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VESA LOGO HERE 
39899 Balentine Drive, Suite 125 
Newark, CA 94560 
 
Phone: 510 651 5122 
Fax: 510 651 5127 
URL: www.vesa.org 
 
Proposed DisplayPort Alt 
Mode on USB Type-C 
Standard 
Version 1, Draft 3 
28 July, 2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purpose 
The purpose of this document is to specify the use of DisplayPort as an Alternate Mode for the  USB 
Type-C connector. 
 
 
 
Summary 
This standard describes the use of the DisplayPort protocol between devices that support the USB Type-
C  connector  using  USB  Type-C  to  USB  Type-C  Cable  Assemblies.  It  describes  cable  assemblies  that 
adapt  the  USB  Type-C  connector  to  Legacy  DisplayPort  connectors.  It  describes  cable  assemblies  and 
adapters to adapt DisplayPort on USB Type-C to other video protocols. It describes the simultaneous use 
of  USB  Enhanced  SuperSpeed  and  the  DisplayPort  protocol  on  the  USB  Type-C  connector  for  docking 
applications. 
This standard describes the USB Type-C connector pin assignments and DisplayPort signaling rates to 
be used in various scenarios when using the above cable assemblies and adapters. It describes how the 
USB-PD Alternate Mode Discovery and Entry Processes are applied to DisplayPort on the USB Type-C 
connector. 
 
Proposed DisplayPort Alt Mode on USB Type-C 
Copyright © 2014 Video Electronics Standards Association. All rights reserved. 
DISTRIBUTION TO NON-MEMBERS IS PROHIBITED 
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Contents 
Purpose .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 
Summary ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 
Contents ........................................................................................................................................................ 2 
Figures .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 
Tables ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 
Preface .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 
Intellectual Property ................................................................................................................................. 7 
Trademarks .............................................................................................................................................. 7 
Patents ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 
Support for this Standard ........................................................................................................................... 8 
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... 8 
Revision History ..................................................................................................................................... 10 
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 11 
1.1  Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 11 
1.2  Scope ........................................................................................................................................... 11 
1.3  Related Documents ...................................................................................................................... 12 
1.4  Conventions ................................................................................................................................. 12 
1.4.1  Precedence ...................................................................................................................... 12 
1.4.2  Keywords ........................................................................................................................ 12 
1.4.3  Numbering ...................................................................................................................... 13 
1.5  Terms and Abbreviations ............................................................................................................. 13 
2  Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 15 
2.1 
Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 15 
2.2  USB Type-C Receptacles, Plugs and Cables ................................................................................. 15 
2.3  Signaling and cable types ............................................................................................................. 15 
2.4  Multi-Function systems ................................................................................................................ 16 
3  Pin Assignments and Descriptions .......................................................................................................... 17 
3.1  Pin Assignments Overview ........................................................................................................... 17 
3.2  USB Type-C DisplayPort Pin Assignments ................................................................................... 18 
3.2.1  Pinout Assignment support requirements ......................................................................... 19 
3.3  DFP_D Pin Assignment A ............................................................................................................ 21 
3.4  DFP_D Pin Assignment B ............................................................................................................ 21 
3.5  DFP_D Pin Assignment C ............................................................................................................ 22 
3.6  DFP_D Pin Assignment D ............................................................................................................ 23 
3.7  DFP_D Pin Assignment E ............................................................................................................ 24 
3.8  DFP_D Pin Assignment F............................................................................................................. 26 
3.9  UFP_D Pin Assignment A ............................................................................................................ 27 
3.10  UFP_D Pin Assignment B ........................................................................................................... 28 
3.11  UFP_D Pin Assignment C ........................................................................................................... 28 
3.12  UFP_D Pin Assignment D ........................................................................................................... 29 
3.13  UFP_D Pin Assignment E ........................................................................................................... 30 
3.14  USB Gen 2 PHY signaling for DisplayPort (GEN2_BR)  .............................................................. 31 
3.15  AUX and HPD signaling ............................................................................................................. 31 
 
