Microchip launches new ICs to combat problems faced by PC Manufacturers

As result of the recent SMSC acquisition, Microchip Technology has announced expansion of the USB2 Controller Hub (UCH2) portfolio with the addition of seven new UCH2 ICs, enabling the developers of PCs and mobile devices to configure their designs without external memory.

According to the company, these are Microchip's first UCH2s to support both USB2 and USB High Speed Interchip (HSIC) connectivity, maximum battery life via low-power modes such as Link Power Management (LPM) and has the ability to replace wall chargers with advanced battery charging modes, such as BC1.2, Apple, SE1 and China charging.  They also have the flexibility to support the behaviours of multiple operating systems, such as vendor-specific messaging and FlexConnect for simple port reversals.

"The recent acquisition of SMSC positions Microchip as a leader in USB architectures, and we continue to invest heavily in both USB2 and USB3 solutions for the marketplace. Our three new families of USB2 solutions solve major problems for the OEMs of both PCs and tablets.  These manufacturers face a new world where there are multiple operating systems in play and an intense focus on low power for extended battery life.  Programmability and low power have been benchmarks of Microchip's leadership in the microcontroller space, and we are continuing that legacy with our USB Controller Hub architectures," said Mitch Obolsky, Vice-President of Microchip's USB and Networking Group.

Microchip's new UCH2s integrate "Quad Page" configuration OTP Flash memory, which reserves space for interoperability and other customizations by the designer, including four separate configuration opportunities.