Low-cost implementation of USB Type-C

Texas Instruments TUSB320

Anwar Sadat, Ph.D., Texas Instruments

Incorporate USB Type-C into an existing platform at minimal cost while using just one device. The USB Type-C or USB-C connector interface offers a reversible cable, and a flippable plug, with power delivery of up to 100 W for USB 3.1 and alternate-mode support. However, system designers must choose features carefully to keep their system’s overall cost reasonable. Many low-cost Type-C systems only have USB 2.0 and a native Type-C power capability of 15 W. In this paper, I discuss a one-chip solution for these Type-C implementations. The solution provides channel configuration (CC) functions with a dual-role port (DRP) capability so it can be used for low- and miD–range implementation for portable applications such as smartphones, tablets, phablets, notebooks, hubs, docks, automotive infotainment, external hard disks and other peripherals.

USB Type-C probably created the most interest and buzz at its inception compared to any other connector interface. This is no surprise given that the interface promises to consolidate data, power and video on a single connector. Interestingly, this appears to be history repeating itself when 20 years ago USB 1.0 allowed fragmented electronics to communicate with each other through a single-connector/cable interface – ushering in a new era of communication. Since then, USB has remained one of the most popular connector interfaces in electronics.

While USB 2.0 streamlined power-charging for electronic gadgets, we still have to pack a number of chargers in our suitcases when traveling because laptops, tablets, phones, cameras, personal electronics all have different power requirements. Imagine using just one charger to satisfy the needs for all these gadgets! USB Type-C introduces a native power capability of 15 W and an enhanced capability when adding USB power delivery (USB-PD), allowing power charging up to 100 W. That’s plenty for most of our electronic toys. With ever more power-efficient semiconductor chips, hopefully, we will not have to revisit this topic in the foreseeable future.

USB Type-C provides native support for USB 2.0 and 10 Gbps USB 3.1 data communications with options to support alternate-mode (AM) through USB-PD. Native uncompressed video content, such as display port, is easily supported through Type-C using one of the alternate-mode options. Table 1 summarizes USB Type-C options.

Table 1. USB Type-C options with a native channel
configuration controller versus USB-PD.
Parameter Channel configuration
Controller
USB-PD
Power 15 W 100 W
USB 2.0 and 3.1 Yes Yes
Video No Yes

USB Type-C introduces new connectors for both receptacles and plugs that are smaller, thinner and more robust. These new cables can be plugged into a host or device in either direction, while still maintaining a traditional USB host/client relationship. The plug can connect into a receptacle up-side-up or upside-down (flippable). This flexibility and simplicity does add some level of complexity and cost of system implementation by platforms. While the new eco-system provides more options for implementations such as enhanced power, alternate modes, higher data throughputs and so on, system designers must choose which capabilities they need to implement in order to keep their overall system cost to an acceptable limit. These are all important factors for maintaining a positive user experience to which USB users have become so accustomed. For many systems, USB 2.0 speed and Type-C native power delivery of up to 15 W is good enough, considering reasonable use case and implementation cost.

USB 2.0

USB 2.0 is a 4-wire interface with two data (D+, D–), one ground (GND), and one power (VBUS®) pin. The interface is half-duplex and supports three data throughput speeds: low-speed (LS) at 1.5 Mbps; full-speed (FS) at 12 Mbps; and high-speed (HS) at 480 Mbps. USB 2.0 establishes a point-to-point interface between a host and client device (or hub) where a host controls the bus and provides 5 V and 500 mA power though a VBUS wire to an attached device. Additional power using USB battery charging (BC 1.2) is possible, but at the expense of more complexity and hardware. Popular USB 2.0 connectors include Type-A, Type-B and micro/mini A/B receptacles and plugs.

USB On-the-Go (OTG) introduces a fifth pin (ID) into the interface through micro A/B connectors. This fifth pin allows certain devices such as a mobile phone to alter its role between client device and host. It acts as a client when connected to a PC and as a host when connected to various USB media storage devices.

