NGK Insulators, Ltd. and Torex Semiconductor Ltd. and Ossia Inc. have started working together to spread the use of wireless power transmission/transfer (WPT) systems. The companies have developed a WPT power receiver development kit using a combination of NGK's lithium-ion rechargeable batteries EnerCera®, TOREX's low-current-consumption power supply ICs and Ossia's WPT technologies. Adoption of sensor networks using many IoT devices has been increasing in recent years. Conventionally, powering IoT devices involved power cables and primary batteries (disposable batteries), so cumbersome wiring and replacing batteries had been an issue.

Using radio frequency (RF) to transfer power over about 10 meters, WPT is attracting attention as a power supply technology that promotes the realization and widespread use of maintenance-free IoT devices as it enables power supply to places where wiring presents difficulties and eliminates the need to replace batteries. In particular, Ossia's Cota® WPT using the 5.8 GHz band is expected to be used in a wide range of applications, including power supplies for sensors installed in places such as enterprise environments, retail, factories and warehouses. At the higher frequency of 5.8GHz, it enables smaller receivers and more precise control of power supply.

With features such as low resistance, high capacity, and long life, EnerCera batteries are an ideal energy storage device for WPT because it can efficiently charge the power transmitted via WPT and store it for long periods of time and provide high enough output to power MCUs and sensors. Combined with the power supply IC and Ossia's WPT technology, it will promote the development and popularization of maintenance-free IoT devices powered by WPT using the 5.8 GHz band.