Optimization of USB 3.

0 Current Limiting Solution

In addition to transfer speed enhancement in USB 3.0, the requirement for power supply is also increased to meet various peripheral demands.
The article first introduces Polymeric Positive Temperature Coefficient (PPTC), which is an over-current protection device often used in the industry,
and compares it with low-voltage solid-state switch under USB 3.0 application. Regarding to the power delivery in USB 3.0, difference from USB 2.0
is explained and detailed PPTC devices are suggested for over-current protection. Finally, benefiting from the new development in conductive filler,
the new low profile, super low resistance surface-mount PPTC is launched which is ideal for over-current protection in ultra-slim electronics.

Need for speed. Need for power. As the USB 3.0 specification was and bus-powered devices should be capable of operating with input voltage
finalized last November, not only did the transfer speed increase to a as low as 4.00V. Other requirements such as inrush current limiting and
blazing 5.0 Gbps, the power budget was also boosted from 500mA to suspend current limitation stay as stringent as before, with updated power
900mA. The increase in speed and power brings new challenges to both allocation of 150mA or 900mA for high-power device.
system and component level, from integrating new data transfer protocol
and new power management schemes, to successfully transferring data
between host and device. Among those upgrades in USB 3.0, one critical USB 3.0 Over-Current Protection
thing remains unchanged is the safety requirement. System builders now Polytronics offers a complete PPTC product portfolio to help customers
need to allocate enough current supply for these ports, and at the same to meet their design requirements and USB 3.0 over-current protection at
time carefully incorporate the current-limiting function. the same time. The small footprint SMD 1206 (0.12” x 0.06”) and 1210
(0.12” x 0.10”) series save precious board space and offer single or dual
PPTC Introduction and Over-Current Protection port protection. Although USB 3.0 lowers the supplied voltage requirement
from hosts, Polytronics still recommends the following products in Table 2,
Polymeric Positive Temperature Coefficient, commonly known as PPTC, which guarantee PPTC voltage drop of less than 0.1V under full load, to
can be treated as a non-linear temperature-dependant resistor. Under ensure greater compatibility with USB 2.0 peripherals and give greater
normal operation, PPTC is highly conductive so the circuit can operate voltage margins to other on-board components and trace. In addition,
normally. However, if an over-current event occurs, faulty current will these current limiting devices can hold full load current for high-power
generate enough heat on PPTC to exceed its switching temperature, device above 50°C, avoid unwanted trip conditions due to thermal derating
causing a 104 to 106 times resistance jump. Therefore, the over-current especially on the rear USB ports of desktop PCs.
condition can be eliminated, and the objective of protecting the circuit
device can be achieved.
SMD 1206 Series SMD 1210 Series SMD SLR Series
The USB 3.0 specification requires current limiting device for power (0.12”x0.06”) (0.12”x0.10”) (Profile < 0.75mm)
protection, and PPTC devices or low-voltage solid-state switches are often SMD1206P150TFT SMD1210P150TFT SMD1206P110SLR
Single Port
used for over-current limiting. Most of the time design engineers prefer to R1max 0.12 R1max 0.110Ω R1max 0.100Ω
use PPTC to prevent the circuit from damage for various reasons. Due to SMD1210P260TF† SMD1206P200SLR
Dual Port Coming Soon
the increase of power budget in USB 3.0, current limiting devices must R1max 0.050Ω R1max 0.055Ω
pass through more power and keep a voltage drop limit. Table 1 shows SMD1812P370SLR
Quad Port - -
PPTC having more advantages than low-voltage solid-state switches in USB R1max 0.018Ω
3.0 application, such as price, resistance, maximum fault power, and ESD
sensitivity. Table 2: USB 3.0 over-current protection solution.
*R1max: Maximum resistance of device at 20°C measured one hour after
tripping or reflow soldering.
PPTC Solid-State Switch

Price Low Mid Low Profile, Super Low Resistance SMD Series
Resettable Yes Yes
With advanced research in polymeric technology, Polytronics
Fault Current Limiting High (>100A) Low
has developed new super-low-resistance PPTC material platforms (low-rho)
Fault Power Limiting High (800W) Low which overcomes the oxidation issue from nickel powder systems. Breaking
ESD Sensitivity N/A High the traditional carbon-black volume resistivity limit, the new surface-mount
Time-to-Trip (LPS) Millisecond Microsecond SLR series can achieve high holding current with low profile of less than
Resistance Low (Typical 100±20mΩ) Mid (Typical 200±20mΩ) 0.75mm. In addition to battery PCM application, it is also ideal for
over-current protection in cellular phones, mobile internet devices, or other
Table 1: PPTC and solid-state switch comparison in 1A application. ultra-slim electronics. The SMD SLR series can protect up to 2 USB 3.0
ports in 1206 size or 4 USB 3.0 ports in 1812 size.

Power Delivery Difference from USB 2.0

Compared to USB 2.0, USB 3.0 creates new power management
schemes to achieve overall platform power efficiency, by defining new link
states and mechanisms. However, in terms of power distribution, 3.0
remains similar to 2.0, with increased power budget and more generous
voltage drop requirement. SuperSpeed devices can now draw up to 900mA
after initiation with the host. The supplied voltage requirement at the
connector of hub or root ports has been decreased from 4.75V to 4.45V,
Total Protective Solution
Polytronics continues to provide circuit protection products to meet the
new technology requirement and market demand. Together with
over-voltage protection and thermal management solutions, Polytronics
provides a total protective solution to customers. A multichannel polymeric
ESD suppressor is also targeted to launch in Q3 2009 to protect USB 3.0
differential signal pins.

No. 24-1 Industry E. Rd. IV, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300 Taiwan
TEL : +886 (3) 564-3931 FAX : +886 (3) 564-4624
E-mail : sales@pttc.com.tw http://www.pttc.com.tw