USB Type-C

Let’s look at more details about USB Type-C. Figure 1 shows a USB Type-C plug. The receptacle allows ultra-thin platform implementations such as notebook PCs and smartphones with a maximum mounted receptacle size of less than 3-mm high by 8.4-mm wide. Type-C receptacles are the same in both client and host systems. The Type-C cable has identical plugs at both ends, making it symmetric.

Low-cost implementation of USB Type-C
Figure 1. USB Type-C plug.

Figure 2 shows a USB Type-C receptacle pin map. The 24-pin interface is arranged in a symmetrical fashion and includes four pins for USB 2.0, eight pins (four pairs) for SuperSpeed USB, and two pins for alternate-mode, side-band signals. Additionally, two pins are used for channel configurations and USB-PD communications, four pins for VBUS, and four pins for GND. The connectors and cable assembly are defined such that SuperSpeed USB differential pairs can carry data up to 20 Gbps. While a receptacle must have all 24 pins, a Type-C USB 2.0 plug-and-cable assembly has only 12 signals, thus reducing cost.

Low-cost implementation of USB Type-C
Figure 2. USB Type-C receptacle pin map (front view). Source. Courtesy of Type-C specifications.

A typical system implementation shorts two D+ and two D– signals with stub connections. This eliminates the need for a multiplexer (Mux) to accommodate a flippable plug. Such a stubbed connection for SuperSpeed USB signals is not feasible due to signal integrity concerns requiring two receiver (Rx) and transceiver (Tx) 2:1 multiplexers. This connection probably consists of one chip at each end of a Type-C interface, one at the host side, and one at the client device side. If an alternate mode is used, the Mux configuration becomes more complicated and requires crosspoint switches.

Channel configuration

USB Type-C incorporates a CC through which it establishes a USB link between a downstream-facing port (DFP) and an upstream-facing port (UFP). A DFP port can be used as a host and the UFP as a device in traditional USB port definition. The CC function is used for the following determinations:

  • DFP-to-UFP attach/detach detection.
  • Plug orientation.
  • DFP-to-UFP (host-to-device) and power relationship (provider/consumer) detection. Without USB-PD, by default, a DFP (source) provides a UFP (sink) that consumes power.
  • USB Type-C VBUS current advertisement (provider) or detection (consumer).
  • While attached, power and data roles can be changed only through USB-PD.

Even though a receptacle has two CC pins, CC1 and CC2, only a single CC wire is connected through the cable. While traditional USB ports determine host/device relationships using mechanical characteristics of receptacle and plugs, in USB Type-C with same connectors at both ends, a DFP has a pull-up and a UFP has a pull-down on the CC lines (Figure 3). Monitoring the CC lines for specified voltage provides the orientation and attachment detection.

Low-cost implementation of USB Type-C
Figure 3. Channel configuration pull-up/down model.

A DFP uses different resistor pull-up (or current source) values to advertise its current provider capability. On the other hand, a UFP detects how much current it can consume by applying a pulldown resistor and performing a voltage comparison. Three power settings are possible for a USB 2.0 interface without USB-PD: 500 mA; 1.5 A; and 3 A with 5 V on VBUS.

Type-C also defines a dual-role port (DRP) that alternately identifies itself as a DFP and UFP until a stable attached state is established. If a DRP is paired with an UFP or DFP, it takes the role of a DFP or UFP, respectively. If two DRP are paired the outcome is random, but can be influenced by two optional features: Try.SRC and Try.SNK. A DRP with Try.SRC preference tries to establish itself as a DFP (source), and with Try.SNK preference as a UFP (sink). These features are particularly important to ensure the power provider/consumer relationship makes sense in the eco-system such that, for example, a DRP phone does not start charging a DRP notebook. For the best user experience for an overall Type-C ecosystem, it is important that all connected equipment use an appropriate power role. Table 2 suggests the appropriate state machine setting for a given product.

Table 2. Device power class with recommended settings.
Power class Example devices State machine
Always source Charger SRC
Usually source Laptop, battery
pack
Try.SRC
Dual Tablet DRP
Usually sink Phone Try.SNK
Always sink Portable drive,
accessory
SNK

How much is enough?

