TI has chips for simplified wireless charging

The chips - a wireless power receiver with integrated direct battery charger and a next generation transmitter - are aimed at giving users a 'stress free' charging experience and helping designers implement wireless power technology in more places. The bq51050B is a 20V wireless power receiver which combines rectification, voltage conditioning, communication control and Li-ion charging capability in a single, ultra small ic – eliminating the need for a separate battery charger circuit. The inductor-free, single stage design is said to deliver the industry's highest system efficiency and save up to 60% board space compared to a multi stage implementation. Designed to achieve more than 70% efficiency, the bq500410A is a WPC 1.1-ready wireless power transfer controller which supports A6 transmitters. The module is designed to allow Qi-compliant smartphones or other portable devices to charge in a surface area of at least 70 x 20 mm, which TI claims is 400% larger compared to today's 18 x 18mm 'bull's eye' charge space. The bq500410A 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.