Current control and protection for universal serial bus type-c (usb-c) connector systems

Abstract

A system includes a power switch configured to receive a voltage on a first terminal. The first terminal is coupled to a voltage regulator. The power switch is also configured to provide the voltage to a second terminal. The second terminal is coupled to a VBUS terminal of a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB-C) connector. The system also includes a USB controller coupled to the power switch and to the first terminal and the second terminal. The the USB controller is configured to detect a first voltage at the first terminal and to detect a second voltage at the second terminal. The USB controller is configured to adjust operation of the power switch in response to determining that the second voltage is above a particular voltage or within a particular voltage range.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a power switch, a voltage on a first terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to a voltage regulator;   providing, by the power switch, the voltage to a second terminal, wherein the second terminal is coupled to a VBUS terminal of a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB-C) connector;   detecting a first voltage at the first terminal;   detecting a second voltage at the second terminal; and   adjusting operation of the power switch in response to determining that the second voltage is above a particular voltage or within a particular voltage range.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein adjusting the operation of the power switch comprises deactivating the power switch. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein adjusting the operation of the power switch comprises adjusting a duty cycle of the power switch. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein adjusting the operation of the power switch comprises partially activating the power switch. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein partially activating the power switch comprises re-configuring the power switch to provide to the VBUS terminal less voltage than in normal operation. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein partially activating the power switch comprises re-configuring the power switch to provide to the VBUS terminal less current than in normal operation. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the particular voltage range is less than the first voltage. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising determining, based at least on the first voltage, that a reverse current condition has occurred. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein determining that the reverse current condition has occurred comprises determining that the first voltage is higher than a reference voltage. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein determining that the reverse current condition has occurred comprises determining that the second voltage is higher than the first voltage. 
     
     
         31 . A system comprising:
 a power switch comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;   a voltage regulator coupled to the first terminal of the power switch;   a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB-C) connector, wherein a VBUS terminal of the USB-C connector is coupled to the second terminal of the power switch; and   a Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller coupled to the power switch, to the first terminal, and to the second terminal, wherein the USB controller is configured to:
 detect a first voltage at the first terminal; 
 detect a second voltage at the second terminal; and 
 adjust operation of the power switch in response to determining that the second voltage is above a particular voltage or within a particular voltage range. 
   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the USB controller comprises a gate control component coupled to the power switch, the gate control component configured to deactivate the power switch. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the USB controller comprises a duty cycle component coupled to the power switch, the duty cycle component configured to adjust a duty cycle of the power switch. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the USB controller comprises a current source coupled to the power switch, the current source configured to partially activate the power switch. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein to partially activate the power switch, the current source is used to control a gate voltage provided to a gate of the power switch. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the current source is programmable. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the particular voltage range is less than the first voltage. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the USB controller comprises a comparison component coupled to the first terminal and to the second terminal, and wherein the USB controller is configured to use the comparison component to determine whether a reverse current condition has occurred. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the USB controller is configured to determine that the reverse current condition has occurred when the first voltage is higher than a reference voltage. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the USB controller is configured to determine that the reverse current condition has occurred when the second voltage is higher than the first voltage.