NEC Electronics Introduces Second-Generation USB 2.0 Hub Controllers

New Hub Controllers Deliver Bus-Powered Capabilities and Seven Downstream Ports

DUESSELDORF, Germany - 16 Jun 2003

NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH today announced the availability of second-generation Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 hub controller LSI solutions. The new hub controllers (parts uPD720112 and uPD720113), which fully comply with the high-speed USB 2.0 standard, are designed to deliver very low power consumption for devices such as docking stations, hub boxes, monitors, keyboards and many other multiple port applications.

NEC Electronics also announces that its uPD720112 hub controller has received silicon certification from the Universal Serial Bus Implementers Forum (USB-IF), a key organization promoting the widespread acceptance of USB throughout the industry. The uPD720113 device will follow in it's footsteps very shortly. With this certification, customers are assured that the new hub controllers meet all the requirements necessary to ensure the easy development of their applications.

"The new hub controllers are an important addition to our USB product family," Farrukh Siddiqi - Senior Manager, Marketing and Applications, Industrial, Distribution and PC peripherals Business Unit, NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH. "The power savings and multi-port capabilities provided by our new controllers make them attractive solutions for a wide range of applications, including hub devices that can take advantage of the bus-powered capability of our uPD720112 controller. As a leading provider of USB 2.0 solutions, NEC Electronics is committed to delivering products that take advantage of the specification's high bandwidth and improve the user's overall experience."

The uPD720112 hub controller provides four configurable downstream ports, including two bus-powered ports, which is ideal for portable applications. The uPD720113 hub controller provides seven configurable downstream ports, offering more connectivity to one upstream port. Both products support data transfer rates up to 480 megabits per second (Mbps) and support the "split transaction" scheme that is employed for full-speed and low-speed USB devices.

The new optimised hub controllers, produced by NEC Electronics' 0.25-micron process technology, reduce power consumption by up to 60 percent compared to the company's first-generation hub controller. In addition, the two new hub controllers are packaged in an 80-pin thin quad flat pack (TQFP) that reduces mounting area by 30 percent from previous solutions.

Pricing and Availability

Samples of the new USB 2.0 hub controllers are available now. NEC Electronics (Europe) or a local NEC Distributor can provide pricing. Production quantities of the uPD720112 and uPD720113 hub controllers are scheduled to be available this month. Evaluation boards for each of the controllers are also available for purchase.

About NEC Electronics USB 2.0 Products

NEC Electronics is a leading vendor of USB 2.0 solutions for worldwide customers and was the industry's first company to introduce a USB 2.0 host controller, hub controller and physical layer (PHY) devices. The company's USB 2.0 product line-up also includes IDE bridge controllers and device controllers. NEC Electronics has shipped over 18 million ASSP products and over eight million ASIC products with embedded USB 2.0 IP cores. NEC Electronics also is a key member of the USB Implementers Forum. http://www.ee.nec.de/usb

About NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH

NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH, headquartered in Duesseldorf, Germany, is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of semiconductor products in Europe. Committed to meeting customers' cost, performance and time-to-market requirements, the company offers solutions ranging from standard products to system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions, as well as customized products for next-generation designs. NEC Electronics also offers customers the benefit of state-of-the-art manufacturing locally in Europe, besides the global production of its parent company, NEC Electronics Corporation. Additionally, NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH is the exclusive European sales and marketing channel of LCD and PDP modules from NEC LCD Technologies Ltd. For more information visit http://www.ee.nec.de.

About Sunrise Electronics:

Sunrise Electronics is the only dedicated franchised distributor in the UK electronics market and provides a high level of technical design support to customers for the whole range of NEC semiconductor products including microprocessors, microcontrollers and ASICs as well as memory and colour LCD panels. The field sales team is technically qualified to ensure total support from design concept through to purchasing.

Sunrise is a direct ship distributor. The majority of shipments are delivered directly to customers from NEC’s own ISO9000 warehouse. This ensures reduced handling, correct packaging, especially for fine pitch surface mount devices requiring vacuum sealing, factory fresh product and timely deliveries.

For further details contact Will Gilbert, Sunrise Electronics Limited Tel: 01908 263999, Fax: 01908 263003 or click: