With the goal of meeting the specification requirements, Microchip Technology Inc. has announced a new Qi® 1.3 wireless charging reference design that provides developers of wireless charging systems for automotive and consumer applications with the tools and support they need for full integration and certification of next-generation product designs.
For wireless charging developers planning to announce Qi 1.3-certified transmitters in the near future, Microchip's three-coil Qi 1.3 reference design can accelerate product development. Integrating all the software for the secure storage software subsystem and the wireless power microcontroller, the reference design is a flexible solution that supports custom topologies and foreign object detection (FOD) implementation.
Microchip, as a member of the WPC, which sets global standards for wireless charging of mobile devices, contributed its expertise throughout the development of the recently announced Qi 1.3 specification. Qi 1.3 represents a significant advancement over Qi 1.2.4 and mandates hardware-based authentication between the transmitting and receiving devices to transfer power exceeding 5W. By adhering to this new authentication standard, designers can ensure that phones receiving 15W are doing so from a Qi-certified transmitter, thus guaranteeing security.
“Wireless charging makes it easy and convenient for consumers to charge their devices, and as a result, demand for these systems in the automotive and consumer segments is booming,” said Joe Thomsen, vice president of the MCU16 business unit.
“Microchip’s reference design, tools, and support for Qi 1.3 help engineers quickly meet evolving development requirements and facilitate the certification of new Qi 1.3 transmitter designs, as well as accelerate time to market and simplify final product certification.”.
Microchip's reference design for wireless charging systems incorporates all the necessary elements: the Qi controller, Qi application software, the authentication controller (a WPC-approved secure storage subsystem), and encryption software libraries that run on the Qi controller. The reference design includes all schematics, the bill of materials, the software, and design guidelines. Microchip is collaborating with Avnet to make evaluation boards for the Qi reference design available to qualified customers worldwide.
For its Qi 1.3 wireless power solution, Microchip supplies the dsPIC33C family of devices to run the Qi application software and the ECC608/TA100 secure storage subsystem provided by Microchip under license from the WPC Manufacturing Certificate Authority. As a complete system solution, this reference design also incorporates the MIC4605 and MCP14700 gate drivers, the MCP16331 and MCP1725 regulators, an MCP6C02 current sensing device, an ATA6563 CAN transceiver, and an MCP9700 temperature sensor.
Pricing and Availability:
Microchip's Qi 1.3 wireless charging transmitter reference design is now available for demonstrations and evaluations for qualified customers. The company will offer a licensing agreement for access to the reference design software. Evaluation boards for this reference design will be available for purchase by qualified customers through Avnet in August 2021.
