Microchip announces the next-generation USB58xx and USB59xx SmartHub families. These are the first seven-port USB 3.1 Gen1 integrated circuit hubs currently available on the market, offering customers simpler designs and lower costs than previous solutions.These families of IC hubs offer manufacturers multiple direct interfaces to USB Type-C connectors, capable of achieving transmission speeds of 5 Gbps via USB in a single integrated circuit.
The USB58xx and USB59xx families are ideal for applications such as monitors, docking stations, digital televisions, set-top boxes, and computer peripherals. These applications take advantage of the largest number of external USB 3.1 Gen1 ports available for data connections on a single monolithic circuit board. Having a seven-port hub IC eliminates the power and cost issues associated with installing two four-port devices to provide sufficient ports for end-user applications. A single chip simplifies design, reduces costs, and minimizes component footprint. Furthermore, Microchip's SmartHub technology can further reduce the bill of materials cost through I/O bridging and enhanced USB FlexConnect functionality without adding components.
Microchip enables multiple direct USB Type-C connections via integrated 2:1 multiplexers, providing reversible USB Type-C connectors. Devices can also be expanded to more than seven ports with Port Splitting, allowing embedded applications to use only the interface required for their internal USB connection. Each device also includes Billboard support to alert users when an incompatible device is connected to a USB power application. The USB58xx and USB59xx families also feature Microchip's USBCheck, a free engineering service for reviewing schematics and designs.
The product families are designed for various solutions based on application requirements for USB Type-C interfaces. The USB59xx family is for direct USB Type-C connection, while the USB58xx family is used with existing non-USB Type-C interfaces. Both families support existing battery chargers, such as BC1.2, Apple® devices, and many non-standard devices currently available on the market.
The USB58xx and USB59xx families are now available for sampling and volume production. The USB58xx family consists of four devices, while the USB59xx family consists of three. Both families are supplied in 100-pin QFN packages in industrial and automotive versions.
