Microchip Technology has introduced a Qi 2.0 dual-pad wireless power transmitter reference design, aimed at major charger manufacturers, including those in the automotive industry. The reference design is powered by a single dsPIC33 Digital Signal Controller (DSC) and provides efficient control for optimized performance. The Qi 2.0 standard, released by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), introduces a Magnetic Power Profile (MPP) with support for magnetic alignment between the transmitter and receiver. The flexibility of the DSC's software architecture enables support for a combination of MPP and Extended Power Profile (EPP) of Qi 2.0 with a single controller.

By utilizing the Qi2 reference design, customers can minimize risks in certifying their final products, as it integrates several automotive-qualified parts from Microchip. The dual-pad charger meets automotive standards for safety and reliability. The automotive-grade hardware and software solution enables easier integration into the automotive environment, including support for AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture (AUTOSAR®) and AUTOSAR Microcontroller Abstraction Layer Architecture (MCALs), functional safety, and more. The design also incorporates an integrated CryptoAuthentication IC to provide security that meets the stringent authentication requirements of Qi standards.

According to Joe Thomsen, Vice President of Microchip's digital signal controllers business unit, the dual-pad reference design offers flexibility and programmability to optimize MPP Power Loss Accounting (MPLA) and Q-Based Foreign Object Detection (Q-FOD), reducing time to certification. It also facilitates seamless integration into the automotive environment. The automotive-grade design and comprehensive hardware and software support provided by Microchip help customers optimize their end solutions and reduce time to market.

Microchip offers design files and software as part of the reference design, ensuring an easy design experience and increasing the chances of first-pass success. The design includes the dsPIC33 DSC, a TA100/TA010 Trust Anchor secure storage subsystem provisioned by Microchip as a licensed Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) Manufacturer Certificate Authority. Furthermore, it incorporates Microchip's ATA6563 CAN transceiver, MCP14700 gate drivers, and MCP16331 and MCP1755 regulators.

Key features of the reference design include:

1.Dual-pad transmitter supporting Qi 2.0

2.MPP Power Loss Accounting (MPLA) and Q-Based Foreign Object Detection (Q-FOD)

3.Thermal power foldback and shutdown

4.Transmitter based on fixed-frequency topology control for optimized EMI/EMC performance

5.Easy integration into automotive environments with CAN FD hardware/software

6.dsPIC33 capable of integrating Near Field Communication (NFC) for card detection/protection and communication

7.UART-USB communication and GUI for advanced reporting/debugging of data packets

8.Hardware reconfigurable and capable of supporting most transmitter topologies