As the number of wireless communication devices surges toward 29 billion by 2030, as estimated by Statista, the need for innovative power solutions becomes critical. Traditional methods of powering devices, such as manual recharging, battery replacements or wireless charging pads, are impractical and require costly regular maintenance. RF technology offers a promising alternative: devices can be wirelessly powered by converting RF signals into direct current (DC). At the recent IEEE WPTCE conference in Kyoto, Japan, Rohde & Schwarz showcased a proof‑of‑concept for this technology with a wireless power tester (WPT) system prototype.
RF wireless powering is a contactless power transfer technology that enables multiple devices to be powered simultaneously within several meters of the power source. This eliminates the need for wires and the hassle of maintaining batteries. RF wireless powering has a wide range of applications, and its most prominent use cases are for low‑power IoT devices. For example, inside a smart building or a smart car, this technology would enable the many sensors to be powered without manual recharging or battery exchange. Wireless power transmission also has environmental benefits. Battery manufacturing is a highly energy intensive process, and the toxic material in batteries can also enter water sources. Wireless power transfer enables the use of battery-less devices, which potentially reduces the impact of batteries on the environment.
The Rohde & Schwarz WPT project aims to develop a comprehensive testing solution for wireless power transmitters and receivers. Rohde & Schwarz is an active member of the AirFuel Alliance, a global coalition that is leading efforts toward a standardized RF wireless charging technology called AirFuel RF™. As a test and measurement provider, Rohde & Schwarz contributes its expertise to developing the industry standards that will define the future of wireless powering.
The Rohde & Schwarz WPT system supports the AirFuel Alliance Conformance Test Specification for RF charging. The test setup 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. The entire system can be controlled and automated via a web interface.
Dr.-Ing. Rania Morsi, head of the WPT project at Rohde & Schwarz, says: “Today, we have over 15 billion connected IoT devices, yet we still power them manually. At the very least, 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. We are confident that the Rohde & Schwarz test solution for RF wireless power transfer will accelerate the adoption of this technology. We are excited to collaborate with AirFuel Alliance to test device conformance to the AirFuel Alliance RF standard.”
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, President and Chairman of AirFuel Alliance, says: “I want to thank Rohde & Schwarz for their leadership in developing a wireless power tester (WPT) for the AirFuel RF standard. The WPT will enable companies to test and validate conformance to the AirFuel RF standard and accelerate the deployment of interoperable RF wireless power solutions.”
