Oppo’s new Zero-Power Communication technology seeks a standard that allows devices to communicate without the need for external power. A first step for future mobile phones without a battery, although it will first be applied in the Internet of Things (IoT).
The key idea of Zero-Power Communication is to obtain energy from electromagnetic waves from Bluetooth, WiFi, mobile networks, radio or DTT , which flood our environment. The devices would not depend on a battery or other source, so in practice they would be autonomous and could be said to draw power from “air”.
Since the power of electromagnetic waves is reduced, so that they are safe, Zero-Power Communication will initially be applied in ultra-low consumption devices : smart cards, object locators, security sensors, smart home or industrial equipment.
This technology is different from the wireless charging of Xiaomi Air Charge, because we are not talking about a remote charger, but rather the energy is collected from the environment, without any additional requirements.
Therefore, at least in the first generation of Zero-Power Communication, it will not be possible to power smartphones, which currently have a very high consumption.
Oppo’s proposal represents an improvement over current systems such as RFID or NFC , which have limited coverage or require being close to devices to exchange data, as is the case with contactless bank card chips and payment terminals.
Oppo’s Zero-Power Communication standard makes it possible to receive information and also send it , thanks to the energy obtained from electromagnetic waves.
Oppo’s idea is to have a working Zero-Power Communication standard ready in the next 3 to 5 years , and for the rest of the industry to participate in the development. For now, it already has functional prototypes , which will have to evolve to become commercial products.
Oppo sees in this standard a complement to the 6G mobile coverage that is already under development, although it will use its own communication techniques and will be used in different situations.
Oppo’s idea is that Zero-Power Communication has applications in the smart home and in the industry , as it will allow equipment to be placed anywhere without depending on any battery, saving an expensive electrical installation or the hassle of periodic recharging.
