USB PD to take on power adapters

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is ubiquitous. What if you were given an option to just carry a USB cable, as against a bunch of power adapters to charge your tablet, ultrabook and smartphone? Sounds too good to be true, right?

In August 2012 USB Implementers Forum (the governing body for USB Standard) released a specification—USB Power Delivery (USB PD) that will allow up to 100W of power to be delivered over USB’s power pin!

The new standard (USB PD) allows interconnected devices to negotiate power requirements, and allows devices with abundant power to share it with other devices in the network. Devices like monitors, docking stations, printers and PD-enabled power adapters will source power through their USB ports. Gone will be the days when your power adapter had a custom barrel plug for a dedicated notebook! The power adapters of the future will sport USB ports to charge your devices, including notebooks.

Industry leaders have started working on these lines and come 2014 will see your device’s USB ports supplying higher levels of power. The new standard will co-exist with existing USB eco-system and work equally well with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.

 - Subramanyam Sankaran, Director, USB 2.0 Business Unit, Data Communication Division, Cypress Semiconductor
 

Subramanyam SankaranIn his current role, Subramanyam Sankaran manages USB 2.0 business for the worldwide market. Subramanyam has been associated with the semiconductor industry for 17 years and has been involved with USB for 14.
 
Subramanyam has previously worked with Philips/NXP Semiconductors, ST-Ericssion and Maxim in various marketing and engineering management roles.
 
Subramanyam received his management degree from University of Phoenix and his undergraduate degree in electronics and communication engineering from Bangalore University.