Interface circuitry with multiple direct current power contacts

Abstract

Embodiments may include apparatuses, systems, and methods for direct current power distribution. An apparatus includes a first power contact, a second power contact, and a controller coupled to the first power contact and the second power contact. The first power contact is coupled to a first power distribution line supplying DC power to the first power contact at a first voltage level. The second power contact is coupled to a second power distribution line supplying DC power to the second power contact at a second voltage level different from the first voltage level. The controller is to control a first power connection established with the first power contact based on a first power contract, or a second power connection established with the second power contact based on a second power contract. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a communication port having a plurality of first power contacts coupled to a first power distribution line that supplies direct current (DC) power to the plurality of first power contacts at a first voltage level, wherein the plurality of first power contacts are compatible with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C interface;   a plurality of second power contacts proximally disposed with the communication port and coupled to a second power distribution line that supplies DC power to the plurality of second power contacts at a second voltage level that is different than the first voltage level; and   a controller coupled to the first power contacts and second power contacts, to:   control a first power connection established between the plurality of the first power contacts and another apparatus, at the first voltage level, based on a first power contract; and   control a second power connection established between the plurality of the second power contacts and the other apparatus, at the second voltage level, based on a second power contract that is different at least in part than the first power contract.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first power distribution line supplies DC power to the plurality of power contacts at a third voltage level that is different than the first or second voltage levels, wherein the controller is further to control the first power connection at the third voltage level. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second power distribution line supplies DC power to the plurality of power contacts at a fourth voltage level that is different than the first or second voltage levels, wherein the controller is further to control the second power connection at the fourth voltage level. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of third power contacts proximally disposed with the communication port and coupled to a third power distribution line that supplies DC power to the plurality of third power contacts at a third voltage level that is different than the first or second voltage levels, wherein the controller is to control a third power connection established between the plurality of the third power contacts and the other apparatus, at the third voltage level, based on a third power contract that is different at least in part than the first or second power contracts. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the communication port further comprises a data contact compatible with the USB Type-C interface, wherein the controller is to further control a data connection established between the data contact and the other apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first power contract for the first power connection is a part of an USB communication protocol. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first power contract includes parameters for the first power connection about a voltage level of the first power connection, a current level of the first power connection, a power output of the first power connection, a profile of the voltage level of the first power connection, a profile of the current level of the first power connection, or a profile of the power output of the first power connection. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second power contract includes parameters for the second power connection about a voltage level of the second power connection, a current level of the second power connection, a power output of the second power connection, a profile of the voltage level of the second power connection, a profile of the current level of the second power connection, or a profile of the power output of the second power connection. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first voltage level corresponds to a current that is less than 5 A, and the second voltage level corresponds to a current that is greater than 5 A. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first power distribution line is a part of a USB bus, and the second power distribution line is a part of a power grid. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a socket, a receptacle, or a power outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power source coupled to the plurality of first power contacts by the first power distribution line, or coupled to the plurality of second power contacts by the second power distribution line, wherein the controller is arranged to control operations of the power source.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of first power contacts and the data contact are a part of a downstream facing port (DFP), a upstream facing port (UFP), or a dual-role-data (DRD) port. 
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 controlling, by a controller coupled to a plurality of first power contacts of a communication port of an apparatus, a first power connection established between the plurality of the first power contacts and another apparatus, at a first voltage level, based on a first power contract, wherein the first power contacts are compatible with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C interface; and   controlling, by the controller further coupled to a plurality of second power contacts proximally disposed with the communication port, a second power connection established between the plurality of the second power contacts and the other apparatus, at a second voltage level that is different than the first voltage level, based on a second power contract that is different at least in part than the first power contract,   wherein the first power contacts are coupled to a first power distribution line that supplies direct current (DC) power to the plurality of first power contacts at the first voltage level, and   wherein the second power contacts are coupled to a second power distribution line that supplies DC power to the plurality of second power contacts at the second voltage level.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the communication port further comprises a data contact compatible with the USB Type-C interface, wherein the method further comprises:
 controlling, by the controller, a data connection established between the data contact and the other apparatus.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is further coupled to a plurality of third power contacts proximally disposed with the communication port and coupled to a third power distribution line that supplies DC power to the plurality of third power contacts at a third voltage level that is different than the first or second voltage levels, wherein the method further comprises:
 controlling, by the controller, a third power connection established between the plurality of the third power contacts and the other apparatus, at the third voltage level, based on a third power contract that is different at least in part than the first or second power contracts.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a printed circuit board (PCB); and   a socket disposed on the PCB, wherein the socket includes:
 a communication port, wherein the communication port includes a plurality of first power contacts coupled to a first power distribution line that supplies direct current (DC) power to the plurality of first power contacts at a first voltage level, wherein the plurality of first power contacts are compatible with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C interface; 
 a plurality of second power contacts proximally disposed with the communication port and coupled to a second power distribution line that supplies DC power to the plurality of second power contacts at a second voltage level that is different than the first voltage level; and 
 a controller coupled to the first power contacts and second power contacts, to: 
   control a first power connection established between the plurality of the first power contacts and another apparatus, at the first voltage level, based on a first power contract; and   control a second power connection established between the plurality of the second power contacts and the other apparatus, at the second voltage level, based on a second power contract that is different at least in part than the first power contract.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the communication port further comprises a data contact compatible with the USB Type-C interface, wherein the controller is to further control a data connection established between the data contact and the other apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of third power contacts proximally disposed with the communication port and coupled to a third power distribution line that supplies DC power to the plurality of third power contacts at a third voltage level that is different than the first or second voltage levels, wherein the controller is to control a third power connection established between the plurality of the third power contacts and the other apparatus, at the third voltage level, based on a third power contract that is different at least in part than the first or second power contracts. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first power contract for the first power connection is a part of an USB communication protocol.