Universal Serial Bus (USB) does more than just communicate digital information, it is also a power source. Unlike many of its predecessors, this serial communication standard carries sufficient power to eliminate the need for an external AC power source in many applications - making the deployment of computer peripherals easier than ever before.
This power needs to be controlled in a safe manner. Micrel has developed an extensive family of protected power switches that meet the needs of all the different parts of the USB specification - both "self-powered" and "bus powered" modes.
Additionally, Micrel has begun to build a family of USB transceivers to solve the problems associated with driving a USB cable with a 3V signal when your ASIC is powered from 2.5V or less.
We have led the industry in USB power control and continue to innovate in this area with new devices and technologies in both power control and data transceivers.
