Powercast Debuts RF Energy Harvesting Wireless Sensor System

By DE Editors

Powercast has announced its Lifetime Power Wireless Sensor System for environmental monitoring in HVAC control and building automation. The system’s broadcasted RF energy perpetually powers wireless sensors without batteries or wires.

The system includes three parts: a family of battery-less sensor nodes embedded with Powercast’s Powerharvester receivers, a WSG-101 Building Automation System (BAS) Gateway, and Powercast’s TX91501 Powercaster transmitter.

The first available sensor is a temperature and humidity sensor, to be followed shortly by sensors to measure CO2, pressure, light, and motion.

In the wireless powering system, Powerharvester receivers embedded inside the sensor nodes receive RF energy up to 60-80 ft. away from the Powercaster transmitters.  The receivers then convert the RF energy into DC current to power the sensors wirelessly.  Broadcasted RF energy can reach and power sensors even through walls, above ceilings, and behind objects, according to the company.

For more information, visit Powercast.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.