Qi charging IC is the world’s fastest, claims STMicroelectronics
Claimed to be the world’s fastest Qi charging IC, the STWLC88, delivers up to 50W, says STMicroelectronics. The IC enables consumers to charge smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other personal electronic devices twice as fast than the previous-generation device.
The 50W wireless power IC has been designed to safely and wireless deliver high power to charge personal electronics efficiently, reliably and with thermal, over-voltage and over-current protection. Enhanced with patented hardware, signal processing algorithms and the proprietary ST SuperCharge (STSC) protocol, the IC allows customers to use STWLC88 and the STWBC2 digital controller as a turnkey Tx/Rx package to achieve high power efficiently and safely, while remaining compliance with Qi specifications.
The STWLC88 has an integrated low impedance, high voltage synchronous rectifier, and low drop out linear regulator, for high efficiency and low power dissipation. It includes dedicated hardware and advanced algorithms developed to address challenges in ASK and FSK communication during high power delivery. Moreover, the STWLC88 comes with highly accurate foreign object detection (FOD) and an integrated accurate current-sensing system to ensure high power delivery is performed safely and in a controlled manner.
The STWLC88 can also operate in high-efficiency transmitter mode to allow high-power charge-sharing mode. What is believed to be the STWLC88’s industry-first Q factor detection in a receiver device ensures safe operation and protection to end-users, adds ST.
An I2C interface allows firmware and platform developers to customise device parameters and the configuration can be programmed into the embedded FTP, which allows for more than 1000 times of re-programming. Additional firmware patching improves the IC’s application flexibility.
The STWLC88 incorporates multiple circuits to substantially reduce the external bill of materials (BoM), so that it can be integrated into a range of applications with limited PCB area. The IC complies with WPC Qi 1.2.4 EPP and is therefore compatible with all Qi EPP-certified transmitters in the market today. The STWLC88 is particularly suitable for medium- to high-power wireless-charging applications.
The STWLC88 is in production and available in a 4.0 x 4.5 x 0.6mm WLCPS 110-bumps 0.4mm pitch package.
The STEval-ISB88RX evaluation board, containing the STWLC88 and a graphical user interface (GUI) is also available.