Samsung Electronics announced two USB Type-C power delivery (PD) controllers, SE8A and MM101. With the new PD controllers, power chargers can communicate with the device to provide the optimal amount of power for more efficient charging via authorized products.
The company built both chips with an embedded Flash (eFlash) that allows modification of the firmware to meet the most recent specifications. The PD controllers can supply up to 100W (20V/5A). For added safety, both chips also feature over-voltage protection.
SE8A is the first PD controller to have an embed Secure Element that adds an extra layer of security to PD controllers.
The new PD controllers meet the latest USB specifications for fast-charging, USB-PD 3.0, that addresses the efficiency and compatibility issues across various mobile devices as well as other electronics. Such issues can cause the device to charge slower than usual or more than required, which can also compromise the lifecycle of the battery.
Related: Integrated USB-C Power Solution With Primary and Secondary, and USB PD Controller Elements
"In addition to smarter features and larger batteries, innovative charging solutions allow us to do more through our mobile devices today. Following this trend, power adapters that can quickly charge devices while establishing safeguards against unauthorized access are increasingly in demand," said Ben K. Hur, senior vice president of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics. "Samsung's power delivery MM101 and security-enhanced SE8A will not only make charging faster and safer but also enable new services that can enrich tomorrow's mobile experiences."
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For product authentication, MM101 supports a symmetric encryption algorithm, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), and it includes moisture sensing to ensure safer charging conditions.
Samsung's SE8A is the first solution combining a PD controller and Secure Element (CC EAL5+ equivalent) in a single chip. SE8A offers extra measures of protection such as security key storage, and encoding and decoding of sensitive data. It comes in a compact form factor.
SE8A supports USB Type-C Authentication, a certificate-based authentication program for USB Type-C chargers and devices that is intended to prevent the misuse of unapproved products. With enhanced security, the SE8A controller presents opportunities for new types of content and services that may be exclusive to a particular brand, location, or event.
By supporting up to a 100W capacity, compared to the general smartphone charger's 10W, power chargers with Samsung's PD controllers can charge a variety of devices other than smartphones including tablets, monitors, and laptops.
The SE8A is in mass production, and the MM101 is currently sampling.
