Technology Connects Smartphones to Automotive Infotainment Systems
Content
News Release
New Microchip USB2.0 4-Port Controller Hub featuring FlexConnect
technology connects smartphones to automotive infotainment systems
Upstream port selectable between USB2.0 and HSIC, I/O bridging to multiple serial protocols and advanced battery
charging address developers’ needs for lower power and flexibility
New Delhi, 2117 November 2014 [NASDAQ: MCHP] –Microchip Technology Inc., a leading
provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced the extension of
its USB2 Controller Hub (UCH2) portfolio with the new automotive-grade, 4-port, USB84604 IC.
Featuring FlexConnect technology and an upstream port that supports both USB2.0 and High Speed
Interchip (HSIC) connectivity, the new USB84604 UCH2 is ideal for automotive infotainment system
designs, where USB port expansion and connectivity is needed.
Meeting the desire of consumers for a “connected vehicle,” Microchip’s FlexConnect technology
allows for easy port reversals or “role swapping.” The USB84604’s downstream port 1 is able to swap with
the upstream host port, thus transferring the host capability to the product connected to the UCH2, such as
smartphones and tablets. This unique capability allows for the smartphone ecosystem of software and
applications to be connected to the automobile infotainment system.
The IC’s HSIC connectivity, which incorporates Microchip's Inter-Chip Connectivity™ technology,
enables the USB84604 UCH2 connected on a circuit board to utilize the ubiquitous USB 2.0 protocol ,
dramatically decreasing power consumption. This power reduction is most obvious when actively
transferring data, and has been measured to be one seventh of the power consumed by a pair of traditional
USB 2.0 physical-layer transceivers.
The 4-port USB84604 UCH2 can attach to an upstream port as a Full Speed hub or as a Full/High
Speed hub. When connected to a High Speed host, the four downstream-facing ports can operate at Low Speed
(1.5 Mbps), Full Speed (12 Mbps) or High Speed (480 Mbps). Additionally, the USB84604’s integrated
battery-charger-detection circuitry supports downstream both battery detection and charging, providing the
ability to replace external battery chargers with advanced battery-charging modes such as USB-IF Battery
Charging (BC1.2) and Apple®.
To ensure optimized signal strengths and robust operation in the harsh Electromagnetic Interference
(EMI) environments typical of automotive applications, Microchip’s VariSense™ and PHYBoost
technologies have also been integrated into the UCH2.
The USB84604 functionality and configurations can be loaded from external Flash. Its on-chip, OneTime-Programmable (OTP) memory can be used to load permanent configurations, and its System
-more-
Formatted: Font: Bold
Microchip Introduces USB84604 UCH2
2222
Management Bus (SMBus) slave interface can be used to customize the functionality of the USB84604. This
interface enables control of the digital and USB lines for internal testing, configuration of the hub to function
with the desired options when enumerating, and the loading of custom firmware to fully unlock the features
of this new UCH2.
The USB84604 UCH2 also enables applications to seamlessly communicate via multiple protocols
and methods, such as I2C™, SPI, UART and general-purpose I/O. This enhanced functionality allows system
designers to use the hub controller as a virtual fifth port. For example, if an authentication chip needed
updating in the infotainment system design, that function could be easily moved from the HMI to the
breakout box, minimizing requalification.
“USB connectivity is a high-growth segment, as automobile manufacturers are responding quickly to
consumers’ increasing needs for the seamless usage of their personal devices in vehicles,” said Dan Termer,
vice president of Microchip’s Automotive Information Systems Division. “The highly integrated USB84604
represents a new generation of UCH products with a rich feature set that enables designers to quickly
develop innovative, leading-edge solutions.”
Formatted: Indent: First line: 0"
Development Support
The USB84604 UCH2 is the latest to be supported by Microchip’s free ProTouch hub configuration
software tool, which is available today for download from http://www.microchip.com/ProTouch-111014a.
ProTouch software makes it easy to generate configuration settings and program the UCH2’s internal OTP
memory, or any external SPI Flash. The USB4604 Evaluation Board (part # EVB-USB4604, $399.99) is
available today that enables FlexConnect applications and allows access to the UCH2’s digital pins used in
I2C, GPIO and UART bridging. This EVB also contains onboard SPI Flash that enables different revisions of
the silicon to be evaluated on the same PCB.
