Apparatus and method for supporting heterogeneous communication in wireless power transmission system

A wireless power transmitter configured to support out-band communication, the wireless power transmitter comprising:

• a power conversion unit configured to transmit wireless power to a wireless power receiver through magnetic coupling with the wireless power receiver at an operating frequency;
• and
• a communication/control unit configured to perform communication with the wireless power receiver,
• wherein the wireless power transmitter:
• initiating a digital ping to solicit a response;
• and
• transmits, in a negotiation phase, a capability packet comprising (i) information for potential power and (ii) an out-band flag informing whether the wireless power transmitter supports out-band communication to the wireless power receiver.

A method of performing heterogeneous communication by a wireless power receiver configured to receive wireless power from a wireless power transmitter through magnetic coupling with the wireless power transmitter at an operating frequency, the method comprising:

• receiving a digital ping from the wireless power transmitter;
• receiving in a negotiation phase, from the wireless power transmitter through in-band communication using the operating frequency, a capability packet comprising an out-band flag informing whether the wireless power transmitter supports out-band communication using a frequency other than the operating frequency;
• receiving, from the wireless power transmitter, a request signal which requests for a handover to out-band;
• performing the handover to out-band;
• receiving the wireless power in a power transfer phase;
• and
• transmitting, to the wireless power transmitter by using the in-band communication in the power transfer phase, identification information for swap detection of the wireless power receiver.