HP USB Type-C Quick reference guide

Table of contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Power delivery implementation on HP ZBooks, commercial notebooks, and adapters..................................... 2
Features and compatibility for USB Type-C™ hosts and accessories..................................................................... 3
HP Notications: USB Type-C™ messaging.................................................................................................................. 4
Frequently asked questions ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Technical white paper
HP USB Type-C™
Features, power options, and accessories

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Technical white paper | HP USB Type-C™
The purpose of this document is to provide a brief overview of USB Type-C™
and dene the available features, accessories, and power options.
What is USB Type-C™?
USB Type-C™ is a small, reversible USB connector with 4x high speed lanes (24 pin). USB Type-C™ can deliver
data (including Thunderbolt™ 3), audio, and video, as well as provide charging power to many devices (USB Power
Delivery).
Figure. USB Type-C™ Plug
USB Type-C™ video modes (alternate mode): USB Type-C™ ports support adapters that can output dierent types of
video, such as HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort™, all from one USB Type-C™ port on your computer or device.
USB Type-C™ power delivery (USB PD): USB Type-C™ power delivery is bi-directional, so a device can either send or
receive power. This power can be transferred at the same time the device is transmitting data across the connection.
Thunderbolt™ 3: The Thunderbolt™ 3 controller has bandwidth up to 40 Gbit/s (5 GB/s) and can drive two external 4K
displays at 60 Hz. It supports PCIe 3.0, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort™ 1.2, and allows backwards compatibility with the rst
two Thunderbolt™ versions by the use of adapters or transitional cables.
Power delivery implementation on HP ZBooks, commercial notebooks,
and adapters
USB Type-C™ power delivery allows HP computers to deliver a higher current output at dierent output voltages. The
power delivery output and voltage will vary based on the capabilities of the computer or device.
Hosts or computers
• HP ZBooks and commercial notebooks deliver 5V of output voltage. Some computers support delivering a
maximum current of 1.5A or 3A, but do not support 5A. Refer to the HP Computers - USB Type-C™ Features table
for more details on power delivery.
• The USB Type-C™ output power can be adjusted based on system power conditions. For example, an HP Elitebook
or HP ZBook provides power at 5V@3A. But, the computer can change the output power to 5V@1.5A or 5V@900mA
depending on the load that the system exerts on the AC Adapter to prevent overdrawing current.
• Some HP commercial notebooks can also withdraw power from an external device (i.e., an AC Adapter) through the
USB Type-C™ Port. Refer to the HP computers - USB Type-C™ features table for more details.

Technical white paper | HP USB Type-C™
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Accessories
• Current HP USB Type-C™ AC adapters are designed to support an output voltage of 5V@3A for 15W adapters and
15V@3A for 45W adapters.
• HP AC adapters do not support variable voltage output.
• Any dongle, adapter, or accessory that supports HP USB Type-C™ AC adapters will allow or reject power output
based on the computer’s capabilities.
NOTE: For optimal compatibly and performance, HP recommends using an HP branded USB Type-C™ power adapter
and cable.
Features and compatibility for USB Type-C™ hosts and accessories
HP computers - USB Type-C™ features
The table below shows the USB Type-C™ capabilities and features of HP computers.
USB Type-C™
feature
Summary
of feature
ZBook
G3-Mobile
Workstations
HP Elite x2
1012 G1
Tablet/
HP EliteBook
Folio G1
HP Pro
Tablet
608 G1
600 G2/700 G3/
800 G3/1030
G1/1040 G3
series
Notebooks
Desktop 800
Series DM
& AiO
Desktop PCIe
Card for 6/7/8
TWR, MT, SFF
USB USB 3.0/3.1 USB 3.1 G2 USB 3.1 G2 USB 3.1 G1 USB 3.1 G1 USB 3.1 G1 USB 3.1 G1
Thunderbolt™ Thunderbolt™ 3 Yes Yes No No No No
DP Alternative
Mode Support
for Display Port
x2 & x4 x2 & x4 x2 & x4 No No No
Power
delivery output
Provide power
for accessories
3A (15W) 1.5A/3A
(7.5W/15W)
1.5A (7.5W) 3A (15W) 3A (15W) 3A (15W)
Input power AC Power/
System Charging
No 36W 15W No No No
USB Type-C™ compatible HP accessories
The tables below showcase a list of key USB Type-C™ accessories and a brief description of the features available.
Dongles Description/features Power role(s) Equipment description
HP USB-C™ to USB 3
Adapter
HP USB-C™ to USB 3.0 Adapter
with Type-A receptacle
Consumer Convert the notebook or tablet’s USB-C™ port to
USB 3.0 with the HP USB-C™ to USB 3.0 Adapter
HP USB-C™ to
VGA Display Adapter
VGA Consumer Alternative mode is DisplayPort™
HP USB-C™ to HDMI
Display Adapter
HDMI Consumer Alternative mode is DisplayPort™
HP USB-C™ to
Ethernet/USB3/
USB-C Adapter
HP USB Type-C™ (male) to RJ45
(female), USB3 (female) and
USB-C™ (female)
Consumer Combinational dongle
HP USB-C™ to HDMI/
VGA/ USB-C™ Adapter
USB Type-C™ (male) to
HDMI (female), VGA (female),
USB Type-C™ (female) adapter
Consumer Dongle
HP USB-C™ to US 3.0 mm
and 4.5 mm Adapter
USB Type-C™ to 4.5 mm and
3.0 mm Combo DC Jacks
Supplier Charges computer using the HP Smart AC Adapter
(18 to 65W)