Availability
The four-port USB84604 UCH2 in a 64-pin QFN package is available today for sampling and
volume production, each in 10,000-unit quantities.
For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide
distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/USB-Hubs-Page-111014a. To
purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipDIRECT
(http://www.microchip.com/microchipDIRECT-111014a) or contact one of Microchip’s authorized
distribution partners.
Formatted: Font: Bold
Microchip Introduces USB84604 UCH2
3333
Resources:
High-res images available through Flickr or editorial contact (feel free to publish):
Chip graphic: http://www.microchip.com/Chip-Graphic-111014a
Block diagram: http://www.microchip.com/Block-Diagram-111014a
Evaluation Board photo: http://www.microchip.com/Board-Photo-111014a
Follow Microchip:
RSS Feed for Microchip product news: http://www.microchip.com/RSS-111014a
Twitter: http://www.microchip.com/Twitter-111014a
Facebook: http://www.microchip.com/Facebook-111014a
YouTube: http://www.microchip.com/YouTube-111014a
About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog
and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for
thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers
outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip
website at http://www.microchip.com/Homepage-111014a.
###
Note: The Microchip name and logo is a registered trademark of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and
other countries. Inter-Chip Connectivity, and VariSense are trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A. and
other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.
Tags / Keywords: HSIC, BC1.2, Battery Charger, Role Reversal, FlexConnect, USB2.0 4 port Hub, Automotive,
PHYBoost, VariSense, Dual Role, Role Swapping
For more information, please contact:
Daphne Yuen (Microchip): (+852) 2943 5115
(email: [email protected])
Formatted: Tab stops: 1.75", Left + Not at
0.5" + 0.94"
Formatted: Tab stops: 1.75", Left
Janico Fok (LEWIS PR): (+852) 2122 9011
(email: [email protected])
Note to editors: To receive news releases by email, please call Jennifer Tang at (+852) 2537 8022 or
send a message to [email protected]
Formatted: Tab stops: 1.75", Left + Not at
0.5" + 0.94"
New Microchip USB2.0 4-Port Controller Hub featuring FlexConnect
technology connects smartphones to automotive infotainment systems
Upstream port selectable between USB2.0 and HSIC, I/O bridging to multiple serial protocols and advanced battery
charging address developers’ needs for lower power and flexibility
New Delhi, 2117 November 2014 [NASDAQ: MCHP] –Microchip Technology Inc., a leading
provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced the extension of
its USB2 Controller Hub (UCH2) portfolio with the new automotive-grade, 4-port, USB84604 IC.
Featuring FlexConnect technology and an upstream port that supports both USB2.0 and High Speed
Interchip (HSIC) connectivity, the new USB84604 UCH2 is ideal for automotive infotainment system
designs, where USB port expansion and connectivity is needed.
Meeting the desire of consumers for a “connected vehicle,” Microchip’s FlexConnect technology
allows for easy port reversals or “role swapping.” The USB84604’s downstream port 1 is able to swap with
the upstream host port, thus transferring the host capability to the product connected to the UCH2, such as
smartphones and tablets. This unique capability allows for the smartphone ecosystem of software and
applications to be connected to the automobile infotainment system.
The IC’s HSIC connectivity, which incorporates Microchip's Inter-Chip Connectivity™ technology,
enables the USB84604 UCH2 connected on a circuit board to utilize the ubiquitous USB 2.0 protocol ,
dramatically decreasing power consumption. This power reduction is most obvious when actively
transferring data, and has been measured to be one seventh of the power consumed by a pair of traditional
USB 2.0 physical-layer transceivers.
The 4-port USB84604 UCH2 can attach to an upstream port as a Full Speed hub or as a Full/High
Speed hub. When connected to a High Speed host, the four downstream-facing ports can operate at Low Speed
(1.5 Mbps), Full Speed (12 Mbps) or High Speed (480 Mbps). Additionally, the USB84604’s integrated
battery-charger-detection circuitry supports downstream both battery detection and charging, providing the
ability to replace external battery chargers with advanced battery-charging modes such as USB-IF Battery
Charging (BC1.2) and Apple®.
