ST launches USB-IF Certified development Board to extend USB-C and USB Fast charge capabilities to embedded applications

     STMicroelectronics has released a USB-IF Certified development board to help device manufacturers upgrade their battery-powered products and enjoy the benefits of the latest USB PD (USB Power Transmission) technology, including faster charging speeds and ease of re-use of USB-C chargers and cables.

     With the increasing battery capacity of electronic products such as mobile phones, the universal fast charge ecosystem is growing rapidly. The latest USB PD chargers increase the maximum power to 100W, while the USB PPS(Adjustable power Supply) function dynamically adjusts current and voltage to optimize charging performance. Smart speakers, power tools, wearables, robots, gamepads, power banks, drones and other electronics that used to be charged using old USB micro-B jacks or other proprietary ports can now enjoy the benefits and interoperability of USB-C technology with this ecosystem, while charging faster.

     To support this technology upgrade, ST has developed a USB-IF (USB Developers Forum) certified 100W PPS USB Power Receiving Device (PSD) evaluation board, which speeds up the development of new designs and can assist customers with final product certification.

     Ricardo de Sa Earp, Vice President and General Manager of ST MicroControllers, said: "IF you use our USB-IF certified development board today, customers can quickly import and take advantage of all the benefits of USB-C in their own products, but also can use this reliable platform in the board for certification application, contributing to the establishment of a safe and reliable USB Type-C and USB PD ecosystem."

     Jeff Ravencraft, president and Chief Operating Officer of USB-IF, said: "This unmatched integration of USB PD capabilities across USB Type-C cables and ports is driving rapid innovation across a variety of USB charging applications and markets. Innovative solutions like ST's new evaluation board are critical to driving the continued growth of USB-IF certified USB PD and USB Type-C devices that consumers have come to expect."

     This certified product (USB-IF TID: 3036) integrates ST's Nucleo-G071RB and X-Nucleo-USBPDM1 development boards. The Nucleo-G071RB is equipped with the STM32G0, the industry's first general-purpose microcontroller with integrated USB Type-C PD controller, enabling higher system integration and support for new use cases. X-Nucleo-USBPDM1 on-board ST's TCPP01-M12 port protection companion chip.

     In addition, customers can use the powerful development tools and software of the STM32 ecosystem to complete research and development projects quickly and easily. Existing microcontrollers based on older 5V USB charging capabilities can be upgraded to USB Type-C with very few additional external components.