Plug-and-Play Wireless-Charging kit for wearable and internet of things (IoT) devices
The emergence and popularity of wearable technology have prompted designers to build innovative wireless charging solutions that are smaller and more efficient. ST has launched a new plug-and-play wireless charger development kit (STEVAL-ISB045V1 ) that lets users quickly build ultra-compact chargers up to 2.5W with a space-saving 20mm-diameter coil, for charging small IoT devices and wearables such as smartwatches, sports gear, or healthcare equipment.
Wireless charger development kit
Built around the STWBC-WA wireless charging-transmitter controller, the kit comprises a charging base unit containing a transmitter board with the 20mm coil already connected and ready to use.
Getting started is easy, using the PC-based STSW-STWBCGUI software to configure the STWBC-WA and monitor runtime information such as power delivered, bridge frequency, demodulation quality, and protocol status. The kit includes a dongle for running the GUI.
The supporting ecosystem includes certified reference boards, software, and detailed documentation to help developers quickly create the smallest and best-performing chargers, claims ST.
The STWBC-WA controller chip
The STWBC-WA controller chip contains integrated drivers and natively supports full-bridge or half-bridge topologies for powering the antenna. The half-bridge option allows charging up to 1W with a smaller-diameter coil for an even more compact form factor.
The chip supports all standard wireless-charging features, including Foreign Object Detection (FOD) and active presence detection for safe charging, and uses digital feedback to adapt the transmitted power for optimum efficiency at all load conditions.
Two firmware options give users the choice of a fast turnkey solution or customizing the application using APIs to access on-chip peripherals including an ADC, a UART, and GPIOs.
Availability
The STEVAL-ISB045V1 kit is available now for $42. STWBC-WA transmitter controller ICs are in production, priced from $2.82 in a VFQFPN32 package for orders of 1000 pieces.
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