USB Type-C – #1

What does USB Type-C mean for the world? Daniel Bogdanoff  and Mike Hoffman sit down with Jit Lim to find out. We discuss super fast charging, blazing data transfer – and, of course, things catching fire as a result.

Video version (YouTube):

What does USB Type-C mean for the world? Daniel Bogdanoff (@Keysight_Daniel) and Mike Hoffman sit down with Jit Lim to find out. We discuss super fast charging, blazing data transfer transfer – and, of course, things catching fire as a result.

Watch the video version and ask us any questions you might have on the Keysight Oscilloscopes YouTube channel or in the comments below!

Look for new episodes each 2nd and 4th Thursday.

Visit Keysight’s USB Type-C design and test solutions page for app notes and more!

Discussion overview:
What is the EEs Talk Tech podcast?
What is USB Type-C, one port to end all others!
Reversible plugs
Show and tell
-Superspeed USB, micro USB
USB Type-C cables are the same on both ends
Host/Device Source/Sink vs role negotiation

USB Power Delivery (USB PD) overview

USB PD for USB A was deprecated

USB Type-C charger has 60 watts of power!

Charge your phone very quickly using USB PD 10:00

5V is an hobby-industry standard level, what about going forwards?

What does USB Type-C look like for day-to-day life?  LED projectors? USB Noodle makers?

Q: Can I find a cheap USB Type-C cable? Should I?

A: Probably over time, but if it’s poorly made it could go badly

Phones are literally blowing up!

The cable isn’t just a wire anymore 14:59

USB alt modes:

USB is the cable to end all cables!

It can handle Displayport, HDMI, VGA, DVI, Thunderbolt, ethernet, power, headphones

MHL device discussion

No headphone jack needed!?!

Is USB Type-C available in stores?

Are manufacturers pushing Type-C or are consumers demanding it?

USB A to C, USB B to C, Thunderbolt to USB C adapters are allowed in the USB C spec (USB Type-C specification)

Make sure to look for USB Certification when you buy products

USB IF mandates that products be certified before being sold

A bad USB Type-C implementation can destroy your stuff!

How are USB alt modes implemented?

What makes up the hardware? 20:20

All USB Type-C cables & hardware have to be the same!

CC (Configuration Channel) line starts the handshake and is a dedicated pin

Make sure cables only have one CC! 21:40

USB Type-C is reversible! 22:20

The device receptacle does the signal routing based on cable position and orientation

How does device negotiation work? For example, what if two phones want to charge each other?

A device can be a host (sinking) or a device (sourcing) 24:20

How does it happen? 24:45

RP, RD, RA resistor network is fundamental to Type-C

What do the resistors mean?

RP means “always a source”
RD means “always a sink”

These resistor networks have certain values that determine current, etc.

You can have USB Type-C without PD, up to 5 Volts  3 Amps
USB Type-C PD lets you go to 20V 5A

We have two USB test fixtures/USB test jig the N7015A and N7016A

Is USB PD available today?
Temperature sensors (or other fail safe mechanisms) are required 28:00

Are USB Type-C cables active or passive?
In general, USB Type-C cables are passive. Active USB Type-C cables will be used for longer cables.

All USB Type-C cables are required to have an e-mark chip to help with power negotiation 29:15

Not all USB Type-C cables can handle 100W
USB Type-C can go up to 80 Gb data transfer using four TX/RX links!

There’s a lot of room to grow for future USB Type-C revisions 32:10

Predictions 30:30