Philips claims first samples of USB 2.0 controller

EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands -- Philips Semiconductors this week claimed it is the first company to sample a controller IC for the new Universal Serial Bus 2.0 standard, which is capable of transferring data between PCs and peripherals 40 times faster than the existing USB 1.1 format. The Dutch chip maker said volume shipments of the new ISP1581 controller will begin in the fourth quarter of 2000.

"By breaking through with the first samples and then delivering the ISP1581 in volume this year, we are opening up USB 2.0 for our customers," said Phil Pollok, senior vice president and general manager of the Business Line Networking operation in Philips Semiconductors. The Silicon Valley-based unit of Philips plans to demonstrate the USB 2.0 controller during this week's Intel Developer Forum in San Jose, which begins today.

The ISP1581 has a fast general-purpose parallel interface for communication with most microcontrollers and RISC processors, which helps to shorten development times, according to Philips. The controller also has a direct memory access (DMA) block for mass storage applications, a serial interface engine (SIF), FIFO memory, transceiver, and voltage regulator.

The controller is available in sample quantities housed in a QFP64 package. In quantities of 100,000 or more, Philips will sell the ISP1581 for $4.30 each when volume shipments begin.