GaN Enables Wireless Power Modules to Replace Connectors

NuCurrent announces a new family of wireless power connector alternatives at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 in Las Vegas. The ultra-small power and sense modules use eGaN FETs from Efficient Power Conversion and were created for engineers looking to reduce connector field failures in traditionally high-use, harsh environments or in new designs which were not previously possible without a physical power connection. The highlighted connectors deliver customizable power transfer of 165mW (3.3V system) across a gap of up to 1.5 millimeters (and 132mW at 2 millimeters), and can validate the presence of a mating receiver through non-metallic mediums.

Already featured in demanding medical applications, these power and data expandable devices provide greater orientation / offset freedom, infinite mating cycles, and environment flexibility within an ultra-small, rectangular package measuring just 11 x 4 x 4.5 mm. Featuring NuCurrent's CoolSkin Technologiesâ„¢, each receiver and transmitter uses NuCurrent's PCB coils and proprietary electronics in a single block which can be surface mounted for automated manufacturing. CoolSkin Technologies is a set of patented NuCurrent technology and proprietary design methodologies which ensure high efficiency, shape flexibility, tight tolerance and repeatable performance.

This new category of cost-sensitive power and sense products delivers solutions to real issues for applications such as portable medical, IOT sensors, robotics, lighting and security. NuCurrent's practical R&D-to-production focus delivered a reliable family of solutions where others could not," said Michael Gotlieb, Vice President of Business Development, NuCurrent. “This technology complements our broad range of existing antennas and consumer focused ‘drop-in' 1W to 5W receiver modules for wearables, hearables and other portable applications."

Product part numbers include: Tx Module, NC40-T127L01E-011-004-4R25 (R127D1); Rx Module, NC40-R127L02E-011-004-4R25 (R127D2); and Order as a system, NC40-S127L03E-011-004-4R25.

“In developing a demonstration circuit to help our customers realize the advantages of GaN technology for highly-resonant power transfer, EPC explored many resonator designs, including our own. However, nothing matched the efficiency and Q-factor of Nucurrent’s designs. Working with Nucurrent’s team, we have been able to demonstrate the full value of our high-efficiency GaN technology for wireless power,” Alex Lidow CEO of Efficient Power Conversion is quoted on the NuCurrent web site.

At CES 2017, NuCurrent also announced the broadest line of medium power, wireless power coils for Qi low frequency applications. Joining NuCurrent's single substrate multimode (Qi, AirFuel) medium power coil, four newly created coil designs are now available. Easily customizable, yet production-ready, the new 10-Watt to 15-Watt receiver coils deliver the highest performance of any other market offering targeting mobile and consumer accessory OEMs.