The prototype wireless power tester (WPT), developed by Rohde & Schwarz, incorporates the company’s advanced test and measurement equipment alongside commercially available wireless charging development kits. The system also features test automation and a user-friendly web interface. Rohde & Schwarz’s solution supports the AirFuel Alliance RF standard.
As the number of wireless communication devices is expected to reach 29 billion by 2030, according to Statista, the demand for innovative power solutions has become increasingly urgent. Traditional methods, such as manual recharging, battery replacements, or wireless charging pads, are becoming less practical and involve costly maintenance. RF technology offers a viable alternative, allowing devices to be wirelessly powered by converting radio frequency (RF) signals into direct current (DC). Rohde & Schwarz demonstrated this capability at the recent IEEE WPTCE conference with its wireless power tester prototype.
RF wireless power transfer is a contactless technology that enables the simultaneous powering of multiple devices over several metres from the power source. This eliminates the need for wires and the inconvenience of maintaining batteries. The technology is particularly suited for low-power IoT devices. In applications such as smart buildings or vehicles, sensors could be powered wirelessly, removing the need for manual recharging or battery replacement. Additionally, RF wireless power can benefit the environment by reducing reliance on batteries, which have a high energy footprint in their production and can contaminate water sources.
Rohde & Schwarz’s wireless power transfer project aims to deliver a comprehensive testing solution for wireless power transmitters and receivers. As a member of the AirFuel Alliance, a global initiative promoting standardisation in RF wireless charging, Rohde & Schwarz contributes to shaping the future of wireless power. Its WPT system adheres to the AirFuel Alliance Conformance Test Specification for RF charging.
The test setup includes several key components: the R&S SMB100B RF and microwave signal generator, the R&S FSV3000 signal and spectrum analyser, the R&S NGU source measure unit (SMU) functioning as a battery emulator, and two R&S HMC8012 digital multimeters. The system is fully controllable and automatable through a web interface.
“Today, we have over 15 billion 1/2 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," said Dr.-Ing. Rania Morsi, Head of the WPT project at Rohde & Schwarz.
“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," added Dr. Sanjay Gupta, President and Chairman of AirFuel Alliance.
