Dual USB-C Expansion Card

I’d love to buy some of these! Don’t need PD, or anything else, just USB 3.1 gen1, that’s it, that would be fantastic!

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I did just order a few very simple USB-PD chips to experiment with. It could be implemented with very few components (like the IC and two resistors for minimum configuration), also it’s quite small and fits into the unpopulated area on the daugther-board, so the FW handles the 3A over to the hub, instead of the default 1.5A (thanks @Josh_Cook for pointing that out :blush:), which could be a bit low for connecting two devices).
The chip will only negotiate the 5V/3A from the laptop to the hub, so still no charging option.
I also did fix an error in the schematics of the main board (the supply for active cables was incorrectly wired).
I’m getting a few bucks tax-money back this or next month, I’ll probably invest that in a few assembled boards once I did iron out things and got the PD-thing running.

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The dev-boards for the PD-controller I designed and ordered are here :blush:. It works fine convincing the framework to handle over 3A with the PD controller. For the next revision I’ll add the PD chip on the daughter board :blush:.

That’s how these simple boards look like:


The chip in the center is the one handling the PD (it’s a HUSB238, in case someone is interested in details).
I assembled three different configurations, the framework only can handle 5V but I wanted to try some other voltages for using them with USB-PD supplies. The other two are 9V/2A (that’s what for example iPad chargers use) and 15V/3A.
It’s quite simple to use the chip, it is programmed by two resistors that set the voltage and current it should request. There can also be programmed some more advanced things like fallback voltages and stuff by an external interface to a microcontroller, haven’t tried that yet tho (the white connector is for an I2C bus).

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Might be a stupid question but how are you fitting everything with the PD board into an expansion card shell?

He only needs to fit one black chip and two resistors.

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Awesome what max wattage would it support?

And a P-channel MOSFET… I checked the datasheet … a pretty cool chip … The MOSFET also needs an additional 2 resistors … lol But an impressive feat non the less…

I would think you only need a MOSFET if you have need for overload protection. But the laptop should already have that upstream.

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I am just going with what is layed out on the typical application from the datasheet and Adafruit’s board

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But it depends on what you need. Here, you only need the HUSB238 to request USB-PD 5v 3A. So that the upstream chip doesn’t trip any overload protection before 3A.

After I would get a Framework laptop (I would like to order a 16 after it comes out), I would order a double USB-C expansion card. Keep up the good work, @tbe !

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Just here to show my support :slight_smile:

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First, shout out to you @tbe, the work you’ve done here is really impressive, thank you for your involvment in the community and for sharing your journey with us.
I’m still thinking about acquiring a Framework, reading all of these posts makes my mouth water.
I would for sure acquire one of these adapters but would love to see PD passthrough come in at least one of the port so I can reduce the number of extension cards I need for basic usability of the laptop.

I found this boy popping on the Amazon listing Connect USB-C to 4-Port USB-C Hub | Belkin US, I’m pretty sure
It may be interesting to see what’s inside to see if two ports could fit in the pcb. It would allow a port with passthrough PD and maybe another one that can draw current from the first input if plugged if I understood well.

I’m willing to buy one ship one to you @tbe if you have some time to take it apart and see what could be done.

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Welcome to the community :relieved:

Thanks but that’s not necessary. I did take a look at a different one (delock branded) that has the ICs they used published on their website. The problem is (with many specialized ICs) that there’s no datasheet, devkits or other documentation publicly available (you have to be company signing an NDA to get these things). The FW does have a similar chip on the mainboard. Also there is the PCB real estate problem remaining, the space is already crammed with components and just simply adding more layers won’t help much.
I’ll first get the current design up and running (well it mostly is but there is some work to be done to make it manufacturable), then we’ll see where this gets…

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Just commenting to add my support to this project. Really impressive work, eager to see where this is going. If there was a crowdfunding campaign to build this extension as a finished product, I’d surely get a bunch!

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I would also would buy 2 pieces (but I live in Europe).

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I would buy at least two of these as well.

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Definitely down for one, depending on final price, maybe two! Looks really useful! Great work!

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Just noting my show of support for multi output adapters like two USB-C ports.

I have the AMD Framework 13 on order and having space for more than four ports at any given time (even if there are some limitations on capability of those ports) would be awesome.

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