FTDI Chip has unveiled the FT23xHP series. These compact, streamlined interface ICs are provided in QFN packages. They support operation over just one channel, thereby allowing systems that are subject to space or budgetary constraints to still profit from elevated levels of power delivery through their USB ports. At the same time, data may still be transferred at 480Mbits/s rates, with no interruption being experienced should the direction of power flow change (with the system shifting from a source into a sink, or vice-versa).
A sophisticated Type-C/PD controller element is incorporated into each device. This can undertake all the negotiating and power level detection activities before the supply is initiated. Consequently, such tasks do not need intervention from the system microcontroller. In line with revision 3.0 of the USB power delivery specification, up to 100W may be transferred. Among the array of different I/O options incorporated within the IC are RS232, RS422, RS485, JTAG, I2C and SPI.
The devices follow on from the introduction of the dual-channel FT223xHP and the quad-channel FT423xHP ICs previously. With access to three different options, engineers can now specify a USB power delivery solution that suits the operational parameters of their application – in terms of board real estate, pin count, BOM, etc.
All three devices can deal with operating temperatures covering -40C through to 85C, meaning they may be employed in challenging application settings. The company envisages demand from companies manufacturing household appliances, barcode scanners, industrial automation hardware, test equipment, computer peripherals, power tools and lighting systems.