Magnetics Business & Technology - Spring 2018 - 20

INDUSTRY NEWS
Combining Wireless Power and Data Transmission
Under the name 760308EMP-WPT-200W, Würth Elektronik and
Infineon Technologies AG are offering a 200-watt development
system for wireless power transfer. What makes the development
kit special is that the link between the transmitter and receiver
coils can be used to transfer not only power but also data.
The 760308EMP-WPT-200W development kit comprises a power
supply, a transmitter unit and a receiver unit, and is an innovative and powerful solution thanks to the products from Würth Elektronik and Infineon (MOSFETS, drivers, microcontrollers, voltage
regulators).
The transmitter side consists of a full bridge and a resonant circuit
made up of the WPT coil and the resonant capacitors connected
in series. Due to the phase shift between voltage and current in
the resonant circuit, the system operates in zero voltage switching
(ZVS) mode. The result is a very high level of efficiency for the
overall system.
On the receiver side, there is a synchronous rectifier with downstream filtering and sieving. Thanks to the AM modulation of the
alternating field between transmitter and receiver, any data can be
sent from the receiver side to the transmitter side. A sample application would be a mobile device that sends sensor data to a base
station during the charging process. All the data needed to implement this kind of proprietary system is offered for free download.

Strong Growth and Outlook by Magnetics IC Automotive Supplier Melexis
Belgium-based semiconductor manufacturer Melexis reports robust growth
powered by its magnetics integrated
circuits business and other ICs serving
the automotive market. Every new car
in the world now carries, on average,
ten Melexis chips, according to Francoise Chombar, CEO.
"Our 2017 growth is broadly based,"
said Chombar. "The vast majority Melexis CEO, Francoise Chombar
of Melexis product lines contributed
with double digit sales growth numbers. Our expertise in developing feature-rich automotive sensors
and drivers with high integration, high robustness and high accuracy matches the increased customer requirements as a consequence of the trends towards more electrification, assisted drive
and interior differentiation. Our magnetic sensor product lines and
motor drivers continue to benefit."

For example, for medical technology and IoT

New applications and new features driving the continued doubledigit growth include thermal management in hybrid and electric
vehicles, current and pressure sensor product lines. "More attention to enhancing the user experience in cars is addressed by our
ambient light product portfolio and our 3D time-of-flight sensors,"
said Chombar. The company reported year-end 2017 revenues of
511.7 million EUR, an increase of 12% compared to the previous
year.

Cem Som, Division Manager Wireless Power Transfer at Würth
Elektronik, explains: "Customers have been asking us for years
how they can operate their applications with power ratings that
exceed the Qi standard. The circuit can be scaled from 10 watts
to several kilowatts. The currents through the resonant circuit are
sinusoidal, which favors the excellent EMC properties.

The company spends about 13.6% of its revenues yearly in research and development, a pace expected to continue in the coming year. It announced an investment plan to expand facilities in
Sofia, Bulgaria and to setup a probing facility in Corbeil-Essonnes,
France. Sales to automotive customers represented 89% of total
sales.

Changing the switching frequency allows the output voltage to be
altered and data to be transmitted from the receiver to the transmitter. We want to address applications with an output of 200
watts, outside the Qi standard. These are typically applications in
the fields of medical technology, Industry 4.0, IoT, and all areas
with harsh environmental conditions."

Its outlook for 2016 continues the robust picture. Melexis expects
sales in the first quarter of 2018 to be around the level of 140
million EUR. For the full year 2018, it expects sales growth to be
between 12% and 15%, a gross profit margin around 45% and an
operating margin around 25%.

To address the different requirements of wireless power transmission, semiconductor components from Infineon offer ideal added
value. "Thanks to our broad product portfolio, we are able as a
leading semiconductor manufacturer to play a major role in the
development of efficient and innovative wireless power solutions,"
said Verena Lackner, Global Application Marketing for Wireless
Charging at Infineon. "Wireless charging is a key topic for Infineon,
and together with Würth Elektronik we can use this system solution to effectively support customers in various design challenges.
The 200-W-WPT will be available from the third quarter of this
year.

Magnetics Business & Technology * Spring 2018

Foreign exchange rates continue to be a factor. "Despite currency
headwinds in 2018, we expect sales growth to be between 12%
and 15%, while profit margin guidance remains in line with previous year. At constant currency rates versus 2017, sales growth
guidance would have been between 16% and 19%, according to
Karen Van Griensven, CFO."

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