2. 2
Zebra Technologies Introduction
Zebra
Zebra Technologies
Leader in RFID, Barcode, Mobile & Wireless Technology
Solutions
Year Founded: 1969
Channel Partners: 10,000+
Employees: ∼8,800
Patents: over 6,000 worldwide
Global Offices 128+ in 54 countries
Zebra Behind the scenes
You may not always see Zebra, but Zebra
solutions can be found working behind the scenes
in many industries around the world. Ensuring
every asset and worker on the edge is visible.
Connecting them to the data they need. Guiding
them with clear and accurate insights for the best
next action. And optimizing workflows, operations,
and decisions in real time for efficient, impactful
results.
About Zebra Technologies
Zebra Technologies manufactures products that support
mobile transactions of all kinds. Zebra’s bar code
scanners, handheld RFID readers, and scan engines are
the foundations of mobile enterprises, providing seamless
integration with other networks and information
Zebra Portfolio:
Mobile computing and rugged tablets, RFID and real-
time location systems (RTLS), barcode scanning,
Specialty printing and supplies, intelligent workforce
management and execution solutions, data services
and prescriptive analytics, support managed and
professional services, intelligent automation systems
3. • Typical Enterprise Mobile device must support many radios: WAN (5G), WiFi, BT, RFID, NFC, etc
– Limited space for RF antennas
– Antenna coexistence challenges
– Ergonomically located NFC antennas for best customer experience
– Must support good NFC reding/writing performance and NFC Form Certification
• Power requirements - battery capable of sustaining minimum for 10-12 h shifts.
– Battery swap capabilities required in some cases
– Battery capacity >4000Ah
• NFC Use cases: Access control, Bluetooth Paring, Payment, Proof of presence, Transportation Ticketing, Device, Product
authentication, etc
• Quick / Rapid charging required in many use cases
• Charging Power 10-15W minimum
3
Zebra’s Enterprise Use case
Zebra
Enterprise Device Challenges
Charging requirements for Enterprise devices
4. ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES
Wireless charging technologies, NFC versus Qi
• Efficiency >50%
• Efficiency Very insensitive to antenna misalignment
• Ideal for batteries <500mAh
• No bulky coil needed
• Efficiency ~ 75 -80%
• Efficiency Sensitive to antenna misalignment
• Bulky coil needed
5. ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES
What is NFC charging and how differ from Qi Charging
• NFC charging is an extension of the data protocol that
now allows devices using NFC to transfer data and
power
• Initially NFC was supporting power harvesting less
than 100 mW
• NFC Charging frequency of operation is 13.56MHz
• Data rate up to 106kb/s
• Loose and tight coupling
• Smaller coil sizes
• Less reliant on coupling (freedom of placement)
• Wireless Power Standards
• Qi Charging frequency of operation 100-200kHZ
• Power levels up to 15W for mobile devices
• Power levels for Ki (Kitchen appliances) up to 2000W
• Officiant power transfer
• Data rates 2kb/s
• Tight coupling
6. 6
Enterprise NFC Charging Advantages and Disadvantages
Zebra
Advantages and disadvantages of NFC Charging for Enterprise Devices
Advantages
• Single Antenna to support NFC charging/data
allowing product to save board space and cost
(lowest BoM with minimum footprint)
• Smaller coil size
• Simplified design and testing (lower cost)
• Faster product time to market
• Convenient easy to use
• Sealed devices, Water and dust proof
• Less reliant on coupling (freedom of placement)
Disadvantages
• More expensive Dedicated NFC chip with support
of NFC Wireless charging
• Tuning complexity between efficient best charging
capabilities and data transfer .
• Supporting power up to 3W max only
• Data rate up to 106kb/s with higher power settings
• Limited NFC use cases support
7. • It is an attractive solution for small IoT devices with low power requirements (batteries < 500mAh).
• Not suited as a main charging power source for Enterprise devices with higher power requirements (min
requirements 10-15W).
• Complimentary power charging source possible.
• Qi technology is more suited for Enterprise.
• Can limit the NFC performance while tunned for higher power efficiency
7
Conclusion
Zebra
Is NFC Wireless charging technology ready for Enterprise?