New CP21xx USB Bridge ICs Eliminate Software Complexity and Driver
Compatibility Issues When Upgrading Serial Interfaces to USB
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Silicon
Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB), a leader in high-performance,
analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs, today announced its
latest-generation bridge chip family, providing a cost-effective,
small-footprint solution for USB and human interface device (HID)-USB
connectivity. Silicon Labs' new CP21xx USB bridge family offers a
turnkey solution for upgrading serial interfaces to USB or adding USB
and HID-USB to applications such as personal medical devices, cellular
and cordless phones, smart card and flash card readers, personal digital
assistants, MP3 players, bar code readers, wireless modems and
industrial control systems.
With the rapid proliferation of USB and HID-USB in the embedded world,
developers are looking for painless, economical ways to embed USB
connectivity in their designs. A leading supplier of USB connectivity
solutions and smart
interface ICs, Silicon Labs developed the CP21xx bridge family so
that designers can add USB to microcontroller-based applications without
the cost and complexity of developing sophisticated USB software. The
CP21xx ICs require no USB expertise to deploy, enabling developers to
focus their time and resources on their end applications.
Silicon Labs' new CP21xx USB bridge family features four USB-to-serial
bridge chip solutions including the industry's first HID-USB bridge
solutions:
-
USB to UART bridge (CP2104)
-
USB to dual UART bridge (CP2105)
-
HID-USB to UART bridge (CP2110)
-
HID-USB to SMBus and I2C bridge (CP2112)
The new CP2110 and CP2112 bridge ICs comply with the USB-HID class
specification natively supported by most operating systems, thus
removing the need to install drivers. This eliminates the risk of
incompatible and exhaustive driver updates and obviates the need for
customers to provide companion CDs with specialized driver information
or to maintain download sites for driver updates. In addition, Silicon
Labs' HID-USB devices provide seamless compatibility with most operating
systems, ending product delays typically associated with resolving
compatibility issues, speeding time to market and easing the design
effort.
To deliver this USB design flexibility in a small footprint, the CP21xx
family is built on an innovative, proven architecture that eliminates
the need for costly and complex external crystals, internal or external
EEPROM, and other discrete components. The single-chip CP21xx devices
integrate a USB 2.0 full-speed function controller, USB transceiver,
on-chip silicon oscillator, one-time programmable (OTP) ROM, and
asynchronous serial data bus with full modem control signals. The CP21xx
family's novel clock recovery feature enables the internal oscillator to
meet USB full-speed clock accuracy requirements. The built-in
programming charge pump supports in-field programming for quick,
effortless custom-configuration of USB vendor IDs, product IDs, USB
descriptors, power descriptors, device release numbers and device serial
numbers.
"We've led the industry with easy-to-use USB solutions that free
developers from the headaches and complexities associated with designing
USB into embedded systems," said Mark Thompson, vice president of
Silicon Labs' Embedded Mixed-Signal products. "Our next-generation USB
bridge solutions include royalty-free software driver suites, a rich
design ecosystem, crystal-less operation, a built-in programming charge
pump and a tiny package size — all to reduce system cost, streamline
system design and speed our customers' time to market."
Comprehensive USB development support
Silicon Labs supports customer development with a variety of evaluation
kits. The CP2104EK kit supports evaluation and customization of a simple
USB-to-UART bridge while the CP2105EK kit supports USB-to-dual-UART
designs. The CP2110EK kit enables comprehensive evaluation and
customization of an HID-USB-to-UART bridge, and the CP2112EK kit
supports HID-USB-to-SMBus/I2C bridge connections.
Pricing and availability
Samples and production quantities of the CP21xx USB bridge ICs are
available now in a space-saving 4 mm x 4mm 24QFN package. Pricing begins
at $1.06 in 10,000-unit quantities. The CP2104EK and CP2112EK evaluation
kits are priced at $29.00. The CP2105EK and CP2110EK kits are priced at
$39. (All prices in USD.) For more information about the CP21xx USB
bridge family, visit www.silabs.com/pr/USBbridge.
Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Silicon Laboratories is an industry leader in the innovation of
high-performance, analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs. Developed by a
world-class engineering team with unsurpassed expertise in mixed-signal
design, Silicon Labs' diverse portfolio of highly-integrated,
easy-to-use products offers customers significant advantages in
performance, size and power consumption. These patented solutions serve
a broad set of markets and applications including consumer,
communications, computing, industrial and automotive.
Headquartered in Austin, TX, Silicon Labs is a global enterprise with
operations, sales and design activities worldwide. The company is
committed to contributing to our customers' success by recruiting the
highest quality talent to create industry-changing innovations. For more
information about Silicon Labs, please visit www.silabs.com.
Cautionary Language
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on
Silicon Laboratories' current expectations. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of factors that could
impact Silicon Laboratories' financial results and cause actual results
to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements,
please refer to Silicon Laboratories' filings with the SEC. Silicon
Laboratories disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Note to editors: Silicon Laboratories, Silicon Labs, the "S" symbol, the
Silicon Laboratories logo, and the Silicon Labs logo are trademarks of
Silicon Laboratories Inc. All other product names noted herein may be
trademarks of their respective holders.
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Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Dale Weisman, +1-512-532-5871
dale.weisman@silabs.com
Source: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
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