Microchip Revolutionizes Automotive USB Connectivity with 15m Extension
Microchip has released new automotive and industrial reclocker and redriver devices designed to extend USB coverage up to 15 meters, supporting the USB 3.2 generation-one SuperSpeed protocol.
USB connections are essential in many industries for data transfer between devices. As more electronic components are incorporated into automotive, industrial, and consumer applications, there’s a growing need for long-reach USB cables.
To address this need, Microchip’s EQCO510 for automotive and EQCO5X31 for industrial use can transmit data at speeds of 5Gbps in both directions, ensuring long-distance, reliable USB communication.
These devices feature reclocking technology, which includes bit-level clock-data recovery (CDR) to restore signal timing and reduce jitter. Additionally, the redriving function enhances signal quality by restoring its levels and shape, compensating for signal degradation caused by cable attenuation.
“With our new devices, customers can now achieve fast, reliable USB connectivity over distances up to 15 meters, extending the standard 3-meter range fivefold,” said Matthias Kaestner, Corporate Vice President at Microchip. “Moreover, these devices offer a space-saving solution with an on-chip clock and small form factor.”
Equipped with EyeOpen cable compensation, these USB devices automatically adjust for frequency-related losses in the cable and modify signal strength in 1dB increments up to 24dB. They also include MarginLink signal integrity testing for ongoing evaluation of the entire signal path’s quality.
Supporting shielded twisted pair and coax cables, these devices feature an integrated crystal-less CDR, reducing the need for extra components and saving board space.
Both the EQCO510 and EQCO5X31 come in 20-pin, 4mm QFN packages with wettable flanks. The automotive-grade EQCO510 meets AEC-Q100 Grade Two standards and operates within a temperature range of -40 to +105˚C.
These USB devices are versatile and can be used in automotive applications like infotainment systems, data communication modules, and real-time video. They also suit industrial applications and consumer products such as machine vision, gaming accessories, and smart cables.
For evaluation, the EQCO5X31 is supported by two boards: the EVB-EQCO5X31 USB Type-C cable extender and the EVB-EQCO5X31 USB Type-C cable repeater, allowing users to test with extended cable lengths.
