SMSC adds USB and Ethernet products to TrueAuto lineup

SMSC has added a USB 2.0 transceiver and a 10/100 3-port managed Ethernet switch to its TrueAuto portfolio of automotive connectivity products. The USB and Ethernet technologies complement SMSC’s MOST® (Media Oriented Systems Transport) infotainment backbone.

TrueAuto products announced earlier this year include a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 hub controller, a USB 2.0 hub/card reader combo, an MII/RMII 10/100 Ethernet transceiver, and a single-chip 10/100 Ethernet controller. The new additions to the lineup are the USB83340, a USB 2.0 UTMI+ low-pin interface (ULPI) transceiver, and the LAN89303, a 10/100 3-port managed Ethernet switch.

“Car makers need to anticipate rapidly changing consumer behavior to design vehicles that fit their customers’ digital lifestyles,” said Christian Thiel, vice president and general manager of SMSC’s Automotive Information Systems group. “USB provides a fast, plug-and-play connection to consumers’ multimedia devices while Ethernet connects the vehicle to the IT infrastructure of service shops for accurate diagnostics and fast software download. MOST provides a reliable backbone within the vehicle to bring these various interfaces together and network the infotainment components that are mounted into the car.” Thiel added that SMSC has experience with all of these technologies to help automotive OEMs select between different connectivity configurations.

SMSC said it has shipped more than 250 million USB chips and is working toward the deployment of SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0), which promises bandwidth and advanced features that will position the USB hub as the central I/O component for all types of communications within and among media devices.

Engineering samples of the USB83340 are available now. Samples of the LAN89303 will be available in the first quarter of 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TrueAuto quality process

Henry Muyshondt, senior director responsible for business development for SMSC’s Automotive Infotainment Systems group, said the TrueAuto quality process goes beyond the stress tests prescribed by AEC-Q100 specifications. He said TrueAuto products are designed, fabricated, tested, characterized, qualified and supported from the ground up for automotive-grade reliability.

Muyshondt noted that because AEC-Q100 covers minimum common requirements for the qualification of an automotive IC, many car companies and tier-one automotive suppliers require additional qualification tests to ensure ultra-low defect rates. AEC-Q100 primarily focuses on the qualification phase of the product cycle of an IC, while other phases such as IC design and production, customer support, and the handling and investigation of returns are not covered in detail. In order to reach the automotive goal of near-zero defect rates, all phases of the IC product cycle need to be addressed thoroughly.

Muyshondt said TrueAuto robustness begins with SMSC’s design for reliability techniques that build automotive-grade excellence and testability into the IC. The IC is fully characterized over many operating parameters to validate that the quality of the design meets or exceeds AEC-Q100 reliability standards and customer specific requirements. SMSC employs technologies and processes such as enhanced process monitors, during fabrication of TrueAuto products in order to drivecontinuous improvements in accordance with SMSC’s zero Defects per Million (DPM) goals.