USB-C adoption rate to grow 8.5% annually through 2020
| MAX77860, USB-C Controller and Charger Integration
| Reduce BOM required for POS machines, power banks, etc.

Maxim Integrated Korea announced on the 20th that it has launched the 'MAX77860', a 3A switch-mode charger that simplifies complex design and software development.
Designers of portable electronic devices powered by lithium-ion batteries can use the MAX77860 to add a USB Type C (USB-C) charging system to their products more simply and flexibly.

Various consumer electronic devices are moving to the USB-C interface to support miniaturization designs and rapidly advancing communication and battery charging capabilities. Previously, a host microprocessor was required in the design to detect current levels and set charger input current limits.

Market research firm IDTechEx predicted that while PCs, laptops, and mobile phones are leading the initial adoption of USB-C, the adoption rate of USB-C will grow by 8.5% annually until 2020 as the use of other portable devices increases.

The MAX77860 integrates a USB-C port controller and a charger, so a separate host controller is not required. Reduces Bill of Materials (BOM) costs for financial POS (Point-Of-Sale) terminals, auxiliary batteries, industrial computers, scanners, radios, medical devices, charging docks, portable speakers, game consoles, etc., through a high level of integration.

The MAX77860 integrates a battery charger with USB-C Configuration Channel (CC) port detection for 15W applications to simplify system hardware and software design as well as reduce design size. This enables the fastest battery charging speed in the USB-C specification and simplifies software development.
With a high switching frequency of 2.4 MHz, the size of inductors and capacitors is reduced, making the solution 30% smaller than competing products. The CC pin detection feature eliminates the need to support end-to-end USB port connections and allows charging to start automatically, reducing design effort.

The high-efficiency buck reduces heat dissipation with an efficiency of over 93% and a maximum 3A charging capability. It is backward compatible, allowing for designs that work with USB-C, legacy BC1.2, or dedicated adapters. The integrated A/D converter (ADC) provides accurate voltage and current measurements while conserving the available resources of the microprocessor.

Kimberly Majowski, Global Product Manager for Power ICs at electronic component distributor Premier Farnell, said, “The new Maxim MAX77860 provides tangible benefits to design engineers in the growing IoT market,” adding, “It supports the ultra-fast battery charging capabilities consumers need while reducing costs and design time.”

Perry Tsao, Director of Mobile Solutions Business at Maxim Integrated, stated, “The MAX77860 dramatically simplifies complex systems by integrating a charger, power path, low-dropout LDO, ADC, and USB-C CC sensing functions into a small 3.9mm x 4.0mm package. It simplifies design with an advanced level of integration and provides more power and functionality in minimal printed circuit board (PCB) space.”