CHAPTER 1

USB TYPE-C

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Data transmission also data communication or digital communications is the transfer of data over a point-to-
point or point-to-multipoint communication channel. Examples of such channels are copper wires, optical
fibers, wireless communication channels, storage media and computer buses. The data are represented as
an electromagnetic signal, such as an electrical voltage, radiowave, microwave, or infrared signal.
Analog or analogue transmission is a transmission method of conveying voice, data, image, signal or video
information using a continuous signal which varies in amplitude, phase, or some other property in proportion
to that of a variable. The messages are either represented by a sequence of pulses by means of a line
code(baseband transmission), or by a limited set of continuously varying wave forms (passband transmission),
using a digital modulation method. The passband modulation and corresponding demodulation (also known
as detection) is carried out by modem equipment. According to the most common definition of digital signal,
both baseband and passband signals representing bit-streams are considered as digital transmission, while an
alternative definition only considers the baseband signal as digital, and passband transmission of digital data
as a form of digital-to-analog conversion. Data transmitted may be digital messages originating from a data
source, for example a computer or a keyboard. It may also be an analog signal such as a phone call or a video
signal, digitized into a bit-stream for example using pulse-code modulation (PCM) or more advanced source
coding (analog-to-digital conversion and data compression) schemes. This source coding and decoding is
carried out by codec equipment. Universal Serial Bus (USB) technology has been popular since its
introduction in 1996, thanks largely to the low cost of the technology, its ease of adoption, and the convenience
it offers to consumers for transferring data, connecting accessory devices to personal computing products and
charging mobile devices. The latest innovations include a new, higher-performance SuperSpeed USB, more
user-friendly connector and cable designs, more flexible power and data delivery options, and greater energy
efficiency. These innovations have enabled USB to realize its potential to enable single-connector platforms,
which promise to deliver even more convenience and flexibility to consumers.

1.2 WHAT IS USB TYPE-C?

USB Type-C, commonly known as simply USB-C, is a 24-pin USB connector system allowing transport of
data and power. It is distinguished by its horizontally symmetrical "reversible" connector. The USB Type-C
Specification 1.0 was published by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) and was finalized in August 2014.
It was developed at roughly the same time as the USB 3.1 specification. A device that implements USB-C
does not necessarily implement USB 3.1, USB Power Delivery, or Alternate Mode.

fig1.1 USB type-C

The USB-C connectors connect to both hosts and devices, replacing various USB-B and USB-A connectors
and cables with a standard meant to be future-proof. The 24-pin double-sided connector is slightly larger than

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the micro-B connector, with a USB-C port measuring 8.4 millimetres (0.33 in) by 2.6 millimetres (0.10 in).
The connector provides four power/ground pairs, two differential pairs for non-SuperSpeed data (though only
one pair is populated in a USB-C cable), four pairs for SuperSpeed data bus (only two pairs are used in USB
3.1 mode), two "sideband use" pins, VCONN +5 V power for active cables, and a configuration pin used for
cable orientation detection and dedicated bi-phase mark code (BMC) configuration data channel.
Connecting an older device to a host with a USB-C receptacle requires a cable or adapter with a USB-A or
USB-B plug or receptacle on one end and a USB-C plug on the other end. Legacy adapters with a USB-C
receptacle are "not defined or allowed" by the specification because they can create "many invalid and
potentially unsafe" cable combinations.

1.3 WHY USB TYPE-C?

Physically, the Type-C port and connector are about the same size as those of the Micro-B USB mentioned
above. A Type-C port measures just 8.4 by 2.6mm. This means it's small enough to work for even the smallest
peripheral devices. With Type-C, both ends of a USB cable are the same, allowing for reversible plug
orientation. You also don't need to worry about plugging it in upside down as it will function both ways. Since
2015, USB-C has been widely adapted and used in many phones and tablets. Many new storage devices also
use USB-C ports instead of a USB-B port. Almost all devices that support USB 3.1 use the USB-C port.

fig 1.2 USB 3.1 applications

USB 3.1 has a top speed of 10Gbps and can deliver a power output of up to 20 volts (100 watts) and 5 amps.
When you consider most 15-inch laptops require just around 60 watts of power, this means in the future they
will be charged the way phones are now, via their little USB port. Apple's new MacBook has just one USB-C
port as the sole peripheral and power port.

