USB 3.1 Type-C IP enables high-bandwidth, protected data transfer

 Support for the USB Type-C Port Controller specification provides flexible hardware and software partitioning options so designers can manage system costs and features. The DesignWare USB-C 3.1/DisplayPort 1.3 IP subsystems, IP prototyping kits, IP software development kits and verification IP enable designers to quickly incorporate and verify the latest high-performance USB Type-C interfaces in their SoCs.

The DesignWare USB-C 3.1/DisplayPort 1.3 IP solution delivers up to 10Gb/s data rates and supports USB Type-C, the newest USB cable and connector developed by USB-IF, to improve the user experience with reversible plug orientation and cable direction, bi-directional power and Alternate Modes. The DisplayPort Alt Mode uses existing SuperSpeed USB lanes over USB Type-C connectors and cables to deliver up to 32.4Gb/s maximum link bandwidth with each of the four lanes running at 8.1Gb/s. This 50% increase in bandwidth over DisplayPort 1.2 enables UHD TVs and monitors with up to 8K resolution. The DesignWare USB-C 3.1/DisplayPort 1.3 IP solution simplifies integration and reduces system-level costs by removing requirements for external switch components for the USB and DisplayPort datapaths.

Synopsys claims that it is the first to provide a USB Type-C IP solution that incorporates the HDCP 2.2 protocol, which is increasingly required for DisplayPort Alt Mode implementations to protect premium content during transmission. The HDCP 2.2 content security is required to play back UHD 4K and higher-resolution content over DisplayPort Alt Mode. It creates a secure connection between a source and display by using industry standard public key and advanced encryption algorithms for successful content transfer. Synopsys' HDCP 2.2 content protection IP provides designers with a complete and highly secure implementation of the HDCP 2.2 standard, including the entire control plane processing with authentication and key exchange protocols, as well as key stream generation. Incorporating HDCP 2.2 content protection in the DesignWare USB-C 3.1/DisplayPort 1.3 IP solution helps designers meet the stringent compliance requirements of the DCP LLC licensing authority.

The DesignWare USB-C 3.1/DisplayPort 1.3 IP solution is based on Synopsys' certified, silicon-proven SuperSpeed USB 10Gb/s (USB 3.1 Gen 2) solution that has been successfully integrated into a wide range of customer SoCs. The solution meets the USB-IF standard specifications, including 10Gb/s performance and 5 and 3.3V tolerance, and is backward compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0.

Jeff Ravencraft, President and COO, USB-IF, commented: "Synopsys has been an active member of USB-IF for more than 18 years, and their USB IP solutions are used to ease the integration and adoption of the latest USB interfaces. Synopsys' introduction of new products that support the latest USB-IF specifications will help designers who are using USB-C to quickly incorporate this technology into their SoCs."

"With the increasing adoption of USB Type-C Alt Modes, designers are requiring functionality that enables the transfer of secure audio/video, data and power through a single USB Type-C connector. By providing a complete, integrated DesignWare USB-C 3.1/DisplayPort 1.3 IP solution with HDCP 2.2 content protection IP, Synopsys enables designers to accelerate the integration of high-performance USB Type-C connectivity into their SoCs, while enabling secure delivery of HD video content," added John Koeter, Vice President, Marketing, IP and prototyping, Synopsys.

The DesignWare USB-C 3.1/DisplayPort 1.3 PHYs for FinFET process technologies and HDCP 2.2 content protection IP are available now. The DesignWare USB-C 3.1/DisplayPort 1.3 Controllers and IP Subsystems are scheduled to be available in Q3 2016.