What is WPC wireless powered communication

A Clarification on WPC

There seems to be a confusion in the terminology.

There are two primary entities often referred to as "WPC":

  1. Wireless Power Consortium (WPC): This is a standards organization focused on developing and promoting interoperable standards for wireless power transfer (WPT). They are primarily known for the Qi standard used in wireless charging of mobile devices.
  2. Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC): This is the National Radio Regulatory Authority of India responsible for spectrum management.

Assuming you meant Wireless Powered Communication (WPC)

Based on the context of your query, I believe you're interested in Wireless Powered Communication (WPC), which is a technology that enables wireless devices to harvest energy from ambient radio frequency (RF) sources to power their communication functions.

Wireless Powered Communication (WPC)

WPC is a promising technology that integrates wireless power transfer (WPT) with wireless communication. It aims to eliminate the battery dependency of wireless devices by harvesting energy from ambient RF sources.

Key Components and Functioning

  • Energy Harvesting:
    • RF energy from sources like cellular base stations, Wi-Fi routers, or dedicated power transmitters is captured by a receiving antenna on the wireless device.
    • This captured energy is then converted into usable electrical power through rectification and voltage regulation circuits.
  • Power Management:
    • The harvested energy is stored in a small energy storage element (e.g., a supercapacitor) to ensure a continuous power supply.
    • Power management circuits regulate the power flow to the communication module.
  • Wireless Communication:
    • The harvested energy powers the communication module, enabling the device to transmit and receive data.

Challenges and Considerations

  • Low Power Harvesting: The amount of harvestable RF energy is often limited, requiring efficient energy conversion and management.
  • Data Rate Limitations: The available power might restrict the data rates achievable by the wireless device.
  • Interference: RF interference from other sources can affect both energy harvesting and communication.
  • Distance Limitations: The effectiveness of energy harvesting decreases with distance from the RF source.

Applications

  • Internet of Things (IoT): WPC can power low-power IoT devices, extending their battery life or eliminating the need for battery replacement.
  • Sensor Networks: WPC can be used in remote sensor networks where battery replacement is challenging.
  • Medical Implants: WPC can potentially power implantable medical devices, eliminating the need for battery surgeries.

Research and Development

Significant research is ongoing to improve the efficiency, power output, and reliability of WPC systems. Advancements in energy harvesting techniques, power management circuits, and antenna design are crucial for the widespread adoption of WPC.