Alexander Gronbach

As USB Type-C ports continue to rise in popularity in laptops, tablets and smartphones, so do the number of failures that early adopters experience. These failures are frequently due to the new USB Type-C cables, many of which are not compliant with the official USB 3.1 specification.

With previous USB implementations (common ones shown in Figure 1 below), most systems were able to withstand the <10W applied by noncompliant cables. Now, with up to 100W of charging available through USB Type-C, properly protecting systems has become much more complicated.

Not All USB Type-C Cables Are Created Equal

Almost every device I own has some form of USB connectivity, whether it’s the larger rectangular connector (Type A) or the smaller micro/mini ports. I own so many of these devices with various connectors that I lose track of which cable is for which device, and use them interchangeably. With the previous generation of USB cables, this was not an issue, as all cables delivered relatively low power (<10W).

100W charging support and a new physical connector, shown in Figure 2, are two major changes brought on by the USB Type-C standard. Due to this, all USB cables will need to be upgraded. There are many companies producing USB Type-C cables, often selling them across a variety of websites. The sheer amount of compliant and noncompliant cables that exist are next to impossible to keep track of. The danger of unknowingly buying noncompliant cables is that some are so far out of compliance that they can even destroy the systems they connect to.

The Benefits of Implementing USB Type-C Protection

To prevent damage to consumers’ devices, regardless of which USB Type-C cable they end up using, you need to ensure that you design your system with robust power-path protection. Doing so will help ensure that consumers are protected against a variety of common problems, including faulty cable hot-plugging or tightly spaced pins shorting from moisture or unwanted debris inside of the connector. One way to implement this protection is detailed in the USB Type-C Power-Path Protection with Audio Accessory Support Reference Design. Figure 3 shows the block diagram.

There are multiple levels of protection required for USB Type-C ports, specifically power-path and signal-path protection. In this reference design, the TPD6E05U06 handles signal-path protection on the CC1, CC2, D+, D-, SBU1 and SBU2 pins. This device integrates six ultra-low loading-capacitance transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes into a single chip, providing International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61000-4-2 Level 4 electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. The TPS25923 eFuse and CSD17571Q2 power MOSFET together provide up to 30V of overvoltage protection, current limiting and block reverse current for the power-path. Last but certainly not least, the TUSB320LAI, TS5USBA224 and TS3A226AE manage the USB cable orientation (don’t forget that USB Type-C is a reversible connector), acting role (DFP, UFP, DRP) and cable attach/detach.

Additionally, these devices provide support for analog audio accessories, allowing for power or audio delivery over a single USB Type-C port. Download the USB Type-C Power Path Protection with Audio Accessory Support Reference Design today to add the proper protection to your next USB Type-C design.

Additional Resources

• Read the blog posts, “USB Type-C audio: Do I need to buy a new pair of headphones?” and “Upgrading USB chargers from Type-A to Type-C.”
• Download the white papers, “Low-cost implementation of USB Type-C?” and “A primer on USB Type-C and Power Delivery applications and requirements.”
• Read the “USB Type-C Power Path Protection with Audio Accessory Support Reference Design” user guide to learn more.