PI3USB9281CGEEX - USB Charger Detection IC | Diodes Inc
MPN: PI3USB9281CGEEX β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.66 | $1.66 |
| 10 | $1.57 | $15.70 |
| 100 | $1.41 | $141.00 |
| 500 | $1.24 | $620.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.12 | $1,120.00 |
PI3USB9281CGEEX Overview
A USB charger detection and port protection IC is a power management device that sits between a USB connector and a portable system. It identifies what type of device or charger is attached to the USB port - such as standard downstream ports, dedicated charging ports, MHL accessories, OTG accessories, and car chargers per the CEA936 specification - and reports the result to the host processor so charging current can be set safely.
According to Diodes Incorporated, the PI3USB9281C provides external detection for any USB device and can detect the various chargers available in the market, MHL accessories, OTG accessories, and car chargers per the CEA936 spec. The device also integrates a power switch with over-voltage and over-current protections. The VBUSIN input pin can tolerate voltages up to 28V, which is important for USB3.0 Power Delivery enabled systems where voltage transients on VBUS can occur.
The integrated over-voltage protection blocks damaging voltages from reaching the sensitive system rail, while over-current protection limits fault current during short-circuit events. The tiny 1.5 x 2.0 mm wafer-level CSP footprint makes the PI3USB9281CGEEX well suited to space-constrained smartphone, tablet, and wearable designs where board area is at a premium.
Typical applications include smartphone and tablet USB port front-end protection, portable media players, wearable devices, and any battery-powered product that charges from USB sources and must reliably identify charger type.
Design considerations include routing VBUSIN with adequate PCB copper to handle the fault current path, and observing the 28V absolute maximum rating on VBUSIN when pairing the part with USB Power Delivery front ends.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from LCSC, DigiKey, and Mouser, drop-in alternative guidance, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers shorten component selection cycles.
Drop-in alternatives for PI3USB9281CGEEX β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PI3USB9281CGEX
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PI3USB9281ZCEX
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PI3USB9281CGDEX
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PI3USB9281CGEEX Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Function | USB Port Protection with Charger Detection |
| Charger Detection Types | Standard chargers, MHL accessories, OTG accessories, car chargers (CEA936) |
| Integrated Power Switch | Yes, with OVP and OCP |
| VBUSIN Absolute Maximum Voltage | 28 V |
| Category | PMIC - Power Management - Specialized |
| Application Segment | Mobile Communications |
| Package | X1-WLB2015-15 CSP (1.5 x 2.0 mm) |
| Pin Count | 15 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (T&R), 3K |
| USB Standard Support | USB 3.0 Power Delivery front-end compatible (VBUSIN transient tolerance) |
PI3USB9281CGEEX x1-wlb2015-15 csp (1.5 x 2.0 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for PI3USB9281CGEEX (x1-wlb2015-15 csp (1.5 x 2.0 mm) package). This power device features gate, drain, and source terminals. For non-polarized packages, refer to the manufacturer datasheet for exact pin 1 orientation and footprint details. Common applications include power supply design, motor driving, and load switching.
No detailed pinout data available for PI3USB9281CGEEX.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
PI3USB9281CGEEX is suitable for 6 applications: Smartphone USB Charging Port, Tablet and Portable Media Player Port Protection, Wearable and IoT Battery Charging Front End, USB Hub and Docking Station Power Path, Automotive USB Charging Modules, Test and Measurement USB Interfaces.
Smartphone USB Charging Port
The PI3USB9281CGEEX is purpose-built for smartphone USB port front ends, where the system must identify the attached charger before drawing current. Its detection logic recognizes standard downstream ports, dedicated chargers, MHL accessories, OTG accessories, and CEA936 car chargers, allowing the PMIC to set safe charge currents automatically. The integrated power switch with over-voltage and over-current protection blocks faulty adapters before damage reaches the internal rail, and the 28V VBUSIN tolerance covers USB 3.0 Power Delivery transients. Its 1.5 x 2.0 mm CSP occupies minimal board area near the connector.
Recommended
Tablet and Portable Media Player Port Protection
Tablets and portable media players share the same vulnerability: users plug in unknown chargers and accessories. Placing the PI3USB9281CGEEX between the USB connector and the system VBUS rail gives the design both charger identification and a protected power path. The over-voltage protection clamps or blocks damaging voltages from failed adapters, while over-current protection limits fault current during short events, reducing warranty returns. Because the 28V VBUSIN rating accommodates USB PD transients, the part remains relevant in higher-voltage charging architectures without a redesign.
