With the USB Type-C Development Kit from Würth Elektronik eiSos, those looking to take advantage of the vastly expanded range of options offered by USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery in their projects have a convenient and immediate solution at hand: built from proven USB-Type C technology from STMicroelectronics, Würth Elektronik’s USB Type-C Development Kit is ready for immediate use in prototypes and represents a reference design for safe and flexible USB PD applications up to 100W.

USB Type-C connector is today being used by many devices. Whatever the final application is, there are many reasons for adopting USB-C connectors. Since it is reversible, it can be plugged into a device any which way. Able to carry up to 100 W charging power (from 5V/0.1A up to 20V/5.0A), it merges and is backward compatible with the functionality of both legacy Type-A and -B ports in a single one and even can change roles on the fly.

With the USB Type-C Development Kit, Würth Elektronik eiSos aims to help its customers address two of the biggest challenges in developing USB PD applications:

1) A robust solution with embedded protection against short-circuit, overvoltage, overcurrent and electromagnetic interference ensured by using USB Type C connectors, inductive components and capacitors from Würth Elektronik eiSos and certified USB power delivery controllers from ST with built-in protection.

2) A complete and ready-to-use solution with evaluation boards and a demonstration board for sink and source applications from 0.5W up to 100W. These boards can be used without any extra software or firmware for faster development time.

The USB Type-C Development Kit includes three assembled boards and a high current rating USB Type-C cable.

The first board is the 40W Source Evaluation Board with the STUSB4710 autorun controller and on-board DC/DC converter from ST. The STUSB4710 integrates all the digital and high-voltage analog circuitry needed to autonomously support full USB PD negotiation. It supports up to 5 power data objects (PDO) and power-sharing applications thanks to its I²C interface. Typical applications are power-source applications such as AC adapters, power supplies, power hubs, smart plugs and DC-DC applications.

The second board is the 100W Sink Evaluation Board with the STUSB4500 autorun controller from ST. It allows straightforward migration from STD-B, micro-B or custom power plugs to a Type-C connector. This solution is ideal for automatically prompting a charging process – even if the battery is empty. The STUSB4500 supports up to 3 PDOs. Typical applications are electronic devices charged through USB Type-C connector.

The third board is the 100W Source Demo Board with the STUSB1602 – an analog front-end that is a companion chip of the STM32 microcontroller – and on board DC/DC converter. The STUSB1602 provides up to 5 PDOs. Typical applications include power-source applications such as AC adapters, power supplies, power hubs, smart plugs and DC-DC applications.

Würth Elektronik eiSos is an ST Authorized Partner member of the STMicroelectronics Partner program. The ST Partner Program enhances the ecosystem around ST’s broad portfolio of products helping end customers to reduce development effort and accelerate time to market relying on ST trusted partner’s complementary products or services.

The USB Type-C Development Kit is now available at local sales representatives.

Further information at www.we-online.com.