Microchip Technology Inc. has expanded its portfolio of programmable USB port power controller with the UCS100X family. The controllers offer advanced USB-based charging capabilities for devices including laptops, tablets, and docking stations as well as AC-DC power-supply and charging products. The family is designed to support active cables such as Apple’s Lightning connector. The chips can provide up to 12W of power to a device.
The UCS1001-3, UCS1001-4 and UCS1002-2—are an expansion of its popular UCS1001 and UCS1002 series and offer higher current and priority charging. The UCS1002-2 also features a built-in sensor that can report on the amount of charging current, optimizing the appropriate allocation of power. Evaluation boards start at $24.99 for the UCS1001-3/4.