Does STUSB1602 support Alternate Mode?

[TIENHUA]

Hi Sir,

Does the STUSB1602 support Alternate Mode? Is an MCU required to enable it, or can it be implemented directly with the MCU alone? Is there any example code available?

Thank you.

[Peter BENSCH]

Alternate mode only has to do with USB-C data transfer. However, the STUSB1602 focusses exclusively on the CC lines of USB-C PD, also known as UCPD.

Regards
/Peter

[TIENHUA]

Hi Peter,

Thank you for the clarification. Just to confirm:

Since STUSB1602 only handles the USB-C CC line and PD negotiation, to support Alternate Mode (e.g., DisplayPort Alt Mode), we would still need an external MCU to manage the PD communication stack, including VDM negotiation and MUX control.

Does ST have any reference code or application note showing how to implement Alternate Mode using STUSB1602 with an STM32?

Thank you for your support.

[Peter BENSCH]

At least I am not aware of any reference code or application note that relates to your specific case with Alternate Mode. But you can have a look at the Technical article TA0356 to see if that helps you.

Good luck!
/Peter

[NBALL · Accepted solution]

Hello

STUSB1602 supports alternate mode.
Some SW packages have been developed with some STM32 (F0 - F4 - L4 - L0) and support alternate mode.
Please let me know which STM32 reference you are targeting and I'll contact you in private.

Best regards

Nathalie 

[TIENHUA]

Hi Nathalie,

Thanks for your reply.

We are still in the evaluation phase.
I would like to ask for your input: if we plan to use the STUSB1602 for Power Delivery, and only rely on an STM32 (such as from the F0, F4, L0, or L4 families) to handle Alternate Mode, which STM32 series would provide the most cost-effective combination?

In addition, I found that some STM32 families (G0, G4, L5, U5, H5) support the UCPD peripheral on the ST website.
If the MCU has native UCPD support, can it directly support Alternate Mode as well?

In that case, would it be more cost-efficient to go with an MCU + STUSB1602 solution, or simply use an STM32 with UCPD integrated?

I’d appreciate your suggestions. Thank you!

[NBALL]

Hello

You need either STM32+stusb1602 , either STM32 + TCPP.

STUSB1602 provides high voltage protections. Using STM32 with UCPD embedded would need to use TCPP in order to add high voltage protection.

The 2 solutions are equivalent at application stand point. In term of cost, my sales colleagues can provide you offer.

Best regards

Nathalie

[Peter BENSCH]

STM32+TCPP is cheaper than STM32+STUSB1602, which can also be seen very clearly in the tabs Sample & Buy of the respective product websites.

Regards
/Peter