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Technical white paper | HP USB Type-C™
USB Type-C™ compatible HP docks
Docks Description/features Power role(s) Equipment description
HP ZBook
Thunderbolt™ 3 Dock
USB Type-C™ Thunderbolt™ 3 Dock with (4)
USB 3.0, (2) DP, (1) VGA, (1) RJ45, (1) audio,
and (1) USB-Type C™ port; the dock is also
capable of charging compatible computers.
Consumer Thunderbolt™ 3 enabled docking station
for ZBook Mobile Workstations; the docking
station uses a combo AC + USB Type-C™
combo cable to connect to the computer;
Charging is only through the AC adapter.
HP Elite
Thunderbolt™ 3 Dock
USB Type-C™ Thunderbolt™ 3 Dock with (4)
USB 3.0, (2) DP, (1) VGA, (1) RJ45, (1) audio,
and (1) USB-Type C™ port; the dock is also
capable of charging compatible computers.
Supplier Thunderbolt™ 3 enabled docking station for
HP Elite x2 1012 G1 Tablet and HP EliteBook
Folio G1
HP Elite USB-C™
Docking Station
USB Type-C™ Dock with (4) USB 3.0, (1)
DP, (1) HDMI, (1) RJ45, (1) Audio, and (1)
USB Type-C™ port; capable of charging
compatible computers.
Supplier USB-C™ Docking Station for HP Elite x2 1012
and HP EliteBook Folio G.
For more information about the HP ZBook Thunderbolt™ Dock or HP Elite Thunderbolt™ 3 Dock, please refer to the
HP technical white paper: HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 & HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3.
HP Notications: USB Type-C™ messaging
Below is a list of USB Type-C™ messages/notications that might appear on the computer display, depending on the
scenarios described.
Scenario Message Cause
Power Adapter accepted:
Matches capabilities to
charge while in sleep
states
Title: USB Type-C™ Connector
Text: “For full performance, connect a higher
capacity power adapter.”
A power adapter that is too small to operate
the system while the device is powered on; the
adapter could be used to charge while the system
is in sleep mode or when powered o.
Power adapter rejected:
Upstream power ow is
not supported
Title: USB Type-C™ Connector
Text: “Charging system via adapter plugged
into the USB port is not supported.”
Plugging in an adapter that requests power that is
not supported (Cypress controller).
Connected device
requests more power
than can be supplied
Title: USB Type-C™ Connector
Text: “USB device requesting more power than
system can provide.”
Display system charging capability
Plugging a device that requires more power than
can be provided by the system.
Balance downstream
power for charging from
Multiple USB ports
Title: USB Type-C™ Connector
Text: “Charging from multiple USB ports may
have limited support.”
Plugging in an adapter to both a USB Type-A port
and a USB Type-C™ port (or into 2 USB Type-C™
ports) and the system is not capable of charging
both at full capacity while system is running.
The attached dock cable is
inadequate to handle the
needed power load
Title: USB Connector
Text: “For full performance, connect higher
capacity USB cable to dock.”
Display capabilities of the cable
When a dock is connected to a system using a
cable that is inadequate to power the system and
charge the battery simultaneously.
Power adapter rejected:
Provider and consumer
mismatch
Title: USB Connector
Text: “The power adapter is not compatible
with this system.”
Inserting an adapter that is not compatible with
the HP system (i.e., from a third-party vendor that
is not supported).
The Cable Connecting the
PCIe expansion card to
the system board is
unplugged
Title: USB Type-C™ Connector
Text: “Device mode is not supported. Check
cable or system capabilities.”
Either the device does not support alternate
modes, or doesn’t support a particular alternate
mode, or the inserted cable is not supported.
Using a non-HP Adapter Title: USB Type-C™ Connector
Text: “HP recommends using an HP power
source.”
A non-HP adapter is plugged into the USB port.
Optimal performance is not guaranteed with
non-HP adapters.

