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ELECTRONICS

Designers can generate customised Conclusion
scripts for typical applications using a The USB PD specification dramatically expands the number of battery-operated
graphical user interface (GUI) and then devices charged through a USB cable. The specification outlines seven new voltage rail
load them into the non-volatile memory requirements—5V, 9V, 15V, 20V, 28V, 36V, and 48V — to help accommodate the wide range
of the IC. The PD controller automatically of power capabilities. Power sources and in-line devices now need to negotiate a current
executes commands, such as toggling and voltage level before charging can begin.
GPIO or sending an I C command to the Standalone PD controllers integrate most blocks into one IC, which helps simplify
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charger through the I C master port. the design process. Some even eliminate the need for an external MCU and customised
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The customisation script is written firmware. Standalone PD controllers help accelerate your design development to ensure
in the GUI using simple, user-friendly you are staying ahead of the latest trends in USB PD. n
commands. The software translates the
customisation script to hexa-decimal format About the author
and writes it to the IC configuration area. Sagar Khare is a business manager with the battery powered solutions business unit
Developers can define simple functions and at Maxim Integrated®, now part of Analog Devices. He has wide-ranging experience in
sequences based on the functionality they embedded power conversion, renewable energy and battery management. Sagar holds
need for their application. a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Stony Brook University and a
Figure 6 shows the some of the Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University.
functions a designer can use for
programming the customisation script. General References:
The GUI outputs a binary (bin) and 1. USB Power Delivery Specification
hexa-decimal (hex) file based on the 2. “USB Power Delivery,” Presentation by Bob Dunstan and Petrie, Nov. 2019
customisation script. The customisation 3. “USB-C Fundamentals,” Video by Sagar Khare, Maxim Integrated, now part of Analog Devices, Jun. 2020
scripts are a unique feature that 4. “Designing In USB Type-C and Using Power Delivery for Rapid Charging,” Digi-Key, Mar. 2017
drastically reduces development time. 5. “USB Power Delivery: Convenience and Safety,” Renesas

Figure 6. User programming of customisation script

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