FTDI Unveils USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Host Controller IC

Specifically designed for easy integration, it adds high speed connectivity capability into a system, enabling fast data transfers, mass storage thumb-drives, addition of wireless dongles and modular system expansion, through its support of standard USB class drivers.

The FT313H system specifications make it applicable for use across all market segments including industrial, networking, medical and consumer. The device runs off a 3.3V supply, with IO levels configurable between 1.8V and 3.3V drawing approximately 78 mA when in full operation and just under 200 µA while in suspend mode. The built-in 24 kByte high speed RAM memory executes data transfer and buffering. The multiplexed interface provides for board level interconnect through either a general purpose 16-bit bus, NOR, or SRAM interfaces, while minimising pins on the chip.

With the capacity for direct memory access (DMA) operation, the IC can easily be combined with the system microcontroller in order to enhance connectivity, so that data transfer rates can be increased. For example, a set top box can gain wireless functionality by attaching a wireless USB dongle via a FT313H host port.

The FT313H’s downstream port can be configured to offer the most optimised USB charging solution for the end product, with charging downstream port (CDP) or dedicated charging port (DCP) options to choose from (thereby complying with Battery Charge Specification Rev 1.2). When this standardised USB charging link is created between the embedded host and the peripheral, increased charging is permitted which enables current levels between 0.5 A and 1.5A.

“With the need to increase data transfer rates, the wide proliferation of USB across all market segments and the decreasing importance of the PC platform, there is a growing demand to have a USB Host in end systems,” states Fred Dart, CEO and founder of FTDI. “Hosts are the brains of USB transactions and the new FT313H offering provides engineers with an easy method to add this capability to their designs. In contrast to Host solutions integrated into a microcontroller/microprocessor, which are generally just full-speed, the USB hi-speed operation of this device, means engineers can expand system connectivity and take advantage of the enormous base of USB products now emerging.”

The FT313H has an operational temperature range -40 °C to 85 °C, enables it to be employed is demanding environmental settings. It is available in compact Pb-free, 64-pin QFN, LQFP and TQFP packages

Pricing for the FT313H starts at $1.75 for 100k unit volumes. Development support is provided via the UMFT313EV evaluation board with a sales price of $75.85 for a single unit.