What is the current state of standardization in wireless charging? Are there any dominant standards or emerging ones to look out for?
The current state of standardization in wireless charging is characterized by the presence of multiple competing standards. However, one dominant standard has emerged: the Qi standard, developed and maintained by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). Qi has gained significant industry support and is widely adopted in various devices such as smartphones, wearables, and other consumer electronics. While there are some emerging standards like AirFuel and Powermat, they have struggled to gain widespread acceptance compared to Qi. The lack of a unified global standard for wireless charging poses challenges for interoperability but efforts are being made to harmonize different standards.
Long answer
Wireless charging refers to the process of transferring electrical energy from a power source to a device without the need for physical cables or connectors. The current landscape of wireless charging is marked by the existence of various competing standards, which creates fragmentation and limits interoperability between different devices.
One dominant standard that has gained broad adoption is the Qi (pronounced “chee”) standard. Developed and maintained by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), Qi is backed by many major companies such as Apple, Samsung, LG, and more. It operates based on inductive charging technology where energy is transferred by placing compatible devices on a charging pad or mat. Qi is widely supported in smartphones, wearables, audio accessories, and other consumer electronic devices.
Despite Qi’s dominance, there are other emerging standards aiming to establish themselves in the market. One notable example is AirFuel (formerly known as A4WP or Alliance for Wireless Power). AirFuel utilizes resonant magnetic coupling for wireless power transfer at greater distances compared to Qi’s inductive approach. This can enable mid-range or long-range wireless charging scenarios. However, its adoption remains limited compared to Qi.
Another emerging standard with its own user base is Powermat. Developed by Powermat Technologies Ltd., it uses an inductive charging method similar to Qi but employs proprietary communication protocols. Powermat had gained notable acceptance in public charging infrastructure like cafes, airports, and furniture installations. However, it has faced challenges in terms of widespread device integration and industry support.
The lack of a universally adopted wireless charging standard creates compatibility concerns for consumers as certain devices may only be compatible with specific chargers or charging pads. Standardization efforts are underway to unite different technologies. For instance, the Wireless Power Consortium has introduced the Qi Extended Power Profile (EPP), which allows higher power transfer and compatibility with larger devices like laptops.
In summary, the current state of standardization in wireless charging is dominated by the Qi standard. Although there are emerging standards like AirFuel and Powermat, they have struggled to gain widespread acceptance compared to Qi. The absence of a unified universal standard hampers interoperability but steps are being taken to harmonize different approaches and provide more flexibility to consumers.