Atmosic Technologies announced a new software update for their Wirelessly Powered Sensor Evaluation Kit featuring Atmosic's energy harvesting Bluetooth Low Energy System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions and Energous' FCC-certified 1W WattUp PowerBridge transmitter. The kit update now supports the recently announced AirFuel Alliance RF Wireless Power and Charging Standard to further enable the adoption and interoperability of radio frequency (RF) as a power source in addition to data communications. In partnership, Atmosic and Energous endorse the new AirFuel Alliance standard.

This standard opens wireless power technology to various new markets and future applications and use cases. With the AirFuel Alliance RF Wireless Power and Charging Standard, the intelligent transfer of power allows multiple devices to be charged and/or powered simultaneously, without the need for precise placement — or even contact — with the power source. The new evaluation kit aims to solve the cost and maintenance challenges by creating a wireless IoT sensor solution that can operate battery-free, eliminating the need for expensive battery replacement, while also enabling power control to minimize the transmitter's power to only what is needed by the sensors.

The kit features two Bluetooth LE RF harvesting sensors that transmit real-time temperature, humidity, and acceleration data, as well as control the power from the WattUp transmitter while operating from energy harvested at distances of several meters. Beyond the elimination of batteries, the sustainability of the solution is also improved by keeping the power transmitter activity to a minimum through the RF control protocol defined by the AirFuel standard. As engineers look to create more aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically effective designs, removing the bulk size and design constraints necessary to support batteries increases the flexibility in product offerings for industrial IoT, healthcare, and retail applications.

Included in the Wirelessly Powered Sensor Evaluation Kit: Atmosic Energy Harvesting Sensor Modules (2); Energous 1W WattUp PowerBridge Transmitter (1); Mobile Application for Sensor Monitoring and Transmitter Control. Atmosic and Energous are exhibiting at the upcoming CES show in Las Vegas, January 5-8, 2023.