Powercast Creates Wireless, Batteryless Keyboard Powered Over the Air to Demo RF Power as Simpler Solution than Qi Used in YouTube Wireless Keyboard Experiment

Powercast Corporation, the leader in radio-frequency (RF)-based over-the-air wireless power technology, has created a truly wireless and batteryless keyboard that can be powered over the air, shown in Episode #11 of the “Powered by Powercast” video series, to demonstrate RF power as a simpler, longer-distance wireless solution than Qi which popular YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips used in their experimental wireless keyboard.

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“We agree with Linus throwing down the gauntlet, challenging keyboard manufacturers why ‘wireless’ keyboards still need a wire to charge their batteries,” said Charles Greene, Ph.D., COO and CTO of Powercast. “Wireless technologies exist that can be embedded to enable truly wireless, untethered keyboards. Linus chose to experiment with Qi inductive charging, a good choice for power-hungry devices like phones, but Qi is restrictive because the device must actually touch the charger with the transmitting and receiving coils aligning only millimeters apart.”

Greene continued, “On the other hand, contactless, set-and-forget, over-the-air RF charging can be used for low-power devices such as keyboards and mice, TV remotes, electric toothbrushes, headphones, smart watches and more. RF charging allows freedom of device placement and one-to-many charging, meaning one RF transmitter can automatically charge many enabled devices in its charging zone.”

RF wireless power works differently from Qi. Powercast’s transmitter sends RF over the air, and its tiny receiver chip embedded in devices can harvest that RF from up to 120 feet away in ultra-low-power devices such as IoT sensors, and at shorter ranges for more power-hungry devices. The receiver then converts the RF into DC (direct current) to either recharge batteries, or directly power battery-free devices, both of which eliminate disposable battery e-waste and battery replacement hassles.

Powercast’s experiment involved embedding inexpensive components that would cost about $1, including the company’s tiny Powerharvester® PCC110 receiver chip and a small antenna, into an existing battery-powered keyboard and mouse. The keyboard and mouse could then move anywhere on the desk and Powercast’s Ubiquity RF transmitter was able to recharge their batteries over the air. Taking it a step further, Powercast removed the keyboard’s batteries, creating the first battery-free RF-powered keyboard to demonstrate how RF can directly power a battery-free device.

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Powercast is also in discussions with manufacturers evaluating embedding the electronic core of the company’s new cost-reduced Ubiquity RF transmitter into their own products for about $5. Powercast announced at CES 2023 it is sharing its Ubiquity design to allow manufacturers to easily, inexpensively embed RF transmitting into their products such as computer monitors, home appliances, TVs or smart speakers, turning them into RF transmitters able to charge RF device ecosystems. In addition to Ubiquity’s $5 electronic core, manufacturers will add their own antenna and power supply.

“To unclutter the desk further and remove the need for our standalone Ubiquity transmitter, the Ubiquity design could easily be integrated into the computer monitor on the desk, making it the RF transmitter able to charge nearby enabled devices,” said Greene. “Our vision is to enable truly wireless, clean workspaces by working with manufacturers to inexpensively incorporate RF transmitting and receiving capability into their own products to create RF charging ecosystems and accelerate RF transmitter networks throughout homes.”

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