Allion Labs
In modern times, everyone owns at least one smart digital product. As more functions and applications are included, power consumption has also increased. Thus, the requirement for a charger is not only charging but also quick charging. In addition to USB which can be used for the charging of small mobile devices, mobile phones, and tablets, as well as mobile chargers, laptops, screens, and other products, the USB Type-C design has also appeared.
As the demand for power supply keeps increasing, USB PD must evolve to satisfy the power demands in the coming future. In 2021, USB-IF announced the USB PD Revision. The 3.1 specifications propose that the ERP (Extended Power Range) power supply should meet the demand of high-power supply needs. The USB PD announced the following functions:
- The maximum power supply of 100W increased to be 240W
- The newly added 28V, 36V, and 48V can support 140W, 180W, and 240W respectively
- Varied voltage mode of 15 V ~ 48V
- DRP (Dual Role Port)
- Optimization of cross-device power management
- Systemized smart flexible power management for the communication of the computer with the ethernet hub
- Power negotiated by the low-power consumption device (such as earphones) is permitted
To achieve a high-power 240W power supply, the E-marker that uses cables must announce its support to ERP and bears 5A current (please refer to 240W EPR Cable)
Encountering Charging Problems?
As there is a variety of charging demands for different types of products, a USB charger may not be used as the sole charger for all USB products, as in the past. With diversified cross-generation products, the charging demands must match the power supply ability of the chargers. Even if they match with each other, the support for the cables must also be taken into account. There is no universal USB cable that can be applied to all devices.
The association also announced the 240W (ERP) Logo, so that consumers can choose suitable chargers and cables.
Even with this information on hand, users may not pay attention to them. In some cases, some products may not come with chargers, so compatibility problems may occur when users match them randomly. Still, some consumers may only experience the inability of charging or a slow charging speed, which creates a negative user experience.
Case I
When the PD charger is connected to a PC, a warning message will pop out on the PC: PC isn’t charging. Use the recommended charger and cable, and make sure it’s directly plugged in.
Handshake abnormality appears in the USB PD’s quick charge agreement. It takes a few minutes to ensure PDO 20V/3A and then starts charging.
Case II
During the charging process, the charging current is unstable, leading to several sudden droppings
Case III
When the mobile phone is charging, the charging symbol keeps flickering. It cannot charge normally, and the voltage frequently drops from 5Vó 0V
Case IV
Charging is too slow. The charging current is lower than 0.5A
From the foregoing cases, we can see that there are different potential problems. Through the testing conducted by Allion Labs, we can solve the problems beforehand, so that we can avoid consumers’ negative impressions of the products.
Functionality testing
Through the USB Power Delivery Analyzer, Allion Labs extracts “CC pin communication” to make sure whether the handshaking of PD communication is normal and check whether PDO announcement is consistent with the specifications.
Compatibility testing
Allion Labs offers power supply/charging testing for 1500+ models of different brands. The testing purpose is to ensure your product can offer normal power supply/charging to other USB charging devices for various computers, MAC, tablets, mobile phones, etc.
Durability testing
New-generation PD charging application has high-power demand. Under high voltage and high current power supply/charging, durability and stability are the focuses of users’ attention.
In addition to the testing items mentioned above, Allion Labs can customize testing items exclusive to your products, to compare and test them with your competitors’ products. Let us conduct comprehensive testing for your products and safeguard their qualities.
If you have any cable testing needs, feel free to contact us through our contact form or by email.