Lodestar is designed to fit inside cables and forms part of the power delivery mechanism for the new USB-C cables that are set to take over the majority of interconnect in all kinds of applications. As well as transmitting data at up to 10 Gbps, cables with E-Marker devices can deliver up to 100W of power in either direction. A laptop with a USB-C connection can use it for power, display, connectivity and storage, all through one single small connector. The USB-IF expects USB-C to become widespread more quickly than any previous USB standard as a result.
The E-Marker chip is supplied to indie by eSilicon Corporation. The chip is fabricated through eSilicon's online STAR platform. Both a multi-project wafer (MPW) prototype and a full-production GDSII handoff were implemented with STAR.
Vincent Wang, indie's APAC VP of sales and marketing, commented, "Cable manufacturers in China and Taiwan tell us they have been waiting for a device like this in order to make their cables USB-IF compliant at really low cost. The volumes for products like this are expected to be very large and we are ramping supply to meet them."
"The mission of the STAR platform is to facilitate silicon implementation of breakthrough products around the world," said Mike Gianfagna, eSilicon's VP of marketing. "The E-Marker chip was developed using eSilicon's STAR Explorer environment, and we're delighted to support indie's productization of this enabling technology."
indie's Lodestar chip, which is available now, can be ordered either in a WLCSP package of 0.8 x 0.8mm or in standard DFN/QFN packaging. It is PROM programmed through the vendor messaging protocol and contains a fuse-lock mechanism. indie can supply suitable paddle board designs with either four- or six-layer options to support both USB 2.0 and 3.1 Gen 2 speeds. Download the product brief.
indie also supports a production test solution that will allow customers to both check continuity and perform E-Marker programming in a single insertion, thereby not only saving cost but significant resource on the production line.
About indie
indie designs and manufactures custom, microcontroller-based chips, using ARM cores. We replace most of the contents of a printed circuit board with a single, optimal chip. This reduces the product size, cost and power consumption compared with solutions based around standard, off-the-shelf components. Reliability, manufacturability and security from copying are all increased.
www.indiesemi.com
About eSilicon
eSilicon guides customers through a fast, accurate, transparent, low-risk ASIC journey, from concept to volume production. Explore your options online with eSilicon STAR tools, engage with eSilicon experts, and take advantage of eSilicon semiconductor design, custom IP and IC manufacturing solutions through a flexible engagement model. eSilicon serves a wide variety of markets including the communications, computer, consumer, industrial products and medical segments. Get the data, decision-making power and technology you need for first-time-right results.
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Contacts: Paul Hollingworth eSilicon Corporation +1 408-802-9242 Email Contact Sally Slemons indie Semiconductor +1 408-635-6409 Email Contact