ST’s new STWLC99 device can recharge high-end smartphones with the largest battery capacity in less than 30 minutes.

In addition to enhancing user convenience, high-power wireless charging lets designers create industrial products that are free of power sockets and cords, which can deliver various advantages. Eliminating the charging socket can save space and allow sealing against water or dust ingress in challenging environments. Complications due to twisting or tangling of the cord can be avoided. Independently mobile devices such as robots and drones can recharge easily without a mechanism or human intervention to connect the cable.

Housed in a 4.859m x 4.859mm wafer-level chip-scale package (WLCSP), the STWLC99 is in production now and available from $2.50.

With an energy-efficient architecture comprising a synchronous rectifier with MOSFETs of low RDS(on) and a low-dropout regulator, the STWLC99 directs the received energy to the charging battery with minimal loss and low thermal dissipation.

Compliant with Qi 1.2.4 and 1.3, it supports the Qi Extended Power Profile (EPP) and leverages ST’s specially optimized STSuperCharge (STSC) protocol for fast charging. The battery charging power reaches up to 100W when combined with ST’s STWBC2-HP transmitter solution.

The STWLC99 contains non-volatile memory for storing configuration parameters and provides an I2C interface for exchanging configuration data and charging control. A comprehensive set of safety features is built in, including foreign object detection with accurate current sensing, Q-factor detection in transmit mode, and overcurrent, overvoltage, and thermal protection.

STWLC99 is also capable of operating as a power transmitter up to 25W for charging other devices.