Making wireless power a reality, Texas Instruments, Inc. (TI) has introduced its first single-chip wireless power receiver with integrated battery charger and a new “free-position” transmitter integrated circuit, which expands the charge area by 400 percent. The two bqTESLA circuits give smartphone users a simpler, stress-free charging experience and help designers implement wireless power technology in more places, such as automotive consoles, charging pads and office furniture.
TI’s bq51050B is the industry’s first Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) 1.1 Qi-compliant wireless power receiver with integrated direct battery charger, and enables faster, more efficient charging of smartphones, wireless keyboards and other portable electronics. The 20-V receiver combines rectification, voltage conditioning, communication control and Li-Ion charging capability in a single, tiny integrated circuit, eliminating the need for a separate battery charger circuit. The inductor-free, single-stage design delivers high system efficiency and saves up to 60-percent board space compared to a multi-stage implementation.
In addition to the receiver, TI’s bq500410A is the first WPC 1.1-ready wireless power transfer controller to support A6 transmitters. The controller allows a Qi-compliant smartphone or other portable device to charge in a surface area of at least 70 mm by 20 mm, 400-percent larger compared to today’s 18-mm by 18-mm “bull’s-eye” charge space. The bq500410A achieves greater than 70 percent efficiency, and relies on a parasitic metal and foreign object detection feature to safely protect the system and stop delivering power if a metal object is detected between the transmitter and receiver.
Wireless power is an emerging technology that creates a better charging experience for consumers, just as Wi-Fi replaced the need to use an Ethernet cable for Internet connectivity. TI’s advanced receiver and transmitter integrated circuits, design tools and resources are making wireless power a reality. TI has current solutions that support Qi-compliant devices, and will expand its portfolio to support future, viable technologies. As the leading provider of power management ICs, including battery management and power supply technology, TI relies on power design expertise to drive innovations in wireless charging.
The bq51050B comes in a 1.9 mm by 3.0 mm WCSP package or 4.5 mm by 3.5 mm QFN, and is priced at $2.75 in 1,000-unit quantities. A bq51051B version with 4.35 V charge voltage is available. The bq500410A comes in a 48 pin, 7 mm by 7 mm QFN package, and is priced at $3.18 in 1,000-unit quantities.
