The new USB-C connector and USB-PD specification enable charging at up to 100W. However, the protocol for negotiation between host and charger can be complex.
As Google was building the Chromebook Pixel (the first USB-C device to hit the market), it created a tool to allow the engineers to see what was happening at the USB-PD protocol level. This device, known by the codename “twinkie” was very generously released as an open design by Google. However it was not offered for sale as a finished product to the public.
Plugable Technologies worked with Google to bring this useful device to market as the new Plugable USB 3.1 Type-C Power Delivery Sniffer (USBC-TKEY for short).
USBC-TKEY in use
Placed between a Type-C host and charger, the device can capture packet traces using the open source ‘sigrok’ application which can then be viewed and decoded using the companion open source ‘pulseview’ application.
This view into the communication between both a host and power source can be invaluable during product testing and development. Plugable Technologies thanks Google, Inc. for the opportunity to bring this very useful and unique product to market. Please check out our new product page here and our user guide here for an example of the typical workflow.
If you’re an engineer working on USB-C Power Delivery, this small device is the most cost-effective tool available today to help debug your designs. We hope it’s useful to you, and welcome any questions below or just email support@plugable.com. Thank you!
