Infineon Unveils New Universal USB Peripheral Controller with 20 Gbps Speed

Today, Infineon Technologies AG is making waves in the world of USB controllers with the launch of the EZ-USB FX20, a new addition to their EZ-USB product family. If you’re a developer working on cutting-edge applications in artificial intelligence or image processing, you might want to pay attention. This isn’t just another piece of hardware; it’s a tool designed to meet the demanding performance needs of modern USB devices.

Let’s break down what makes the EZ-USB FX20 stand out. First off, we’re talking about some serious speed here. With a capability of 20 Gbps, this controller offers up to six times the bandwidth of its predecessor, the EZ-USB FX3. Imagine the possibilities—whether you’re streaming high-resolution video, transferring large datasets, or working on the next big thing in AI, this kind of speed can make a significant difference.

Ganesh Subramaniam, Infineon’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Wired Connectivity Solutions Product Line, highlights a growing trend: as USB devices become ubiquitous, the need for versatile and high-performance USB controllers is skyrocketing. “We are continuously improving the features and performance of our EZ-USB peripheral controllers,” he said. And it’s clear that the FX20 is a step in that direction, designed to give developers the flexibility they need to create powerful applications.

But what does that mean in practical terms? For starters, the FX20 comes in a compact 10 x 10 mm² BGA package, making it a great fit for projects where space is at a premium. I’ve often found myself wrestling with cramped PCB layouts, so I can appreciate how this could simplify things for engineers. Plus, it supports direct USB-C connections without the hassle of needing a high-speed signal multiplexer. This means less complexity in your designs, which is always a win.

The development kit that comes with the FX20 is another notable feature. It includes firmware and a configuration tool that makes integration straightforward. There’s even a standard FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC) connector for easy connections to FPGA cards, which can be a lifesaver when you’re trying to get a prototype up and running quickly. Having a comprehensive set of application notes for both hardware and software design is like having a roadmap through the often-treacherous terrain of high-performance device development.

Under the hood, the FX20 is equipped with two ARM Cortex CPUs (M4 and M0+), 512 KB Flash memory, and 128 KB each of SRAM and ROM, plus seven serial communication blocks. If that sounds like a lot of technical jargon, think of it this way: this controller is built to handle a variety of tasks efficiently, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. The inclusion of a cryptography accelerator is particularly interesting in today’s data-sensitive landscape, ensuring that security isn’t an afterthought.

And let’s not forget about the high-bandwidth data subsystem that allows for Direct Memory Access (DMA) data transfers at those impressive speeds. With an additional 1 MB of SRAM for USB data buffering, you’re looking at a controller that can juggle multiple data streams without breaking a sweat.

So, is the EZ-USB FX20 the answer to all your USB woes? While I wouldn’t go that far, it certainly offers a robust set of features that could make life easier for developers. Whether you’re diving into AI, image processing, or any emerging tech that demands high-speed data transfers, this new peripheral controller might just be the tool you didn’t know you needed. As USB technology continues to evolve, it’s exciting to see innovations like this one paving the way for future developments.

Background Information

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About ARM: ARM, originally known as Acorn RISC Machine, is a British semiconductor and software design company that specializes in creating energy-efficient microprocessors, system-on-chip (SoC) designs, and related technologies. Founded in 1990, ARM has become a prominent player in the global semiconductor industry and is widely recognized for its contributions to mobile computing, embedded systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. ARM's microprocessor designs are based on the Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architecture, which prioritizes simplicity and efficiency in instruction execution. This approach has enabled ARM to produce highly efficient and power-saving processors that are used in a vast array of devices, ranging from smartphones and tablets to IoT devices, smart TVs, and more. The company does not manufacture its own chips but licenses its processor designs and intellectual property to a wide range of manufacturers, including Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, and NVIDIA, who then integrate ARM's technology into their own SoCs. This licensing model has contributed to ARM's widespread adoption and influence across various industries.

  

Technology Explained

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FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are a type of technology used in the computer industry. They are integrated circuits that can be programmed to perform specific tasks. FPGAs are used in a variety of applications, including digital signal processing, networking, and embedded systems. They are also used in the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. FPGAs are advantageous because they can be reprogrammed to perform different tasks, allowing for greater flexibility and faster development times. Additionally, FPGAs are more energy efficient than traditional processors, making them ideal for applications that require low power consumption.

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PCB: Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are the backbone of the modern computer industry. They are thin boards made of a non-conductive material, such as fiberglass, with a thin layer of copper on top. This copper layer is etched with a pattern of electrical pathways that connect the various components of a computer together. PCBs are used in almost every electronic device, from computers to cell phones, and are essential for the functioning of these devices. They provide a reliable and efficient way to connect the components of a computer, allowing for faster and more reliable communication between them. The use of PCBs has revolutionized the computer industry, allowing for smaller, faster, and more reliable computers.

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USB-C: USB-C is a new type of USB connector that is quickly becoming the industry standard for connecting devices to computers. It is a reversible connector, meaning it can be plugged in either way, and it is capable of transferring data at speeds up to 10 Gbps. It is also capable of providing up to 100 watts of power, making it ideal for charging laptops and other devices. USB-C is quickly becoming the go-to connector for connecting peripherals to computers, such as external hard drives, monitors, and printers. It is also being used to connect smartphones and tablets to computers, allowing for faster data transfer and charging. USB-C is quickly becoming the industry standard for connecting devices to computers, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.