1.3.1 FEATURES

The USB-C has an awesome design and the features are excellent. Some of the best are -

1. The big sell for most users is going to be faster charging. Type-C can deliver power at up to 100 watts
at 20 volts. This means that larger devices can now be charged from USB, including laptops and
monitors. Say goodbye to the clunky AC adapters we've been lugging around until now.
2. The USB-C connector is smaller and can be connected from both sides. While the double side
plugging in is only for our comfort, the smaller size makes it very helpful in the mini computers and
micro-controllers.

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3. Type-C is compatible with up to 10Gbps data transfer rates. That means a full movie can be
transferred in a single second, theoretically. With wireless data being used more often but being
limited, this new USB standard may cause a resurgence of cable connection use as super high-speed
data rates are required for things like gaming on tablets connected to TVs.
4. Also, due to it's size being around the same as Micro-USB, you can charge your phone and other
devices with the same charger. Of course, different chargers provide different voltage depending on
the device, but devices with around the same power and voltage can have one charger.

1.4 PIN DISCRIPTION

The USB Type-C is having 24 pins each at the both ends.

fig 1.3 USB-C receptacle pinout end-on view

Type-C plug and receptacle pinouts

Pin Name Description Pin Name Description

A1 GND Ground return B12 GND Ground return

SuperSpeed differential pair #1, TX, SuperSpeed differential pair #2, RX,
A2 SSTXp1 B11 SSRXp1
positive positive

SuperSpeed differential pair #1, TX, SuperSpeed differential pair #2, RX,
A3 SSTXn1 B10 SSRXn1
negative negative

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A4 VBUS Bus power B9 VBUS Bus power

A5 CC1 Configuration channel B8 SBU2 Sideband use (SBU)

Non-SuperSpeed differential pair, Non-SuperSpeed differential pair,

A6 Dp1 B7 Dn2
position 1, positive position 2, negative[a]

Non-SuperSpeed differential pair, Non-SuperSpeed differential pair,

A7 Dn1 B6 Dp2
position 1, negative position 2, positive[a]

A8 SBU1 Sideband use (SBU) B5 CC2 Configuration channel

A9 VBUS Bus power B4 VBUS Bus power

SuperSpeed differential pair #4, RX, SuperSpeed differential pair #3, TX,
A10 SSRXn2 B3 SSTXn2
negative negative

SuperSpeed differential pair #4, RX, SuperSpeed differential pair #3, TX,
A11 SSRXp2 B2 SSTXp2
positive positive

A12 GND Ground return B1 GND Ground return

Table 1.1 Pin description

1.5 PINS IN DIFFERENT MODES

The diagrams below, depict the pins of a USB-C socket in different use cases.

USB 2.0/1.1

GND
TX1+ TX1− VBUS CC1 D+ D− SBU1 VBUS RX2− RX2+ GND

GND RX1+ RX1− VBUS SBU2 D− D+ CC2 VBUS TX2− TX2+ GND

A simple USB 2.0/1.1 device mates using one pair of D+/D- pins. Hence, it does not require any connection
management circuitry, and therefore USB-C is backward compatible with even the oldest USB devices. VBUS
and GND provide 5 V up to 500 mA of power.
USB Power Delivery
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USB Power Delivery uses one of CC1, CC2 pins for power negotiation up to 20 V at 5 A (or whatever less
the source can provide). It is transparent to any data transmission mode, and can therefore be used together
with any of them.

GND TX1+ TX1− VBUS CC1 D+ D− SBU1 VBUS RX2− RX2+ GND

GND RX1+ RX1− VBUS SBU2 D− D+ CC2 VBUS TX2− TX2+ GND

USB 3.0/3.1
In the USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 mode, two or four high speed links are used in TX/RX pairs to provide 5 to 20 Gbps
throughput. One of the CC pins is used to negotiate the mode. VBUS and GND provide 5 V up to 900 mA, in
accordance with the USB 3.1 specification. A specific USB-C mode may also be entered, where 5 V up to 3
A is provided. A third alternative is to establish a Power Delivery contract. The D+/D− link for USB 2.0/1.1
is typically not used when USB 3.x connection is active, but devices like hubs open simultaneous 2.0 and 3.x
uplinks in order to allow operation of both type devices connected to it. Other devices may have fall back
mode to 2.0, in case the 3.x connection fails.