To ensure optimized signal strengths and robust operation in the harsh Electromagnetic Interference
(EMI) environments typical of automotive applications, Microchip’s VariSense™ and PHYBoost
technologies have also been integrated into the UCH2.
The USB84604 functionality and configurations can be loaded from external Flash. Its on-chip, OneTime-Programmable (OTP) memory can be used to load permanent configurations, and its System
-more-
Formatted: Font: Bold
Microchip Introduces USB84604 UCH2
2222
Management Bus (SMBus) slave interface can be used to customize the functionality of the USB84604. This
interface enables control of the digital and USB lines for internal testing, configuration of the hub to function
with the desired options when enumerating, and the loading of custom firmware to fully unlock the features
of this new UCH2.
The USB84604 UCH2 also enables applications to seamlessly communicate via multiple protocols
and methods, such as I2C™, SPI, UART and general-purpose I/O. This enhanced functionality allows system
designers to use the hub controller as a virtual fifth port. For example, if an authentication chip needed
updating in the infotainment system design, that function could be easily moved from the HMI to the
breakout box, minimizing requalification.
“USB connectivity is a high-growth segment, as automobile manufacturers are responding quickly to
consumers’ increasing needs for the seamless usage of their personal devices in vehicles,” said Dan Termer,
vice president of Microchip’s Automotive Information Systems Division. “The highly integrated USB84604
represents a new generation of UCH products with a rich feature set that enables designers to quickly
develop innovative, leading-edge solutions.”
Formatted: Indent: First line: 0"
Development Support
The USB84604 UCH2 is the latest to be supported by Microchip’s free ProTouch hub configuration
software tool, which is available today for download from http://www.microchip.com/ProTouch-111014a.
ProTouch software makes it easy to generate configuration settings and program the UCH2’s internal OTP
memory, or any external SPI Flash. The USB4604 Evaluation Board (part # EVB-USB4604, $399.99) is
available today that enables FlexConnect applications and allows access to the UCH2’s digital pins used in
I2C, GPIO and UART bridging. This EVB also contains onboard SPI Flash that enables different revisions of
the silicon to be evaluated on the same PCB.
Availability
The four-port USB84604 UCH2 in a 64-pin QFN package is available today for sampling and
volume production, each in 10,000-unit quantities.
For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide
distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/USB-Hubs-Page-111014a. To
purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipDIRECT
(http://www.microchip.com/microchipDIRECT-111014a) or contact one of Microchip’s authorized
distribution partners.
Formatted: Font: Bold
Microchip Introduces USB84604 UCH2
3333
Resources:
High-res images available through Flickr or editorial contact (feel free to publish):
Chip graphic: http://www.microchip.com/Chip-Graphic-111014a
Block diagram: http://www.microchip.com/Block-Diagram-111014a
Evaluation Board photo: http://www.microchip.com/Board-Photo-111014a
Follow Microchip:
RSS Feed for Microchip product news: http://www.microchip.com/RSS-111014a
Twitter: http://www.microchip.com/Twitter-111014a
Facebook: http://www.microchip.com/Facebook-111014a
YouTube: http://www.microchip.com/YouTube-111014a
About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog
and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for
thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers
outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip
website at http://www.microchip.com/Homepage-111014a.
###
Note: The Microchip name and logo is a registered trademark of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and
other countries. Inter-Chip Connectivity, and VariSense are trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A. and
other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.
Tags / Keywords: HSIC, BC1.2, Battery Charger, Role Reversal, FlexConnect, USB2.0 4 port Hub, Automotive,
PHYBoost, VariSense, Dual Role, Role Swapping
For more information, please contact:
Daphne Yuen (Microchip): (+852) 2943 5115
(email: [email protected])
Formatted: Tab stops: 1.75", Left + Not at
0.5" + 0.94"
Formatted: Tab stops: 1.75", Left
Janico Fok (LEWIS PR): (+852) 2122 9011
(email: [email protected])
Note to editors: To receive news releases by email, please call Jennifer Tang at (+852) 2537 8022 or
send a message to [email protected]
Formatted: Tab stops: 1.75", Left + Not at
0.5" + 0.94"
