“USB has become a preferred connection solution for devices where content transfer speed and abundant connectivity ports are critical requirements,” stated Mark Bode vice president of Connectivity Marketing at SMSC. “The lack of a sufficient number of USB ports on the emerging spectrum of netbook and ultra-mobile PCs is creating high demand for external port expansion peripherals that can bridge the gap between these devices and the growing number of USB gadgets that need to connect to them.”
“For the new class of computing applications that require fast connectivity in ultra small form factors, SMSC’s USB2517 is an ideal solution,” stated, Ted Kao, general manager at GWC Technology, Inc. “Integrating the functionality of multiple ICs into a single-chip solution reduces design complexity and cost and affords greater flexibility for this burgeoning segment of the mobile computing market.”
Enhancing peripheral connectivity for the new class of mobile PCs:
Opting for the ultra mobility, the emerging netbook PCs and the mobile internet devices (MIDs) provide less built-in I/O ports in order to attain a desirable portable form factor. Typical netbook PCs feature two or less USB ports, no PC card slot, and in some instances, no Ethernet port (RJ45). Their compact design also limits the display size, and exiles storage options like optical disk drives, DVD-ROM or the Blu-ray to peripheral components.
While these design changes promote portability, the consumers continue to anticipate a full PC experience out of smaller, less capable box when they transition from on-the-go to a more stationary environment such as a home or office. To get an equivalent desktop PC connectivity out of a netbook, a typical user would require multiple USB ports for a full-size keyboard, a mouse, a multi-function printer, and external HDD for increased storage or DVD-ROM drive for loading software. The power users may need a few more free ports to synchronize the portable media players, charge their mobile phones, hook up surround the sound speakers, or even drive an external LCD monitor for expanded display area.
“SMSC’s USB2517 is a compelling new solution for a myriad of USB port replicators and docking stations that provide add-on USB connectivity to this new class of mobile PCs,” stated Mark Bode.
New connectivity options for docking:
When utilized in a basic USB hub box, the new USB2517 offers up to seven additional USB 2.0 ports from one USB connection to a netbook PC. The new USB2517 is extremely versatile when utilized in a USB docking station where its seven USB ports are used as internal and external attach points. A USB hub is typically located in center of a USB docking station to act a central port of connectivity. The company’s new USB2517 is designed specifically with this function in mind. Armed with new features like PortMap, PortSwap, TrueSpeed and PHYBoost, the new USB2517 handles embedded USB connections with ease and offers designers the flexibility to meet the USB certification requirements that often create configuration challenges to even experienced system designers.
The new USB2517 also features the company’s MultiTRAK technology, which offers a dedicated pipeline, or a Transaction Translator (TT), for every downstream Full-Speed device. This enables end-users to experience a noticeable boost in the Full-Speed data throughput compared to other hub controllers that use a shared TT system. Despite the rapid transition of USB ecosystem from Full-Speed (12 Mbps) to High-Speed (480 Mbps), nearly 35% of all USB peripherals currently shipping are still Full-Speed devices which need a TT to channel data to and from a USB High-Speed host. The performance boost offered by MultiTRAK is critically important for a USB docking station as the large number of concurrent USB data streams aggregated by the new USB2517 needs a high-performance hub to attain optimal transfer rate for all attached USB peripherals.
USB Hub Family:
The company’s USB2517 is the new member of company’s expanding USB Hub Family. With 2, 3, 4, and 7-port versions, the company provides a broad range of USB port expansion products to meet or exceed the customers’ expectations. Additionally to varying port counts, the new USB Hub Family is available in commercial, industrial and automotive grades that are designed and tested for operating at perspective temperature ranges to meet the customers’ needs in computing, consumer and automotive applications.
