USB Type-C Receptacle Connector

6-pin USB Type-C receptacle connector for USB Power Delivery (PD) input and power negotiation (power-only configuration).

• View on JLCPCB: C456012

• USB Type-C Specification

Overview

The USB Type-C receptacle connector (J1) serves as the power input interface for this modular synthesizer power supply. It receives power from USB-C PD chargers and provides the necessary connections for the STUSB4500 USB-PD controller to negotiate 15V/3A power delivery.

This design uses a 6-pin power-only USB Type-C connector optimized for USB-PD applications where data transfer is not needed. The 6-pin configuration includes only the essential pins for power delivery: VBUS, GND, and CC (Configuration Channel) pins.

USB Type-C features a reversible connector design, allowing insertion in either orientation. The connector uses CC (Configuration Channel) pins to detect orientation and negotiate power delivery profiles with compatible chargers.

Key Specifications

Pin Configuration

The 6-pin USB Type-C connector provides only the essential pins for USB Power Delivery:

USB Type-C 6-Pin Connector (Power-Only)
Receptacle Front View (looking into the connector)

    ┌──────────────────┐
    │   1    2    3    │  Top Row
    │  GND  VBUS  CC1  │
    └──────────────────┘
    ┌──────────────────┐
    │  CC2  VBUS  GND  │  Bottom Row
    │   4    5    6    │
    └──────────────────┘

Pin Descriptions

Note: Pins 2 and 5 (both VBUS) are connected together internally or on PCB. Same for pins 1 and 6 (both GND).

Application in This Project

In this power supply design, the 6-pin USB Type-C connector is used exclusively for power delivery - not data transfer. All 6 pins are utilized:

Pin Connections

1. VBUS Pins (2, 5):

• Receive power from USB-C PD charger

• Initially at 5V (USB default)

• Negotiates up to 15V/3A via STUSB4500

• Both VBUS pins connected together for 3A current capacity

2. CC Pins (3, 4):

• CC1 (pin 3) → STUSB4500 CC1 (pin 2)

• CC2 (pin 4) → STUSB4500 CC2 (pin 3)

• Used for orientation detection and PD negotiation

• STUSB4500 uses CC pins to communicate with PD source

3. Ground Pins (1, 6):

• Both GND pins connected to system ground

• Provides solid ground reference for power and signal integrity

Advantages of 6-pin connector:

• ✅ Lower cost compared to 24-pin connectors

• ✅ Smaller PCB footprint

• ✅ Sufficient for power-only USB-PD applications

• ✅ No unused pins - all 6 pins are actively used

Circuit Connections

See Diagram1: USB-PD Power Supply Section for complete wiring.

J1 (USB-C 6P Connector) Connections:

┌────────────────────────────┐
│                            │
│  2, 5  VBUS  ──────────────┼──────── To STUSB4500 VDD (pin 5)
│                            │         and input capacitors C1, C2
│                            │
│  3     CC1   ──────────────┼──────── To STUSB4500 CC1 (pin 2)
│  4     CC2   ──────────────┼──────── To STUSB4500 CC2 (pin 3)
│                            │
│  1, 6  GND   ──────────────┼──────── To system GND
│                            │         and STUSB4500 GND (pins 6, 12, EPAD)
│                            │
└────────────────────────────┘

Connection Topology:

VBUS (pins 2, 5) ──┬─→ C1 (10µF) ──→ GND
                    │
                    ├─→ C2 (100nF) ─→ GND
                    │
                    └─→ STUSB4500 VDD (pin 5)

CC1 (pin 3) ────────→ STUSB4500 CC1 (pin 2)
CC2 (pin 4) ────────→ STUSB4500 CC2 (pin 3)

GND (pins 1, 6) ────→ System GND / STUSB4500 GND (pins 6, 12, EPAD)

USB Power Delivery Operation

Default Power (No PD Negotiation)

When connected to a standard USB power source:

• Voltage: 5V

• Current: Up to 0.9A (4.5W) - USB 2.0 spec

• Current: Up to 3A (15W) - with USB Type-C current advertisement

With USB-PD Negotiation (STUSB4500)

When connected to a USB-PD charger:

1. Initial State (0-100ms):

• Connector establishes physical connection

• VBUS provides 5V default power

• VBUS_EN_SNK remains LOW (load switch OFF)

2. Orientation Detection (100-200ms):

• STUSB4500 detects cable orientation via CC1/CC2

• Identifies which CC pin is active

3. PD Negotiation (200-500ms):

• STUSB4500 requests 15V/3A power profile via CC line

• PD source responds with available power profiles

• Negotiation completes (with retry logic if needed)

4. Voltage Transition (500-1000ms):

• VBUS transitions from 5V → 15V

• STUSB4500 monitors voltage stability

5. Power Ready (>1000ms):

• VBUS stable at 15V

• VBUS_EN_SNK goes HIGH (load switch ON)

• System can draw up to 45W (15V × 3A)

Design Considerations

PCB Layout

1. Keep CC traces short: Route CC1/CC2 traces directly to STUSB4500 with minimal length

2. Match CC trace lengths: CC1 and CC2 should have similar lengths for symmetry

3. VBUS current capacity: Use wide traces or copper pours for both VBUS pins (2, 5)

4. GND plane: Solid ground connection for both GND pins (1, 6)

5. ESD protection: Consider adding ESD protection diodes on CC lines (optional but recommended)

Mechanical Mounting

• Ensure connector is securely mounted with through-hole posts or mid-mount design

• PCB cutout should match connector footprint exactly

• Consider mechanical stress from cable insertion/removal (10,000+ cycles)

Thermal Considerations

• VBUS pins carry up to 3A current

• Connector should have adequate copper area for heat dissipation

• At 15V/3A (45W), minimal heating expected with proper PCB design

Alternative Parts

If C456012 is unavailable, consider these 6-pin power-only USB Type-C alternatives:

Important: Verify pinout compatibility when substituting parts. Most 6-pin USB Type-C power-only connectors follow the same pinout (GND-VBUS-CC1 / CC2-VBUS-GND), but always check the datasheet.

Note: Full 24-pin USB Type-C receptacles can also be used if needed, but the 6-pin version is more cost-effective for power-only applications.

Troubleshooting

References

• USB Type-C Cable and Connector Specification

• USB Power Delivery Specification 3.1

• STUSB4500 USB-PD Controller - Companion IC for PD negotiation (v1.1)

• Diagram1: USB-PD Section - Circuit diagram