New Industry Products

Wireless Power ICs Enable Charging of Mobile Devices by Smartphones

March 28, 2019 by Scott McMahan

Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT) launched the WattShare™ family of wireless power semiconductors that enable wireless charging of mobile devices by smartphones. IDT's new wireless power ICs combine receiver and transmitter capabilities. In this way, smartwatches, truly wireless earbuds, and other devices need only be placed atop a smartphone to charge.

"WattShare-enabled smartphones will free users from carrying a variety of chargers and constantly looking for electrical outlets to keep their smartwatches, earbuds and other devices charged," said Christopher Stephens, general manager of IDT's Wireless Power Division. "WattShare is the latest example of IDT's continued advancement of the state-of-the-art in wireless charging technology and places the smartphone at the center of the wireless charging eco-system to ensure consumers can enjoy the most 'untethered' smartphone experience."

IDT says WattShare wireless charging technology is a compelling solution for OEMs who continually strive to make their smartphones -- and ecosystems of associated smartwatches, earbuds, and other devices -- more convenient and capable for consumers.

WattShare enables smartphones to deliver up to 7W of power when charging other devices. It also allows smartphones to receive charges of 15W or higher. The technology uses a single IC to both receive and transmit power using an optimized single antenna design.

IDT has been developing the technology for WattShare for several years. The company first unveiled and demonstrated the technology at CES 2017, but it has now launched a family of power semiconductor IC products based on that technology. (See a two-year-old video below demonstrating the technology before it was made into a product family).

https://youtu.be/pDuJ0NCziiY

In the time since the debut of WattShare, IDT says that several leading smartphone makers have adopted WattShare and have successfully created a wireless charging ecosystem letting their customers charge a friend's phone or an accessory device.