Connectivity solutions conserve power, space

SMSC has rolled out the Hi-Speed USB 2.0 USB251x hub controller and USB331x ULPI transceiver families featuring space and power saving capabilities.

Both next-generation connectivity solutions are industrial temperature qualified for an operating temperature range of -40-85°C. This enables improved thermal characteristics required for many small form-factor embedded and portable applications. The SMSC devices also feature enhanced immunity to ESD events from the industry standard 2kV to 8kV for the Human Body Model and have also passed IEC 8kV contact discharge and 15kV air-discharge testing.

The Hi-Speed USB hub controllers are said to provide the industry's smallest footprint connectivity options that give designers up to 60 percent space savings compared to previously available devices. Through advancements in power and space efficiencies, the ULPI transceivers accommodate higher levels of integration and performance to meet stringent size and power specifications for emerging applications in the computing, consumer electronics and industrial markets.

The USB2512 (2-port), USB2513 (3-port) and USB2514 (4-port) controller family offers unique features with its PortMap, PortSwap, TrueSpeed and PHYBoost technologies. Each new built-in feature provides engineers the flexibility to design and adjust their designs without having to recalculate previous design steps, said SMSC.

Leveraging the analog technology from SMSC's USB transceivers, the hub controllers offer 40 percent savings in power consumption compared to prior-generation SMSC devices. This savings delivers a power-efficient USB system bus in portable designs and improves thermal characteristics for systems in small enclosures.

In addition, the controllers feature SMSC's MultiTRAK technology. This architecture dedicates a pipeline, or a Transaction Translator (TT), for every downstream full-speed device, allowing end-users to experience up to a 100 percent boost in full-speed data throughput compared to other hub controllers that use a shared TT system, said SMSC.

The USB331x family of Hi-Speed USB ULPI transceivers—including the USB3311, USB3315, USB3316, USB3317, USB3318 and USB3319—are suitable for portable applications where board space and power consumption are critical, such as cellphones or personal media players. Providing package sizes as small as 3 x 3mm, the USB331x transceiver family features a high-performance "wrapperless" ULPI design that easily integrates into SoC reference designs. The USB331x family lowers operating current by up to 40 percent and decreases standby current by up to 80 percent compared to prior generations of SMSC devices, which is critical for battery-operated portable devices, said SMSC.

Enabled by SMSC's flexPWR technology, the transceivers feature a variable I/O voltage range from 1.8 V to 3.3 V, and integrated features such as USB switches, a linear voltage regulator and enhanced ESD protection circuitry.

- Gina Roos
eeProductCenter