PicoPD Pro: RP2040-Based USB-C PD 3.1 Development Board with AP33772S Sink Controller

The PicoPD Pro is an open-source development board based on the RP2040 microcontroller, designed for USB-C Power Delivery (PD) 3.1 applications. It integrates an AP33772S sink controller to enable features such as Programmable Power Supply (PPS) and Adjustable Voltage Supply (AVS), supporting voltages up to 30V.

The AP33772S sink controller communicates with the RP2040 via I2C and adheres to the full USB-C PD 3.1 specification, including the Extended Power Range (EPR). In PPS mode, the board supports adjustable output voltage from 3.3V to 20V with 20mV increments and current limits starting at 1A with 50mA increments. For EPR mode, it supports voltages above 20V, with AVS functionality starting from 15V and extending based on the charger’s capabilities.

Additionally, the PicoPD Pro provides a 5V output rail for powering external components, making it suitable for prototyping and development in USB-C PD-based power management applications.

PicoPD Pro development board specifications:

• Microcontroller: Raspberry Pi RP2040, dual-core Cortex-M0+ @ up to 133 MHz
• Memory: 264KB SRAM
• Storage: 16MB on-board QSPI flash
• USB: USB Type-C port for power, data, and programming
• Expansion:
  • 2x 20-pin 2.54mm pitch header
  • Castellated holes with 28 GPIOs
  • 3x ADC, I2C, SPI, UART
• Debugging: USB-C and SWD
• Miscellaneous:
  • 1x user-controllable green LED
  • 1x Reset button
  • 1x Boot button
• Power:
  • USB-C PD with Diodes Incorporated AP33772S sink controller over I2C
  • Protocol support: Standard fixed profile, PPS, EPR, AVS (up to 30V)
  • PPS: 100mV voltage increment, 250mA current increment
  • AVS: 200mV voltage increment, 250mA current increment
  • Current handling: up to 5A continuous
  • 5V @ 500mA switching power supply
  • 3.3V @ 200mA low-dropout regulator
  • Built-in temperature monitoring (68°C max at 5A load)
  • Built-in current and voltage monitoring
• Dimensions: 51 x 21mm (similar to Raspberry Pi Pico form factor)

The PicoPD Pro is an open-source development board with hardware schematics and documentation available on its GitHub repository. The board can be programmed using the Arduino IDE or Microsoft Visual Studio Code with PlatformIO.

The PicoPD Pro, based on the Raspberry Pi RP2040 and supporting USB-C PD 3.1, is priced at $23 on Tindie and $22 on Lectronz. Each purchase includes headers for the board. The seller, CentyLab LLC, also recommends a Fast Charge Injection Adapter for simultaneous USB Power Delivery and Serial Debugging, priced at $13.02 on Tindie and $12 on Lectronz.

Additional resources, such as the AP33772S_CPP library and a Hackaday page, are provided to support the board’s functionality and usage.

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