Lion Semiconductor and Renesas Push Forward Development of High-Speed Wireless Charging

Lion Semiconductor is a US-based company that focuses on the development of new power battery management ICs based on patent-protected switched-capacitor power integrated circuit (IC) technologies that are world-leading and with regard to performance, form factor, and overall efficiency.

Renesas Electronics Corporation is a Japan-based company specializing in the research, development, design, manufacture, sale, and servicing of semiconductor products.
Together, Lion Semi and Renesas are working together to develop a next-generation wireless solution for flagship smartphones and other mobile devices. Renesas will use Lion Semi’s switched-capacitor DC-DC converter in combination with its high voltage charger IC to generate a high-speed charging reference design for this solution.

 

Image courtesy of Lion Semiconductor. 

 

The new design will offer next-generation 5G smartphone users up to 50W wireless charging that is ultra-fast and efficient, saving energy losses through low heat dissipation.

In a recent news release, Amit Bavisi, Vice President of Wireless Power, Mobility Infrastructure and IoT Power Business Division at Renesas, shared his thoughts on the collaboration. "Renesas is committed to enabling our customers to develop leading-edge wireless charging solutions. Through our collaboration with Lion for a higher power solution, consumers will enjoy the fast wireless charging experience on their next-generation 5G smartphones and other high-performance portable devices,” Bavisi said.

 

The Collaboration

Renesas has a range of ICs for communications and mobile devices including the EMMA and SH-Moble MT1. To cater to these markets, the EMMA series incorporates industry-leading power managements, latest digital audio/video encoding/decoding support, multi-core processor technologies, and extensive connectivity peripherals.
Some features included in this IC series include an advanced interface with 3D graphics engine and mobile DDR and DDR2 support for flexible development should designers wish to develop low power applications or low-cost non-portable devices.

The EMMA series also supports various interfaces such as USB, IIC, and SD, and utilizes effective power management techniques to lower power consumption during multimedia playbacks. Renesas’ SH-Mobile MT1 features a mobile phone application processor for watching and recording full segment broadcasts.
Two packages are included: one for mobile phones in support of full segments and another for portable consumer electronics and automotive equipment. Lastly, the MT1 incorporates a software package containing functions for receiving and viewing terrestrial digital broadcasts.

Lion Semi is the leader in the provision of highly-efficient switched-capacitor charger ICs for fast charging. The company’s collaboration with Renesas will be invaluable for expanding the market for wireless power technology. Customers can expect faster and more efficient charging for a variety of smartphones or mobile devices.
Lion Semiconductor’s founder and CEO, Wonyoung Kim said interest in the company’s technology is growing rapidly because of the need for extremely high efficiency in the charging of mobile devices.

“The key benefit of our technology is that it enables fast charging without making the mobile device too hot,” Kim said.

 

Reduced heat loss from Lion Semiconductor battery charger IC.  Image used courtesy of Lion Semiconductor

 

Lion Semi is particularly experienced in the development of switched-cap power ICs.

“Wireless charging has always been slower than wired charging, Kim said. “Now, thanks to our collaboration, wireless charging is similar to, if not faster than, wired charging.”

In comparison to the traditional buck converter, the switched-cap IC can achieve higher conversion efficiencies and a simpler more cost-saving design. The design is able to reduce power loss by a factor of 4 and improves conversion efficiency from 92% (with a buck converter) to 98%.