Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., have announced that it has engineered a solution to allow wireless charging for devices with metal exteriors. The techniques for designing a device to charge through a metal back cover, as well as the full suite of WiPower reference designs, are available to WiPower licensees.
The solution, which uses Qualcomm WiPower technology, is designed to be compliant with the Rezence standard and becomes the first announced solution to support wireless charging for metal devices, serving as another proof point of Qualcomm Technologies’ commitment to innovation in wireless power.
The ability to charge smartphones and other devices without wires offers unmatched convenience to consumers, and until now, charging a device with a metal exterior has been incompatible with wireless charging technologies.
Qualcomm WiPower technology has cracked the code to enable wireless charging through devices made of metal, including smartphones and tablets.
Qualcomm WiPower wireless charging technology can power multiple devices simultaneously within a single charge area. WiPower doesn’t just charge; it can power devices like wireless keyboards and mice, lamps, and digital photo frames. The devices don’t have to be in direct contact with a charging pad, just within the charge area.
“Building a wireless charging solution into devices with metal exteriors is a significant step for moving the entire industry forward,” said Steve Pazol, General Manager of Wireless Charging, Qualcomm Incorporated. “Today, more device manufacturers are choosing to utilize metal alloys in their product designs to provide greater structural support and, of course, aesthetics. QTIs engineering advancement eliminates a major obstacle facing wireless power and opens up the continued adoption of this desirable feature to a much wider range of consumer electronics and use cases.”
WiPower, as well as other technologies that meet the Rezence standard, operate at a frequency that is more tolerant of metal objects that come within the charge field. Up to now, this meant one could typically have objects such as keys and coins in the charge field and not affect the charging process. Today, WiPower has added the ability to have the device itself made of metal.
This advancement maintains WiPower’s existing ability to charge devices requiring up to 22 watts, at speeds equal to or faster when compared to other wireless charging technologies.
Based on Near Field Magnetic Resonance technology, WiPower enables greater flexibility and convenience in wireless charging, allowing a wide range of compatible consumer-electronic and handset devices to charge without the need for precise alignment or direct physical contact. Additionally, the technology enables simultaneous charging of multiple devices with different power requirements while using Bluetooth Smart to minimize hardware requirements.
