Reclocker / redriver devices extend reach with USB 3.2-compatibility
Suitable for automotive and industrial applications, Microchip’s EQCO510 and EQCO5X31 devices offer a two-channel option to engineers wishing to send high-speed data signals up to 15 meters in both directions
While the standard universal serial bus (USB) connection transfers data between two devices, the increase in electronic components in applications across the automotive, industrial and consumer industries has spurred the need for far-reaching USB cabling products. Microchip Technology announces two new reclocker / redriver devices for long range, reliable USB operations in industrial and automotive applications.
The automotive EQCO510 and industrial EQCO5X31 reclocker / redriver devices extend USB coverage up to 15 meters – rather than the standard three meters – for maximum reach and are compatible with the USB 3.2 Generation 1 SuperSpeed protocol.
The USB reclocker / redriver devices can send high-speed data signals at a rate of 5Gbits per second in both directions. The reclocking feature includes a bit-level clock data recovery (CDR) that is used to restore signal timing and prevent jitter accumulation. The redriving feature restores the levels and shape of the signal being driven into the next segment, such as a cable or PCB trace, thus compensating for signal degradation due to cable attenuation, explained Microchip.
“Our customers now have the capability to implement a fast, reliable and long-distance USB connectivity solution of up to 15 meters, extending the three meter standard by five times,” said Matthias Kaestner, corporate vice president of Microchip’s automotive infotainment systems business unit. These devices also reduce board space because of the on-chip clock and small form factor, he added.
The USB devices are equipped with EyeOpen cable compensation at the receiver to automatically adjust for frequency dependent losses in the cable and adjusting the signal strength between 0 and 24dB with 1.0dB steps. The devices also feature MarginLink signal integrity testing, which allows runtime evaluation of the integrity of the whole signal path.
The EQCO510 and EQCO5X31 ICs support shielded twisted pair and coax cables. The devices include an integrated crystal-less CDR, which reduces the need for additional components and overall board space.
Both USB devices are available in a 20-pin, 4.0mm QFN package with wettable flanks. The automotive EQCO510 complies with AEC-Q100 Grade 2 and operates in temperatures ranging from -40 to +105 degrees C.
Target applications are in automotive infotainment systems, data communication modules and real-time video systems. In industrial applications and consumer products they can be used in machine vision, gaming accessories and smart cables.
Microchip offers two evaluation boards for the EQCO5X31, which include the EVB-EQCO5X31 USB Type-C cable extender or the EVB-EQCO5X31 USB Type-C cable repeater to demonstrate use with longer cables.
