For a new technology to experience global adoption, standardization and interoperability are essential. In this webinar, expert panelists from Comarch shared the challenges and benefits of creating a testing system, as well as the framework for a typical standards-based testing and certification program. Using the AirFuel Resonant Test System as a case study, presenters walked attendees through how product testing works and what to expect in the certification process.

This webinar recap summarizes the key learnings from the webinar on wireless charging testing systems and how they deliver industry-wide standardization and collaboration in wireless power. You can access the webinar recording using the form at the bottom of this article.

How Standardization and Product Testing Works

The mission of standard organizations is to make a particular technology widely accessible and to foster interoperability in the market. To achieve this goal, organizations need to use a particular technology standard and to get their devices certified. The development of this type of certification program starts with creating an automated test system and product testing procedures.

Certified devices provide end users confidence that the product is reliable and compliant with the specifications created by the organization. It also ensures safety and correct behavior of the product, and reduces maintenance costs caused by the product failing after purchase. Interoperability and user experience plays a significant role in the popularization of the standard. So why is a reliable and experienced partner so important to succeed with standardization?

The certification process is a sophisticated mechanism requiring expertise in several specialist areas such as test specification creation, test case creation and test tool development. All of these require the standards organization to have a reliable partner who knows the importance of understanding the standards organization’s industry, technical expertise and experience, and flexibility in dealing with timelines, business and distribution models.

Creating an Automated Test System for Wireless Charging Standards

The AirFuel Resonant standard was developed for wireless power transfer based on principles of magnetic resonance. The AirFuel Resonance system consists of a single Power Transmitter Unit (PTU), and one or more Power Receiver Units (PRU), with the signaling channel out of bands over Bluetooth low energy. The interface standard supports power transfer up to 50 Watts and distances up to five centimeters. The AirFuel Resonant standard can transmit power at a frequency of 6.78 megahertz from a single transmitter to up to eight receivers and devices.

So what does it mean? It means that if we place a PRU-equipped smartphone on the PTU along with a set of metal house keys, only the smartphone will be charged and keys will not get hot from the magnetic resonance. The transmitter can also be installed under the top of the desk without the need of modifying the desk, leaving the surface clear of wires and clutter.

The wireless charging test system software architecture is composed of three main elements:

• Test tool engine
• Test strips 
• Equipment adaptation

The hardware of the test system consists of: 

• Devices which simulate the power transmitter and power receiver
• Test equipment (an external measurement devices) created from scratch, charger simulator, and variable impedance load for testing power amplifiers

An Automated Test System is an innovative, comprehensive combination of software development and hardware components. The software development means creating the test tool engine, synchronization algorithm and automation of CTS rather than IOP test cases. It is an application responsible for running, reporting and storing test results in the field of functional tests, compatibility tests and measurement of physical properties of transmitting resonators. Software integrated with the test application allows remote and automatic operation of measuring instruments such as circuit analyzer oscilloscope, Bluetooth analyzer or 6-axis robot arm.

 

Problems Faced and Challenges Solved During the Project

While building the wireless charging test system, Comarch was met with a set of engineering challenges. The problems to overcome included:

• Standards that were at an early stage of development
• Lack of a reference design
• Time synchronization between external devices
• Long-lasting testing and the limitations for manual testing (not every test could be done manually)
• Simulator (to replace reference design)
• R&D

Thanks to implementing an Automated Test System, the conformance of test duration has been significantly improved—shortening test time from one week to one day!

Features and Benefits of the Comarch Automated Test Framework

The Comarch Automated Test Framework (CATF) is a Windows-based software developed in .NET C# that can work with Python test scripts. 

The system is called CATF and provides console access in order to run tests automatically, allowing the operator to pause the test flow in the event of the failure, which becomes useful when it becomes necessary to debug a device while testing.

Key here is that the system architecture includes a sequencer that is responsible for managing, selecting and running single or a group of test cases with new scripts. One of the benefits of using these systems is modular architecture that makes it easy to adjust and upgrade the test tool to the latest standard updates. Lower cost of creating test cases and maintaining the test tool are also big differentiators. An automatic version can come formatted with test strips that allow the operator to perform pre-certification test runs in the development phase.

Learn More About Wireless Charging Test Systems

If you would like to watch the full recorded webinar, just enter your email below to receive the link:

If you would like to learn more about the Comarch wireless test system and their work with AirFuel Alliance, you can read the project Case Study on the AirFuel Resonant Testing System and visit the Comarch YouTube channel to view the latest MAC Conformance Test Tool product demo, an example of Comarch’s contribution to launching the standardization program that certifies devices that confirm with the FiRa UWB standard.

If you have any questions or comments regarding Comarch services for Certification Alliances or you need an individual consultation, please visit the Comarch website or contact a Comarch expert on LinkedIn or directly via email: jakub.gorski@comarch.com