Integrated USB PD controllers reduce design complexity

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

With fully integrated power paths, the new USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery (PD) controllers from Texas Instruments (TI) deliver smaller solution sizes and cost savings by reducing the number of external components required for computing applications. Claiming the industry’s first 200-W and 100-W USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery (PD) controllers, the TPS65987D and TPS65988 devices support computing applications, as well as a variety of other end products including cordless power tools, gaming, and virtual reality headsets.

The single-port TPS65987D, designed to source 100 W of power, integrates independent 20-V, 5-A source and sink load switches. Key features include a low R_DS(on)  (25 mΩ) for efficient charging and reverse current protection to protect the system and controller from overcurrent.

The dual-port TPS65988, which sources 200 W of power, provides two integrated 5-A bidirectional load switches and external power-path control to enable simultaneous 5-A source capability, said TI. The 200 W of power allows for fast USB Type-C charging while maintaining low R_DS(on) , and the two integrated 5-A FET paths enable high-power applications, including PC notebooks, docking stations, and connected peripherals.

The devices are USB PD 3.0-certified, UL-recognized, and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) safety-certified. The devices are pre-programmed to support several popular use cases including DisplayPort and Thunderbolt applications.

Reference designs are available: Power Duo Source 200 W USB-C PD and Power Duo Sink 200 W USB-C PD . Other resources include the white paper, USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery power path design considerations, and video “More ports, more problems: How TI eliminates USB Type-C reverse current events.”

The TPS65987D and TPS65988, available in 7 × 7-mm split-pad, quad flat no-lead (QFN) packaging, are priced at $1.99 and $2.99, respectively, in quantities of 1,000. The devices are available from the TI store and TI’s authorized distributors.