Remember the big deal people were talking about putting up huge solar 
pannels in space, converting the electricity to microwaves, beaming it down 
to collector antennas on the ground and putting the power in to the grid? 
Probably impractical now with the price of solar pannels having dropped a 
lot.
I haven't heard talk of that for a long time.  Jim WA6EKS


-----Original Message----- 
From: Richard B. McDonald
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2017 12:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Wireless recharging for devices gets FCC approval

interesting.  Is not this exactly the sort of OTA transmission of =
electricity that Tesla was working on some 100 years ago?  They said he =
was crazy and that it could not be done!

73,
Richard KK6MRH

-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators =
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Steve
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2017 9:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Wireless recharging for devices gets FCC approval

BlankA follow-up on that video I posted from Energous Corp.  Looks like =
another viable competitor is in the Pittsburgh area.


Wireless recharging for devices gets FCC approval Mike Snider , USA =
TODAY

The FCC has certified Energous' WattUp transmitter, which uses radio =
frequency=20
energy to wirelessly recharge devices at a distance. Here, transmitter =
is=20
mounted below the computer display, surrounded by devices that could be=20
charging.
(Photo: Energous Corp.)

Your smartphone and other portable devices may soon be truly wireless. =
Some of=20
the latest smartphones from Apple , LG,' Samsung and others already let =
you=20
recharge without wires by placing them on a pad. But new technology in =
the works=20
lets you charge your devices from a distance of three feet or more =
without any=20
pad involved.

The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday approved technology =
from San=20
Jose, Calif. -based Energous
that uses radio frequency energy to recharge multiple devices such as=20
smartphones, tablets, smart watches, headphones, speakers, keyboards and =
fitness=20
trackers from up to three feet away. Consumers could have an Energous=20
transmitter embedded into their TV, sound bar speaker or mounted =
elsewhere in a=20
living room and any devices with built-in receivers could be =
automatically=20
recharged.

"Untethered, wire-free charging -- such as charging a fitness band even =
while=20
wearing it -- is exactly what consumers have been waiting for," said =
Energous=20
CEO and president Stephen Rizzone in a statement. "We are now in a =
position to=20
move our consumer electronics, IoT and smart home customers forward at =
an=20
accelerated pace.  The @FCC has approved the first-ever wireless,=20
"power-at-a-distance" charging technology. @Energous

WattUp could allow multiple devices to be recharged up to 3 feet away,=20
regardless of manufacturer.
https://t.co/6zdj8hxO7R


Another company, Pittsburgh-headquartered Powercast , has gotten FCC =
approval=20
for its similar technology using a transmitter that recharges devices up =
to 80=20
feet away and plans to have products out in the third quarter of 2018. =
"Consumer=20
electronics manufacturers can now confidently build our FCC-approved =
technology=20
into their wireless charging ecosystems, and offer their customers =
convenient=20
far-field charging where devices charge over the air from a power source =
without=20
needing direct contact," said Charles Green, chief technology officer at =

Powercast, in a statement.

Expect more soon from the two companies as both plan to be exhibiting at =
the=20
upcoming Consumer Electronics Show Jan. 9-12, 2018 in Las Vegas.

*****
Powercast to unveil FCC-approved consumer transmitter for =
power-over-distance=20
wireless charging at CES 2018
PowerSpot is industry=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s first over-the-air, =
far-field (up to 80 feet) RF charger=20
for consumer devices to get FCC nod
Share3
December 26, 2017 18:34 ET | Source: Powercast
photo-release

PowerSpot Over-the-Air Wireless Charging Zone for Consumer Devices



The PowerSpot creates an overnight charging zone of up to 80 feet free =
of wires=20
or charging mats.


Powercast


PITTSBURGH, Dec. 26, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Powercast Corporation, the =
pioneer=20
of radio-frequency (RF)-based long-range power-over-distance wireless =
charging=20
technology, announced that it will unveil at CES (booth #40268) its =
FCC-approved=20
(Part 15, FCC ID:  YESTX91503) and ISED-approved (Canada IC:  =
8985A-TX91503)=20
three-watt PowerSpot=C3=82=C2=AE transmitter which works in the far =
field (up to 80 feet)=20
for over-the-air charging of multiple devices - no charging mats or =
direct line=20
of sight needed. Powercast used the experience it gained powering =
industrial and=20
commercial devices with its initial Powercaster=C3=82=C2=AE transmitter =
(FCC and ISED=20
approved in 2010) to develop the new smaller, smarter and less expensive =

PowerSpot transmitter specifically for the consumer market. The =
PowerSpot is the=20
industry=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s first long-range, far-field, =
power-over-distance wireless recharging=20
transmitter for consumer devices to gain FCC and ISED approval.


