Three separate would-be standards organizations are fighting to dominate the wireless charging space, and one of them, the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), is attracting heavyweight support. Intel is the latest to join its board of directors, joining Qualcomm, Samsung and Broadcom, and Qualcomm has announced a technology licensing deals to support new products next year.
The A4WP now has over 40 members, having released its wireless charging specifications in January, based on near-field magnetic resonance technology and running in 6.78MHz spectrum. The body aims to submit its specs to standards bodies, devise and manage a certification program with a consumer focused logo, and coordinate with regulatory organizations on wireless powering policies.
Navin Shenoy, general manager of Intel’s mobile client platform division, said in a statement: “Intel believes the A4WP specification, particularly the use of near-field magnetic resonance technology, can provide a compelling consumer experience and enable new usage models that make device charging almost automatic. In joining A4WP, we look forward to working alongside other member companies and contributing to standards that help fuel an ecosystem of innovative solutions capable of simultaneously charging a range of devices, from low-power accessories to smartphones, tablets and Ultrabooks.” Intel had previously pursued its own wireless charging development.
A4WP is competing with the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) and the Power Matters Alliance (PMA). The former has the broadest adoption in existing devices with its Qi technology, which appears in devices from Nokia, Samsung and LG. The PMA backs the Power 2.0 spec, which ‘ like Qi ‘ is based on magnetic induction technology. Recently, Duracell subsidiary Powermat Technologies, the originator of Power 2.0, agreed to merge with its
European counterpart, PowerKiss, which had previously backed Qi.
Power 2.0 has also won support from AT&T and Procter & Gamble and scored a notable victory when Starbucks agreed to instal the technology in its US coffee shops.
There are pros and cons to the two main technologies. Magnetic resonance allows for a larger charging field than magnetic induction, but charging multiple devices at the same time can increase charging time by sharing current, some experts argue. Meanwhile, magnetic induction ensures peak electrical transfer, but devices cannot be moved around very much while charging.
The A4WP is keen to present itself as the more advanced in technology terms, and also aloof from industry feuds. “Remaining above the fray of the squabble that has broken out between first generation players WPC and PMA, A4WP has kept its eye on the next generation and enhanced user experience through wireless charging spatial freedom,” said A4WP chairman Kamil Grajski, pointing to a ‘generational shift’.
Qualcomm has agreed to license its implementation of A4WP to Gill Electronics and it will be incorporated in products such as cars and office furniture by next year. Brad Miller, director of advanced development at Gill, told ZDnet: ‘I expect we will have products in the market by the end of this year, with mass market adoption taking place in 2014 when other A4WP members start delivering consumer devices with the technology already embedded into the devices.’