Broadcom today introduced a new multi-standard smartphone power management unit (PMU) that drives Rezence technology into the mainstream while providing compatibility with existing deployed wireless charging standards. The new PMU can be combined with Broadcom's WICED (Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices) Smart family of SoCs and software for the charging pad, to offer a broadly compatible end-to-end wireless charging solution.

Broadcom's BCM59350 wireless charging PMU enables automatic selection between specifications from all three standards organizations including the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), Power Matters Alliance (PMA) and Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). A4WP uses resonant technology, called Rezence, that allows consumers to "drop and go," placing multiple devices on a single charging surface without the trouble of accurate positioning or alignment.

Rezence uses Bluetooth Smart technology as a communication channel between the smartphone and charging surface, taking advantage of the wide deployment of Bluetooth in mobile devices and wearables.

According to Broadcom, the PMU has an up to 88 percent AC to DC efficiency and supports up to 7.5W for faster charge time than standard USB and wall charger.

Broadcom also claims that it enables charging performance with 50 percent less voltage.