Date: 22/09/2009

New USB sleep-and-charge solution for notebook and mobile device chargers

Pericom Semiconductor has introduced a new USB sleep-and-charge solution for notebooks and third party dedicated chargers for mobile devices.

The PowerNap technology allows quick connecting and charging USB-enabled handheld mobile devices without waking up the PC, and is also known as "sleep-and-charge" functionality. Pericom's PI5USB56 USB PowerNap controller from PI5USB5X series with auto-detection and auto-switching support for mobile device charging based on Pericom's new patent-pending PowerNap technology.

Additionally, with the PI5USB56 IC, system designers do not need to consider any software intervention requirements, since the IC supports automatic detection and switching. "Major OEMs are already implementing PowerNap solutions to support the sleep-and-charge features in their products" said Abdullah Raouf, Product Manager of USB Switch Solutions at Pericom.

"According to Gartner Group (April09), 150M mobile PCs will ship in 2010, with approx. 10% of this volume containing some type of added mobile device charging capability when USB enumeration is not available", said Raouf. "Our unique new charger IC can address most of these sockets and also offer the designer much value add to his notebook design with our PowerNap technology."

PI5USB56 supports sleep-and-charge functionality complying with USB 1.0 charger spec, USB 1.1 charger spec, YD/T-1591 charger spec, and non-standard charging methods implemented in products such as Apple iPhone. It also features ESD protection and Vbus short protection.

Price: PI5USB56 is $1.15 per 10Kunits
Availability: In production from December 2009, with samples available now

For more details visit www.pericom.com