USB splitter for a tablet
The problem of expandability of &quot;light&quot; moible devices with only one Type-C port has a standard solution called &quot;docking station&quot;. Docking stations usually have a USB hub to expand USB functionality, usually already have a USB-to-LAN device, and can switch roles of USB-C ports, both power role and data role, and also can engage the Display Port direct mode.
To do so, docking stations do have substantial intelligence to negotiate Type-C and Power Delivery contract in right direction (depending on who is powered from AC-DC and power other capabilities), and select correct data role for the portable device.
Initially it is likely that the tablet will come up as USB host and a source of power. After exchanging Power Delivery discovery and capability messages, the power role will be reversed (I assume the dock receives power from some AC-DC adapter, which also could be of Type-C). However, reversing power role of the tablet to &quot;sink&quot; will automatically reverse the data role from &quot;host&quot; to &quot;device&quot;. Then it is likely that the dock, knowing that is cannot be &quot;USB host&quot;, will offer &quot;data role swap&quot; to the tablet (again over PD messaging channel), and the tablet will accept it and switch into USB host role while continuing to be &quot;power sink&quot;. As you might see, no &quot;splitter&quot; or USB2412 simple 2-port hub have the intelligence to do all this negotiations. That's why the docks are a little but pricey. You did save on a cheap tablet, but now you have to pay to expand it.