company blog about Recycle TI Interface Evaluation Board:USB Type-C,Re-Driver,GPIO Expander

Recycle TI Interface Evaluation Board:USB Type-C,Re-Driver,GPIO Expander

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I. TI USB Type-C Interface Evaluation Board: A High-Speed Interface Development Tool for All-Scenario Adaptability

The USB Type-C interface has become the mainstream connection for electronic devices, owing to its reversible plugging, high-speed transmission, multi-protocol compatibility, and flexible power regulation. The TI USB Type-C Interface Evaluation Board, built upon TI's proprietary USB-C controller, power management ICs, and port protection components, delivers comprehensive evaluation capabilities spanning basic connectivity to advanced functionalities. It supports core features including USB Power Delivery (PD) protocol and Alternate Mode, significantly lowering the design barriers and testing costs associated with USB-C interfaces.

1. Core Functions and Design Features

The core value of the TI USB Type-C evaluation board lies in its ‘full-function verification + reference design reuse’ approach, centred on three key characteristics: Firstly, robust protocol compatibility comprehensively supports USB PD 3.0/3.1/3.2 protocols. Certain models carry USB-IF certification, enabling advanced features such as Programmable Power Supply (PPS), Dual Role Port (DRP), and liquid detection to accommodate diverse charging and power delivery scenarios with varying power requirements. Secondly, outstanding signal integrity is achieved through on-board impedance matching circuits and ESD protection devices (such as the TPD6S300A), effectively suppressing signal interference to ensure stable high-speed data transmission. Select models support 5Gbps/10Gbps high-speed transfer rates. Thirdly, it offers high development convenience. Most evaluation boards integrate on-board debug interfaces and I²C programmers. Combined with TI's GUI configuration tools and sample code, they enable rapid parameter configuration, functional testing, and firmware development without requiring complex additional test platforms.

Furthermore, evaluation boards typically adopt a modular design with abundant test points and expansion interfaces, supporting customised testing scenarios. Complete schematic diagrams and PCB layout files are provided as reference designs, enabling engineers to directly reuse them in end products and shorten development cycles.

2. Typical Models and Application Scenarios

TI offers multiple USB Type-C evaluation boards tailored to diverse application scenarios across consumer electronics, automotive electronics, and industrial equipment. Below are detailed descriptions of two representative models:

- TPS25751EVM: An evaluation module for single-port USB Type-C and PD applications, supporting up to 60W power delivery (Source mode) or 100W power reception (Sink mode). It is compatible with the USB PD 3.1 protocol and USB-IF certified. Features an on-board I²C programmer for flexible power profile configuration, with liquid detection and port protection capabilities. Suitable for evaluating and debugging USB-C interfaces in consumer electronics such as laptops, tablets, and fast-charging adapters, while also facilitating troubleshooting in existing systems.

- TUSB546EVM: An evaluation board focused on USB Type-C Alternate Mode, employing a dual-chip solution integrating the TUSB546-DCI 5G USB Type-C linear redriver switch and the TPS65982 PD controller. It enables 5Gbps USB data and 8.1Gbps DisplayPort video transmission. Supports three operating modes: DFP (Downstream Port), UFP (Upstream Port), and DRP (Dual Role Port). Configuration is accomplished via DIP switches without requiring external power supply. Suitable for devices requiring combined video and data transmission, such as monitors, docking stations, and laptops.

3. Core Advantages

Compared to USB-C evaluation boards from other manufacturers, TI products offer core advantages in ‘comprehensive hardware and software ecosystem + industrial-grade reliability’. Hardware-wise, leveraging TI's comprehensive USB-C chip portfolio (controllers, protection devices, power management ICs), the evaluation board delivers enhanced stability and compatibility. Software-wise, it provides a full suite of development resources including SigCon Architect GUI, firmware packages, and sample code, supporting secondary development in Python, C++, and other programming languages. Additionally, select models support automotive-grade temperature ranges, enabling direct evaluation in automotive electronics scenarios without additional adaptation.

