Definition: WattUp

A wireless charging technology from Energous Corporation, San Jose, CA. Energous licenses its designs to device manufacturers, which build in the WattUp receiver chips. A variety of sizes are available. Because the antennas are not coils, there is more location flexibility when designing products.

Near field transmitters can plug into a USB port for contact charging or within a few millimeters, while software-controlled midfield and farfield transmitters work up to three and 15 feet respectively. WattUp trickle charges the batteries so that radiation power is kept to a minimum.

There are numerous use cases for WattUp technology; for example, all-in-one computers with a transmitter at the base of the monitor and receivers in the keyboard and mouse. Rechargeable hearing aid batteries as well as AA, AAA, C and D cells are also candidates. See wireless charging.

Automatic Home Charging

Energous envisions a time when its products automatically charge most portable devices in the home. (Image courtesy of Energous Corporation.)