USB VSense Makes Sense of All the Voltages Available From USB-C
Eight unique colors identify USB-C bus voltages from 5V to 48V.
USB-C's Power Delivery (PD) turned a universal data connector into a pseudo-universal power supply. However, how do you know if the supply you use is the device's best option? Meticulous Technologies introduced a campaign for a product to solve the problem of determining the active USB voltage. USB VSense unambiguously and colorfully displays the voltage mode in which a device and supply have negotiated.
When USB-C devices connect, there are multiple ways for them to determine which voltage and current modes are appropriate. For most users, this process is transparent. A downside to that transparency is that not all combinations of supplies and devices result in the most efficient modes.
USB VSense is an inline USB-C adapter that helps identify what your USB-C devices are doing regarding power. It measures 56 x 18.5 x 5.6 millimeters, or similar to the length of a AAA battery. Eight uniquely colored indicators identify that voltage a power supply and device selected. Compared to other USB inline meters, this one is simple, fast, and easy to read.
A Microchip ATtiny406 microcontroller (MCU) powers the USB VSense. The MCU's 10-bit analog-to-digital (ADC) converter provides high-resolution measurements from 5 to 48 volts. The adapter passes the USB 2.0 data, CC, and SBUS signals while only drawing 6 milliamps of current from the bus.
Meticulous stacked seven printed circuit boards (PCBs) together to create the compact all-in-one measurement device. One advantage of USB VSense's "Oreo" construction is that you can easily modify its appearance, add functionality, or repair it!
In addition to identifying the selected voltage, the LEDs flash if there is up to 10% deviation. For example, if the voltage is between 4.4 and 4.7 volts, the 5 V red LED blinks slowly. The same LED blinks rapidly if the bus voltage is lower than 4.4 V (10%). This type of feedback provides practical troubleshooting at a glance.
USB VSense is a pre-launch Crowd Supply campaign. Once launched, Meticulous Technologies plans to make the Open-Source firmware and hardware design files available. Use the subscribe button on this page to be notified when the campaign goes live.