MediaTek Announces Pump Express(TM) Fast-Charging for Mobile Devices

-- Combined system-on-a-chip (SOC) and DC wall charger technology reduces battery recharge times for smartphones and tablets by up to half

HSINCHU, Feb. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- MediaTek today announced Pump Express^TM, a fast-charging technology for smartphones and tablets.

When incorporated into a mobile device's power management integrated circuit (PMIC) and corresponding DC wall charger, MediaTek Pump Express^TM cuts mobile device battery recharge times by half, compared to a standard USB charger. Shorter recharge times mean less waiting around for a mobile device to be ready to use. 

Pump Express^TM allows a mobile device to negotiate with the DC wall charger to determine the initial voltage required to recharge the battery, based on its current charge. The voltage is then gradually increased to up to 5V to maximize the charging current, while keeping the battery safely within its thermal limits.

Pump Express^TM  technology is available in two forms to suit different battery capacities.  Pump Express^TM is designed for DC wall chargers with an output of less than 10W (5V), while Pump Express^TM Plus is for chargers with an output of 15W or more (up to 12V).

"The long wait while a battery recharges has been a persistent inconvenience for smartphone and tablet users," said Jeffrey Ju, General Manager of MediaTek's Smartphone Business Unit. "By cutting typical recharge times by up to 50%, Pump Express means mobile devices spend less time tied to a wall socket and its cost-effective design offers manufacturers a simple and effective way to bring fast-charging technology to market."

Select MediaTek smartphone and tablet systems-on-a-chip already support fast-charging technology. Pump Express^TM technology is available on all MediaTek's mobile SOCs. MediaTek also plans to incorporate the technology into its upcoming products.

MediaTek Pump Express^TM technology is expected to be available in commercial devices by the first half of 2014.

About MediaTek

MediaTek is a pioneering fabless semiconductor company, and a market leader in cutting-edge systems on a chip for wireless communications, HDTV, DVD and Blu-ray. MediaTek created the world's first octa-core smartphone platform with LTE and its CorePilot^TM technology released the full power of multi-core mobile processors. Mediatek [TSE:2454] is headquartered in Taiwan and has offices worldwide. Please visit www.mediatek.com for more information.