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USB host controller features enhanced data transfer rates

Renesas has introduced a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 (Universal Serial Bus) host controller with part number µPD720200A. It offers 85% less power consumption compared to the company's existing host controller with part number µPD720200, when peripheral devices, such as mice, are not connected to the ports. Supporting fast data transfer rates of up to 5Gbit/s, the device achieves a low power consumption of 50mW. The host controller has the same footprint as the previous device, which makes it possible for system designers to accommodate their designs on the same board they used for the µPD720200. These enhancements enable system designers to develop notebook PCs with long battery life and enhanced data transfer rates. USB is an interface standard used in a range of electronic devices including PCs, digital home appliances, and PC peripherals. The device was designed as an interface for relatively low-speed computer peripherals, such as mice and keyboards. The need to transfer increasing amounts of information between PCs and portable electronic devices is made possible with USB data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbits/s. This is faster than previous USB 2.0 transfer speeds, and also maintains backward compatibility with the other USB standards.

The device has earned the "Certified SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0)" certification from the USB-IF. To ensure backward compatibility with USB 2.0 devices on the market, the company has collaborated with manufacturers of PC peripheral devices to test compatibility. The controller and its newer version, the µPD720200A, are built on the technology and range of USB 2.0-compliant system-on-chips. The company provides a driver solution, a USB attached SCSI Protocol driver, designed to enhance the performance of the company's USB 3.0 host controller.