In-Vehicle Controller Wirelessly Charges Two Mobile Devices at Once

Sept. 1, 2020

NXP Semiconductors introduced a wireless charging controller to simultaneously charge two Qi-enabled mobile devices at up to 2 x 15 W.

David Maliniak

Related To: NXP Semiconductors

NXP Semiconductors now offers the first multi-device, in-vehicle wireless charging solution driven by a single controller and available now in production vehicles. In adopting the new 15-W wireless power standard, NXP’s MWCT series charge controllers enable faster charging and let automakers deliver a way for driver and a passenger to both wirelessly charge mobile devices on a single console.

Using a single MWCT device in the vehicle enables carmakers to benefit from reduced cost and physical footprint for device charging. Based on the Qi standard, the controller supports all Qi-enabled phones, including iPhone, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, and others.

Smartphones, ubiquitous as they have become, are increasingly interoperable with vehicles in applications such as smart car access with NFC. Consumers need their phones to be charged on the go to access information, make purchases, maintain contact with friends and family, and tap emergency services when required. Wireless charging is an elegant solution that gets rid of bulky chargers and cords and is increasingly in demand.

The new MWCT series is enabled by NXP’s hybrid DSC core with dedicated peripherals that allow the two Qi protocols to run in parallel in a single MWCT controller. New patented technologies, such as Clean EMC (CEMC), are said to provide breakthroughs in electromagnetic compatibility performance, which is required for CISPR 25 Class 5 in 15-W systems. As a result, OEMs can reduce the overall system bill of materials.

Additional features of the MWCT controllers include:

Multi-coil supported per channel for expansion of charging area
Hardware and software solution with NXP’s Qi library powers millions of Qi-certified in-vehicle chargers in the field
Optional NFC for convenience features such as BLE/Wi-Fi pairing, smart car access with NFC, in-car purchases, and NFC card damage protection
Future Qi spec is release-ready and includes automotive-grade security to fulfill upcoming requirements
Patented Clean EMC (CEMC) signal processing for CISPR 25 Class 5
Enhanced safety performance via Foreign Object Detection (FOD) methods
Production-ready hardware design files and available software

About the Author

David Maliniak | MWRF Executive Editor

In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.