As mentioned, USB Type-C can handle 15 W of power natively without additional USB-PD protocol. How much power is 15 W? This is six times the standard USB 2.0 charging, and 1.5 times the fastest USB BC 1.2 rate. How fast can a mobile device charge itself at 15 W? Table 3 shows some calculations. In reality, charging time depends on many different factors. For simplicity, however, 80 percent power efficiency is assumed here for our illustration.

Table 3. Charge time for typical mobile devices from
15 W power source
Mobile device Typical battery
capacity
Native Type-C
charge time (mins)
Smartphone 6 Wh 30
Phablet 10 Wh 50
Mini tablet 15 Wh 75
Full-size tablet 30 Wh 150

Is 15 W USB Type-C capability good enough? For most low- and miD–range portable implementations, the answer is probably yes, considering additional cost and complexity to implement USB-PD.

Some applications do require a lot of data and video throughput. For portable gadgets, however, end users often do not expect this much. The most common use of a USB port for a mobile phone or tablet is transferring pictures, music and video into a PC or to sync our device. USB 2.0 provides 480- Mbps throughput. With all overheads counted, you can probably get 40 MB data transfer per second – which is likely enough for everyday use.

Typically, a mobile device has a DRP role such that it can be a power sink for charging when connected to a PC. Conversely, it can function as a source when it is paired with a flash drive. Figure 4 shows a typical USB 2.0 implementation of a DRP. Note how the system implementation remains mostly unchanged with a CC controller chip that emulates the ID signal of a standard OTG implementation. It is important to mention that USB Type-C enables a mobile device to be dual-role capable (host or client), as well as be a power source or sink.

Low-cost implementation of USB Type-C
Figure 4 Typical DRP implementation.

A USB 2.0 Type-C port in a laptop or wall charger most likely will be a DFP with a power provider role. Why does a laptop have a 15 W USB 2.0 port? The answer depends on the overall cost and power budget of a system with multiple Type-C ports because not all of them can be full-featured. A typical implementation of a DFP is illustrated in Figure 5. Even though the port is not taking a dual-role, the ID signal is useful for controlling the power FET.

Low-cost implementation of USB Type-C
Figure 5. Typical DFP implementation.

Figure 6 shows typical implementation of a UFP. This configuration is common for a portable hard disk, some mobile phones, upstream port of a USB 2.0 hub, a watch, accessories and peripherals.

Low-cost implementation of USB Type-C
Figure 6. Typical UFP implementation.

One-chip solution for USB 2.0

One device that can provide a single-chip implementation of USB 2.0 is the TUSB320 from Texas Instruments. When using this device, converting an existing USB 2.0 into Type-C is not as complicated as it may appear. You just swap the connector and add a CC controller such as the TUSB320, and you are almost done. All application examples illustrated on Figures 4-6 can be implemented using this device for DRP, DFP and UFP, respectively. The device can be configured by GPIOs. Using I2C is optional, but provides additional functions that a system designer might find useful. The device provides an I2C interrupt signal for a microprocessor in order to reduce constant polling. Any event that changes the state of the host-client interface will be notified.

TI’s DRP port controller provides CC logic and can be configured as a DFP, UFP or DRP for portable applications.

Table 4. USB Type-C connector interface lists features
supported by mode
Port pin High Low Mid (NC)
Supported features DFP only UFP only DRP
Port attach/detach
Cable orientation
(through I2C)
Current advertisement   • (DFP)
Current detection   • (UFP)
Accessory modes
(audio and debug)
Active cable detection   • (DFP)
I2C/GPIO
Legacy cables
VBUS detection • (UFP)
Dead battery wake-up
ID emulation   • (DFP)
Try.SRC    
Try.SNK    

The device alternates, presenting itself as a DFP or UFP, according to the Type-C specification. The CC logic block monitors the CC1 and CC2 pins for pull-up or pull-down resistances to determine when a USB port is attached and its role. CC logic also advertises or detects Type-C current-mode default, mid or high, depending on the role detected. A list of supported features is summarized in Table 4.

Materials on the topic

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