New 50W Qi Wireless Charging Boards Released

STMicroelectronics has introduced an innovative development board that combines a 50W transmitter and receiver, simplifying fast charging through the use of the ST Super Charge protocol.

The new 50W, Qi-compatible transmitter and receiver combination is designed to expedite the advancement of wireless charging technology for high-power applications in various sectors such as medical and industrial equipment, home appliances, and computer peripherals.

The STEVAL-WBC2TX50 transmitter board is capable of delivering up to 50W of output power utilizing the ST Super Charge (STSC) protocol. This proprietary protocol by ST enables wireless charging at a faster rate compared to standard protocols commonly used with smartphones, allowing for quicker recharging of larger batteries.

The board also supports the Qi 1.3 5W Baseline Power Profile (BPP) and 15W Extended Power Profile (EPP), following a 100W wireless charging design.

ST’s wireless charging IC supports the "faster-Qi" standard, making it a versatile solution for various applications.

The main component onboard is ST’s STWBC2-HP transmitter system-in-package, which integrates an STM32G071 ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller and an application-specific front end. The front end provides signal conditioning, frequency control, a high-resolution PWM generator to drive the transmitter, and operates with any DC voltage from 4.1V to 24V.

It also includes MOSFET gate drivers and a D+/D- interface for USB Power Delivery. Additionally, the STWBC2-HP SiP can be paired with ST’s STSAFE-A110 secure element to provide Qi authentication.

Applications for this technology range from vacuum cleaners, cordless power tools, drones, and medical devices to stage lighting and printers. By eliminating cables and connectors, these products can be made simpler, more cost-effective, and more durable.

The STEVAL-WLC98RX receiver board is designed to handle up to 50W charging power, accommodating the full STSC capability as well as BPP and EPP charging. It features support for Adaptive Rectifier Configuration (ARC), which extends charging distance by up to 50% to allow for lower-cost coils and more flexible configurations.

Accurate voltage and current measurement for Foreign Object Detection (FOD), thermal management, and system protection are also included in the receiver board's features.

This board utilizes ST’s STWLC98 wireless power receiver IC, which incorporates a Cortex-M3 core and an integrated high-efficiency synchronous-rectifier power stage with programmable output voltage up to 20V.

ST offers STSW-WPSTUDIO software tools for the STEVAL-WLC98RX and STSW-WBC2STUDIO for the STEVAL-WBC2TX50, allowing users to customize the configuration parameters to suit specific application requirements. A comprehensive set of design documents is also provided to aid in development.

The boards are compliant with the EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED) and can be purchased from the ST eStore and authorized distributors. Pricing for the STEVAL-WLC98RX receiver starts at $113.93, while the STEVAL-WBC2TX50 transmitter is priced from $109.03.

For more information, visit www.st.com/wirelesspower.