GND TX1+ TX1− VBUS CC1 D+ D− SBU1 VBUS RX2− RX2+ GND

GND RX1+ RX1− VBUS SBU2 D− D+ CC2 VBUS TX2− TX2+ GND

Alternate Mode
In the Alternate Mode one of up to four high speed links are used in whatever direction is needed. SBU1,
SBU2 provide an additional lower speed link. If two high speed links remain unused, then a USB 3.0/3.1 link
can be established concurrently to the Alternate Mode. One of the CC pins is used to perform all the
negotiation. An additional low band bidirectional channel (other than SBU) may share that CC pin as well.
USB 2.0 is also available through D+/D− pins. In regard to power, the devices are supposed to negotiate a
Power Delivery contract before an alternate mode is entered.

GND TX1+ TX1− VBUS CC1 D+ D− SBU1 VBUS RX2− RX2+ GND

GND RX1+ RX1− VBUS SBU2 D− D+ CC2 VBUS TX2− TX2+ GND

Analog Audio Out & Microphone

The purpose of this mode is to replace the 3.5 mm headphone jack, from devices like smartphones and tablets,
with the thinner USB-C jack. It is supposed to operate only with an adaptor: USB-C plug to headphone jack,
so manufacturers are not supposed to market analog headsets with a USB-C plug instead of a headphone
plug. This mode is totally separate from digital audio through USB, which typically would use the USB 2.0
mode.

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In this mode, all digital circuits are disconnected from the connector, and certain pins become reassigned for
analog outputs or inputs. The mode, if supported, is entered when both CC pins are shorted to GND. D- and
D+ become audio output left L and right R, respectively. The SBU pins become a microphone pin MIC, and
the analog ground AGND, the latter being a return path for both outputs and the microphone. Nevertheless,
the MIC and AGND pins must have automatic swap capability, for two reasons: firstly, the USB-C plug may
be inserted either side; secondly, there is no agreement, which TRRS rings shall be GND and MIC, so devices
equipped with a headphone jack with microphone input must be able to perform this swap anyway.[41]
This mode also allows concurrent charging of a device exposing the analog audio interface (through VBUS and
GND), however only at 5 V and 500 mA, as CC pins are unavailable for any negotiation.

GND TX1+ TX1− VBUS CC1 R L MIC VBUS RX2− RX2+ GND

GND RX1+ RX1− VBUS AGND L R CC2 VBUS TX2− TX2+ GND

1.6 COMPARISON OF USB 2.0/3.0/3.1

Even though many people think that these two names are synonyms, they are not the same thing. Whereas the
USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 are now USB standards when it comes to speed and other features, USB-C is related to
connector shape. While others will point at “one port”, “one cable” as some of the similar qualities of
USB Type-C and USB 3.0, these two devices are not the same thing. All in all, it is important to welcome this
USB technology improvement as Type-C is much faster and it allows playback of any digital content. USB
Type-C is a universal connector with more pins compared to USB 3.0 and unique performance capabilities.

Table 1.2 Data rates comparison

From the above table it obvious that the speed of USB 3.1 is more than that of USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. The
length of USB Type-c can be extended upto 5 meters where as the maximum length of USB 2.0 can only be
1 meters and maximum length of USB 3.0 is about 2 meters. From this discussion, we came to know that the
the USB Type-c is so far the best for data communication.