Proposed DisplayPort Alt Mode on USB Type-C 
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3.15.1  AUX signaling ............................................................................................................... 31 
3.15.2  HPD signaling ................................................................................................................ 32 
3.15.3  AUX and HPD schematics .............................................................................................. 32 
3.16  Legacy DisplayPort Connector CONFIG1 and CONFIG2 pins  ..................................................... 35 
4  USB Type-C Cable Assemblies used for DisplayPort  ............................................................................. 36 
4.1  Scenario 1 USB Type-C Full-Featured Cable Assembly ................................................................ 36 
4.1.1  Scenario 1 USB Type-C Full-Featured cable Assembly using GEN2_BR ......................... 36 
4.1.2  Scenario 1 USB Type-C Full-Featured cable Assembly using DP_BR .............................. 38 
4.2  Scenarios 2a and 2b USB Type-C to Legacy DisplayPort Cable Assemblies ................................. 39 
4.2.1  Scenario 2a USB Type-C DFP_D to Legacy DisplayPort UFP_D ..................................... 39 
4.2.2  Scenario 2b Legacy DisplayPort DFP_D to USB Type -C UFP_D ..................................... 41 
4.2.3  USB Type-C to Legacy DisplayPort Cable Assembly electrical properties  ....................... 43 
4.2.4  USB Type-C to Legacy DisplayPort Cable Assembly functionality  .................................. 46 
4.3  Scenarios 3a and 3c USB Type-C DFP_D to Protocol Converter ................................................... 48 
4.3.1  HDMI Protocol Converter Adapters ................................................................................. 48 
4.3.2  VGA Protocol Converter Adapters ................................................................................... 49 
4.3.3  DVI Protocol Converter Adapters .................................................................................... 49 
4.4  Scenario 4a USB Type-C DFP_D to a Multi-Function Dock (MF Dock) ....................................... 49 
4.4.1  Scenario 4a USB Type-C Full-Featured Cable Assembly using GEN2_BR Multi -Function49 
4.4.2  Scenario 4a USB Type-C Full-Featured Cable Assembly using DP_BR Multi -Function ... 50 
4.5  Scenario 4b USB Type-C DFP_D to a VESA DockPort adapter  .................................................... 52 
4.6  Scenarios 4c/d USB Type-C DFP_D to Multi-Function cradle/captive cable dock ......................... 54 
4.6.1  Scenarios 4c/d USB Type-C DFP_D to Multi-Function cradle dock using GEN2_BR 
Multi-Function ............................................................................................................... 54 
4.6.2  Scenario 4c/d USB Type-C DFP_D to Multi-Function cradle/captive cable dock using 
DP_BR Multi-Function ................................................................................................... 56 
5  Discovery and USB-PD .......................................................................................................................... 57 
5.1  Connection discovery ................................................................................................................... 57 
5.2  DisplayPort Mode discovery and entry/exit  .................................................................................. 57 
5.2.1  Structured VDM Header .................................................................................................. 57 
5.2.2  DisplayPort Enter Mode .................................................................................................. 60 
5.2.3  DisplayPort Status Update ............................................................................................... 60 
5.2.4  DisplayPort Configure ..................................................................................................... 61 
5.2.5  Attention ......................................................................................................................... 63 
5.2.6  DisplayPort Exit Mode .................................................................................................... 63 
5.3  VDM Message flows .................................................................................................................... 64 
6  Miscellaneous ........................................................................................................................................ 75 
6.1  VCONN and VBUS ........................................................................................................................ 75 
6.2  Low power operation ................................................................................................................... 75 
6.3  Equivalent USB Functionality ...................................................................................................... 75 
A  DisplayPort Alternate Mode Examples .................................................................................................. 76 
A.1.  Purpose ....................................................................................................................................... 76 
A.1.1.  DisplayPort Alternate Mode Examples ........................................................................... 76 
A.2.  USB Type-C USB Host to DisplayPort Video Adapter Example  .................................................. 76 
A.2.1.  DisplayPort Video Adapter Assumptions ........................................................................ 76 
A.2.2.  Block Diagrams .............................................................................................................. 77 
A.2.3.  Solution ......................................................................................................................... 78 
 
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A.3.  USB Dock with DisplayPort Example .......................................................................................... 80 
A.3.1.  USB Dock with DisplayPort Assumptions ...................................................................... 80 
A.3.2.  Block Diagrams .............................................................................................................. 81 
A.3.3.  Solution ......................................................................................................................... 81 
 
