USB Type-C CC Pin High Voltage Protection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The USB Type-C interface's mechanical structure poses a risk of short-circuiting between CC pins and VBUS pins, potentially causing functional issues or damaging the port-detection chip, especially when the VBUS is in a high voltage state.
Innovation Solution
A USB Type-C interface chip with a high voltage detection unit and protection unit, where the protection unit can be connected in series or parallel in the signal path to block or short-circuit high voltage at the CC pin, using components like switches, NMOS transistors, or PMOS transistors, and a logic control unit to enable or disable protection based on voltage comparison results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the CC pin is placed close to the VBUS pin to reduce interface size, then the physical size of the interface is reduced, but the risk of short-circuit between CC pin and VBUS pin increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protection circuit as an intermediary component between the CC pin and internal units. This protection circuit includes a detection unit that monitors voltage at the CC pin and a protection unit that activates when high voltage is detected, preventing direct short-circuit damage while maintaining the compact physical layout of the USB Type-C interface.
2Reliability
If the protection unit is always activated to protect internal units from high voltage, then the reliability of the chip is improved, but the false triggering of protection increases when normal voltage fluctuations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the detection unit continuously monitors the voltage at the CC pin and provides feedback to the protection unit. The protection unit is activated only when the detected voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold, ensuring reliable protection against genuine high voltage conditions while avoiding false triggering from normal voltage fluctuations.
3Device complexity
If a simple switch is used for the protection unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the protection effectiveness against high voltage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic control of the protection unit through a detection unit that monitors voltage conditions in real-time. The protection unit transitions between active and inactive states based on the detected voltage level, providing adaptive protection that is effective when needed while minimizing interference with normal operation. This dynamic approach balances protection effectiveness with device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively protects the internal units of the chip from high voltage, preventing damage and ensuring safe operation by automatically detecting and responding to high voltage conditions at the CC pin, thereby maintaining normal functionality and preventing false triggering.
Implementation Method 1
a high voltage detection unit coupled in the signal path, for detecting a voltage at the CC pin and comparing the detected voltage and a reference voltage
Implementation Method 2
a high voltage protection unit for protecting, in response to the comparison result of the high voltage detection unit, the internal unit from high voltage possibly present at the port of the chip
Implementation Method 3
The high voltage protection unit may be a switch connected in parallel in the signal path, which short-circuits a high voltage at CC pin in response to the comparison of the high voltage detection unit
Data Source
AI summary
A USB Type-C interface chip having a CC pin. In an embodiment, the chip includes an internal unit coupled through a signal path to the CC pin; a high voltage detection unit coupled in the signal path, for detecting a voltage at the CC pin and comparing the detected voltage and a reference voltage; a high voltage protection unit for protecting, in response to the comparison result of the high voltage detection unit the internal unit from high voltage possibly present at the port of the chip.