USB sink controllers offer versatile PD EPR solutions for battery-powered devices

Diodes Incorporated has released two USB Type-C PD 3.1 EPR sink controllers. These can be embedded into battery-powered devices and other types of equipment using a USB Type-C socket as a power source, including routers, wireless speakers, power banks, and power tools. The AP33771C and AP33772S support product designers transitioning from proprietary charging ports, legacy USB ports, and barrel-jack ports to a standardised USB PD port, allowing them to develop smaller applications that can charge more quickly, utilising fewer components.

The devices control DC power requests in USB Type-C connector-equipped devices, supporting PD3.1 EPR up to 140W and adjustable voltage supply (AVS) up to 28V. They can outperform competing devices that support only up to AVS 21V. For maximum flexibility in systems without an MCU, the AP33771C provides multiple power profiles, including eight resistor-settable output voltage levels and eight output current options. Alternatively, the AP33772S features an I2C communications interface for systems with a host MCU.

Both devices feature smart, standard built-in firmware for practical applications like LED light indication, cable voltage drop compensation, and moisture detection. While no programming is needed to activate this feature in the AP33771C, designers can use I2C commands to configure the AP33772S. These sink controllers also feature 34V tolerant CC pins to deliver robust system protection against accidental shorts to the high-voltage VBUS. The sink controllers also help to reduce the BOM by supporting NMOS FETs for input voltage delivery.

The AP33771C is available in the small-footprint W-DFN3030-14 (Type A1) (3mm x 3mm) package, while the AP33772S is available in the W-QFN4040-24 (Type A1) (4mm x 4mm) package.