Bridge ICs support multiple communication standards

Claimed by Exar to provide an unprecedented level of integration, the XR2280x ICs are suitable for embedded applications including for industrial equipment, factory automation, test & POS terminals and networking. The family consists of four devices: the XR22801 integrates a single UART; the XR22802 with 2 UARTs; the XR22804 with 4 UARTs; and the XR22800 with no UART.

Upstream, the XR22801 provides a USB interface with an integrated USB 2.0 PHY and device controller which is compliant with USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12Mbps) and Hi-Speed (480Mbps) transfer rates. Downstream, it features an Ethernet controller with integrated 10/100 Ethernet MAC and PHY compliant to IEEE 802.3, an enhanced UART with a fractional baud rate generator (supporting data rates from 300bps to 15Mbps), a multi-master capable I2C controller and an Enhanced Dedicated GPIO Entity (EDGE) controller. Supporting up to 16 general purpose I/Os and the EDGE pins or I2C interface, the EDGE controller can be used for controlling and monitoring other peripherals. Up to 2 EDGE pins can also be configured as a PWM generator.

John Cantelmo, VP, Connectivity Products, Exar, commented: “Exar is the world leader in UART and bridging products, with broad offerings in the market. The XR2280x family provides bridging solutions that open up connectivity possibilities with a level of integration not available elsewhere. This allows designers to expand the connectivity of low cost processors using a standard high speed USB port, giving customers a cost effective solution.”

Available now in RoHS compliant, green/halogen free space-saving 32 or 56 pin QFN packages, the XR2280x family is priced from $2.85 to $4.15 (USD) in 1,000 unit quantities.