TI cuts USB Type-C footprint in half

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

Texas Instruments (TI) has launched a multiport USB Type-C and Power Delivery (PD) minidock reference design that provides audio, USB data, power and video support in half the footprint of previous implementations.

This new reference design can be powered by a traditional power adapter, USB Type-C adapter or notebook computer, offering end users flexible, intelligent functionality. The reference design provides a fully tested, verified plan for a 2- by 4-inch dock, at least 50 percent smaller than existing docking solutions.

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At the core of the USB Type-C and Power Delivery Minidock with Video and Charging Support Reference Design (TIDA-01243) is the TPS65982 USB Type-C and PD controller. The TPS65982 enables dual-role port USB Type-C functionality, capable of delivering 60 watts of power and supporting DisplayPort Alternate Mode and USB data transmission. In addition, the design uses the TPS65986 USB Type-C and PD controller, HD3SS3212 SuperSpeed multiplexer, TUSB321 dual-role port controller and HD3SS460 Alternate Mode multiplexer, which work together to provide dual-role port capability for power, data and video transfer.

The design allows for autonomous PD negotiation for both source and sink, eliminating the need for an external microcontroller and by combining the highly integrated TPS65982 with other USB Type-C components in an optimized circuit, the minidock reference design allows engineers to develop up to 50 percent smaller docking stations.

The minidock also supports USB 3.0 or 4K resolution video and digital audio through various output options with DisplayPort and HDMI.

All the chips in the design are compliant with the current USB Type-C and PD standards, simplifying and speeding engineers’ design cycles. The design also combines the complete solution of TI USB Type-C and PD-compliant ICs, including port controllers, data multiplexers, DC/DC converters, load switches, field-effect transistors (FETs), signal conditioners and circuit protection, easing product selection and purchasing during design implementation.

The minidock TI Designs reference design (TIDA-01243) is now available for download. Additionally, an evaluation module allows designers to quickly evaluate and implement their minidock designs. The USB-CTM-MINIDK-EVM is available today for US$499 from the TI store and authorized distributors.

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Embedded controllers move into USB Type-C

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

ST Microelectronics has launched embedded software to add Power Delivery to the latest USB Type-C designs based around its STM32 ARM Cortex-M based microcontrollers writes EETimes Europe.

The new capabilities come from a free STM32 USB-C and PD Middleware Stack that is compliant with USB Type-C 1.2 and USB Power Delivery 2.0 specifications, enabling customers to rapidly deploy the technology in end-products. Cypress Semiconductor has been following the same strategy with its CCG2 and CCG3 embedded controllers and hubs.

ST's new firmware stack, X-CUBE-USB-PD, initially based on the STM32F0 entry level Cortex-M0 processor, allows designers to upgrade their USB legacy devices to provide significant benefits to their end users. USB-C together with Power Delivery technology provides a reversible connector, the ability to carry all necessary data (including video or proprietary protocols), and up to 100W of power to supply or charge equipment connected to the USB port.

Using the STM32 with the stack requires only a very simple Analogue Front End comprising a few passive components as it uses the embedded STM32 features such as comparators, ADCs, timers, and Direct Memory Access.

The solution supports up to two USB-C ports in provider, consumer, or dual roles, cable-insertion detection, plug orientation and identification of the role of the port partner attached and its current capability. The Vbus Power negotiation is handled via the Power Delivery communication protocol while Vendor-Defined Messages are handled to identify device or cable ID or to manage Alternate Mode commands. The processing bandwidth and available resources allow the MCU to perform other application-specific tasks, such as power-management control, USB2.0 communication, and/or voltage and current monitoring, on top of its USB-C functionality, and the software library provided in the X-CUBE-USB-PD software expansion is fully in line with STM32Cube APIs (HAL - Hardware Abstraction Layer), ensuring easy switch across different STM32 series.

More on this story at EETimes Europe