Home of RF and Wireless Vendors and Resources

One Stop For Your RF and Wireless Need

USB Type-C interface features or specifications

This page describes USB Type-C interface specifications/features. It mentions pin diagram of USB Type-C receptacle and pin diagram of USB Type-C plug.

As we know USB interface is one of the widely used interfaces in the world. It has replaced many serial and parallel interfaces on the devices and circuits. Apple and Google have taken initiative to incorporate USB Type-C specification based connectors and cables on most of the devices.

• The USB Type-C design of connectors and cables mentioned here is used in USB revision 3.1 .
• It supports data speed of 10Gbps.
• It supports max. power output of 20V/5A.
• Power direction is bi-directional.
• It is used in tablets, smartphones, laptops etc.
• It supports USB 2.0 LS/FS/HS capabilities.
• It supports EMI/RFI mitigation functionalities.

USB Type-C features are mainly targeted for compact power hungry smartphone devices. This specification is managed by other specification known as USB PD (Power Delivery) specification. USB PD manages power and functionalities over USB Type-C connectors and cables.

USB Type-C interface can be classified into following two types:
• USB Type-C Receptacle
• USB Type-C Plug

USB Type-C Receptacle pin diagram

USB Type-C Receptacle Interface

Figure-1 depicts USB Type-C Receptacle pins. Following table-1 describes signals shown on USB Type-C receptacle pins.


PIN (Signal Name), Description PIN (Signal Name), Description
A1 (GND), Ground Return B12 (GND), Ground Return
A2 (SSTXp1), Positive Half of first superspeed Tx differential pair B11 (SSRXp1), Positive Half of first superspeed Rx differential pair
A3 (SSTXn1), Negative half of first superspeed Tx differential pair B10 (SSRXn1), Negative half of first superspeed Rx differential pair
A4 (VBUS), Bus power B9 (VBUS), Bus Power
A5 (CC1), Configuration Channel B8 (SBU2), Sideband Use
A6 (Dp1), Positive Half of the USB 2.0 Differential Pair-Position-1 B7 (Dn2), Negative Half of the USB 2.0 Differential Pair-Position-2
A7 (Dn1), Negative Half of the USB 2.0 Differential Pair-Position-1 B6 (Dp2), Positive Half of the USB 2.0 Differential Pair-Position-2
A8 (SBU1), SideBand Use B5 (CC2), Configuration Channel
A9 (VBUS), Bus Power B4 (VBUS), Bus Power
A10 (SSRXn2), Negative Half of second superspeed Rx differential pair B3 (SSTXn2), Negative Half of second superspeed Tx differential pair
A11 (SSRXp2), Positive Half of second superspeed Rx differential pair B2 (SSTXp2), Positive Half of second superspeed Tx differential pair
A12 (GND), Ground Return B1 (GND), Ground Return

USB PD specification uses BFSK on VBUS pins. It uses BMC protocol on CC signal line. USB PD ver 2.0 defines these functionalities. It also defines protocol which negotiates high power with port partner. It also mentions other functionalities such as displayport, MHL over USB Type-C signals.

USB Type-C devices are classified into either of following categories:
• USB Type-C Device : This standalone device supports upto 5V/3A.
• USB Type-C Device with PD capabilities: This device supports 20V/5A operations as well as multiple interfaces using other alternate modes.

USB Type-C Plug pin diagram

USB Type-C Plug Connector Interface

Figure-2 depicts USB Type-C Plug pins.

Useful interface types and microcontroller stuff

RS485 interface   RS422 interface   CAN interface   SPI interface   interface types and converters   DigRF interface  what is microcontroller  microcontroller vs microprocessor  microcontroller programming 

RF and Wireless Terminologies