wireless charging
Home > Mobile Computing Definitions - Wireless charging
SearchMobileComputing.com Definitions (Powered by WhatIs.com)
EMAIL THIS
LOOK UP TECH TERMS Powered by: WhatIs.com
Search listings for thousands of IT terms:
Browse tech terms alphabetically:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

wireless charging



Word of the Day
Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us    Add to Google


DEFINITION - Wireless charging is any of several methods of charging batteries without the use of cables or device-specific AC adaptors. Wireless charging can be used for a wide variety of devices including cell phones, laptop computers and MP3 players as well as larger objects, such as robots and electric cars. There are three methods of wireless charging: inductive charging, radio charging and resonance charging.

Inductive charging is used for charging mid-sized items such as cell phones, MP3 players and PDAs.

In inductive charging, an adapter equipped with contact points is attached to the device's back plate. When the device requires a charge, it is placed on a conductive charging pad, which is plugged into a socket.

Radio charging is used for charging items with small batteries and low power requirements, such as watches, hearing aids, medical implants, cell phones, MP3 players and wireless keyboard and mice. Radio waves are already in use to transmit and receive cellular telephone, television, radio and Wi-Fi signals. Wireless radio charging works similarly. A transmitter, plugged into a socket, generates radio waves. When the receiver attached to the device is set to the same frequency as the transmitter, it will charge the device's battery.

Resonance charging is used for items that require large amounts of power, such as an electric car, robot, vacuum cleaner or laptop computer. In resonance charging, a copper coil attached to a power source is the sending unit. Another coil, attached to the device to be charged, is the receiver. Both coils are tuned to the same electromagnetic frequency, which makes it possible for energy to be transferred from one to the other.The method works over short distances (3-5 meters).

The idea of wireless power transmission is not new. In 1899, Nikola Tesla wirelessly transmitted 100 million volts of electricity 26 miles to light 200 bulbs and run an electric motor. However, at that time direct current (DC, which is the wired method) and alternating current (AC) were competing technologies. DC, backed strenuously by Thomas Edison, emerged the winner.

LAST UPDATED: 27 Mar 2008

Read more about wireless charging:
- MIT's news office explains different kinds of wireless charging.
- Business 2.0 discusses wireless charging in their article: 'Death of the cell phone charger.'
- Melvin D. Saunders writes about Tesla's demonstration of wireless electricity.


Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us    Add to Google


RELATED CONTENT
Untethering the smartphone with an enterprise application store
In this Q&A, SearchMobileComputing.com talks with David Goldschlag about the need for an enterprise application store so smartphones can be secure,...
iPhone hacking: Lessons from the front line
Enterprises need to be aware that the iPhone can open security holes they may have not considered. To reduce exposure, enterprises must understand the...
Trends in mobile computing
Discover the current mobility drivers and the risks they pose to your enterprise.

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
cell phone jammer  (SearchMobileComputing.com)
A cell phone jammer is a device that blocks transmission or reception of signals, usually by creating some form of interference at the same frequency...
inductive charging  (SearchMobileComputing.com)
Inductive charging is a wireless charging method used for charging mid-sized items such as cell phones, MP3 players and PDAs... (Continued)




wireless charging Enterprise Solutions
HomeNewsTopicsITKnowledge ExchangeTipsMultimediaWhite PapersProducts
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2003 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts