Wireless Power Transfer

Wireless power transfer (WPT) systems in use today apply operational frequencies ranging from a few kHz up to several tens of GHz and expose users and bystanders to highly inhomogeneous fields. Together with industry partners, IT'IS has developed two measurement systems, i.e., MAGPy handheld system and DASY8 Module WPT, both based on the novel MAGPy probe. These systems enable reliably test compliance with current safety guidelines to prevent from short-term health effects of nerve stimulation and tissue heating. IT'IS is developing the next generation of dosimetric probes and measurement techniques to directly assess the exposures from complex WPT devices, e.g., electrostimulation implants.

IT'IS Foundation has detailed knowledge about the intricacies of regulatory agencies and the corresponding processes due to their active participation and membership in IEC/ISO standard groups. We support different tiers of compliance assessment: faster, less demanding tests apply more conservative limits (e.g., reference levels specified in ICNIRP guidance) to ensure device safety, while more rigorous, comprehensive testing can more precisely determine the exposure and allow less conservative limits (e.g.., basic restrictions specified in ICNIRP guidance) to be applied. Compliance testing against reference levels and basic restrictions correspond to Tier 2 and Tier 4 approaches in IEC 63184 (the latest product standard for testing near-field WPT systems) respectively. IT'IS Foundation contributed the unique Tier 3 approach to IEC 63184, which saves the exposure overestimation of Tier 2 approach, while does not require the dedicated setup of Tier 4 approach.

The group's exposure assessment laboratories are equipped with the most advanced tools including the latest DASY8 RX90L with Module WPT. With more than 100 SemCAD/Sim4Life licenses, including the Virtual Population 4.x/3.x and multiple animal models, and several High Performance Computers (HPC) ranging from Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) clusters to supercomputers, our interdisciplinary research team can tackle highly specific and complex research tasks with superior innovation and efficiency – while ensuring compliance to national and international standards.

• Contributed significantly to WPT safety regulation, notably IEC TC106 WG9;
• Developed calibration and assessment procedures for static and dynamic WPT systems for the inductive charging of electric vehicles, as part of the EMPIR project MICEV;
• Extension of implant safety at WPT frequencies: development of a general and conservative mechanistic theory to prevent both thermal effects and nerve stimulation;
• Collaborated with major automotive and mobile manufacturers for numerical WPT safety analyses;
• Collaborated with pioneer medical device manufacturers for exposure assessment.

Collaboration with SPEAG for:

• Development of customized probes for fast compliance testing with basic restrictions down to 3 kHz;
• Extension of existing SAR, E-field and H-field probes down to 1 MHz;
• Development of dosimetric probes for liquid measurements down to 10 Hz.

Currently, the development and regulation of safety testing of WPT systems for human exposure is fast evolving. In 2023, ISED and FCC both released new standards/documents, which require testing at touch position for preventing nerve stimulation. New types of tests demand novel instrumentation (e.g., MAGPy) and innovative procedures (e.g., Tier 3 in IEC 63184). Looking forward, it is important to continue to protect higher-risk populations, such as patients with medical implants or impaired thermoregulation, without resorting to overly conservative risk estimates which stifle innovation and technological progress. The IT'IS Foundation is committed to expanding its WPT safety activities collectively with potential partners. We support our partners through the entire development process, from device design to regulatory approval, including measurements, simulations, reporting, and communication with regulatory bodies.

We look forward to discussing with you how we can best support your R&D initiatives and regulatory submissions – simply call us at +41 44 245 96 96 or send us an email at customized@itis.swiss.