VIA 2nd Generation USB 3.0 HDD Controllers Available in March

VIA Labs, VIA's specialist in USB 3.0 controllers, revealed that they are piloting USB 3.0 controller chips for second-generation hard drives and plans to supply them in volume in March 2011.

The controller model "VL701" can be used for various types of equipment such as mechanical hard disks, solid-state hard disks, optical drives, and mobile hard disks. Actually the same as the first-generation VL700 is SATA 3 Gbps. The package options are 64-pin LQFP or 48-pin QFN, all of which can provide a variety of peripheral control functions, including SPI interface, PWM control, and multiple sets of general-purpose I/O, to meet the needs of different customers. The former also requires no drive. Can display the hard disk capacity.

The VL701 also has a built-in 5V DC/DC power converter, which eliminates the need for a plug-in. This helps to save costs and make the PCB size smaller. In addition, it also drastically reduces the operating current. USB 3.0/2.0 mode requires only About 115/60mA.

This controller has passed the official certification of the USB-IF organization, compatibility and performance can be well protected.

Asustek's ASMedia and JMicron's USB 3.0 hard disk controllers are also in volume production, so the industry’s USB 3.0 mobile hard disk will show an explosive trend this year.