II. TI Redriver Evaluation Board: Addressing Signal Integrity Challenges in High-Speed Transmission

As electronic device transmission speeds increase (e.g., USB 3.1/3.2, PCIe 4.0/5.0, DisplayPort), signals are prone to attenuation, distortion, and crosstalk within PCBs or transmission cables. This degrades signal integrity and compromises transmission stability. The TI Redriver Evaluation Board, based on TI's proprietary linear redriver chip, equalises, amplifies, and reshapes attenuated high-speed signals. It compensates for transmission losses, extends transmission distances, and suppresses interference, ensuring stable high-speed signal transmission. This makes it an indispensable testing tool for high-speed interface design.

1. Core Functions and Design Features

The TI Retimer Evaluation Board's core function is ‘signal integrity optimisation + precise performance evaluation’. Its design features align with engineers' testing requirements: Firstly, it offers robust equalisation and amplification capabilities, supporting wide-range equalisation adjustment (e.g., CTLE equalisation) to compensate for over 16dB of intersymbol interference (ISI) loss. Certain models support transmission rates up to 16Gbps, accommodating multiple high-speed protocols including USB, PCIe, and DisplayPort. Secondly, it offers flexible configuration. Through on-board DIP switches, I²C interface, or GUI tools, parameters such as equalisation strength, output swing, and de-emphasis can be adjusted to suit different transmission scenarios and loss conditions. Thirdly, testing is streamlined with abundant test points (e.g., input/output signal test points, power supply test points) enabling direct connection of test instruments like oscilloscopes. This facilitates rapid measurement of critical parameters such as eye diagram, jitter, and bit error rate, providing an intuitive assessment of the redriver chip's performance.

Furthermore, the evaluation board employs a compact PCB design with optimised grounding and impedance matching to minimise on-board interference, ensuring accurate evaluation results. Certain models support hot-swapping, enabling testing during device operation to enhance testing efficiency.

2. Typical Models and Application Scenarios

TI re-driver evaluation boards cover diverse transmission rates and protocol scenarios. Below are three representative models catering to multiple sectors including consumer electronics, industrial applications, and servers:

- TUSB1002AEVM: A dual-channel linear retimer evaluation board for USB 3.1 10Gbps, supporting transmission rates up to 10Gbps. It incorporates a linear equaliser to compensate for signal loss during USB transmission, thereby extending transmission distances. Supports USB VBUS or 5V DC power supply. Features extensive on-board test points, making it suitable for signal integrity optimisation evaluation of USB 3.1 interfaces in devices such as laptops, portable hard drives, and high-speed hubs.

- TUSB1044RNQEVM: USB Type-C Alternate Mode Redriver Evaluation Board supporting up to 10Gbps data rates. Compatible with USB Type-C Alternate Mode, it amplifies and shapes signals for protocols like DisplayPort. Featuring plug-and-play design requiring no external power supply, it incorporates USB-C port protection components. Suitable for scenarios requiring high-speed signal extension, such as docking stations, displays, and automotive USB-C interfaces.

- DS160PR410EVM-RSC: PCIe 4.0 four-channel linear re-driver evaluation board supporting up to 16Gbps data transfer rates. Incorporates eight DS160PR410 re-driver chips to extend PCIe 4.0 16x bus transmission distances. Supports programming via GPIO, I²C/SMBus, or on-board EEPROM. Suitable for devices requiring PCIe high-speed transmission, such as servers, industrial computers, and high-end graphics cards. Ideal for standard compliance testing and system prototyping.

3. Core Advantages

The TI retimer evaluation board's core strengths lie in its ‘protocol independence + precise evaluation + ecosystem synergy’. Firstly, most retimer chips feature protocol-agnostic designs compatible with multiple high-speed protocols. A single evaluation board can fulfil testing requirements for diverse interfaces, reducing testing costs. Secondly, the evaluation board's test parameters closely align with real-world application scenarios. It delivers precise test data such as eye diagrams and jitter measurements, directly guiding PCB layout and parameter configuration for end products. Thirdly, it seamlessly integrates with TI's USB Type-C and PCIe interface evaluation boards to build a comprehensive high-speed interface testing system, enabling end-to-end evaluation from signal transmission to signal optimisation.