Proposed DisplayPort Alt Mode on USB Type-C 
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Figures 
Figure 2-1  USB Type-C Full-Feature Receptacle Interface (Front View) (Informative) ................................................... 15 
Figure 2-2  USB Type-C Full-Feature Plug Interface (Front View) (Informative) ............................................................. 15 
Figure 3-1  AUX and HPD Signaling using USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable assemblies ............................................ 33 
Figure 3-2  AUX and HPD Signaling using USB Type-C to Legacy DisplayPort Adapters .............................................. 34 
Figure 3-3  AUX and HPD Signaling using Legacy DisplayPort to USB Type-C Adapters .............................................. 35 
Figure 4-1  Scenario 1 ......................................................................................................................................................... 36 
Figure 4-2  Scenario 1 GEN2_BR Cable Assembly Wiring ............................................................................................... 37 
Figure 4-3  Scenario 1 DP_BR Cable Assembly Wiring .................................................................................................... 38 
Figure 4-4  Scenario 2a ....................................................................................................................................................... 39 
Figure 4-6  Scenario 2b ....................................................................................................................................................... 41 
Figure 4-8  ILfit at HBR, HBR2 and HBR3 ....................................................................................................................... 43 
Figure 4-9  IMR versus ILfit at HBR3 ................................................................................................................................ 44 
Figure 4-10  IRL versus ILfit at HBR3 ............................................................................................................................... 45 
Figure 4-11  Scenario 3a ..................................................................................................................................................... 48 
Figure 4-13  Scenario 4a ..................................................................................................................................................... 49 
Figure 4-14  Scenario 4a GEN2_BR MF Cable Assembly Wiring ..................................................................................... 50 
Figure 4-15  Scenario 4a DP_BR MF Cable Assembly Wiring .......................................................................................... 51 
Figure 4-16  Scenario 4b ..................................................................................................................................................... 52 
Figure 4-18  Scenario 4c ..................................................................................................................................................... 54 
Figure 5-1 Connect Initial Actions ...................................................................................................................................... 64 
Figure 5-2 DFP_U DisplayPort Alternate Mode Discovery and Entry ............................................................................... 65 
Figure 5-3  DFP_U DisplayPort Configuration .................................................................................................................. 66 
Figure 5-4  DFP_U DisplayPort Operation and Reconfiguration ....................................................................................... 67 
Figure 5-5  DFP_U Reconfigure to USB Configuration ..................................................................................................... 68 
Figure 5-6 DFP_U Exit Mode ............................................................................................................................................. 69 
Figure 5-7  UFP_U DisplayPort Alternate Mode Discovery and Entry .............................................................................. 70 
Figure 5-8  UFP_U USB Configuration Wait State ............................................................................................................ 71 
Figure 5-9 UFP_U DisplayPort Configuration ................................................................................................................... 72 
Figure 5-10  UFP_U DisplayPort Operation ....................................................................................................................... 73 
Figure 5-11 UFP_U Exit Mode ........................................................................................................................................... 74 
Figure 5-12  Hard Reset and Disconnection ....................................................................................................................... 74 
Figure A-1 Host System Block Diagram ............................................................................................................................ 77 
Figure A-2  DisplayPort Video Adapter Cable Assembly .................................................................................................. 78 
Figure A-3  Example USB Dock with DisplayPort ............................................................................................................ 81 
 
 
Proposed DisplayPort Alt Mode on USB Type-C 
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Tables 
Table 1-1  Terms and Abbreviations referenced from USB specifications ......................................................................... 13 
Table 1-2  Terms and Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................... 14 
Table 2-1  USB Type-C to USB Type-C DisplayPort Signaling ........................................................................................ 16 
Table 3-1 USB Type-C Receptacle DFP_D Pin Assignment Summary ............................................................................. 18 
Table 3-3 USB Type-C Receptacle DFP_D Pin Assignment Requirements ...................................................................... 20 
Table 3-4 USB Type-C Receptacle UFP_D Pin Assignment Requirements ...................................................................... 20 
Table 3-5 USB Type-C Plug DFP_D Pin Assignment Requirements................................................................................. 20 
Table 3-6 USB Type-C Plug UFP_D Pin Assignment Requirements................................................................................. 20 
Table 3-7 DFP_D Pin Assignment A .................................................................................................................................. 21 
Table 4-1 USB Type-C DFP_D to Legacy DisplayPort UFP_D Usage ............................................................................. 40 
Table 4-2 Legacy DisplayPort DFP_D to USB Type-C UFP_D Usage ............................................................................. 42 
Table 4-3 Legacy DisplayPort Connector AUX states........................................................................................................ 46 
Table 4-4 Legacy DisplayPort Connector HPD and AUX states ........................................................................................ 47 
Table 4-5 Legacy DisplayPort Connector HPD and AUX states in adapter UFP_D configuration .................................... 47 
Table 4-6 USB Type-C DFP_D to Legacy DockPort Receptacle ....................................................................................... 53 
Table 4-7 USB Type-C Cable Assembly DisplayPort Usage (MF cradle/captive cable dock) GEN2_BR ........................ 55 
Table 4-8 USB Type-C Cable Assembly DisplayPort Usage (MF cradle/captive cable dock) DP_BR ............................. 56 
Table 5-1  VDM Message Header....................................................................................................................................... 58 
Table 5-2  DisplayPort capabilities ..................................................................................................................................... 59 
Table 5-3  DisplayPort Status ............................................................................................................................................. 61 
Table 5-4  DisplayPort Configuration ................................................................................................................................. 62 
 
