Xiaomi Unveils Futuristic, True Over-the-Air Wireless Charging Technology

Mi Air Charge Tech Credit: Xiaomi
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Xiaomi recently announced a true wireless charging solution that charges devices over the air. The new Mi Air Charge technology can charge multiple devices at once. The devices only need to be “within a radius of several meters” to charge.

How Does Mi Air Charge Technology Work?

Xiaomi’s system uses a large wireless charging base that communicates with wireless charging technology integrated into a compatible phone.

The phone has a receiving antenna that converts the signal from the charging base into electric energy that can charge the phone.

The core technology of Xiaomi’s remote charging lies in space positioning and energy transmission. Xiaomi’s self-developed isolated charging pile has five phase interference antennas built in, which can accurately detect the location of the smartphone. A phase control array composed of 144 antennas transmits millimeter-wide waves directly to the phone through beamforming.

On the smartphone side, Xiaomi has also developed a miniaturized antenna array with built-in “beacon antenna” and “receiving antenna array.” Beacon antenna broadcasts position information with low power consumption. The receiving antenna array composed of 14 antennas converts the millimeter wave signal emitted by the charging pile into electric energy through the rectifier circuit, to turn the sci-fi charging experience into reality.

Xiaomi

Presumably, this technology will be integrated into Xiaomi’s smartphones with the chargers offered as an optional accessory.

When Will Mi Air Charge Technology Arrive?

Xiaomi introduced the technology but has not provided a timeline for its rollout. The company did confirm to The Verge that no commercial products released this year will use this technology.

As exciting as the prospect of wireless charging would be, you may want to keep your enthusiasm in check. Xiaomi isn’t the first company to work on a true wireless charging system. Companies like Energous have used CES as a springboard to talk about true wireless charging, but these high-profile presentations have led nowhere. To date, Energous has not made its technology commonly available.

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