Mobile technology companies Qualcomm and Samsung
Electronics have announced the formation of the
Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP).
The organization's mission is to promote global
standardization of a wireless power transfer technology
that offers spatial freedom, to develop product testing,
certification and regulatory compliance processes, and
to foster industry dialogue with regulators on wireless
power policy development. The alliance is targeting a
broad base of consumer electronic devices to establish a
worldwide wireless power technology ecosystem.
The A4WP will focus on a new wireless power transfer
technology that provides spatial freedom for charging of
electrical devices in cars, on tabletops and for
multiple devices simultaneously.
Benefits of this wireless power approach include: a
transmitter and receiver antenna design that is easily
implemented, a simple wireless power control system, and
the ability to transfer power through non-metallic
surfaces. The A4WP expects to achieve this capability
without the need for costly multi-coil repeaters, which
are required for other systems. A single specification
is envisioned that will address simultaneous charging of
multiple devices ranging from very low power products,
such as Bluetooth headsets, to today's tablets.
Alliance members will be available to discuss membership
opportunities at the launch event on May 8, to be held
at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, USA,
during CTIA Wireless 2012.
According to the analyst firm IMS Research, shipments of
wireless power enabled devices are projected to surpass
100 million by 2015.
Joining Qualcomm and Samsung are Ever Win Industries,
Gill Industries, Peiker Acustic, Powermat Technologies,
and SK Telecom.