Texas Instruments gives wireless power to developers

Chip vendor Texas Instruments this week unveiled the industry’s first Qi-certified wireless power development kit, which enables engineers to integrate wireless power technology into consumer electronics.

The Qi standard has been developed by the Wireless Power Consortium, of which TI is a member. Under the Consortium’s plans, all electronic devices bearing the ‘Qi’ symbol could be charged on any charging pad or surface marked with the same ‘Qi’ logo. The global wireless power charging standard is targeted at low-power devices that are five watts and below, such as mobile phones and personal music players. However, the development kit released by TI this week could also see wireless power technology deployed in infrastructure applications such as furniture and cars.

TI’s bqTESLA development kit includes a single-channel transmitter, a direct-charge receiver and associated magnetic, no additional software development is required. The kit is on display to developers at the CES show in Las Vegas this week.