Recommended
Wearable and IoT Battery Charging Front End
Wearables and battery-powered IoT nodes face extreme PCB area constraints, making the 15-pin 1.5 x 2.0 mm CSP footprint of the PI3USB9281CGEEX a strong fit. The device handles charger type detection - including CEA936 car chargers common in automotive accessory scenarios - so small batteries charge at the correct current from any source. Integrated OVP/OCP eliminates the need for a discrete protection switch, saving a second component and its routing. Low-profile wafer-level packaging also suits thin industrial and smart-band enclosures.
Recommended
USB Hub and Docking Station Power Path
In USB hubs and docking stations, downstream ports must tolerate a wide range of attached devices and adapters. The PI3USB9281CGEEX provides per-port charger detection so the dock can announce proper charge capability, while its integrated power switch with over-current protection isolates a faulty port without collapsing the whole dock supply. The 28V VBUSIN tolerance protects against back-driven voltage from miswired or damaged cables. Placement close to each receptacle keeps D+/D- detection traces short, preserving detection accuracy across multiple ports.
Recommended
Automotive USB Charging Modules
Automotive USB charging modules and car-charger adapters benefit directly from the PI3USB9281CGEEX's CEA936 car-charger detection support. The 28V VBUSIN rating accommodates load-dump-like transients seen on vehicle accessory rails, and the integrated over-voltage and over-current protection protects downstream electronics from damaged cables and connector abuse. Detecting the attached device type lets the module allocate charging current correctly across multiple ports. The compact CSP also fits the tight height and area budgets typical of console-mounted USB modules.
Recommended
Test and Measurement USB Interfaces
Handheld instruments and battery-powered test equipment frequently charge from arbitrary USB sources in the field. Integrating the PI3USB9281CGEEX at the instrument's USB port lets the charger-detect logic identify the source type and configure charge current safely, while the OVP/OCP power switch prevents damaged chargers from destroying an expensive front end. The 28V VBUSIN tolerance covers USB 3.0 Power Delivery transients during adapter negotiation. Its detection output interfaces directly to the instrument MCU for state logging and user indication.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PI3USB9281CGEEX β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PI3USB9281CGEX | PI3USB9281ZCEX | PI3USB9281CGDEX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | X1-WLB2015-15 (15-CSP, 1.5x2.0 mm) | X1-WLB2015-15 - same | X1-WLB2015-15 - same | X1-WLB2015-15 - same |
| Brand | Diodes Incorporated | Diodes Incorporated | Diodes Incorporated | Diodes Incorporated |
| Charger Detection (CEA936) | Yes (standard, MHL, OTG, car chargers) | Yes - same feature set | Yes - same feature set | Yes - same feature set |
| VBUSIN Max Voltage | 28 V | 28 V | 28 V | 28 V |
| Integrated OVP/OCP Switch | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated detection plus protection in one die (vs Discrete charger-detect + eFuse two-chip solution)
- 28V VBUSIN tolerance for USB PD front ends (vs Legacy 5V/20V-rated port protector)
- Extremely small CSP footprint (vs Larger SOT/QFN-package USB switch ICs)
Design Notes
Place the PI3USB9281CGEEX as close to the USB receptacle as practical so the D+/D- detection traces are short and impedance-controlled. For the VBUSIN path, provide sufficient copper width to carry the operating charge current and to allow the integrated over-current switch to interrupt faults safely. As a wafer-level CSP, the land pattern must follow the manufacturer's recommended footprint exactly; do not substitute generic 0.4mm-pitch CSP patterns.
The VBUSIN pin tolerates up to 28V, which covers USB 3.0 Power Delivery negotiation transients. Even so, adding a TVS diode (e.g., SMBJ-type) on the VBUS node is recommended when the adapter source is uncontrolled, since sustained fault voltages from damaged cables can approach the absolute maximum. Verify the OVP threshold and OCP current limit in the current Diodes PI3USB9281C datasheet revision before finalizing the power budget.
Do not confuse PI3USB9281C family orderable suffixes: Diodes publishes Product Change Notices that may apply to only specific orderable part numbers in the datasheet, so a suffix-level substitution (e.g., CGEX vs CGEEX) must be verified against the latest PCN list. Also avoid routing detection pins adjacent to switching-regulator nodes; charger detection depends on clean D+/D- signaling for accurate CEA936 classification.
Compliance Information
Retrieved web data does not state RoHS/REACH/lead-free status verbatim. The -GEEX suffix conventionally indicates Diodes' green/lead-free flow, but confirm via the official Diodes PI3USB9281C product page compliance documents. Not an automotive-qualified AEC-Q100 part per available data.