SMSC Introduces Industry's First High-Speed ​​Inter-Chip USB 2.0 Hub

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SMSC, a leading semiconductor manufacturer focused on diversified system connectivity, has introduced its latest innovation in the High Speed Inter-Chip (HSIC) USB 2.0 technology: the USB3503. This is the first high-speed USB portable hub controller to leverage SMSC’s patented Inter-Chip Connection (ICC) technology, enabling a low-power and cost-effective HSIC interface that offers an optimal USB connectivity solution for battery-powered devices.

With USB 2.0 becoming the standard in billions of electronic devices, ICC technology stands out by offering short-range transmission with minimal power consumption while maintaining compatibility with traditional USB 2.0 interfaces. The HSIC specification, which enhances USB 2.0, is integrated into ICC, allowing applications like portable systems to reduce both power usage and chip area compared to conventional USB 2.0 interfaces.

Jesse Lyles, Director of USB and Network Solutions Marketing at SMSC, remarked, “The growth of HSIC in the industry continues to expand. Its value proposition is simple—using HSIC as an interface between components in an electronic system allows designers to utilize existing USB software stacks for inter-chip communication.”

As portable devices become more powerful and system architectures grow more complex, the need for multiple USB ports to manage internal and peripheral communication increases. The USB3503 from SMSC addresses this by providing three downstream ports tailored for embedded portable applications. It connects via HSIC to an upstream port, supporting low-speed, full-speed, and high-speed downstream devices across all enabled ports. Its compact size helps save PCB space, making it ideal for designs prioritizing power efficiency, reduced BOM costs, and battery charger detection—key factors in portable and battery-powered systems.

Following companies like NVIDIA and Qualcomm, AMD and Samsung have also joined SMSC’s ICC technology licensing program, enabling HSIC communication between SoC and USB 2.0 peripherals. As the industry’s first HSIC-based USB 2.0 hub controller designed for smartphones, tablets, and e-readers, the USB3503 delivers ultra-low power consumption and a small footprint, along with proven performance from SMSC’s long history of USB 2.0 hub controller solutions.

The USB3503 supports the latest USB-IF battery charging 1.1 specification and SMSC’s RapidCharge Anywhere™ feature, significantly reducing charging time. Its flexible power conditioning simplifies design in battery-powered devices, enhancing user experience and system efficiency.

Samples of the USB3503 are now available. Key specifications include:

• Integrated USB 2.0 compatible three-port hub
• Advanced power-saving features including 1μA standby current
• USB-IF BC 1.1 detection function
• Single TT or multi-TT configuration supporting full speed and low speed connections
• Enhanced configuration options via serial I2C slave port
• Internal default configuration available without a serial I2C host
• Proprietary technologies such as MultiTRAKâ„¢, PortMap, PortSwap, PHYBoost, VariSenseâ„¢, and flexPWR®
• External clock input options: 12, 19.2, 24, 25, 26, 27, 38.4, or 52MHz
• Internal 3.3V and 1.2V regulators for single supply operation
• Commercial (0°C ~ 70°C) and industrial (-40°C ~ 85°C) temperature range options
• USB port ESD protection (DP/DM) up to ±15kV (IEC 61000-4-2)
• 25-ball WLCSP package (1.95mm x 1.95mm), RoHS compliant