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◆What is the USB PD charging protocol?
The full name of PD is Power Delivery. The PD charging protocol is a technology defined by the USB-IF (Association). Starting from PD 2.0 in 2014, the USB Type-C interface has been stipulated as the only standard interface. Ideally, as long as the device supports PD, whether it is a laptop, tablet or mobile phone, it can be charged through a USB Type-C to Type-C cable and a PD charger.
USB-IF, the full name of USB Implementers Forum, was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in the United States. It was co-founded by Apple, HP, Intel, Microsoft, Renesas, STMicroelectronics, TI and other companies.
◆Track the gradual evolution of USB PD2.0 → PD3.0 → PD3.1
◆USB PD 2.0
USB-IF launched the USB PD 2.0 fast charging standard in mid-2014. It first integrated the USB Type-C interface as the only standard interface, and also gave this interface more functions, such as charging, data transmission, audio broadcast, etc. In terms of charging, USB PD 2.0 defines support for 5V3A, 9V3A, 12V3A, 15V3A, and 20V5A output, with a maximum charging power of 100W.
◆USB PD3.0
The current USB PD3.0 standard has a maximum power of 100W and was launched in mid-2015. In order to change the fragmentation of fast charging protocols in the mobile phone market, the standard was updated in 2017 and added the function of programmable power supply PPS (Programmable Power Supply).
PPS is a type of Power Supply supported by USB PD3.0. It is a power supply that uses the USB PD protocol output and can realize voltage and current regulation. The PPS specification integrates the current two charging modes of high voltage and low current and low voltage and high current. The voltage amplitude modulation drop is also 20mV, which is only one-tenth of the QC3.0 standard at that time, and the adjustment is more precise. With the built-in charge pump of the mobile phone, efficient high-power fast charging can be achieved, but 100W can only meet the charging needs of a small number of thin and light notebooks. If it has more functions or high-power electrical appliances, you can still only use a traditional DC transformer.
◆USB PD3.1
The latest USB PD3.1 fast charging standard is actually an update based on USB PD3.0 PPS fast charging. But the power has improved a lot! The wattage has been expanded from 100W to 240W, which not only supports a wider variety of devices, but also meets the needs of modern people who consume a lot of electricity.
◆USB PD3.1 Feature Guide
◆Up to 240W, supports 48V and 240W output
Coming to the era of PD3.1 is like eating an invincible star! Maximum wattage is up to 240 W. The USB PD3.1 specification puts the original USB PD3.0 content into the standard power range (Standard Power Range, referred to as SPR), and the maximum power remains unchanged at 100W; at the same time, the extended power range (Extended Power Range, referred to as EPR) is added. The maximum power is extended from 100W to 240W.
According to information released by the USB-IF Association, in the extended power range EPR, three new fixed voltage levels of 28V, 36V and 48V and three adjustable voltage levels (Adjustable Voltage Supply, referred to as AVS) have been added.
◆Must be Type-C
The restriction on the use of PD3.1 is that it must be used with a Type-C connector.
◆Supports multiple devices
The feature of PD3.1 fast charging is that it can support more types of devices. It can not only charge mobile phones. Because it has a variety of variable voltages, the new iPad Pro, MacBook, and gaming notebooks all support PD. Charge.
◆Summary of USB PD fast charging standards
Counting the ten years of the USB PD fast charging standard, its development has also gone through many iconic iterations. Among them, USB PD2.0 has laid the foundation for the unified USB PD fast charging.
USB PD3.0 does not have many changes in the charging specifications, but more updates in the protocol identification function.
The advent of USB PD3.1 not only expands the scope of application of the USB PD fast charging standard, but also leads USB PD fast charging chips into a larger market. From now on, it is no longer limited to mobile phone charging, but can also be used in notebooks, monitors, servers, power tools and other fields, making the vision of "everything rechargeable" even more brilliant.