Press Release
Contact:-
Aston Bridgman
NEC Corporation
TEL: 81-3-3798-6511
FAX: 81-3-3457-7249
E-mail: Aston_Bridgman@HO-PRD.ccgw.nec.co.jp
*****For immediate use August 11, 1997
NEC Announces Commercial Hub Chip Supporting USB and Two USB Keyboard Microcomputers
- Low Cost USB Chip Sets for Next generation Windows Developed -
NEC Corporation (NEC) has begun sample shipments of three new devices to support the Universal Serial Bus (USB), a connectivity standard for the next generation of the Windows(R) operating system, including a commercial hub chip (
PD72011) and two USB keyboard microcomputers: the PD789800, and the PD78F9801.
The PD72011 hub chip, is capable of a high-speed transfer rate of 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and a low-speed transfer rate of 1.5Mbps, while the two USB keyboard microcomputers offer LSIs with and without on-chip flash memory (the PD789800, and the PD78F9801 with 16 kilobytes of on-chip flash memory for program memory).
Along with the rapid spread of personal computers, ease of use for general users has become a growing requirement. USB, a standard supported by NEC, solves the complexity of having to use different types of cable when connecting keyboards, monitors, printers, etc., by standardizing these cables. USB also makes it easy even for general users to connect and disconnect peripherals such as cameras, joysticks, etc.
The main features of the PD72011 hub chip are:
- Compliance with the latest HUB Specification
Full compliance with USB Specification, chapter 11 ver. 1.1 RC2. - Integrates full "Generic HUB" functions
Includes all necessary functions for use as USB HUB, including hardware and descriptor for generic HUB, eliminating the need for external control or software. - Support for two way power mode
Selection can be made between Self power (where power is supplied from the Hub) or Bus power (where power is supplied through the USB from the host or the upstream hub) but an external power control circuit is required. - Supports variable Down-stream ports
Selection of 4 or 5 Down-stream ports can be made. Note ; If it in Bus powered HUB mode, selection is fixed to 4 Down-stream ports. - Supports two-way power controls and over current detection
Down-stream port power control and over current input have two modes: individual mode and gang/global mode, selectable by the user. - Choice of two packages
Choice of two packages: 42-pin shrink DIP (600mil), and 44-pin plastic QFP(10x10)
The main features of the PD789800, and PD78F9801 are as follows:
- 1.5Mbps V1.0 Low Speed USB support
Provides USB 1.5Mbps V1.0-compliant serial interface. Realizes USB through connection hub chip. Reduces software processing load and power consumption by supporting NRZI automatic encoding/decoding, Cautomatic error detection and Cremote wake up functions. - On-chip regulator
Provides on-chip dedicated USB driver/receiver bus power supply (VREG=3.3
0.3V) eliminating the need for an external regulator. - 8-bit CPU 78K0S using 0.35-
m (micron) design rule
Employs the 78K0S as the CPU core using a 0.35-m design rule and the same CPU architecture core as NEC's existing 8-bit microcomputers, to realize a low-cost USB keyboard microcomputer. - Easily supports 128-key key matrix with 31 I/O lines
Can easily be configured for 8x16 key matrix with 8 key return pins supporting key wake up and 16 N-ch open drain pins. An additional 7 I/O line are provided for LEDs such as Caps Lock and to support non-keyboard USB applications.
Pricing and volume production information for the new USB devices is as follows:
| Device | Price | Volume Production |
| PD72011 | US$ 7 (Sample Price) | November, 1997 |
| PD789800 | US$ 1.80(100K / Lot) | February, 1998 |
| PD78F9801 | US$ 10 (Sample Price) | February, 1998 |
For Outline of Main specifications, please see the attached sheet.
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(R) Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation
