Microchip's USB251x is a family of versatile, cost-effective and power-efficient USB 2.0 hub controllers. Leveraging Microchip's innovative MultiTRAK technology that delivers industry-leading data throughput in mixed-speed USB environments, the USB251x family is designed for applications that demand low power and a small footprint without compromising on performance.

Well-suited for consumer and mobile applications, all members of the USB251x family are available in space-saving packages. The common 36-pin package shared among the 2/3/4-port hub controllers measures only 6x6mm and provides an ultra small footprint for space-constrained designs while allowing scalable port expansion from two to four ports. The 7-port USB2517 comes in a space-efficient 9x9mm 64-pin package.

Over 30 programmable features, including Microchip's unique PortMap, PortSwap, TrueSpeed and PHYBoost are designed to aid system designers in simplifying PCB layout and optimizing bill-of-material cost. For applications requiring extended operating temperature range, the USB251x i-temp series is designed to meet -40° to 85°C industrial temperature requirements.

Highlights

• High performance, low-power, small footprint hub controller IC with 2, 3, 4, or 7 downstream ports (indicated by the “x” in the part number)
• Fully compliant with the USB 2.0 specification
• Enhanced OEM configuration options available through either a single serial I²C® EEPROM, or SMBus slave port
• MultiTRAK - High-performance multiple transaction translator which provides one transaction translator per port
• PortMap - Flexible port mapping and disable sequencing
• PortSwap - Programmable USB differential-pair pin locations ease PCB design by aligning USB signal lines directly to connectors
• PHYBoost - Programmable USB signal drive strength for recovering signal integrity using 4-level driving strength resolution

Features

• Full power management with individual or ganged power control of each downstream port
• Fully integrated USB termination and pull-up/pulldown resistors
• Supports a single external 3.3 V supply source; internal regulators provide 1.8 V internal core voltage
• Onboard 24 MHz crystal driver, ceramic resonator, or external 24/48 MHz clock input
• Customizable vendor ID, product ID, and device ID
• 4 kilovolts of HBM JESD22-A114F ESD protection (powered and unpowered)
• Supports self- or bus-powered operation
• RoHS compliant packages:
  • 36-pin QFN (6x6 mm)
  • 48-pin QFN (7x7 mm)
  • 64-pin QFN (9x9 mm)
• USB251xi products support the industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C

Target Applications

• Mobile PC Docking Stations
• LCD Monitors/TVs
• PC Motherboards
• Gaming Consoles
• Multi-Function Printers
• Cable/DSL Modems
• Set-Top Boxes
• DVD/CD-ROM/DVR
• HDD Enclosures
• Keyboards
• KVM Switches
• Server Front Panels
• Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems
• IP Telephony
• Automobile/Home Audio Systems
• Industrial