USB-C connector revolution boosted with cost-effective new controller

The addition of the UTC2000, USB-C controller to its leading portfolio of USB devices has been announced by Microchip. With the new device, designers of a wide range of applications covering the consumer, industrial and automotive markets can now simply and quickly implement the radically updated USB-C connector cost effectively, speeding time to market and minimising bills of materials. Sampling in a 16-pin QFN package, the UTC2000 controller's small form factor also enables the deployment of USB-C connectors in mobile applications. The USB-C cable is now poised to become the 'universal' cable, as it is capable of supplying data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps, 100W of continuous power flow and ultra-high-bandwidth video capabilities made available through alternate modes - all with a single connection and cable. For designers wishing to take advantage of the new standard with the same ultra-fast transfer speeds at the lowest cost point, the UTC2000 controller supports up to 15W of power. This is ideal for a wide range of applications in the consumer market such as notebooks, printers and accessories, docking stations, mobile devices and battery chargers; in the industrial market for computers and handheld devices; and in the automotive market for head units, break-out boxes and USB battery chargers, in addition to other applications. Microchip's expertise with the USB-C standard provides designers integrating the UTC2000 controller into their products with the confidence that they will meet all of the requirements for USB-C compliance. Additionally, Microchip makes it easy to take full advantage of the USB-C benefits while lowering development costs and product-launch delay risks, says the company. The UTC2000 USB-C controller is supported by Microchip's UTC2000 Evaluation Kit (EVK-UTC2000) which enables designers to easily convert a traditional USB connector to type C for both UFP and DFP.