Introducing Infineon USB-C PD Controller Solutions
In-Vehicle Charger Compatibility Issues… C Type Standardization

As drivers and passengers become more accustomed to charging a variety of portable devices and operating infotainment functions through the car's electrical system, there is a recent movement to standardize USB charging ports to Type-C.

Seung-il Moon, Director of Infineon, presented on the topic of ‘Automotive USB Type-C Charging Controller Solutions and Design Technologies’ at the e4ds webinar, stating that Infineon will provide solutions to simplify the design process and quickly transition to USB Type-C charging ports by utilizing design resources and expertise.

USB Type-C is the latest USB standard as a small form factor connector, supporting reversible plug orientation and cable direction and measuring 2.4 mm thick.

Connector types are divided into receptacle and plug types. The receptacle is a connector used at the host or device end and consists of 24 pins. A plug connector is a connector used at the end of a cable and consists of 22 pins.

The fundamental difference between USB Type-C and USB PD is that Type-C is a new USB connector standard with a small form factor, while USB PD is a power delivery protocol that supports power supply of up to 100W.

Since USB PD is achieved through the Type C connector CC (Configuration Channel) pin for protocol messages, it is sometimes used interchangeably as USB Type C PD.

The USB Type C connector supports up to 5V, 3A even without PD. PD is needed when voltages of 9V, 15V, up to 20V are required, or when currents exceeding 3A are required. Up to 5A can be supported through PD.

Considering the maximum values of 20V and 5A, it can transmit power up to 100W. When transmitting signals other than USB data through the USB C connector, a PD controller is required.

The existing charging port in the vehicle is a USB Type A port. USB Type A is a 4.5mm, square connector type. It is 5V, 500mA or 5V, 900mA according to the standard 3.0. For fast charging conditions, charging is possible at 5V, 1.5A or 2A according to the BC 1.2 (Battery Charging 1.2) standard announced in 2010.

Also, some vendors are applying fast charging through Specific Charging Protocol via USB A port. Examples include Apple, Qualcomm's QC, and Samsung's AFC. The problem is that there is no compatibility between charging devices due to the use of specific charging protocols between each vendor.

Due to these compatibility issues, USB Type-C is being recommended and standardized in design, and since USB-C can deliver power of up to 5V, 3A or up to 100W when applying PD, the existing USB A port is being changed to C PD application for in-vehicle charging.

Infineon PD controllers are highly integrated, single-chip solutions including DC/DC, supporting one-port and two-port, and supporting legacy charging protocols such as Qualcomm's QC, Samsung's AFC, and Apple Charging as well as USB C PD.

It also features I2C communication with the system controller and supports Cable Compensation.

Infineon USB Type-C PD controllers have several PD controller solutions for various application applications.

For automotive products, there is the CCG3PA product, which is a PD controller that can implement Type-C one port and Type-A one port in a single IC. In addition, there is the CCG7D product, which is a highly integrated single-chip solution that includes two DC/DCs inside the product and LDO and two PD controllers, allowing design of two Type-C ports with a single controller.

The WLC wireless charging controller product lineup has been updated with a new one-chip solution that includes both DC/DC and power inverter for in-vehicle wireless charging.

“USB charging ports are an essential element in today’s automotive systems,” said Director Seung-il Moon. “Infineon will provide the flexibility and integration needed to design and implement products.”