Microchip’s USB5734 SmartHub™ IC is a 4 port, SuperSpeed (SS)/Hi-Speed (HS), low power, configurable and fully compliant with the USB 3.1 Gen 1 specification. The USB5734 also supports Full Speed (FS) and Low Speed (LS) USB signaling, offering complete coverage of all defined USB operating speeds. The new SuperSpeed hubs operate in parallel with the USB 2.0 controller, so 5 Gbps SuperSpeed data transfers are not affected by slower USB 2.0 traffic.

SmartHub ICs are defined as USB hubs that integrates system levels functions typically associated with a separate MCU or processor. Microchip’s USB5734 Smart Hub enables communication to other peripherals in addition to USB. This I/O bridging capability allows the host to seamlessly interface to peripherals via I2C, SPI, GPIOs or a UART over USB. Microchip’s Smart hubs also enable a downstream device to take control of the host system by swapping roles and becoming the host port. The Smart hub can also switch between two different hosts if required. This role changing technology is called FlexConnect and can be initiated through hardware or software commands.

SmartHub ICs also supports custom configurations of external ports and GPIO pins. MPLAB Connect Configurator, Microchip’s proprietary software utility, can be used to program On-chip One Time Programmable (OTP) ROM which stores required register settings to ensure the desired start up configuration at power on. All LED, GPIOs and port control signal pins are under firmware control, allowing for maximum operational flexibility. However, for even more simplicity, the USB5734 can be configured through a series of external low-cost resistor bootstraps. A handful of bootstap pins are available on the USB5734 to enable standard configurations for GPIOs and downstream ports. No OTP programming required.

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• Highlights
• Four downstream USB3.1 Gen1/2.0 ports
• Integrated Hub Feature Controller (HFC) enabling I/O Bridging and FlexConnect
• I/O Bridging: USB to I2C/UART/SPI/GPIO bridge endpoint support
• FlexConnect: Host port Swapping and Switching to downstream Devices
• Battery Charging: USB-IF revision 1.2 support on downstream ports (DCP, CDP, SDP). Simultaneous data transfer for 2500 mA of High Speed charging. Enables charging from a mobile platform that is powered-off.
• Port Config Straps: Predefined configuration of port settings – Battery Charging, Non-Removable, Disable
• Mixed Mode – includes I2C, FlexConnect and general purpose FlexConnect
• FlexConnect Mode – enable FlexConnect via both h/w and s/w control
• Port Speed Mode – use of LED to differentiate between Full, High and Superspeed
• Port BC Mode – use of LED to differentiate between BC1.2 and standard USB charging
• UART Mode – provides necessary signals to support DB9 UART interface
• MPLAB Connect Configurator™ - Tool to enable enhanced OEM configuration options through either One-Time Programmable (OTP) (8Kbit) or external SPI ROM. Includes manufacturing line programming tool and field update capabilities.
• USB Link Power Management (LPM) support
• IETF RFC 4122 compliant 128-bit UUID
• Compatible with Microsoft® Windows® 8/8.1/10 and other major OS’s
• 64-pin (9 x 9 mm) SQFN lead-free, RoHS compliant package
• Industrial grade temperature support (-40°C to +85°C)
• Target Applications
• Expansion Hubs
• Docking Stations
• LCD Monitors
• HDTVs