Cypress USB-C solutions help Elka launch the world's first HDMI Alt mode cable

     Cypress Semiconductor Co., Ltd., a leader in the USB-C market, announced that Taiwan's ELKA International Ltd. has introduced the market's first HDMI Alt Mode (alternative mode) cable with its USB-C solution. This cable enables the next generation of HDMI-enabled USB-C interface devices such as smartphones, digital cameras, and set-top boxes to connect directly to HDMI displays such as HDTVS and 4K TVS. Eshi selected an HDMI Alt mode solution based on the Cypress EZ-PD™ CCG3 USB-C controller to simplify firmware development and provide upgrade support through its programmable capabilities.

     All HD and 4K TVS come with HDMI ports, but previously you had to use an adapter or converter to connect a USB-C source device, but it didn't support all native HDMI features. With the Cypress HDMI Alt Mode solution, source device manufacturers can now fully implement native HDMI functionality via the USB Type-C interface. Cypress and Panasonic demonstrated the industry's first USB-C compliant HDMI Alt solution at CES in January. The Cypress EZ-PD series controllers all support HDMI Alt mode, audio, video and data protocols according to the USB Type-C standard, and support the USB PD standard for fast charging.

     Roy Ting, Executive Vice President of Eshi Industries, said: "The conversion cables used to connect smart devices to HDMI displays are inconvenient, so we immediately began to develop our USB-C cable with HDMI Alt mode after we saw that Cypress had developed a corresponding solution. "The programmability and integration of Cypress's USB-C solution gives us confidence that we can quickly optimize the firmware to roll out our own cable design and deliver a user experience that meets consumer expectations."

     Ajay Srikrishna, Vice president, Wired Connectivity Business Unit, Cypress, said: "Cypress has always been a leader in USB-C innovation. We are excited to help our key HDMI Alt cable customers solve design challenges and be the first to launch new products." "Eshi's HDMI Alt mode cable truly enables a plug and play connection between a smartphone or digital camera and a 4K TV."

     The EZ-PD CCG3 controller integrates a gate driver to support external power supply and power consumption FETs, providing up to 100W of power over a USB-C cable. The built-in high voltage regulator and analog unit achieve a 2.7V-21.5V operating voltage, enabling the CCG3 to be powered directly from the VBus. The controller protects the system from power overload or other faulty operating conditions through internal overvoltage and overcurrent protection circuits and programmable threshold detection.

     The CCG3 controller integrates an ARM® Cortex®-M0 processor, two 64KB flash strips for avoiding firmware update failures, and an all-in-one encryption engine for firmware update verification. In addition, the CCG3 includes an analog switch for non-USB signals such as HDMI control signals, four serial communication units, and a USB full-speed controller for USB Billboard.