USB-C controllers deliver higher integration

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

Cypress Semiconductor Corp. has introduced its latest USB-C controllers with Power Delivery for desktop and notebook computers. The dual- and single-port USB-C controllers, EZ-PD CCG6DF and CCG6SF, respectively, offer high integration, which helps shrink the design footprint and lower cost. The EZ-PD controllers also support the new USB4 standard and the latest Intel Thunderbolt platforms.

USB-C can simultaneously power devices up to 100 W and transmit data using the same cable and standard reversible connector. The new EZ-PD series of USB-C controllers integrate more features, including a VBUS provider load switch for power with fault protection.

The controllers have an embedded 32-bit Arm Cortex-M0 processor with 64-KB flash for enhanced programmability and to enable firmware upgrades for the new USB4 standard. The USB4 significantly improves the data transfer rate to 40 Gbits/s and allows simultaneous support of USB 3.2, DisplayPort, and PCIe.

The controllers are sampling in 96-pin BGA and 48-pin QFN packages. Volume production will start in Q3 2020.