Intel selects IDT to develop wireless charging chipset

Shawn Knight

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Intel demonstrated a couple of inductive charging options for keyboards and smartphones earlier this year at Computex. At the time we were told that this was only a proof of concept, one they had been working on since 2008, and there weren’t any plans to bring the technology to production but it seems that Intel has since had a change of heart.

Chipzilla has now announced that Integrated Device Technology, Inc. will develop and deliver integrated transmitter and receiver chipsets for wireless charging technology to Intel. Note we are talking about wireless charging, not inductive charging. Intel says that Ultrabooks of the future will be able to charge a mobile phone wirelessly simply by placing the handset within an inch or so of the computer. Within an hour, your phone should have enough juice to last the rest of the afternoon.

intel idt wireless charging

“Our extensive experience in developing the innovative and highly integrated IDTP9030 transmitter and multi-mode IDTP9020 receiver has given IDT a proven leadership position in the wireless power market,” said Arman Naghavi, vice president and general manager of the analog and power division at IDT.

Intel says that IDT will have completed work on the full chipset solution in early 2013 at which time it will be ready for reference design work. That of course means that consumer products are still a ways off but Intel did mention they are working with peripheral vendors that produce smartphone cases, printers and cameras to help deliver a cost-effective and easier path toward wireless charging. The technology could also have a profound effect on charging mobile devices in public much like Wi-Fi technology has revolutionized public Internet connectivity.

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Reminds me of an Avengers episode where they used broadcast power to send high voltage to a guy in an insulated suit with a metal thimble that when he touched someone they would recieve the current and get fried. OK, I know this is far different, it just triggered that memory...
 
Yep the very same. That tech has been around for awhile. Mostly in toothbrushes, more recently they tried it for cellphones. It really kinda flopped on the cellphone side tho. It just didnt charge fast enough. Plus there were some interference issues that happen when you have magnetic fields and cellphones. How this will work for a Ultrabook....who knows. Just wondering if that magnetic field is going to screw up the computer.
 
What I dont get is....how far can you get a device from the wireless charger?
cause if its gonna be inductive as where you put your device in a special surface...how's that essentially (conceptually) different from having a charging cradle for your phone?
 
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