Overview

USB Type-C/PD is the latest iteration of the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard that has been used since the mid-1990s to connect peripherals to computers. The new Type-C standard uses a 24-pin connector to connect to a wide variety of devices requiring up to 100 Watts (5 A @ 20 V). Similar to Apple’s Lightning and Thunderbolt standards, USB-C aims to be “future-proof” by providing a highly configurable and flexible communications and power bus. By providing flexibility and power delivery up to 100 W, USB-C/PD hopes to replace existing USB standards to solve the problem of never having the right USB cable or the correct voltage adapter.

USB-C uses a symmetrical 24 pin connector, with twelve pins on each side, as follows:

• Power delivery channels (named VBUS and VConn*)
• Two super speed data channels, both send and receive (RXn+/RXn-, TXn+/TXn-)
• USB 2.0 data channels (DP/DM)
• Auxiliary or “Side Band” channels (SBU1, SBU2)
• Configuration channels (CC1, CC2) used to detect and configure connections
• An electrical ground channel (GND)

*VConn and CCx share a pin whose function is determined by the given implementation.

The USB C-thru is an open hardware adaptor that helps you test and explore USB Type-C/PD devices. Not only are the design files freely available, but the USB C-thru is only one tenth the price of its proprietary competitor. The USB C-thru consists of a very small form factor board with a USB Type-C receptacle at one end and a USB Type-C plug at the other. All connections pass straight through the USB C-thru from the host to device.

The board’s test points provide through-hole or header access to the VBus, VConn/CC2, CC1, SBU and GND channels, allowing you to test and explore USB Type-C/PD protocol and state machines. For example, you can use the USB C-thru for:

1. Control Channel (CC) testing
2. Power provider stress testing
3. Power provision and reception (source and sink) testing
4. USB-PD E-Mark cable testing
5. USB-PD source and sink development

Who needs a USB C-thru?

Are you a USB Type-C device tester or developer? Are you trying to explore or build a new USB-C device? The USB C-thru is for you.

USB Type-C/PD is a relatively new technology. In the past months, there has been a lot interest in it in terms of adoption and development. As is with every emerging technology, there is a dearth of testing tools or tools that will aid in understanding the specification and implementation of the standard. So how do you go about testing your creation? How do you learn and create something new? How can you affordably explore this new technology? The USB C-thru is the answer to these questions.

What can I do with USB C-thru?

These are some common possible use cases for USB C-thru. No doubt you can come up with many more.

Electrical and E-mark Cable Testing

USB-C cables use a chip to provide electronic ID marking (E-Mark) functions based on specific implementations.

In this use case, a tester is connected to an E-Marked cable using the USB C-thru. The USB C-thru monitors the CC1 and VConn lines to check if the signals that pass through conform to the USB Type-C specification.

Source and Sink Development

USB-C connections can either provide or draw power as needed by the device being connected.

In this use case, the USB C-thru is used to aid in the development of a device that provides or requires power (a Source or Sink, respectively). The development platform is connected to the device under development using the USB C-thru. USB C-thru monitors the VBus, CC1, CC2/VConn and SBU channels to ensure the data signals that pass through are as per USB Type-C specification.

Open Hardware Design

The USB C-thru is an easy-to-use Open Hardware product. We’ve made it simple enough that new users can build a breadboard setup and immediately use USB C-thru to learn new things and test USB Type-C implementations. As Open Hardware, the platform encourages users to build and experiment independently and eventually adapt the board to their particular needs. The aim is to empower users to learn, experiment, test and build. To that end, design specifications, schematics, and documentation can be found in our GitHub repo.

How does the USB C-thru work?

USB C-thru is a passive board that sits between the host and the device. It does not have any active electronics. However, it is not a simple device. The complexity lies in designing and manufacturing, as it requires a six-layer circuit board designed to carry 100 watts of power and yet capable of ensuring signal integrity of the USB Super Speed lines that can carry easily interfered with, high-frequency signals >10GHz.

The 24 USB pins are mapped one-to-one between the receptacle and the plug. The USB C-thru taps the pins to provide test points for the CC1, CC2/VConn, VBus, GND and SBU channels. Just connect the plug to a USB Type-C device and the receptacle to another legacy USB or a USB Type-C device using a USB Type-C cable, and you are ready to monitor the USB Type-C signals. You can connect any of the test points to an oscilloscope or other test equipment and monitor the signals.

