Extending USB Connectivity for Modern Distributed Systems
USB 2.0 is one of the most widely deployed interfaces in the world, powering everything from cameras and touchscreens to storage devices and control systems across professional AV, industrial automation, enterprise computing and medical imaging systems.
USB was originally designed for short, point‑to‑point connections—well before today’s highly distributed systems. As USB extends across conference rooms, factory floors, hospitals and enterprise environments, traditional approaches struggle to maintain reliable performance, often resulting in latency, device instability and protocol limitations.
To address these challenges, Semtech Corporation developed a protocol-aware USB extension platform capable of delivering long-distance, deterministic USB connectivity over Ethernet networks. Using Microchip’s SmartFusion® 2 SoC FPGA architecture, the solution preserves native USB behavior while enabling reliable, real-time performance for demanding applications.
Customer Background
Semtech Corporation is a global provider of high-performance semiconductor solutions, IoT systems and cloud connectivity services. The company develops technologies that enable reliable, high-performance connectivity across infrastructure, industrial and consumer applications. Semtech and their partners are committed to empowering solution architects and application developers to develop breakthrough products for the infrastructure, industrial and consumer markets.
Customer Testimonial
“ With SmartFusion 2 and Microchip’s USB & PHY portfolio, we developed a future-ready USB extension platform that delivers unmatched control and integration in the ProAV space.”
Stephane Tremblay
CTO of AptoVision Products at Semtech
The Challenge
USB 2.0 was designed for short cable distances, limiting its ability to support today’s distributed Pro AV, industrial automation and medical imaging systems. As connectivity extends beyond native USB reach, traditional extension methods often introduce latency, reliability issues and inconsistent device performance.
Key challenges:
- Unreliable device enumeration over extended connections
- Non-deterministic latency affecting real-time USB traffic
- Limited visibility into device state and health
- Software complexity caused by driver dependencies
Requirements
To achieve reliable long-distance connectivity, Semtech identified several critical design requirements:
- Protocol-compliant USB 2.0 extension up to 100 meters over CAT 5e or kilometers over fiber
- Deterministic, low-latency USB traffic handling
- Support for all USB device classes without host-side drivers
- Continuous, always-on operation for enterprise and Pro AV deployments
- Compact, power-efficient architecture suitable for embedded designs
- Long product availability to support extended customer lifecycle requirements
The Solution
To address long-distance USB connectivity challenges, Semtech developed the UEX2000 USB 2.0 Extender Platform, leveraging Microchip SmartFusion 2 SoC FPGA to enable protocol-aware USB extension with deterministic, real-time performance.
This integrated architecture combines programmable logic, embedded processing and connectivity technologies to deliver reliable long-distance USB connectivity for distributed systems.
Smart–Deterministic USB Control
- SmartFusion 2 SoC FPGA enables precise USB protocol handling and real-time traffic control.
- Programmable FPGA fabric supports deterministic timing and reliable USB device management.
- Hardware-based implementation ensures consistent performance for real-time USB devices.
Connected–Long-Distance USB Extension
- UEX2000 platform enables USB connectivity over Ethernet networks.
- Supports extension up to 100 meters over CAT 5e or kilometers using fiber.
- Compatible with USB devices such as cameras, touchscreens, Keyboard-Video-Mouse (KVM) systems and medical equipment.
Secure–Reliable System Operation
- Integrated Arm® Cortex®-M3 processor enables system monitoring, diagnostics and configuration.
- Nonvolatile FPGA technology enables instant-on operation and low-power performance
- Built-in hardware security features help protect system integrity and deployed devices.
The Result
The UEX2000 platform enabled Semtech to deliver a high-performance USB extension solution capable of supporting demanding real-time applications.
Key impacts include:
- Reliable USB extension up to 100 meters over CAT 5e and kilometers over fiber
- Driver-free deployment enabling plug-and-play installation
- Deterministic, low-latency performance for real-time devices
- Improved reliability compared to traditional USB extenders
- Reduced system complexity for enterprise deployments
Benefits Across Sectors
Long-distance deterministic USB connectivity enables new capabilities across several industries.
Professional Audio-Visual (Pro AV)
Supports distributed conference systems, Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) environments and centralized device management across meeting spaces
Industrial automation
Allows reliable USB connectivity for industrial control systems, monitoring equipment and factory automation devices
Medical imaging
Supports real-time connectivity for diagnostic imaging equipment, surgical systems and integrated operating rooms where reliable peripheral communication is critical
Enterprise KVM and IT infrastructure
Supports remote access to KVM peripherals and centralized workstation management
Smart buildings and collaboration spaces
Enables USB connectivity for interactive displays, digital signage, room control systems and collaboration technologies across large enterprise campuses
Edge computing and data centers
Allows reliable connectivity between edge processing systems, monitoring peripherals and remote management interfaces within distributed compute environments
Broadcast systems
Provides deterministic USB connectivity for broadcast production systems, control consoles and media processing environments requiring reliable real-time device access
Enabling Next-Generation USB Connectivity
By leveraging Microchip SmartFusion 2 SoC FPGA architecture, Semtech successfully developed a scalable platform capable of extending USB connectivity beyond traditional limitations. The integrated combination of programmable logic and embedded processing enabled precise system control, simplified design integration and reliable real-time performance.
With long product lifecycles, power-efficient operation and built-in security capabilities, Microchip solutions provide system architects with a flexible foundation for building future-ready connectivity platforms across Pro AV, industrial automation, enterprise IT and medical environments where reliability and long-term availability are essential.
Learn more about our SmartFusion® SoC FPGAs
View our blog post about Semtech UEX2000 USB 2.0 extenders capabilities
