The WLC 2.0 makes it easier and more convenient to charge low-power devices such as wireless earbuds, smart watches, digital stylus pens, headsets, fitness trackers and other consumer products using smartphones and other NFC-enabled devices at a power transfer rate of up to one watt.
It allows for wireless charging by enabling a single antenna in an NFC-enabled device to manage both communications and charging. WLC 1.0 was released in 2020.
What’s new with WLC 2.0 is that it supports even smaller antenna sizes expanding the range of small, battery-powered consumer and IoT devices that can be wirelessly charged using smartphones and other NFC-enabled devices.
This is transformative for device manufacturers and solution providers because it allows for the design of smaller, lighter, and more affordable wireless products. In addition, the NFC Forum estimates that most mobile phones are interoperable with the extra small antennas covered in WLC 2.0.
“Over 60 million wireless earbuds were sold Q1 2021 worldwide. These and many other consumer products operate on rechargeable batteries and the NFC Forum’s Wireless Charging Technical Specification 2.0 is an easy, convenient method to keep everything charged. This specification will also further improve the user experience for the two billion consumers and businesses using smartphones and other connected products,” said Mike McCamon, executive director, NFC Forum.
“It is part of a global trend toward the creation and proliferation of smaller, rechargeable devices and will allow the majority of smart phones and other NFC-enabled devices to communicate with and charge these products,” he added.
This NFC specification uses the 13.56 MHz base frequency and leverages the NFC communication link to control the power transfer. WLC uses NFC near field magnetic induction for power transfer. NFC technology is unique in that it allows the transfer of power to an NFC tag to enable communication by providing a constant carrier signal. The WLC specification extends this communication functionality of NFC technology to enable wireless charging allowing a wireless device to communicate with its dedicated charger and a smartphone.