How Powercast=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s patented remote wireless charging =
technology works:
Creating a coverage area like Wi-Fi, a Powercast transmitter =
automatically=20
charges enabled devices when within range. The transmitter uses the =
915-MHz ISM=20
band to send RF energy to a tiny Powercast receiver chip embedded in a =
device,=20
which converts it to direct current (DC) to directly power or recharge =
that=20
device=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s batteries.

Powercast will begin production of its standalone PowerSpot charger now =
that it=20
is FCC approved and is also offering a PowerSpot subassembly that =
consumer goods=20
manufacturers can integrate into their own products.  Consider lamps,=20
appliances, set-top boxes, gaming systems, computer monitors, furniture =
or=20
vehicle dashboards that become =
=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=C5=93PowerSpots=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=C2=9D able to charge =
multiple enabled=20
devices around them. Powercast is in discussions with several =
manufacturers, and=20
has inked deals with two household names, since releasing a wireless =
power=20
development kit in early 2017 containing the PowerSpot subassembly.

=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=C5=93Consumer electronics manufacturers can now =
confidently build our FCC-approved=20
technology into their wireless charging ecosystems, and offer their =
customers=20
convenient far-field charging where devices charge over the air from a =
power=20
source without needing direct contact, like inductive charging requires, =
or near=20
direct contact, like magnetic resonance requires,=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=C2=9D =
said Powercast=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s COO/CTO=20
Charles Greene, Ph.D.

The company=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s vision is to enable long-range, =
true wireless charging where=20
consumers simply place all Powercast-enabled devices for charging within =
range=20
of a PowerSpot in their home or a public place.

=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=C5=93Others might be talking RF power possibilities, but =
we have consistently=20
delivered far-field wireless power solutions that work, safely and =
responsibly,=20
under FCC and other global standards providing power up to 80 =
feet,=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=C2=9D said=20
Greene. =C3=A2=E2=82=AC=C5=93Our robust technology has capabilities =
beyond today=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s permitted=20
standards, so our product releases will evolve as regulations =
do.=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=C2=9D

The PowerSpot creates an overnight charging zone of up to 80 feet free =
of wires=20
or charging mats:
Enabled devices charge when in range, but don=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2t =
need direct line of sight to the=20
PowerSpot. Powercast expects up to 30 devices left in the zone on a =
countertop=20
or desktop overnight can charge by morning, sharing the =
transmitter=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s three-watt=20
(EIRP) power output. Charging rates will vary with distance, type and =
power=20
consumption of a device. Power-hungry, heavily used devices like game=20
controllers, smart watches, fitness bands, hearing aids, ear buds, or =
headphones=20
charge best up to two feet away; keyboards and mice up to six feet away; =
TV=20
remotes and smart cards up to 10 feet away; and low-power devices like =
home=20
automation sensors (window breakage, temperature) up to 80 feet away. An =

illuminated LED indicates devices are charging and it turns off when =
they=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2re=20
done. Audible alerts indicate when devices move in and out of the charge =
zone.

The PowerSpot transmitter uses Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) =
modulation=20
for power and Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) modulation for data, and =
includes an=20
integrated 6dBi directional antenna with a 70-degree beam pattern.

=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=C5=93We know consumers also want to charge mobile =
phones, so at CES, we will=20
showcase a technology demonstration, developed with a partner, of a =
PowerSpot=20
transmitter that adds the Qi inductive wireless charging standard =
adopted by=20
many mobile phones,=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=C2=9D said Greene. =
=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=C5=93This combination would provide a=20
best-of-both-worlds solution, operating within the FCC regulations that =
exist=20
today, including RF over-the-air charging for multiple PowerSpot-enabled =
devices=20
placed near the transmitter, and Qi proximity charging for power-hungry=20
Qi-enabled mobile phones placed directly on the Qi charger on top of the =

PowerSpot transmitter.=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=C2=9D

At CES:
Powercast will demonstrate prototypes of its PowerSpot, 7.3" long x 2.1" =
tall x=20
1.4" wide, as well as wirelessly-powered game controllers, headphones, =
smart=20
watches, earbuds, smart clothing, illuminated retail packaging, and=20
reconfigurable retail price tags.

PowerSpot production units are expected in Q3 2018 for about $100 from=20
distributors Arrow Electronics and Mouser Electronics. Once PowerSpot =
reaches=20
mass production, Powercast projects a $50 ASP from major electronics =
stores or=20
from consumer electronics manufacturers offering it as a charging =
option.

