STMicroelectronics (ST) has significantly simplified the development of USB-C-based power delivery and charging applications.

ST announced on the 2nd that it has released a new USB PD sink controller, 'STUSB4531'.

This new product features ST's patented hybrid mode, which significantly reduces the software development burden required to implement advanced USB PD functions.

At the heart of the STUSB4531 is ST's proprietary AUTORUN algorithm and a hardwired USB PD authentication stack.

This enables basic power negotiation, monitoring, and power management functions to be performed out of the box without the need for separate software.

ST expects this feature to significantly reduce the development complexity of a variety of small electronic devices, including portable audio devices, wearables, set-top boxes, Wi-Fi access points, healthcare devices, and lighting.

The updated autorun algorithm supports adaptive voltage scaling (AVS) and high-power dead battery charging, ensuring an optimal power profile during negotiation with the AC adapter.

This is evaluated as a factor that increases the charging efficiency of battery-based devices and strengthens compatibility with USB-C power supply devices.

thisThe most notable feature of the new product is the newly added hybrid mode.

This mode is designed to allow external microcontrollers to interact directly with the USB PD stack, giving engineers more flexibility to implement advanced features such as USB data transfer, role swap, alternate mode, and vendor-defined messages (VDMs).

This allows developers to reduce their software burden while shortening product launch times.

Typical applications requiring USB-C-based charging and data transfer include hard disk drives, point-of-sale terminals, printers, drones, and portable industrial devices.

Additionally, VR headsets, infotainment devices, portable displays, game consoles, and other devices often utilize DisplayPort or Thunderbolt alternate modes along with USB power delivery, making the STUSB4531's hybrid mode particularly useful.

The STUSB4531 supports the latest USB-C 2.4 and USB PD 3.2 standards and is IEC 62680 certified to meet EU compliance requirements.

ST believes that this will contribute to the standardization of USB-C-based charging and the reduction of electronic waste, which are emphasized in global eco-friendly design standards.

ST has also strengthened its ecosystem for developers. An evaluation board (EVAL-SCS007V1), an ultra-small reference design (EVAL-SCS006V1), a GUI (STSW-STUSB020), an NVM flasher (STSW-STUSB021), and an open-source software library (STSW-STUSB022) are provided, and will be released soon.

The STUSB4531 is available in a 3mm × 3mm QFN16 package and a 2.3mm × 2.3mm CSP16 package, with pricing starting at $1.17 for quantities of 1,000 pieces.