How Type-C Charging Cables Achieve the "Three-in-One" Miracle of 100W Fast Charging, 4K Video, and High-Speed Data Transfer
Publish Time: 2026-02-27
In today's highly integrated digital life, Type-C Charging Cables have long transcended the simple function of "charging." Users often expect a single cable to simultaneously achieve 100W fast charging for laptops, 4K high-definition video transmission from external displays, and high-speed data synchronization from external hard drives. This seemingly impossible "three-in-one" requirement actually relies on the stringent standards set by the USB-IF organization, the precise internal structure of the cable, and the collaborative work of intelligent protocol chips.1. Core Foundation: USB PD Protocol and E-Marker ChipThe key to achieving 100W or even higher power fast charging with Type-C Charging Cables lies in the USB Power Delivery protocol. Traditional USB interfaces have limited power supply capabilities, while USB PD communicates through the CC pin, allowing devices and chargers to negotiate voltage and current. To reach 100W, ordinary Type-C cables cannot withstand the load because their internal wires are too thin; under high current, they will overheat or even melt.2. Video Transmission: Alt Mode and Bandwidth AllocationHow to achieve 4K video transmission while solving the power supply issue? This is thanks to the "alternative mode" of the Type-C interface. The TYPE-C Charging Cable interface has 24 pins, among which the high-speed data transmission pins are highly flexible. By default, these pins are used for USB data transmission; however, when DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt protocol is enabled, some or all of the high-speed pins are reassigned for video signal transmission. To achieve 4K@60Hz or even higher video output specifications, the cable must have sufficient bandwidth. Ordinary USB 2.0 Type-C cables only retain basic power and low-speed data pins and cannot transmit video.3. Physical Structure and Signal IntegritySupporting high power, high bandwidth video, and high-speed data simultaneously at the physical level places extremely high demands on the cable manufacturing process. First, the power pins must use thickened, low-impedance oxygen-free copper cores to reduce resistance and heat generation, ensuring a stable 5A current flow. Secondly, high-speed signal lines responsible for data and video must employ strict impedance control and be wrapped with multiple layers of shielding to prevent crosstalk between high-frequency signals and interference from external electromagnetic waves.In summary, the TYPE-C Charging Cable is a culmination of USB PD protocol, E-Marker intelligent identification, Alt Mode video multiplexing technology, and high-precision physical manufacturing.
