STMicroelectronics and WiTricity, the industry pioneer in wireless power transfer over distance, today announced their design collaboration to develop semiconductor solutions for magnetic-resonance-based wireless power transfer.  The goal is to “cut the last cord,” bringing convenience to the powering and charging of consumer electronics, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, as well as medical, industrial, and automotive applications.

WiTricity and ST are developing semiconductor solutions that combine WiTricity’s foundational intellectual property and wireless power-transfer mixed-signal IC-design expertise, with ST’s leadership in power-semiconductor design, fabrication, and packaging capabilities and resources. For the consumer electronics and IoT markets, power transmit and receive systems built with these new semiconductors aim to deliver spatial freedom, as well as wireless fast charging of one or more devices at the same time. Dubbed “Wireless Charging 2.0,” the semiconductor solutions built with the magnetic resonance technology will also have unique advantages over current technology, including being able to efficiently charge metal-body smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.

The contemplated semiconductor offerings include designs that comply with the AirFuel™ magnetic resonance specification as well as multi-mode solutions that incorporate both resonant and inductive charging. The AirFuel Alliance, a global organization dedicated to delivering the best wireless-charging experience for consumer electronics, is driving an interoperable ecosystem of wireless-charging Power Transfer Transmit Units (PTUs) and Power Receive Units (PRUs) that enable users to charge their devices everywhere; in their homes and offices to public spaces and even in their vehicles.

Beyond the consumer market, WiTricity is the global technology leader in wireless power for automotive, industrial and medical applications. ST and WiTricity demonstrated high-power wireless-transfer technology for electric vehicle charging at APEC 2016 in Long Beach California. For the automotive industry, WiTricity recently announced wireless “park-and-charge” development kits using their industry-leading 11kW solution for electric- and hybrid-vehicle charging. The solution has successfully been tested by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for inclusion in a new global standard.