Network for Smart Charging Cabinets in Public Spaces
Customer Background
An international airport operator plans to deploy smart charging lockers in terminals and at boarding gates, providing passengers with charging services for smartphones, tablets, and laptops, while enabling QR code-based payment and remote management.
Core Challenges
- Supports multiple fast-charging protocols: QC 3.0, PD 3.0, AFC, and more.
- Each charging cabinet requires 4-6 charging ports, with a total power output not exceeding 300W.
- Need to integrate a QR code scanner supporting WeChat and Alipay payments.
- The device requires 7x24-hour operation with remote monitoring and fault diagnosis capabilities.
Solutions
We designed a modular smart charging cabinet solution:
- Power Management Module:Multi-port PD/QC Fast Charging Controller with Intelligent Power Distribution
- Control Board:Built on ESP32-S3 with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, supporting OTA updates
- Payment Integration:QR Code Scanner + Cloud Payment API Integration
The aluminum alloy enclosure houses a cooling fan and temperature sensor to ensure stable long-term operation.
Deployment Process
Determine the number of charging ports and power allocation strategy, then create a functional prototype.
Optimize PCB layout, obtain CCC and CE certifications, and finalize mechanical design.
Develop firmware and cloud platforms to conduct payment flow testing and stress testing.
Deployed at 50 locations in the airport for on-site debugging and user training.
Performance Comparison
| Metrics | Goal | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Number of charging ports | 4-6 | 6 (4 USB-C + 2 USB-A) |
| Maximum Output Power | 300W | 280W |
| Payment Success Rate | > 95% | 98.7% |
| Device Online Rate | > 99% | 99.5% |
Commercial Revenue
- Average daily usage exceeds 2000 times; monthly income is approximately $15,000.
- Increased passenger satisfaction; airport service rating improved by 12%.
- The remote management platform reduces operational costs and shortens incident response time to within 2 hours.
Technical Specifications
This solution uses the ESP32-S3 as the main controller, integrating WiFi and Bluetooth. The power management section employs TI's BQ series fast-charging controllers, supporting PD 3.0, QC 3.0, and other protocols. The payment system integrates WeChat Pay and Alipay SDKs, communicating with the cloud server via HTTPS API. The cloud platform is built on Node.js, offering device monitoring, data analytics, and remote control capabilities.
Summary
This project demonstrates our comprehensive capabilities in IoT hardware and cloud service integration. Through a meticulously designed hardware platform and reliable cloud services, we deliver a dependable smart charging solution for airports. Clients are highly satisfied with the device stability and user experience, and plan to expand deployment to additional airports.
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