 
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Preface 
Intellectual Property 
Copyright © 2014 Video Electronics Standards Association. All rights reserved. 
Extracts from Universal Serial Bus 3.1 Specification are Copyright © 2014, Hewlett -Packard 
Company, Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, R enesas Corporation, STMicroelectronics, and 
Texas Instruments and are reproduced with permission.  
Extracts from drafts of Universal Serial Bus Type -C Cable and Connector Specification Revision 
1.0, are Copyright © 2014 USB 3.0 Promoter Group and are  reproduced with permission. 
Extracts from drafts of Universal Serial Bus Power Delivery Specification Revision 2.0 are 
Copyright © 2014, USB 2.0 Promoter Group and are reproduced with permission.  
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this standard, the Video Electronics 
Standards Association and its contributors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, and make 
no warranties, expressed or implied, of functionality or suitability for any purpose. 
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Trademarks 
Editor’s Note: FYI, the VESA trademark list will be updated after all content is included in this spec. 
 
All trademarks used within this document are the property of their respective owners.  
DP, DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, mDP, and VESA are trademarks of the Video  Electronics 
Standards Association. 
HDMI is a licensed trademark of HDMI Licensing, LLC.   
 
Proposed DisplayPort Alt Mode on USB Type-C 
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Patents 
VESA draws attention to the fact that it is claimed that compliance with this standard might 
involve the use of a patent or other intellectual property right  (collectively, “IPR”). VESA takes no 
position concerning the evidence, validity, and scope of this IPR.  
The following holders of this IPR have assured VESA that they are willing to license the IPR on 
Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (RAND) terms. The statement of the holder of this IPR is 
registered with VESA. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Holder Name 
Contact Information 
Claims Known 
Table 1: Patents 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this VESA standard might be the 
subject of IPR other than those identified above. VESA shall not be held responsible for identifying 
any or all such IPR, and has made no inquiry into the possible existence of any such IPR. 
THIS STANDARD IS BEING OFFERED WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, AND 
IN PARTICULAR, ANY WARRANTY OF NON-INFRINGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY 
DISCLAIMED. ANY IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS STANDARD SHALL BE MADE ENTIRELY 
AT THE IMPLEMENTER’S OWN RISK, AND NEITHER VESA, NOR ANY OF ITS MEMBERS 
OR SUBMITTERS, SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER TO ANY IMPLEMENTER 
OR THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER DIRECTLY OR 
INDIRECTLY ARISING FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS STANDARD. 
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Support for this Standard 
Clarifications and application notes to support this Standard might be written. To obtain the latest 
standard and any support documentation, contact VESA. 
If you have a product that incorporates DisplayPort on a USB Type-C connector, ask the company 
that manufactured your product for assistance. If you are a manufacturer, VESA can assist you with 
any clarification you might require. Submit all comments or reported errors, in writing, to VESA, 
using one of the following methods: 
Fax: 
510-651-5127, direct this fax to Technical Support at VESA 
Email: 
support@vesa.org 
Mail: 
Technical Support 
Video Electronics Standards Association 
39899 Balentine Drive, Suite 125  
Newark, CA 94560 
Acknowledgements 
This  document  would  not  have  been  possible  without  the  efforts  of VESA's  DisplayPort on 
USB Type-C Subgroup.  In particular, Table 2 lists  the  individuals  and their  companies  that 
 
Proposed DisplayPort Alt Mode on USB Type-C 
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