Freescale is turning up the power on wireless charging with a new set of receivers and transmitters targeting larger phablets, tablets, and handheld medical equipment. The chips are the first to handle up to 15W using the Qi technology defined by the Wireless Power Consortium.

"Today's mobile products offer a broader range of features, functionality and form factors than ever before, requiring developers of wireless charging systems to accommodate larger batteries and enable faster recharge speeds," Denis Cabrol, Freescale's MCU group director of global marketing and business development, said in a release.

Freescale's WCT1012/WCT1111 transmitter chips -- offered in standard and premium versions -- and its WPR1516 receiver chip are geared for mobile devices with bigger batteries. They enable a recharge that's up to three times faster than 5W predecessors, said Freescale's Randy Ryder.

"In a typical 5W system that's producing 1 amp current, you can charge in one hour. With 15 Watts, in theory, you could cut that charge time by a third by improving power," Ryder, wireless charging lead for Freescale's microcontroller division and a representative on the Power Matters Alliance, told EE Times.

The Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab have approximately 12W power ratings, which have yet to be addressed by existing wireless charging devices.