Controllers offer versatile solution for USB Type-C-powered devices
New sink controllers from Diodes Incorporated provide a complete solution for controlling the transfer of power from a USB Type-C® power source to a battery-powered device over a USB-C to USB-C cable.
Diodes Incorporated has released two USB Type-C Power Delivery (PD) 3.1 extended power range (EPR) sink controllers. The AP33771C and AP33772S can be embedded into battery-powered devices and other types of equipment that use a USB Type-C socket as a power source.
The products support engineers who are replacing proprietary charging ports, legacy USB ports, or barrel-jack ports in legacy designs with a standard USB PD port. Use of the AP33771C or AP33772S enables them to reduce the size of their product, cut charging time, and use fewer components.
The AP33771C and AP33772S control dc power requests in USB Type-C connector-equipped devices. They support the PD 3.1 EPR protocol supplying loads up to 140 W and operating on an adjustable supply voltage of up to 28 V, higher than the 21 V typically supported by competing devices.
For maximum flexibility in systems with no microcontroller, the AP33771C offers multiple power profiles including eight resistor-settable output voltages and eight output-current options. By contrast, the AP33772S offers an I2C communications interface for use in systems with a host MCU.
Both the AP33771C and AP33772S feature smart built-in firmware for practical applications such as LED light indication, cable-voltage drop compensation, and moisture detection. While no programming is required to activate this feature in the AP33771C, designers have the option of using I2C commands to configure the AP33772S.
These sink controllers also feature 34 V-tolerant CC pins to offer robust system protection against accidental short circuits on the high-voltage supply line. The sink controllers also help to reduce the bill-of-materials by supporting NMOS FETs for input-voltage delivery.