The latest USB Type-C power delivery (PD) standard is charging redefined: instead of devices just pulling power from a charger, chargers communicate with devices on how much power to deliver. This standard is used in smartphones, drones, laptops and even the Nintendo Switch. The biggest plus is having one charger that can output a safe maximum amount of power to devices.
Samsung’s latest PD controllers, the SE8A and MM101, are built with an embedded Flash (eFlash) that allows the flexibility of modifying its firmware to meet the most up-to-date specifications and are able to supply up to 100 watts (W, 20V / 5A).
The new PD controllers meet the most recent USB specifications for fast-charging, USB-PD 3.0, that addresses the compatibility and efficiency challenges across different mobile devices as well as other electronics. Such challenges can cause the device to charge slower than usual or excessively than required that can also compromise the lifecycle of the battery. With the growing need to extend always-on experiences quickly and as more devices adopt USB interfaces for charging and data transmission, efficient and secure fast-charging technologies are expected to benefit consumers through a wide range of applications.
Cambridge Mokanyane, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung South Africa, said: “In addition to smarter features and larger batteries, innovative charging solutions allow us to do more through our mobile devices today. Following this trend, power adapters that can quickly charge devices while establishing safeguards against unauthorised access are increasingly in demand. Samsung’s power delivery MM101 and security-enhanced SE8A will not only make charging faster and safer but also enable new services that can enrich tomorrow’s mobile experiences.”
The MM101 supports a symmetric encryption algorithm, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), for product authentication and includes moisture sensing capabilities to ensure safer charging conditions. Samsung’s SE8A is the industry’s first solution that combines a PD controller and Secure Element (CC EAL5+ equivalent) in a single chip, providing extra measures of protection such as security key storage, and encoding and decoding of sensitive data within a device in a compact form factor. The SE8A supports USB Type-C Authentication, a certificate-based authentication program for USB Type-C chargers and devices that prevents the misuse of unapproved products.
By supporting up to a 100W capacity, compared to the general smartphone charger’s 10W, power chargers with Samsung’s PD controllers can be used for a variety of devices other than smartphones such as tablets, laptops and monitors. For additional safety, both chips also provide over-voltage protection. The MM101 is currently sampling and the SE8A is in mass production.