Toshiba Corp. has announced that the company is collaborating with Hanrim Postec in the development of wireless power system ICs. The companies are working on chips and systems based on the Qi standard low power spec for mobile devices, including smartphones and mobile phones, as proposed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).

Toshiba and Hanrim will enter the mobile market this month with a non-contact charge system. Toshiba has developed and manufactures the ICs for the system and Hanrim provides the module. Toshiba has developed two products – TB6860WBG power receiver and TB6865FG power transmitter [which can charge two devices simultaneously] – to the Qi standard, utilizing Hanrim's non-contact charging systems. Samples shipments will start from December.

Demand for smartphones is growing rapidly, and so is their usage, as more and more people rely on them as a platform for messaging and accessing the internet. As a result, it is often necessary to charge smartphones twice a day, sometimes even more, requiring users to carry a charging cable. This is stimulating demand for a new, cable-free, non-contact charging system that offers greater convenience and ease of use.

As of this month, WPC had a total of 137 member companies, clear recognition that it has established the global de facto standard for non-contact inductive systems, with companies working on both Qi standard compatible power transmission and power receiver systems. Toshiba joined WPC in February and has closely studied the standard toward developing ICs for non-contact charging systems. Hanrim is also a member.

Specifications of the new wireless power chips look as follows:

Tags: Toshiba, Hanrim, Qi, WPC