Reference design is the world’s first Qi-Certified

WPC’s Qi standard for medium power has attracted attention as a next-gen standard for inductive power transmission that will enable wireless charging of tablet PCs while allowing smartphones and other mobile devices to be charged up to three times faster than the existing low power standard (5W). In addition, a Foreign Object Detection (FOD) function is included to provide greater safety by detecting foreign metallic objects before power transfer to protect against possible damage due to overheating.

In addition to pioneering the development of a wireless power transmitter IC (BD57020MWV) compliant with the Qi medium power specification, ROHM has developed a reference design that is expected to not only facilitate the introduction of wireless charging in new applications requiring higher power, but also accelerate adoption in applications that can benefit from wireless charging.

Going forward, ROHM will continue to provide safe, easy-to-use, end-to-end wireless power solutions and is currently scheduled to receive Qi certification under the medium power standard for a reference design using the BD57015GWL wireless power receiver IC.

Wireless power technology is garnering increased interest in the mobile device market due to the capability of charging a variety of devices using a single charging pad while also contributing to improved device safety and reliability by enabling device connectors to be made more water-resistant and dust-proof.

In addition, standards organisations aimed at popularising wireless power such as WPC are being established in order to formulate international standards for not only smartphones, but also infrastructure, including hotels, airport lounges and vehicles, in the US and Europe.

As a regular member of WPC, ROHM actively participates in working groups from the initial stages of specification development of the increasingly popular Qi wireless power standards and has been quick to develop compliant products that meet market needs. ROHM is also the first supplier in the world to offer a reference design for medium power that has passed interoperability tests with more than 200 Qi-certified devices and to have successfully acquired Qi certification under the medium power specification.