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 fig1.4 evolution of USB

1.7 BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY

The physical USB-C connector is not backwards compatible, but the underlying USB standard is. You cannot
plug older USB devices into a modern, tiny USB-C port, nor can you connect a USB-C connector into an
older, larger USB port. But that does not mean you have to discard all your old peripherals. USB 3.1 is still
backwards-compatible with older versions of USB, so you just need a physical adapter with a USB-C
connector on one end and a larger, older-style USB port on the other end. You can then plug your older devices
directly into a USB Type-C port. Realistically, many computers will have both USB Type-C ports and larger
USB Type-A ports for the immediate future—like Google’s Chromebook Pixel. You will be able to slowly
transition from your old devices, getting new peripherals with USB Type-C connectors. Even if you get a
computer with only USB Type-C ports, like Apple’s new MacBook, adapters and hubs will fill the gap. USB
Type-C is a worthy upgrade. It is making waves on the newer MacBooks and some mobile devices, but it is
not an Apple- or mobile-only technology. As time goes on, USB-C will appear in more and more devices of
all types. USB-C may even replace the Lightning connector on Apple’s iPhones and iPads one day. Lightning
does not have many advantages over USB Type-C besides being a proprietary standard Apple can charge
licensing fees for. Imagine a day when your Android-using friends need a charge and you do not have to give
the sorrowful “Sorry, I have just got an iPhone charger” line!.

1.8 USB TYPE-C CABLE AND CONNECTOR SPECIFICATION

USB has been evolving ever since its introduction, which helps to support its sustained success. In that spirit
of evolution, in December 2013 that USB 3.0 promoter group announced the development of the USB type-c
connector and a cable specification, a component of USB 3.1. The specifications defines a new USB plug,
cables and receptacle as well as the requirements for detecting and managing USB connections in a wired
architecture. It also provide support for alternate modes, such as using a USB type c connector in docking
applications. The specifications is robust enough to support a wide range of products, including tablets,
notebooks and PCs.
The USB type c specifications is designed to accommodate emerging devices and platforms, ever higher
performance demand, and user need for greater convenience. It is key specifications needed o enable the vision
of single connector platform. Device could be ver large, it could be a workstation or an HDTV with a USB
hub built into it. And the surrounding equipment plugs into the TV, which becomes the source of your power
and charging , as well as the other functions you want it to perform. The specifications was completed in
August 2014, and products with the USB type c connector were introduced to market in 2015.

1.9 CONCLUSION

The presence of a USB-C port is increasingly becoming to consider when buying a PC. If you
buy an ultrathin system, like the new MacBook Pro, the ZenBook 3, or the HP Spectre x360 13-
w023dx, it will almost certainly have a USB-C port, which will catapult you into the ecosystem
automatically. If you're more of a lover of desktops, you're almost certain to find the ports there,

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too, particularly on high-end and gaming desktops. But if support for USB-C from peripheral
manufacturers is light overall at the mom ent, now that Apple's opened the floodgates, it's only
a matter of time until devices that use it are everywhere. In a few years, USB ports using the old
Type-A style connector will be much harder to find —and who will want to put up with their
sluggish speeds at that point, anyway? Even if you do not need USB-C now and since even
power users probably don't have much hardware that can fully task it, especially if Thunderbolt
3 is involved you will before long. We are only scratching the surface of what USB-C can do,
but one thing is certain: The next generation of cross -platform connectors is here, and it is about
to replace the old guard just as the original USB standard replaced Apple Desktop Bus (ADB),
FireWire, parallel, PS/2, SCSI, and serial ports on Macs and PCs. USB-C truly is one port to
rule them all.

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 REFERENCE

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Revision History, page 14 Hruska, Joel (2015-03-13).
[2]. "USB-C vs. USB 3.1: What's the difference?". ExtremeTech. Retrieved 2015-04-09.Howse, Brett
(2014-08-12).
[3]. "USB Type-C Connector Specifications Finalized". Retrieved 2014-12-28.
[4]. "USB Type-C Cable and Connector : Language Usage Guidelines from USB-IF" (PDF). Usb.org.
[5]. "USB Type-C Overview" (PDF). usb.org. USB-IF. 2016-10-20.
[6]. Ngo, Dong. "USB Type-C: One cable to connect them all". CNET.
[7]. "USB Type-C Connector Specifications Finalized". AnandTech.com.
[8]. "Technical Introduction of the New USB Type-C Connector".
[9]. "MHL Alternate Mode reference design for superMHL over USB