Type-C™ CC and VCONN Signals

Last modified by Microchip on 2023/11/09 08:55

Upstream Facing Port (UFPs) and Downstream Facing Port (DFPs) each have a CC1 and a CC2 pin. These pins connect to the CC and VCONN lines of the Type-C™ cable. Both CC1 and CC2 must be able to support both the CC and the VCONN functions.

CC1 and CC2

Resistors are attached to these signals in various configurations depending upon the usage. Pull-up and Pull-down resistors are used on UFP and DFP elements, as well as within electronically marked active cables (see Type-C Cable page for details)

The attached resistors allow the CC pins to perform the following functions:

  • Detection of cable attachment
  • Detect the orientation of the attached cable
  • Advertisement of the power capabilities of the DFP

Upstream Facing Ports (UFPs) are connected with the pull-down resistor (Rd) on CC1 and CC2. Type-C cables are populated with only one CC line. By monitoring both CC1 and CC2, the Downstream Facing Port (DFP) can determine if a cable is connected and the orientation of the cable.

USB Orientation

Powered Type-C cables, both electronically marked and managed active cables, have pull-down resistors (Ra) connected to the non-CC line. Monitoring Ra allows the DFP to recognize the existence and orientation of a powered Type-C cable.

USB Powered Cable

Cable Connection State

CC1CC2StatusOrientation
Nothing connectedn/a
RdUFP connectedNormal
RdUFP connectedFlipped
RaPower Cable, no UFP connectionNormal
RaPower Cable, no UFP connectionFlipped
RdRaPower Cable with UFP connectionNormal
RaRdPower Cable with UFP connectionFlipped

How Much Power Can the DFP Supply?

The value of the pull-up resistors (Rp) attached to CC1 and CC2 advertise the current supplying capabilities of the DFP. Rp can be tied to a 3.3 V, 5V, or current source signal. The following table shows the values of Rp used to advertise current:

USB Type-C™ CC and VCONN Signals

DFP CapabilityRd for 5 V signalRd for 3.3 VCurrent source
USB 2.0 Default
500 mA
56 kΩ36 kΩ80 μA
USB 3.x Default
900 mA
56 kΩ36 kΩ80 μA
1.5 A @ 5V22 kΩ12 kΩ180 μA
3.0 A @ 5V10 kΩ4.7 kΩ330 μA

VCONN

VCONN is a 5V 1W power supply used to power the Integrated Circuit (IC) within an electronically marked Type-C cable. The DFP will supply the VCONN power upon start-up.

If two Dual Role ports are connected, and they both support the Power Delivery Protocol, the responsibility for supplying VCONN can be passed to the UFP with negotiation. See the Power Delivery Protocol page for implementation details.

USB VCONN

VCONN can be supplied in one of two ways:

  1. If a valid Rp/Rd connection is detected on one of the CC pins, VCONN can be connected to the other pin.
  2. After a valid Rp/Rd connection is detected on one CC pin, the other pin is monitored for a valid Ra before connecting VCONN.

Because of the reversibility of the cable, both the CC1 and CC2 pins must be capable of assuming the roles of CC and VCONN.