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USB Type-C connectivity

USB Type-C has become the standard USB connector for a multitude of applications, offering both high-speed data transfer and fast and efficient battery charging. In fact, USB Power Delivery (PD) has become an almost universal charging standard in both the smartphone and laptop markets, meaning USB-C plugs and cables are increasingly common. But mixing power with data requires a range of ESD protection solutions, each optimised to their specific task and data rate (10 Gbit/s Superspeed or High-speed for auxiliary data and audio).

Block diagram

Highlighted components are Nexperia focus products

Design challenges

  • The extra performance and convenience offered by USB-C makes for more complex circuitry on the PCB 
  • USB PD via Type-C connectors allows for various power profiles up to 100 W, requires power control switches to be capable of withstanding 20 V or higher
  • Low on-resistance is a pre-requisite to minimise energy loss, unwanted thermal challenges, and to comply with USB minimum-voltage regulations
  • Designers need to pay careful attention to the trade-off between TVS terminal capacitance (Ct) and the available ESD protection level - to avoid data distortion while ensuring system robustness 

ESD Application Handbook - Protection concepts, testing and simulation for modern interfaces

Nexperia’s ESD competence can help minimize the risk of ESD damage — supporting the design community in protecting applications and products against ESD issues. Inside this guide you will find invaluable information about ESD testing and the principles of ESD protection and EMI filtering, together with application examples with an emphasis on communication bus interfaces.

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TrEOS ESD Protection for USB Type-C®

TrEOS Protection offers benchmark performance suitable for up to ~20Gbps per line pair, protecting the latest high-speed interfaces such as USB Type-C® (USB 2.0 / 3.2 / 4) or HDMI. The TrEOS portfolio with over 100 leading performance devices offer customizable configurations to meet all design requirements.

Intelligent miniaturization of ESD protection

If we consider the ideal ESD protection device, it does not impact signal integrity while clamping all overvoltage transients to keep the protected system in its Safe Operating Area. It will also not need additional space or routing.

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