STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor supplier serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has unveiled a wireless power receiver with the industry's highest power rating available at 100 Watts. Ensuring the fastest wireless charging times on the market today, ST's new STWLC99 device can recharge high-end smartphones with the highest battery capacity in less than 30 minutes.
“Today’s phones are essential to digital lives, as well as being a critical business tool for many. Significantly faster charging with our STWLC99 increases its availability and adds extra value to users’ lives,” said Francesco Italia, GM, Custom Analog Products Division, STMicroelectronics. “Its unprecedented power also changes the outlook for equipment such as battery-powered industrial tools, medical monitors, medicine pumps, mobile robots and drones, enabling long run times with faster turnaround.”
In addition to improving user convenience, high-power wireless charging allows designers to create industrial products free of plugs and cables, which can offer several advantages. Eliminating the charging socket can save space and allow for sealing against water or dust ingress in challenging environments. Complications due to cord twisting or entanglement can be avoided. Independent mobile devices such as robots and drones can be recharged easily without a mechanism or human intervention to connect the cable.
Technical information
With an energy-efficient architecture composed of a synchronous rectifier with low RDS(on) MOSFETs and a low dropout regulator, the STWLC99 directs the incoming energy to the charging battery with minimal loss and low thermal dissipation.
Compatible with Qi 1.2.4 and 1.3, it supports the Qi Extended Power Profile (EPP) and takes advantage of ST's specially optimized STSuperCharge (STSC) protocol for fast charging. Battery charging power reaches up to 100 W when combined with ST's STWBC2-HP transmitter solution.
The STWLC99 contains non-volatile memory for storing configuration parameters and provides an I2C interface for exchanging configuration data and loading control. A comprehensive suite of safety features is integrated, including foreign object detection with accurate current detection, Q-factor detection in transmit mode, and overcurrent, overvoltage, and thermal protection.
STWLC99 is also capable of operating as a power transmitter of up to 25W to charge other devices.