Customization possible according to the needs of the car design

Microchip Technology Inc. today announced the availability of five new USB 2.0 smart hub ICs, offering unparalleled options. Available in a variety of architectures, these devices offer significantly increased flexibility to meet automotive manufacturers' design requirements and satisfy consumers' demand for easy-to-use, intuitive systems.

These five new devices utilize a variety of architectures, allowing developers to easily interface their designs with all major smartphone operating systems. This system allows for displaying the graphical user interface of a smartphone or tablet on a car screen, integrating voice commands within the vehicle, and simultaneously charging the mobile device. It also allows for the integration of driver assistance applications from mobile handsets into the car's infotainment system.

Microchip's new smart hub IC allows the hub to be connected cascadingly to second- and third-row seats, enabling simultaneous data transfer and charging from all ports. With dual USB ports, one port can connect a smartphone or tablet to the head unit, while the other port can be used for charging and data uploads/downloads.

Microchip's new USB4914, USB4916, USB4925, and USB4927 smart hub ICs enable automotive manufacturers to customize solutions based on their design needs. As cars increasingly become entertainment environments, solutions could be implemented that allow consumers to use one phone for navigation and another for music or video.

“Microchip is the automotive industry leader in USB hub ICs,” said Mitch Obolsky, vice president of Microchip’s USB and Networking Group. “Microchip has made a long-term investment in unique, patented host/device bus architectures that connect handsets to vehicles to enable more seamless access to information and safer driver assistance and communications.”