What is Power Delivery PD
USB PD stands for USB Power Delivery. It is a fast-charging technology that allows devices to charge at higher power levels over a USB connection. USB PD is an extension of the USB standard and is designed to deliver more power efficiently and safely, making it suitable for a wide range of devices, from smartphones to laptops and other high-power peripherals.
Key Features of USB PD:
1. Higher Power Output: USB PD can deliver up to 100 watts (W) of power, compared to the standard USB 2.0 or 3.0, which typically provides up to 7.5W or 15W, respectively. This makes it capable of charging larger devices like laptops.
2. Variable Voltage and Current: USB PD supports multiple voltage levels (5V, 9V, 15V, 20V) and dynamically negotiates the optimal power delivery between the charger and the device. This ensures efficient charging and compatibility across devices.
3. Bidirectional Power: USB PD allows power to flow in both directions. For example, a laptop can charge a smartphone, or a power bank can charge a laptop.
4. Universal Compatibility: USB PD works with USB Type-C connectors, which are reversible and widely adopted in modern devices. However, it can also work with older USB Type-A and Type-B connectors, though with limited power delivery.
5. Fast Charging: By delivering higher power, USB PD significantly reduces charging times for compatible devices.
6. Smart Power Management: USB PD devices communicate with each other to determine the optimal power delivery, ensuring safety and efficiency.
Qualcomm Quick Charge (QC) is a proprietary fast-charging technology developed by Qualcomm, designed to charge compatible devices faster than standard USB charging. It is widely used in smartphones, tablets, and other devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, though it is also licensed for use in non-Snapdragon devices.
Key Features of Qualcomm Quick Charge:
1. Faster Charging: QC technology significantly reduces charging time by increasing the power delivered to the device. For example, it can charge a smartphone from 0% to 50% in as little as 15–30 minutes, depending on the version and device.
2. Adaptive Voltage and Current: QC dynamically adjusts voltage and current levels to optimize charging speed while maintaining safety and efficiency.
3. Backward Compatibility: QC chargers and devices are backward compatible with older USB standards, though they will charge at standard speeds if QC is not supported.
4. Thermal Management: QC includes advanced thermal management to prevent overheating during fast charging.
5. Multiple Versions: Qualcomm has released several versions of Quick Charge, each offering improved power delivery and efficiency.
Quick Charge Versions and Their Capabilities:
1. Quick Charge 1.0:
o Delivers up to 10W of power (5V/2A).
o Introduced in 2013.
2. Quick Charge 2.0:
o Supports up to 18W of power (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A).
o Introduced in 2015.
o Widely adopted in many smartphones.
3. Quick Charge 3.0:
o Supports up to 18W but with improved efficiency.
o Introduced INOV (Intelligent Negotiation for Optimum Voltage), which adjusts voltage in 200mV increments between 3.6V and 20V for optimal power delivery.
o Reduces heat generation and improves battery life.
4. Quick Charge 4.0:
o Supports up to 28W of power.
o Introduced in 2017.
o Compatible with USB Power Delivery (USB PD) for broader device compatibility.
o Features dual charging (split power delivery to two batteries for faster charging).
5. Quick Charge 4+:
o An enhanced version of QC 4.0.
o Improves efficiency and thermal performance.
o Supports up to 28W.
6. Quick Charge 5:
o Supports up to 100W of power.
o Introduced in 2020.
o Can charge a device from 0% to 50% in just 5 minutes (for compatible devices).
o Fully compatible with USB PD.
7. Quick Charge 5+:
o An improved version of QC 5.
o Offers even faster charging and better thermal management.
How Quick Charge Works:
1. The QC-enabled device and charger communicate to determine the optimal voltage and current for charging.
2. The charger increases the voltage (e.g., from 5V to 9V or 12V) to deliver more power to the device.
3. The device's internal circuitry regulates the incoming power to ensure safe and efficient charging.
Comparison with USB Power Delivery (USB PD):
• USB PD is an open standard, while Quick Charge is proprietary.
• USB PD supports higher power delivery (up to 240W with USB PD 3.1) and is more versatile for laptops and other high-power devices.
• Quick Charge is optimized for smartphones and devices with Qualcomm chipsets.
• Newer versions of Quick Charge (4.0 and later) are compatible with USB PD, allowing devices to use either standard.