USB-C solution chosen for lightweight notebook

28th March 2017

Alice Matthews

0 0

Datasheet

LG Electronics has selected Cypress Semiconductor’s EZ-PD CCG3 controllers, what the company claims to be the industry’s most highly integrated USB-C solutions, for three new models of its lightweight LG Gram notebook. CCG3 integrates multiple components and supports the new USB-C UCSI connection standard, enabling LG to meet its size and feature requirements. CCG3 is featured in the LG Gram 13”, LG Gram 14” and LG Gram 15” notebooks.

“With the push for USB Power Delivery and UCSI to be standardised in PCs, it was important to us to find a USB-C controller that supports flexible notebook architectures,” LG said in a statement about the Cypress design win. “Cypress’ programmable CCG3 controllers offer custom firmware support, making us confident that we can easily adhere to future changes in the standard.”

“Cypress has a first-to-market track record in USB-C,” said Mark Fu, Senior Marketing Director of Cypress’ Wired Connectivity Business Unit. “Our programmable solutions enable customers to shrink their form factors and accelerate their time-to-market. The LG Gram notebook win expands our laptop and PC market share. It is an exciting design win for us.”

The USB Type-C Connector System Software Interface (UCSI) is a standardised mechanism for operating systems to monitor and control power delivery and the multiple protocols on a USB-C port in a PC. The programmable CCG3 solution enables UCSI and custom firmware development through Cypress’ Host Process Interface (HPI). CCG3 integrates gate drivers for power FETs, a high-voltage regulator and analog blocks that enable it to be powered directly from the VBus. Programmable overvoltage and overcurrent circuitry protects systems against power overloads and other faulty operating conditions.

The CCG3 controller includes an ARM Cortex-M0 processor, two 64KB flash memory banks for fail-safe firmware updates and an integrated Crypto Engine for firmware update authentication. CCG3 also incorporates an analogue switch for non-USB signals, such as DisplayPort control signals, along with four serial communication blocks and a USB full-speed controller for USB Billboard functionality.