Technical white paper | HP USB Type-C™
Scenario Message Cause
Using a small adapter Title: USB Type-C™ Connector
Text: “The attached power source cannot fully
power the system but can supplement battery
power. For full performance, use a higher
capacity power source.”
The use of an adapter that is too small to power
the system. Adapters that are too small will only
be used to supplement the battery and extend
battery life.
Port over current
situation
Title: USB Type-C™ connector
Text: “The connected device exceeded the
power limit of the USB-C™ port.”
The connected device pulls too much current from
the port causing the Power Delivery controller
to issue an over current error to the Embedded
Controller (EC).
Port over voltage
situation
Title: USB Type-C™ connector
Text: “The USB-C™ port is not working.
The connected device caused a power surge.
Please disconnect.”
If the power source provides high voltage to the
USB-C™ port, the PD controller will issue an
“over voltage failure” message which is shown
in the message section.
Unsupported expansion
module
Title: USB Type-C™ connector
Text: “The system does not support one of the
connected expansion modules.”
When a non-genuine HP expansion module
is detected in the system, the “Unsupported
expansion module” message will display.
Too many expansion
modules
Title: USB Type-C™ connector
Text: “The system conguration exceeds the
number of supported expansion modules.”
When the number of expansion modules exceeds
the acceptable amount of system connections,
the SIO/BIOS will issue the “Too many expansion
modules” message.
Thunderbolt module is
not at the top of the stack
Title: USB Type-C™ connector
Text: “The Thunderbolt™ module must be
attached directly below the system module.”
If more than one Thunderbolt expansion module
is in the module stack, the “Thunderbolt module is
not at the top of the stack” message will display;
only one module is permitted, and it should be at
the top of the stack.
Frequently asked questions
What is USB Type-C™?
USB Type-C™ is a smaller, reversible USB connector with 4x high speed lanes (24 pin). USB Type-C™ can deliver
data (including Thunderbolt™ 3), audio, and video, as well as provide charging power to many devices (USB Power
Delivery).
Is USB Type-C™ backwards compatible?
Yes, USB Type-C™ is backwards compatible. You can plug any USB 3.0 device into a USB Type-C™ port using a USB
Type-C™ (male) to Type-A (female) adapter.
What is USB Type-C™ power delivery?
USB Type-C™ power delivery is bi-directional, so a device can either send or receive power. This power can be
transferred at the same time the device is transmitting data across the connection.
Does USB Type-C™ support video modes (alternate modes)?
USB Type-C™ ports support adapters that can output dierent types of video, such as HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort™,
all from one USB Type-C™ port on a computer or device.
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© Copyright 2016 HP Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP
products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed
as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.
USB Type-C™ and USB-C™ are trademarks of USB Implementers Forum. Thunderbolt and vPro are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other
countries. DisplayPort™ and the DisplayPort™ logo are trademarks owned by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA®) in the U.S. and other
countries.
4AA6-7466EEW, September 2016