Why AirFuel Resonant for Public Infrastructure Wireless Charging

There are 3 key capabilities of AirFuel Resonant wireless power that uniquely deliver compelling user experiences.

The first is Spatial Freedom. Your electric toothbrush uses Magnetic Induction, similar to the technology of a transformer. With induction, two matching coils must be precisely oriented to each other and be effectively touching for power to transfer. This is why your electric toothbrush must be precisely placed on a stand. With AirFuel Resonant, you have the flexibility to “drop-and go” charging that is central to a positive user experience.

The second is transmitting power through materials. AirFuel Resonant can transfer power over a distance, but that can also be through wood, stone, glass, concrete, asphalt and the like. The PTU charger can be mounted under a desk, or embedded in the dry wall.

The third is charging multiple devices. With AirFuel Resonant,  you can charge multiple devices at the same time from one PTU power source. Each device, as it arrives at the source, can efficiently draw the power it needs. In our connected lives with multiple battery-powered devices, having a common charging source that can feed all our devices is again central to a positive user experience.

(excerpt courtesy of Witricity Corp. minor modifications by JJPlus)

From the view of JJPlus, AirFuel Resonant is fundamentally a more feasible wireless power transfer technology over Magnetic Induction for the infrastructure’s deployment towards a truly widespread installed bases of public wireless charging power zones due to the following 2 major reasons:
– for restaurants and meeting rooms etc. business owners hate the idea of drilling holes to their expensive table or desk in order to have an Magnetic Inductive transmitter installed while exposing its charging surface. Without drilling, an Magnetic Inductive transmitter is placed on the table without being able to hide its power cord.  AirFuel Resonant transmitters, on the other hand, can be mounted under the table and the result is easy installation and simply elegant.
– An AirFuel Resonant transmitter allows spatial freedom within its effective wireless power zone for “drop-and-go” charging on the table while Magnetic Induction offers only a precise spot. When a multiple-device-charging-capable AirFuel Resonant transmitter is used, a power zone is provided for multiple devices to charge simultaneously. Conversely, Magnetic Induction can support only one-to-one charging. This means multiple transmitters have to be installed on the table and therefore multiple holes drilling is involved which results in extremely expensive labor cost. And once the holes are drilled, there is no turning back!

Many phones are embedded with Magnetic Inductive receivers, so what can AirFuel Resonant transmitters do?

The recent article (here) about Powermat’s release of their Charging Spot 4.0 to add the support of Inductive Qi standard (Magnetic Induction based) on top of their existing support of Airfuel Inductive standard (still Magnetic Induction based) is a very straight forward move in response to Apple’s announcement of Inductive Qi support. Is this move the holy grail to solve the current world’s real problem? Not quite. Given the fact that Resonant Qi is still fighting the laws of physics to maintain backward compatibility, until it’s done, the real world still need a solution NOW that works for all kinds of user situations. jjPlus agrees with Powermat’s move to support both wireless power standards’ Magnetic Induction based devices, however, we believe that by maintaining the advantages of an AirFuel Resonant transmitter to creating an “Airfuel Resonant Wireless Power Zone” while adding an extension to support Inductive Qi is a better approach.

A hybrid wireless charging system

jjPlus WCTC301 (under table) and WCRB401 (above table)

The objective of our hybrid wireless charging system is to meet the following 6 criteria:
1. Full spatial freedom
2. Under table transmitter installation/no drilling
3. AirFuel Resonant power through thick surfaces of different types
4. Multiple devices charging, one single transmitter
5. Full compatibility with both Inductive Qi and Airfuel Resonant
6. Legacy support to still billions of phones requiring wired charging

To meet the above-mentioned criteria, we start off with the abundant power of WCTC301 AirFuel Resonant wireless power transmitter charging base with the capability to 1. provide 16W of AirFuel Resonant power through a distance of 46mm while creating an effective AirFuel Resonant Wireless Power Zone, enough to charge up to 2 phones simultaneously and 2. under table installation to power through a typical thick table. Second, we designed a ‘Power bridge’ WCRB401 which is a Qi compliant transmitter stand (for charging a Qi compliant phone) that receives power from the AirFuel Resonant Wireless Power Zone, at the base of the stand, from WCTC301. When this Power Bridge is placed within WCTC301’s AirFuel Resonant Wireless Power Zone, full spatial freedom is supported and the user can still operate the phone while charging in the upright position. For legacy support, we offer an optional 3-in-one cable with selectable Lightning, Micro-USB & Type C connector on one end, and the other end connects to the power bridge. With this hybrid wireless charging system, all of the 6 criteria are met – No compromises on delivering compelling user experiences. No compromises on full compatibility and No compromises on supporting legacy devices!

(note: for infrastructure deployment, WCTC301 is equipped with WiFi connectivity and the API necessary for the remote management of your wireless power network)

Table of Comparison

 Typical QiPowermat Charge Spot 4.0JJPlus WCTC301 Hybrid
Spatial FreedomNONOYES
Powers Through SurfaceNO, typical 5mm power delivery distanceYES, up to 40mm power delivery distanceYES, up to 50mm power delivery distance
Maximum Transmitter Power5W (Typical)15W (as of today)16W (as of today)
Under Table Installation (a.k.a. No Drilling)NOYESYES
Multiple Devices ChargingNONOYES
Dual Wireless Power Standard SuppotNO (Qi only)YES (Qi and Airfuel Inductive)YES (Qi and Airfuel Resonant)
Legacy Support for Wired ChargingNONOYES
Wireless Power Network Remote ManagementNOYESYES

Examples of jjPlus’ public infrastructure AirFuel Resonant Wireless Power Zones

jjPlus wireless charging systems have been installed in public places such as coffee shops, convenience stores, bars, fitness centers and so on. For example, FamilyMart, one of the largest convenience store chains in Asia, has jjPlus’ systems installed in its 1,000+ stores in China’s Hangzhou and Chengdu cities.  Each store can provide, typically, 8 simultaneous wireless charging sessions via WCRB401 or WCRDG04 from the transmitter choice of either WCTC301 or WCTC202.

Ready to deploy an AirFuel Resonant wireless power network in public places?