Infineon – the experts in digital-based USB power delivery

For high power density designs at optimized cost

The charger market is moving towards maximum power density and unification via the so-called USB-PD protocol. As more and more devices switch to USB charging, the adoption of power delivery is also growing. The purpose of introducing a single charging standard that can be used on all USB devices is, on the one hand, to make it easier for users to use and reduce confusion, and on the other hand to address the growing problem of e-waste.

The USB PD standard allows fast charging over a USB connection. This specification provides higher power ratings than typical charging designs for smartphones, as it is designed to power hard drives, printers and displays, as well as large portable electronic devices such as laptops. In other words, it can increase the power level of the existing USB standard. A power supply of up to 100 W is possible with 20 V and up to 5 A. Using the highest power mode also requires a specially rated USB cable, as standard cables are only rated for up to 7.5W. In addition to faster charging, the USB standard enables both the host and peripherals to provide power, with the direction of power no longer fixed. It is important to communicate the proper "power rules", i.e. the source and host exchange their requirements to determine how much power to transfer. In this way, power management across multiple peripherals is optimized. Provide each device with only the power it needs (for example, low-power enclosures such as headphones and laptops are high-power enclosures).

USB powered

USB PD as a single-cable solution is a smaller, thinner, and more robust alternative to existing USB interconnects. It is mainly aimed at consumer chargers and adapters with small size, high reliability, and balanced performance-to-cost ratio.

This is where Infineon comes into play. Provides designers with a comprehensive semiconductor portfolio of low R DS(on) high voltage and low voltage power MOSFETs that can accommodate high power densities while properly addressing thermal management and potential EMI issues. The circuit board and magnetic components are assembled automatically. The focus on SMD packaging results in the reduction of required external components, and the associated savings at the expense of improved production performance. With planar transformers and soft-switching controls, customers can easily think of ultra-thin designs. Digital-based controls enable customers to differentiate themselves. Infineon has developed several high-performance USB PD solutions, one of which is an off-the-shelf USB PD 45 W reference design, which is available to order now.

Why choose Infineon's USB PD solution?

High power density

Digital Forced Frequency Resonance Control and High Performance CoolMOS® P7 and OptiMOS® PD -> Reach 22 W/inch 3+ Caseless Power Density

High efficiency and small form factor

Power components and optimized planar transformers in SMD packages -> ultra-thin design

Short time to market

Extensive application system understanding -> easy-to-use and easy-to-use solutions optimized for specific application needs

Provided hardware/software design tools to help diversify customer designs

Solution reliability proven by leading customers reduces risk identification time

Extensive network of field application engineers and partners ensures effective support worldwide

One stop shop -> Sourcing the most important semiconductors for USB PD from one supplier

cost of competition

Leading technology and packaging reduce external costs (e.g. for thermal management)

Dedicated product portfolio for chargers with optimized cost

One stop shop -> possible business cost savings

Various factors to reduce system cost -> eg, reduce complexity and size, enable specific transformer usage, optimize production cost, etc.

Highly differentiated

Digital Solutions -> Facilitates Maximum Differentiation

secure supply chain

A flexible supply chain reduces lead times and enables customers to adapt to the changing needs of the consumer market

Strong production capacity ensures surge in demand -> 3 front-end sites and more than 5 back-end factories for power MOSFETs