WiGL: A design intro and how it complements wireless charging
Article By : Ahmad Glover
WiGL is a patented technology that connects transmitters to create an ad-hoc network for wireless charging of different mobile devices.
In today’s world of rapid technological innovations, the race for wireless power that works universally is on the horizon. In 2022, most people carry two to three mobile devices that use batteries: cellphones, earbuds, key fobs, and many more. Several proposed solutions could or could not be the best method to individually recharge these batteries. However, some companies are battling to ensure that their wireless recharging transmitters (Tx) and receivers (Rx) solutions are deemed the best.
Firms such as WiTricity, Energous and Powercast are just a few of the leading competitors at the forefront of developing wireless charging solutions. These companies have worked hard to ensure the safety of their products; Energous being the first to ever receive an FCC certification for at-a-distance charging and Powercast having an approval for 80-foot range capabilities. But all these companies are focused on a single transmitter providing power for an army of mobile devices. And their solutions are fixed and don’t move with you.
One of the issues of utmost importance to the end-user is the distance that can be covered. This issue is married to also being able to provide enough power to recharge mobile devices. Coverage from a single transmitter to one or more receivers is advancing with each breakthrough and FCC certification, but the challenge of powering or recharging something of value while it’s moving persists.
This critical need has led to the creation of wireless electrical grids of local area networks (WiGL). WiGL’s patented technologies enable transmitter-to-transmitter connections while growing ad-hoc networks. Kind of like the old “can you hear me now” commercials. Simply add another transmitter and the network coverage area grows. More transmitters mean more efficient receivers, which means more power for the end-user.
Figure 1 The WiGL technology connects transmitters to create ad-hoc networks for wireless charging. Source: WiGL
Joining forces with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) suppliers, WiGL has created WiGL-enabled transmitters and receivers that can deliver power from a distance. In other words, with WiGL-enabled COTS products, you will soon be able to enjoy wireless power that has more efficient power, longer distance, and power that moves with you. The idea behind WiGL’s COTS-enabled offerings is creating ad-hoc mesh networks to harness and smartly couple transmitters and direct enough power to ensure energy is steered to the source for optimal performance.
WiGL’s networks create an umbrella for COTS hardware technologies. For the first time, we are creating universally deployable COTS networks that will support an array of transmitters from different COTS manufacturers. These transmitter-to-transmitter setups being used to create the WiGL network could potentially provide users with uninterrupted touchless wireless power, no matter which brand it originates from.
Thinking in terms of existing technology, WiGL can be compared to Wi-Fi or cellular networks of today. WiGL aims to harness a company’s transmitter like an Internet or cellular node, thus creating large networks for the end-user. Once the networks are established, WiGL directs the energy to your device, like sending a Wi-Fi or cellular signal to you from a router, modem, or cellular tower. With WiGL, the end-users can move and take power with them. More importantly, they will have enough safe power to recharge their must-have devices.
Figure 2 WiGL offers mobile wireless charging that can move with the users. Source: WiGL
Working with organizations leading the efforts to standardize wireless power, WiGL’s software will allow each COTS transmitter to work universally. Each COTS transmitter and receiver working hand-in-hand on a WiGL network will improve the user experience while enabling each COTS transmitter to communicate using the same WiGL standards and language. WiGL also grows and further expands the reach of the ad-hoc network each time a new COTS transmitter is added.
In the end, the consumers—you and I—will have access to a truly touchless wireless power that allows us to move around in our environments while relying on any transmitter available to power or recharge our mobile devices.
This article was originally published on EDN.
Dr. Ahmad Glover is founder and CEO of WiGL.