USB3.2 Gen 2 HUB

Description

USB3.2 is a SuperSpeed USB protocol that can achieve maximum bandwidth of 10Gbits/s.

VLabs VL822 IC is used as a USB3.2 hub controller. VL822 features 1x upstream port and 4x/2x downstream ports, all of which support 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 operation. The downstream ports can support any combination of SuperSpeed Plus (10Gbps), SuperSpeed (5Gbps), High Speed (480Mbps), Full Speed (12Mbps), and Low Speed (1.5Mbps) devices. VL822’s integrated USB 2.0 hub features Multiple Transaction Translators, providing increased bandwidth and performance when multiple Full Speed devices are simultaneously used.

The USB 3.2 is a 10 core cable.

Two cores are D+/D- for USB2.0 data
Two cores are SSTX+/SSTX- for USB3.2 transmitter data
Two cores are SSRX+/SSRX- for USB3.2 receiver data
Two cores are VCC & GND for the power
Two cores are shield over the SSTX and SSRX lines

The USB Hub system consist of below blocks

Upstream Port (connection with the host PC)
Downstream port (connection with the peripherals)
Main USB HUB controller (manages the communication between peripheral devices and the computer system)
Overcurrent protection IC (Protect the downstream port from short circuit and overcurrnet).
ESD protection for downstream and upstream port (To protect the circuit from ESD)
Flash memory for the Hub controller program.

A special firmware is provided by the Vlab for enabling the VL822 superspeed mode. The firmware can be burned using Vlab Windows utility.

PCB Layout

A PCB layout has to follow high speed PCB design guideline provided by Vlab while designing the PCB to maintain signal integrity and avoid EMC issues.

PCB Details