News ReleaseVIA Launches VT6212 USB 2.0 Host Controller Enabling Expanded Peripheral Support in Mobile and Small Form Factor Segments

VIA VT6212 4-Port USB 2.0 Host Controller combines higher data transfer rates, lower power consumption and a CardBus interface in a single-chip peripheral solution optimized for mobile and small form factor systems

Taipei, Taiwan, 24 April 2003 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions, today announced the launch of the VIA VT6212 4-port USB 2.0 Host Controller. Designed for implementation in mobile and small form factor systems, the VIA VT6212 offers the high USB 2.0 data transfer rates of up to 480Mbps yet maintains ultra low power consumption through its Dynamic Stop Clock Control, while the addition of CardBus mode allows extra USB 2.0 ports to be added through a PCMCIA adapter.

"VIA has been a market leader in driving USB 2.0 as the mainstream computer peripheral interface, developing discrete and integrated solutions to provide maximum flexibility to our customers looking to incorporate USB 2.0 into their product line-ups," commented Richard Brown, Associate Vice-President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. "The VT6212 host controller extends our range of high quality USB 2.0 solutions by delivering unmatched peripheral connectivity to the high growth mobile and small form factor segments."

VIA high performance USB 2.0 product portfolio includes the 4-port VIA VT6202 host controller as well as integrated chipset support in the acclaimed VIA VT8235 and the upcoming VIA VT8237R. In developing both discrete and integrated multi-port USB 2.0 solutions, VIA provides OEMs and system builders the most cost effective method of incorporating the higher speed USB 2.0 technology into their desktop, mobile and consumer appliance systems.

Established VIA discrete and integrated solutions have been certified for Hi-Speed USB 2.0 operation, the recognized industry standard for consistent product quality and performance, and the VIA VT6212 is currently undergoing USB-IF testing. Delivering superior bandwidth capacity of up to 480Mbps, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 is swiftly superseding the standard USB 1.1 specification for the PC, enabling seamless connectivity to the installed peripheral base. This high-speed transfer technology is ideal for today's bandwidth-hungry peripherals such as video cameras and next generation scanners and printers, and greatly enhances the performance of demanding applications such as interactive gaming and digital photography.

About the VIA VT6212 & VT6212L

Building on the success of the VIA VT6202 USB 2.0 Host Controller, the VIA VT6212 offers enhanced performance through 4 DMA engines with pipelined control delivering consistently higher data transfer rates to each of the 4 downstream USB 2.0 ports. In addition to higher performance the VT6212 is also optimized for today's fast growing mobile and small form factor segments supporting Dynamic Clock Stop Control for reduced power consumption and heat dissipation. The VT6212 also supports 32-bit CardBus mode, enabling the PCMCIA interface to act as an additional USB 2.0 hub, expanding the number of peripheral devices that can access your mobile system.

Incorporating the Enhanced Host Controller Interface (EHCI) for high speed data transfer, the Universal Host Controller Interface (UHCI) for full backwards compatibility with USB 1.1, and Serial EEPROM for Boot Register Update, the VIA VT6212 is available in two packaging forms, 128-pin PQFP (VT6212), and 128-pin LQFP (VT6212L).

Further information on the VIA VT6212 USB 2.0 Host Controller may be found at:
http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/peripherals/usb/vt6212/.