USB-to-SDIO host bridge IC operates at 480Mbit/s

Elan Digital Systems' (EDS) has released the VUB300, a USB to secure digital (SDIO) host controller bridge chip interface that allows SDIO and SD compliant devices to be connected to any host PC via USB.

The device is primarily aimed at smart phone and portable Internet devices, as well as standard notebook computers. EDS notes that with a growing number of wireless modem chipsets moving to SDIO as the preferred data interface, the VUB300 is well placed when the target system has no spare SDIO ports available.

A unique feature of the VUB300 is its universal support for any SDIO device, allowing it to run with any manufacturer's existing driver and application software, without requiring modification.

Among the features of this 6mm x 6mm QFN-packaged device is its low power operation, plus high data throughput. The devices is USB 2.0-compliant and operates at 480Mbit/s. The SDIO host function conforms to the SDIO host specification, whilst a generic USB wrapped interface extends the SDIO host controller's support to the USB bus.

A development kit is available from EDS, including hardware, device drivers for all major OS and full documentation.

- Vanessa Knivett
Analog Designline Europe

For application notes on bridge chips click here.