Spark Connected

Spark Connected, (www.sparkconnected.com) a global leader in developing
advanced and innovative wireless power technology, announced the launch of
The Beast 2.0 – an automotive in-cabin wireless charging solution with TDK’s
newest pattern coil technology.

The first-generation Beast 1.0, which was Qi certified and released to
market in 2018, was the industry’s first solution to come pre-certified
CISPR-25 Class 5, providing unparalleled EMC performance in the market. This
technology is currently deployed in model year 2021 vehicles worldwide.

The new Beast 2.0, together with TDK’s pattern coil, is a 15W automotive
in-cabin wireless charging solution that meets Qi v1.3 requirements. It
provides class-leading EMC performance, a wide input supply range with
continuous charging even during vehicle stop/start events, and superior user
safety including Foreign Object Detection (FOD).

According to Ruwanga Dassanayake, COO at Spark Connected, “After the market
success of The Beast 1.0, the Spark team did what they do best, and made a
great solution even better. We are excited to introduce the next generation
Beast 2.0 and pair it with TDK’s newest cutting-edge pattern coil
technology, providing our customers with advanced features and a level of
performance not available in the market today.”

TDK’s pattern coil technology leverages proven mature processes, materials
and manufacturing techniques. The copper coil pattern is created by a
plating process used in TDK’s power inductors for over 15 years and allows
for thinner solutions over traditional wire wound coils. The ultra-thin
magnetic shield utilizes manganese-zinc (Mn-Zn) ferrite that provides higher
permeability (µ’) and saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) values. The
ferrite shield construction makes use of a “wet” layering process resulting
in thinner and non-rigid shields and eliminating the need for high tonnage
pressing. These features, along with unique multi-layer coil construction,
provide a uniform, automotive robust wireless charging coil.

“Wireless charging has become increasingly important for devices like
smartphones, and we strive to create a world where you don’t need to carry
around a charger or mobile battery, where you can charge devices by simply
setting them down – inside cars, on tables in cafes or restaurants, waiting
areas in stations and airports,” said Noritaka Chiyo, Subsection Head of the
Communication Devices Business Group, TDK. “Thin coils will greatly
contribute to this charging evolution because they can easily be installed
almost anywhere – including to power automotive in-cabin charging, such as
Spark Connected’s industry leading Beast 2.0 solution.”

Highlights of TDK coil technology:

Single coil pattern that replaces existing tri-coil solutions thus reducing
part count and cost
Thinner, lighter weight – down to 0.75 mm thickness for 15W coil
Removal of charging efficiency “voids” and “valleys” over complete coil
pattern
About Spark Connected:

Spark Connected | powering the world, wirelessly™

Spark Connected is a global leader in wireless power technology. The company
has the broadest portfolio of innovative ready-to-use wireless power
solutions ranging from 1 watt to 2.4 kilowatts.

The company’s patented hardware reference designs, combined with the highly
scalable Pantheon™ software platform, allow end-to-end intelligent and
adaptive power system control. Spark offers both inductive and resonant
technologies. The result is best in class performance, efficiency, safety,
thermal management and EMI.

This proven technology has been successfully integrated into a myriad of
customer products in a wide variety of applications, including automotive,
industrial, consumer, medical, IoT, security and infrastructure.

Spark Connected is a full member of and has multiple leadership positions
with the global Wireless Power Consortium, driving and influencing the
global standards and specifications.

For more information visit: www.sparkconnected.com

About TDK Corporation

TDK Corporation is a world leader in electronic solutions for the smart
society based in Tokyo, Japan. Built on a foundation of material sciences
mastery, TDK welcomes societal transformation by resolutely remaining at the
forefront of technological evolution and deliberately “Attracting Tomorrow.”
It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in
electronic and magnetic products.

TDK’s comprehensive, innovation-driven portfolio features passive components
such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as
magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product
spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and
pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. In addition, TDK provides power
supplies and energy devices, magnetic heads and more. These products are
marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics
and TDK-Lambda. TDK focuses on demanding markets in automotive, industrial
and consumer electronics, and information and communication technology. The
company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales
offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America.

In fiscal 2021, TDK posted total sales of USD 13.3 billion and employed
about 129,000 people worldwide.