart bands that are used by theme parks reusable and have higher functionality. Wireless charging would eliminate the need for battery replacement in smart cards. This kit allows charging to happen up to 80 feet away from the charging station.
The new PowerSpot transmitter is the first-generation subassembly. This is intended to let manufacturers embed their products to become sources of wireless power and automatically charge devices around them. Like a coat rack that recharges game controllers, phones, wearable devices and more.
The transmitter in this kit sends RF energy to the Powerharvester that is embedded in a device, which then converts it to DC directly to power or recharges the device. The Powercast PCC110 Harvester chip operates across a wide RF and frequency range, maintains high conversion efficiency during charging parameters, like distance and state of battery charge.
The kit includes iOS and Android Apps. When developers attach BLE radio boards to wristband or credit card battery recharging boards, it allows them to transmit measured charge and battery voltage via BLE which allows for cable free monitoring. This allows testing and configurations on recharging boards to happen simultaneously.
The P111-EVB evaluation board includes two antenna configurations and is included for hands-on development with the Powerharvester receiver.
The kit is currently available through Mouser, Arrow and Future Electronics for $1,250. To learn more about this product, visit the site here.
