Renesas Technology Releases R8A66597 Two-Port Hi-Speed (480 Mbps) USB Host Controller Suitable for Embedded Use

Suitable for various types of embedded use with low current consumption of 70 mA during Hi-Speed operation of both ports, and Wide-temperature-range version

Tokyo, January 16, 2006 −− Renesas Technology Corp. today announced the R8A66597 two-port USB host controller. This low-power-consumption device is designed for embedded use, such as DVD recorders or audio equipments implementing USB (Universal Serial Bus) interfaces. Sample shipment will begin in February 2006 in Japan.

The R8A66597 supports all data transfer speeds defined in the USB 2.0 specification: Hi-Speed (480 Mbps: megabits per second), Full-Speed (12 Mbps), and Low-Speed (1.5 Mbps). In addition, it has a two-port configuration and is available in a wide-temperature-range version with an operating temperature range of –40 to 85ºC . The features of the R8A66597 are summarized below.

(1) Suitable for Use in Battery Powered Products Thanks to Low Power Consumption

Current consumption is 70 mA even when both ports are performing Hi-Speed transfer at 480 Mbps. Furthermore, original Renesas circuitry enables even further current reductions during Full-Speed or Low-Speed communication. This makes the R8A66597 suitable for battery-powered systems such as portable media players.

(2) Implements Two USB Host Ports Supporting All Transfer Speeds

The two USB host ports (transceiver/receiver) − support all three transfer speeds defined in the USB 2.0 specification: Hi-Speed, Full-Speed, and Low-Speed. One of the ports can be switched to function operation as appropriate for the specifications of the systems. Thus, the R8A66597 can be embedded in a variety of types of products with USB interface.

(3) Wide-Temperature-Range Version Available

In addition to the standard operating temperature range of –20 to 85ºC , a version of the R8A66597 is available with an extended operating temperature range of–40 to 85ºC. This extends the scope of applications to include car audio and navigation systems.

< Product Background >

USB transfer is used for communications between a host, such as a PC, and peripheral devices. It is easy to use and the scope of applications has expanded recently beyond PC peripherals to include equipment such as AV components. In recent years USB has even come to be used for applications without a PC, such as to provide a direct transfer between a printer and a digital still camera. The transfer speeds supported by the USB 2.0 specification have been extended beyond the Full-Speed and Low-Speed of the USB 1.1 specification to include a 480 Mbps Hi-Speed mode that can accommodate the large data volumes required for video data. The range of applications for USB communications is expected to continue to grow in the years ahead.

Renesas Technology already markets products such as USB microcontrollers and USB function controllers. The single-port M66596FP/WG, developed to meet the need for a Hi-Speed USB host controller, is presently being mass produced. Nevertheless, there still remained a need for a product that would provide full support for all the transfer speeds defined by the USB 2.0 specification so that in addition to Hi-Speed transfer it would also be possible to connect a Low-Speed device such as a keyboard or mouse. There is also market demand for an increased number of host ports and compatibility with a wider operating temperature range.

The new R8A66597 USB host controller was developed to meet such market needs.

< Additional Product Details >

The R8A66597 provides the same flexibility as earlier USB host controller and USB function controller products from Renesas Technology. It supports the Hi-Speed, Full-Speed, and Low-Speed modes defined in the USB 2.0 standard, and is compatible with the control, bulk, interrupt, and isochronous transfer types.

It has two USB host ports (transceiver/receiver), one of which can be used as a USB function controller. This allows the R8A66597 to operate as appropriate for the specifications of the system and to be used in a variety of types of products with USB interface.

Additional flexibility is provided by a general purpose 16-bit CPU bus interface, selectable between separate and multiplex operation to allow connection with various CPU types, and a two-channel DMA^*1 interface with a dedicated 8-bit DMA split bus. The DMA interface enables high-speed data transfer at up to 40 Mbytes per second.

For data transfer, 8.5 Kbytes of FIFO (First-In First-Out) buffer memory is built-in, and a maximum of 10 end points may be set.

As in previous USB host controller products from Renesas Technology, an auto-answer functions such as a reset handshake function and transfer scheduling during host operation reduce the load on the CPU and enable high-speed data transfer.

The various resistances required by the each operating modes are built in a chip, and direct connection to the VBUS signal, the power supply line of the USB cable, is supported. This reduces the number of external devices required and makes it possible to be mounted at a compact area.

The R8A66597 uses a 3.3 V single power supply and is also compatible with an interface I/O voltage of 1.8 V. Thus, connection to a variety of CPU types is supported and there is no need for an external level shifter. A crystal oscillator circuit and PLL (Phase Locked Loop) are built in a chip, and the input clock is selectable among 48 MHz, 24 MHz, and 12 MHz.

The R8A66597 uses an 80-pin LQFP package (10 mm x 10 mm, 0.4 mm pin pitch).

Renesas Technology plans to use the R8A66597 as the basis for an expanded lineup of future products to meet market requirements.

Note: 1. DMA (Direct Memory Access): A function for accessing memory directly, bypassing the CPU.

* Product names, company names, or brands mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

< Typical Applications >

Products with a USB interface
DVD recorders, TVs, car audio components and other AV products, PC peripherals such as printers

< Prices in Japan > *For Reference

Product Name Operating Temperature Range Sample Price [ Tax Included ] (Yen)

R8A66597FP -20 ºC to +85 ºC 945

R8A66597DFP -40 ºC to +85 ºC 1,260

< Specifications >

Item R8A66597 Specification

Product name R8A66597FP R8A66597DFP

Operating temperature range -20ºC to +85 ºC -40ºC to +85 ºC

USB ports 2 ports (1 port switchable to function operation)

Transfer speeds

Host operation
Hi-Speed (480 Mbps), Full-Speed (12 Mbps), Low-Speed (1.5 Mbps)

Function operation
Hi-Speed (480 Mbps), Full-Speed (12 Mbps)

Transfer types Control, Bulk, Interrupt, and Isochronous

End points Max. 10

FIFO buffer memory 8.5 Kbytes

DMA 2 channels ( with 8-bit dedicated DMA split bus)

Power supply voltage 3.0 V to 3.6 V

Interface I/O voltage 1.6 V to 2.0 V or 2.7 V to 3.6 V

Package 80-pin LQFP (10 mm x 10 mm, 0.4 mm pin pitch)

Contact Samsung Electronics

Fill out this form for contacting a Samsung Electronics representative.

Your Name:

Your E-mail address:

Your Company address:

Your Phone Number:

Write your message: