Self-adapting USB 2.0 signal conditioner IC saves power and simplifies system design

Diodes Incorporated has introduced the PI5USB212, a USB 2.0 signal conditioner that operates from a supply voltage down to 2.3V. Designed for notebooks, PCs, docking stations, cable extenders, TVs, and monitors, the device automatically detects a USB 2.0 high-speed connection. It also preserves signal integrity when driving long PCB traces or cables of up to 5m.

This IC symmetrically boosts the USB D+ and D– channels for common-mode stability and applies pre-emphasis to compensate for intersymbol interference (ISI). The wide supply voltage range simplifies system design and extends the operating window of portable and battery-powered equipment.

The device is configured utilising either I2C commands or pin strapping, adjusting signal-boost and ISI-compensation levels. It has two control pins (boost/SEN); pulling the boost pin down through different resistors controls the AC gain/pre-emphasis levels. Depending on channel conditions, the SEN pin selects high, low, or medium receiver sensitivity (DC gain) to ensure optimum signal integrity. It automatically detects a low-speed (LS) mode/full-speed (FS) connection to evade applying signal compensation when not required.

The device is compatible with USB 2.0, OTG 2.0, and battery-charging (BC) 1.2 and supports USB features, including device-attach, high-speed detection, and a 5.5V tolerance. It automatically detects when no USB attachment is present and saves energy by reducing its supply current to 0.7mA (typical) and 13µA (typical) when disabled via the RSTN disable pin.

The device is supplied in a 12-pin, 1.6mm x 1.6mm, quad-flat no-lead (QFN) package.