What They Say
The USB Promoter Group has updated the USB Power Delivery specification to boost the maximum power from 100W (20V @ 5A) to 240W (48V @ 5A). 28V and 36V fixed voltage options have also been added to the existing 5V, 9V, 15V and 20V fixed voltages. In version 3.1 there is also a new adjustable voltage mode enabling a range from 15V to one of three maximum voltages (28V, 36V, or 48V) depending on the available power allowing the device being powered to request specific voltages to a 100 mV resolution.
The USB Type-C specification has also been updated with Release 2.1 to define 240W cable requirements, and with the updated USB PD protocol and power supply definition
Branding and marketing guidelines are being established and will include a new cable labeling solution to inform users of the power capability supported by Certified USB Type-C cables.
What We Think
USB clearly wants to continue to take over the world of DC power supply.
I haven’t had time to process this announcement, but it would surprise me if display makers decided to increase the level of PD from monitors beyond today’s levels. However, I do know that some big corporate/government contracts have been awarded to USB Type C monitors purely on the basis that power strips were not wanted in the environment, so combining power for several devices from a monitor was a big advantage, so there may be room for one or two models that would meet that need. An alternative would be to power a desktop monitor to be powered by USB Type-C itself so that a general purpose adaptor could be used.
Another area that could see more power from monitors is gaming notebooks. These can take a lot more than the 100W of PD up to now, so it could make sense for some high end monitors to go to quite a lot higher in power to support them.
By coincidence, although not directly display-related, I was planning to include a link to a story about new tiny PSUs using GaN technology later in the week. I know a lot of my readers are or have been road warriors and there’s nothing worse than spending a lot of money on a thing and light PC and then finding that the maker hasn’t put the same attention into the size and weight of the power supply! (BR)
