USB Type-C solution offers a secure plug-and-play experience

20th July 2015

Barney Scott

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NXP Semiconductors has unveiled the industry’s most complete USB Type-C solution, including authentication and power delivery capabilities to further deliver secure connections for a smarter world. As we carry ever increasing amounts of data with us, we need the ability to quickly and securely transfer it from one device to another. While wireless connectivity provides convenience, USB ensures reliable and fast data transfer.

USB Type-C gives designers flexibility and simplicity. It will support USB 3.1 at a top speed of up to 10Gb/s, offering faster data transfer, video and secure connectivity over a single solution.

The authentication capabilities of NXP's solution can be used to validate a device and determine whether specific functionality of that device should be enabled. This will maximise battery life and could prevent safety hazards or equipment damage from low quality materials or non-compliant products. For example, detecting counterfeit power supplies before they are used for rapid charging functions.

“We are excited to sample the industry’s first secure total USB Type-C solution, allowing for the seamless connectivity of data, video, security and power delivery over a single connector,” said Grahame Cooney, General Manager, Secure Interfaces Business Sector, NXP Semiconductors. “This innovation offers consumers a secure plug-and-play experience to transfer data and video on their devices while rapidly charging them at the same time. As an industry leader in security, NXP has added authentication to USB Type-C to help customers better protect their devices and improve the reliability, security, and safety of the USB Type-C ecosystem.”

USB Type-C connectors are expected to become standard in device-to-device connectivity as they grow in popularity. Offering up to 10Gb/s data rates and 100W of power, the USB Type-C connector and cable technology supports the growing demands of computing, mobile, and consumer products.

Improving upon the previous Type-A and Type-B USB connectors, the Type-C connector is far more user-friendly, offering reversible plug orientation, cable direction and the ability to transfer power and data simultaneously as well as support different protocols, such as DisplayPort, MHL, and Thunderbolt for alternate modes. The bi-directional power flow support allows a device to either source or sink power. In addition, Type-C connectors offer scalable power solutions, ranging from 5.0V at 0.5A for handheld devices up to 20V at 5.0A for rapid charging and power delivery.

The total USB Type-C ecosystem from NXP includes MCUs, high speed switches, USB3 redrivers, ESD protection and filtering devices, USB PD PHY, CC logic controllers, authentication, load switches, AC/DC power solutions, MOSFETs and more. More Type-C products will be released each month.