World's first customizable wireless battery charger controller

The STMicroelectronics STWBC digital controller for wireless battery charger (WBC) transmitters, the first customizable device of its kind, is now available from Digi-Key. The STWBC offers the most flexible and efficient solution for controlling power transfer from a WBC transmitter (TX) to a receiver (RX) in WBC-enabled phones, wearables, and other battery-powered devices that use electromagnetic induction for re-charge. As a member of the Qi Wireless Power Consortium and the Power Matters Alliance (PMA), STMicroelectronics ensures full compatibility with these leading wireless-charging protocols and is one of the first companies that hold certification for the newest Qi 1.1.2 A11 standard. The STWBC performs all the essential functions for transmitter control: it is able to precisely control the amount of transmitted power to match the requirements of the receiving unit in terms of maximizing the efficiency of the power transfer and minimizing any increase in operating temperature. The digital feedback between TX and RX units also allows the detection of metal objects close to the receiver (foreign object detection [FOD]) that could result in potential hazards, enabling the STWBC to stop power transmission when such objects are detected, says the company.