Testing

We have successfully completed the following tests of the USB C-thru:

1. Functional verification in a DisplayPort setup

2. Functional verification of USB Super Speed

3. Functional verification in a laptop charger setup

USB C-thru Specifications

USB C-thru Block Diagram

USB C-thru Pin Details

Physical Specifications

Weight: 5.05g
Width: 50.8mm
Height: 19.05mm
Depth: 0.88mm
Max Power Throughput: 100 W
PCB Layers: 6
Compliance: ROHS, Lead Free
Finishing: ENIG

Functional specifications

1. Non-intrusive board
2. Test points for CC1, VConn/CC2, VBus, GND and SBU
3. Test point for ‘VBus with voltage divider’ for automating measurement/development
4. Provides USB type-C Receptacle and plug connectors
5. Dimension is 2 x 0.75 inches
6. 6 layer board, 0.8 mm thick
7. Carries 100 watts of power
8. Adheres to USB Super Speed signal requirements
9. Provides device/host and cable power Measurements
10. ENIG finish and ROHS compliant

Why are we doing this?

Since the release of the USB Type-C/PD specification, many new USB Type-C products are being released and the technology is being backed by companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, etc. We are going to see a lot of migration and a lot of new use cases. Consequently, enthusiasts, testers, and developers alike have a need to explore and work with this new technology. They need tools that will help them understand how USB-C is working with their technology so they can test and refine their product’s performance. After a few iterations of prototyping and testing, we ended up with a product we feel has the perfect set of features and functionality for these purposes.

We saw that Crowd Supply could reach a community of enthusiasts, hobbyists and developers we would not otherwise be able to reach. This inspired us to deliver a simple, affordable device that is within reach of one and all, encouraging users to learn, create, and succeed like never before.

Why we need your help?

We want to build tools that will help enthusiasts, testers, and developers learn, explore, create, and succeed. While we have the resources to prototype our ideas, we don’t have the resources to manufacture the products that grow out of them. So we need Crowd Supply to reach backers who will help us manufacture products.

We need your help as a customer, sponsor, supporter, and contributor to help us grow a community of creators and innovators and to make USB C-thru a reality. We need your help so we can fulfill the manufacturer’s minimum order quantities and we can keep the prices low by achieving higher volumes.

As a campaign backer, you have access to the USB C-thru at a significantly lower rate of $55 USD. Post-campaign the pre-order price will go up to $75 USD, and the USB C-thru will eventually retail for $89 USD.

Manufacturing Plan

We have spent the last three months leading up to the launch designing, prototyping, and testing different designs for analyzing USB Type-C products. Having completed several iterations, we believe we have arrived at a robust solution with a small form factor and a set of useful features. We have a tested the final prototype of the USB C-thru, now we need to reach our funding goals so we can begin production. The funds raised will be used to cover the cost of components, fabrication and assembly, testing, and shipping.

We expect that production will take roughly a month to complete after the campaign ends. Fabrication of the boards will take two weeks, during which time board components will be procured. Assembly will take one week, and then we will test the units for a week. Crowd Supply will assist us with packaging as well as domestic and international logistics to ensure a smooth and reliable service and ordering experience. This is, of course, pending any unforeseen obstacles. We will be regularly updating backers throughout the campaign and during production.

Risks and Challenges

We foresee the following possible risks:

1. The timely procurement of components depends on the availability and timely shipment of the components. Any delays here can be a risk.

2. The timely delivery of manufactured boards is dependent on the manufacturer. Any delay during manufacturing or shipment from the manufacturer can impact shipping dates.

3. Timely shipment to backers also depends on the successful completion of testing. There is a chance of delays due to parts being rejected after inspection or from boards failing during testing.

4. Timely delivery of the board to the backers is dependent on the supply chain. There may be unforeseen delays due to issues with the supply chain.

If we do encounter delays, we will be as transparent as possible with our backers as to what the problems are and how we are fixing them.

1. Exhaustive testing of the USB C-thru may be challenging because, since the USB Type-C/PD standard is new, there are few devices available for tests. Therefore, we can’t guarantee compatibility with all USB Type-C/PD devices.

Fulfillment Plan

Crowd Supply will help us with the logistics of delivering the product to backers across the globe. This will help us to deliver on time and on budget. This service will include verification of backer address, packaging, inventory, shipping, tracking and processing returns.

USB C-thru shipping is free to the United States and to India. Other international shipping is $5 per board, and will be levied on checkout. If you are placing an order for delivery to India, please complete the orderwith the international shipping charge. Crowd Supply will then manually refund the fee and re-send your order confirmation email within 24 hours.

Thank You

Thank you to all the backers and friends without whom this project could not have taken off. You have encouraged us to bring out more products to help enthusiasts and developers explore and create.

The post USB C-thru: Open USB Type-C/PD Probe: designed for developers interested in compliance testing and for enthusiasts interested in exploring USB Type-C/PD appeared first on iCrowdNewswire.

Source: Icrowdnewswire