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USB Type C connector and cable
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ricko_uk:
Hi,
I am thinking to use a USB type C connectors and cable between two units for a new product. The signals are low speed and the only reason for using this solution is the large number of contacts in a compact connector and relatively flexible cable without making it custom. I want to use it as a straight cable withOUT any ICs, just to transfer signals and few mA of power.

1) do USB type C connectors in cables which transfer data (i.e. all pins connected/active) contain electronics or are they just plain simple cables with straight copper wires between the connectors?
2) what is the best and simplest (!) way to implement such solution?


Thank you :)
wraper:
There is no electronics in the cable. Be aware that in USB 3.x cables number of actual wires is only half of the total pin count. USB 2.0 cables have only 4. GND wire usually is connected to a shield. Also if you use it, be ready that people will certainly plug something non compatible on the other end like charger, laptop, whatever. So circuit should tolerate such conditions, not blow up.
ejeffrey:
Only about half the pins or fewer on the USB-C connector are wired up on any given cable.  For instance, the D+ and D- pins are duplicated on the connector, but only one side is wired up.  Likewise, the power and ground pins are all connected together in parallel.

Also, some cables are USB2 only--they do not have any superspeed pairs.  Many USB-C chargers come with this kind of cable only intended for charging. Other cables may have 2 or 4 pairs present.

One of the two CC pins is normally wired through, but there are electronically marked cables in which case there will be a chip hanging off the CC pin (and powered by the "other" CC pin).  All cables supporting USB 3.1 or higher, supporting alternate modes (like thunderbolt or HDMI) or 5A charging need to be electronically marked.

So all you can really guarantee are the basic USB-2 pins: VBUS, GND, D+, and D-.  Anything else is going to be at the least more complicated and may not be present in whatever cables you use.

Of course, you also want to consider the possibility of someone plugging an arbitrary USB type-C device into yours.
ejeffrey:
Oh, you said "product" -- I would not recommend doing this in any sort of product.  That is just going to lead to frustrated customers and possibly equipment damage.
 
nctnico:
USB-C connectors are pretty cheap and cables are readily available. I've used a USB-C connector to take a PCIexpress bus to a daughterboard in a price sensitive product. There is one catch though: you can plug a USB C in in any direction and the connection isn't 1 to 1.

However for a low speed signals and a small bit of power I'd recommend to use ribbon cable or a crimp style connection. Molex pico-spox, JST XH, etc.
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