III. TI General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) Expander Evaluation Board: A Convenient Tool for Flexible I/O Resource Expansion

Within embedded systems and industrial control equipment, the native GPIO pin count of microcontrollers (MCUs) or processors is often limited, failing to meet the demands of connecting multiple peripherals (such as LEDs, buttons, sensors, and relays). The TI GPIO Expander Evaluation Board utilises TI's proprietary I²C/SMBus or SPI interface GPIO expansion chips. It extends multiple GPIO pins via a single cable (I²C/SPI), enabling flexible expansion of input/output functionality. Simultaneously supporting interrupts, reset, configuration registers, and other features, it simplifies multi-peripheral connection design and reduces system complexity.

1. Core Functionality and Design Features

The core value of the TI GPIO Expander Evaluation Board lies in ‘I/O resource expansion + multi-scenario adaptability’. Its design features align with embedded development requirements: Firstly, it offers robust expansion capabilities, supporting multiple GPIO pin configurations including 8-bit, 16-bit, and 24-bit. A single evaluation board can expand numerous GPIO pins, with certain models supporting multi-board cascading to further increase GPIO count; Secondly, it offers flexible interfaces compatible with multiple communication protocols including I²C, SMBus, and SPI. With stable communication rates, it seamlessly interfaces with various TI MCUs and processors, adapting to different system architectures. Thirdly, rich functionality: supports input/output mode switching for GPIO pins. Certain models feature interrupt output, reset functionality, weak pull-up/pull-down, and sticky register capabilities, accommodating diverse peripheral connection requirements (e.g., button inputs, LED outputs, sensor signal acquisition).

Additionally, the evaluation board incorporates on-board LED indicators and push-button switches for direct, intuitive testing of GPIO input/output functions. Reserved pin headers facilitate connection to test instruments like oscilloscopes and logic analysers for verifying GPIO signal stability. Certain models support automotive-grade temperature ranges and packaging, catering to industrial and automotive electronics applications.

2. Representative Models and Application Scenarios

TI GPIO expander evaluation boards span consumer electronics, industrial control, and automotive electronics. Below are detailed descriptions of two representative models tailored to distinct expansion requirements:

- IO-EXPANDER-EVM: An I²C and SMBus interface GPIO expander evaluation module supporting TI's full range of SMBus/I²C GPIO expander chips (e.g., TCA6424A, TCA9539, TCA6408A), enabling expansion of 8-bit, 16-bit, or 24-bit GPIO pins. Features on-board LED indicators and push-button switches, enabling GPIO expansion functionality evaluation via LEDs or external connectors. Includes comprehensive example code containing core functions required for each GPIO expander. Suitable for scenarios demanding multiple GPIO expansions, such as industrial control, smart hardware, and consumer electronics—including smart home control panels and industrial sensor nodes.

- IO-EXP-ADAPTER-EVM: GPIO Expander Adapter Evaluation Board. Features a detachable PCB design that separates into four independent PCBs for convenient individual testing and debugging. Supports both I²C and SPI communication protocols, compatible with GPIO expander chips in multiple packages (e.g., TCA9535, TXE8116). It conforms to standard breadboard dimensions, incorporates dual-pin connectors for easy jumper and oscilloscope connections, and includes a blank PCB (with unsoldered IC footprints and headers) for user-defined soldered testing. This makes it ideal for GPIO expander chip selection testing and prototyping, particularly for comparative evaluation of multiple packaging types and chip variants.

3. Core Advantages

The TI GPIO Expander Evaluation Board's core strengths lie in its ‘high compatibility + high flexibility + low cost’. Firstly, it is compatible with TI's entire range of GPIO expansion chips, supporting multiple pin expansion specifications and communication protocols to accommodate diverse system requirements, offering flexible selection. Secondly, the board's design is simple and practical; on-board test components (LEDs, pushbuttons) enable direct basic functional testing without requiring additional test circuitry, reducing development costs. Thirdly, it provides comprehensive software resources (example code, firmware packages) and hardware reference designs (schematics, PCB layouts). Engineers can rapidly repurpose evaluation results for end products. Additionally, it supports multi-board cascading, enabling flexible GPIO expansion to suit embedded system designs ranging from simple to complex.