Addressing Three Critical Challenges of USB Type-C Implementation

Morten Christiansen, Synopsys

As designers create new products and system-on-chips (SoCs) with USB Type-C support, they need to be aware of datapath and hardware/software partitioning challenges. The SoC and system design must be partitioned to support the specification’s requirements for precision analog circuitry and high voltage/high current switches, and Type-C management software must be partitioned to execute on the processor, internal microcontroller, microcontroller in a power management IC, and/or on an external dedicated USB Type-C chip. This white paper describes these key challenges and suggests solutions for designers of USB Type-C products and SoCs with native USB Type-C support.