At the recent Consumer Electronics ShowToshiba Corp. (Tokyo: 6502) announced the industry's first microUSB Adaptor Module for the TransferJet standard. Production will begin in March and will be targeted for smartphones, tablets, and the PC peripheral market.
The astounding thing about TransferJet is that it can transfer a one-minute HD movie in about three seconds, and it takes about two minutes to transfer a full DVD-sized movie. At CES there were a few demos showcasing how easy TransferJet is to use among tablets, smartphones, cameras, and notebooks. Basically, you simply pick the data you want to transfer, tap the two devices together (after each device gives permission), and voila, Done. It really does take just a few moments before you're able to watch the video on a completely new device.
The rate of transfer is about 375Mbit/s, which is about 8 times faster than WiFi, and about 1,000 times better than NFC. For security and functional reasons, the data transfer only works up to 5 centimeters before the devices are disconnected. The farther the devices are from one another, the slower the transfer speed.
Semico Research Corp. recently released an NFC report and had this to say about TransferJet:
TransferJet is a close proximity wireless technology with the ability to transfer large files between two devices. It has a very high data rate; it takes less than 2 seconds to transfer 100MB, and less than 2 minutes to transfer a DVD. TransferJet uses inductive coupling, similar to NFC, to make the connection.
The same chip is used in both the sending and the receiving devices. Unlike NFC, TransferJet does not incorporate a Secure Element chip, so it is not going to be used for payment applications. The technology is being targeted at transferring and streaming media files between cell phones and TVs, cameras and printers, or computer to computer.
Toshiba and Sony are currently manufacturing TransferJet chips. Sony and Epson have released a few products with TransferJet, but it is a new technology that has yet to gain much traction. However, the TransferJet Consortium has demonstrated prototypes that integrate TransferJet, wireless charging and NFC in one device.
And of course, Toshiba did indicate that its roadmap does include plans for integrating NFC and TransferJet into its Free-Positioning Wireless Charger, which it also demonstrated at CES.
Previously, wireless chargers could only charge one device per coil, and the position of your smartphone had to be exact. Toshiba is now offering a chipset with a 2-coil transmitter that enables two smartphones to charge at once in any position. This means you and your friend can just toss your phones onto the table at work, and they'll automatically start charging.
We're finally at the point where we can start abandoning all those wires we have lying around our offices and living rooms. I don't know about you, but I have two boxes full of "just in case" wires sitting in a corner that I can't wait to ditch.
Thanks for information. I would say it is link efficiency. If wire charger link efficiency is 100%, wireless is 70% or better. This is quite high to my surprise. I would consider it as green. I will employ more wireless charger.
How low do you expect the percentage to be? Here is a link for Toshiba that mentions their (74%) efficiency: http://www.toshiba.com/taec/news/press_releases/2012/wrls_12_656.jsp
EVWireless is the company that claims a 90% efficiency, though that is for electric vehicle wireless charging. The efficiency rate depends on what the manufacturer uses to replace the copper coils with.
I haven't been able to do an in-person comparison of wired vs wireless, so maybe someone who has can chime in which actual charging times.
The reason why wireless charging could be considered "green" is that as we add in more coils for more devices, the standby power remains the same vs the scenario where we have 2+ adapters kept constantly plugged in for 2x the standby power consumption.
@Prunty: This looks quite misguiding numbers! Please check with manufacturer. For your information, dc/dc converter also has efficiency close to 90%. Please check again efficienct must be much lower.
Regarding efficiency, this system can be 75% efficient, though it does depend on which components the manufacturer uses. Some vendors are claiming up to 90% efficiency. Considering how young this market is, its kind of remarkable.
Also - these products do work with Qi, the standard for wireless charging developed by the WPC
Remember asbestos? People weren't aware it was really dangerous until years later. However, constant monitoring of people's health might have given us earlier the first hints about the dangers involved.
This is happening today with wireless devices. The industry has trade bodies that have conducted research into this and said it is not harmful but more research is being done by academic bodies and others. Stay alert but so far so good.
@H_H: not so easy a proper answer; in order to share more our opinion about, I can report a recent prediction from Deloitte that focuses on the wireless spectrum crunch...
"I'm more worried about cellphones near my head. Which frequencies are more dangerous?"
There is no serious proof to support that assumption. We don't reaally know whether cellphone radiations are harmful or not. But I do agree that we should be aware that a long exposure to radio frequencies over time can have a harmful effect.
"Wireless charging is quite inefficient and may not be consider green tech."
It is true that we are far from "cutting the power cable". But we can't deny that there have been some (good) improvements in wireless charging research and transfertJet is just one step closer to implementing wireless charging functionality on mobile devices.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
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Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
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Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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