Development kit extensions support first USB Type-C PD microcontroller
ST’s STM32G0 devices are the world’s first general-purpose microcontrollers to support the USB Type-C specifications, and ST’s USB Type-C Power Delivery (UCPD) interface IP combines certified USB Type-C connector management and handling of the PD protocol with an Arm Cortex-M0+ core, up to 512 Kbytes Flash and peripherals including a 12-bit 2.5 MSPS ADC, a 2-channel DAC, fast comparators, and high-accuracy timers.
Up to two UCPD interfaces are integrated on-chip. Each supports USB-C Sink (SNK), Source (SRC), or Dual-Role Power (DRP) roles, as well as optional USB PD features such as PPS (Programming Power Supply) mode, firmware upgrade over communication (CC) lines, and authentication messages. Updates to the STM32CubeMX configurator allow setting the number of ports and selecting SNK, SRC, or DRP role.
The extensions let developers choose the UCPD settings and visualize data and power-control signals flowing through the USB-C interface: they include the new, free USB PD analyzer graphical tool — STM32CubeMonitor-UCPD — for monitoring interface status and inspecting USB PD protocol messages. STM32CubeMonitor-UCPD also lets users interact with the application environment by sending PD commands to the target board. Other features include easy changing of power-role and data-role settings with a single click, easy handling of sink or source power profiles, and live monitoring of protocol messages, bus voltage, and bus current for debugging the application.
The STM32G0 Discovery kit gives access to the USB-C port for checking the status of power capabilities when connected to any USB-C host such as a computer, smartphone, or USB-C docking station. Together, the STM32G071B-DISCO and STM32CubeMonitor-UCPD create a professional-grade Power Delivery analyzer that allows intensive interaction for debugging and development. The user can also trace or inject USB PD data packets between two USB-C devices.
The platform also has a daughter card containing two USB-C ports managed by the STM32G0 with application firmware examples to help evaluate the USB-C technology through various use cases.
The recommended retail price for the STM32G071B-DISCO Discovery kit is $65.00. The STM32G081B-EVAL platform is $382.00. STM32CubeMX and STM32CubeMonitor-UCPD are provided free of charge.
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