Renesas touts SuperSpeed USB hub controller

Renesas Electronics Corp. has unveiled its SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) hub controller SoC targeted at hubs that enable connection of multiple devices supporting the USB 3.0 standard such as PC peripherals and D TVs. Featuring compact packaging and integrated peripheral components, the ?PD720210 hub controller SoC was designed to meet the need for hubs with low standby power consumption and small board size, noted the company.

The ?PD720210 hub controller incorporates USB 3.0 technology developed for the ?PD72020x series of USB 3.0 host controllers to provide excellent connection compatibility with the ?PD72020x. This ensures high performance that preserves the SuperSpeed throughput of the host and a high level of reliability, Renesas indicated. The ?PD720210 has also received Windows 8 Hardware Certification.

The hub controller touts an improved circuit design that dramatically lowers current leakage when a connected peripheral device is in low-power mode. As a result, the ?PD720210 achieves very low power consumption of 5mW in power saving mode, which makes it easier for system designers to develop systems that are qualified as stringent power efficiency standards such as Energy Star. Likewise, the ?PD720210 achieves 350mW as the power consumption even in USB 3.0 active mode.

With the USB 3.0 hub controller, Renesas has chosen a compact 9 x 9mm quad flat no-lead (QFN) package to reduce the mounting area by 20 percent from the previous devices. The ?PD720210 hub controller also integrates on-chip peripherals such as step-down regulators that lower the 5V power supply voltage to the 3.3-1.05V and charging support functionality conforming to battery charging standards.

The ?PD720210 makes it possible to build mobile docking stations that would not previously have been possible due to constraints on power or mounting area. It also enables realization of USB universal charging functionality at no additional cost, which was previously quite expensive to implement, said the company. With the hub controller, Renesas hopes to contribute to the realization of USB hub systems that are more compact and power efficient, thereby enabling faster data transfer in PCs and digital consumer electronics.

Samples of Renesas'?PD720210 hub controller are available now, priced at $3.50 per unit. Mass production is scheduled to begin in September 2012 and is expected to reach a combined volume of 1,000,000 units per month by April 2013.