More information including a Q&A: http://www.powercastco.com/powerspot/

About Powercast
Powercast, established in 2003, is the leading provider of RF-based =
wireless=20
power technologies that provide power-over-distance, eliminate or reduce =
the=20
need for batteries, and power or charge devices without wires and =
connectors.=20
Powercast=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s IP portfolio includes 45 patents =
worldwide (21 in the US) and 30=20
patents pending. www.powercastco.com.

Note: Visuals are available: http://www.powercastco.com/visuals/

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at=20
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/49146158-7564-471a-be2=
0-8b4ec322ba94


*****
PowerCast F.A.Q.:

QA-Powercast-PowerSpot-Power-over-Distance-Wireless-Charging-Transmitter.=
pdf
Open parent document
Q&A - Powercast PowerSpot Power-Over-Distance Wireless Charging =
Transmitter for=20
Consumer Devices
list of 1 items
1. Can you describe a far-field RF wireless power transmitter vs a =
near-field or=20
mid-field one?
list end
There are two field regions: the near-field and the far-field. The exact =

boundary is debated by various types of engineers (antenna, EMC, etc.).=20
Powercast
defines the boundary as a distance of 2D2/=C3=8E=C2=BB where D is the =
largest dimension of=20
the transmitting or receiving antenna and =C3=8E=C2=BB is the free space =
wavelength.
The near-field can be divided into two sub-regions: the reactive =
near-field and=20
the radiating near-field (sometimes called the transition region). The
term Mid-Field is a marketing term and likely refers to one of the =
near-field=20
regions. Powercast transmitters are far-field transmitters but also =
operate
in the near-field as well so exact definitions are not that important.
list of 1 items
2. Can you expand on the FCC=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s current =
regulations?
list end
Part 15.247 limits both the transmitter=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s output =
power and antenna gain. In=20
general, transmitters operating in the 915 MHz frequency band, like a =
PowerSpot
transmitter, along with 2.45GHz and 5.8GHz transmitters, may output up =
to a watt=20
of power to the antenna(under certain conditions). Typically, this =
requires
the use of an antenna with a gain of 4 (6dBi) or less. This limits the =
output=20
power to 4W EIRP (output power times antenna gain). =
Powercast=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s general purpose
TX91501 Powercaster=C3=82=C2=AE Transmitter and TX91503 =
PowerSpot=C3=82=C2=AE Transmitter are=20
certified under Part 15.247.
Part 18, Industrial, Scientific, and Medical equipment, is another =
section of=20
the US Federal Code of Regulations that regulates non-telecommunication =
devices.
Typical ISM applications are the production of physical, biological, or =
chemical=20
effects such as heating, ionization of gases, mechanical vibrations, =
hair
removal and acceleration of charged particles. A general requirement of =
Part 18=20
is that the transmitter generates and uses locally the RF energy. =
Powercast
has obtained approval under Part 18 but under a product specific =
approval.
list of 1 items
3. Can you tell us more about the two household consumer companies =
you=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2ve inked=20
deals with to integrate your technology into their wireless charging =
ecosystems?

list end
Unfortunately, we have confidentially agreements with the majority of =
our=20
customers. The referenced customers are household consumer names and we =
are=20
actively
working with them and others to integrate our technology and chips into =
their=20
devices. As you would expect, product announcements will not occur =
publically
until the product is ready to be sold on the market which we are =
expecting later=20
in 2018 or early 2019.
list of 1 items
4. Are their plans to expand the PowerSpot transmitter into other =
regions?
list end
Yes, the PowerSpot transmitter is currently approved in the US and =
Canada. We=20
are actively working on two other designs of the PowerSpot transmitter =
to
support Europe and Asia.
list of 1 items
5. You mention that Powercast=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s technology has =
capabilities beyond today=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s=20
permitted standards. What might Powercast have up its sleeve?
list end
Powercast continues to provide our customers viable, practical solutions =
that=20
meet governmental regulations. Our technology has been used for military
applications where a moving receiver required over 5W of continuous =
output power=20
and a recharging range of over 20 feet. That system was deployed in =
2006.
However, current regulations do not allow that level of transmission =
power or=20
the high-gain beam steering antenna that was used. See FAQ #2. Powercast
will continue to align its product roadmap with current and planned =
regulations.
list of 1 items
6. Where are your transmitter=C3=A2=E2=82=AC=E2=84=A2s FCC approval =
details?
list end
You can obtain our FCC details by searching our FCC ID, YESTX91503,
here.
You can obtain our ISED details by searching our IC ID, 8985A-TX91503,
here.

Sorry, the links didn't carry forward...
Steve, K8SP