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USB Duet® Technology

USB is ubiquitous today. This technology is most popular in consumer devices and gadgets, such as digital cameras, flash drives, mobile phones, and printers. USB Duet® Technology from PLX adds a USB client port (like on digital cameras) to a mobile PC system and enables the port to have multiple functions such as sharing files and peripherals. Its familiar usage models (e.g. mass storage) and plug-and-play capabilities allow instant usability.

Description

The USB 2.0 protocol follows a Host to Client/Device model. A standard USB cable always connects a USB Host to a client; there is no peer-to-peer communication in USB. USB Host (type A) ports are everywhere, supported by all PCs today and on many set-top boxes (STBs) and gaming consoles. With so many USB Hosts in the market, USB Duet® allows a mobile PC system to easily connect to all of these USB host systems. USB Duet® technology revolutionizes today's PC-to-PC connectivity of TCP/IP or Ethernet. While TCP/IP is disadvantageous in its complex configuration, security holes, and slow performance (e.g. WiFi), USB Duet® resolves all of these problems. It is simple, secure, and takes advantage of the high-performance (480Mbps) of Hi-Speed USB 2.0.

USB Duet® uses PLX's NET 2280 / 2282 PCI to USB bridge which easily connects to the PCI bus of mobile PC systems to provide a USB client port. In parallel, USB Duet's killer software applications continue to grow, adding more and more value and flexibility to the USB client port on mobile PCs.

Applications/Usage Models

Netbooks / Ultra Portable PC

  • Share desktop PC's peripherals – USB Duet® EZ-Dock
    • Share desktop's DVD-ROM to install new software
    • Use desktop's big LCD monitor as an external display
    • Share desktop's keyboard and mouse
  • Data synch, backup, share files – USB Duet® HD
    • Synch e-mail, projects, and settings with desktop PC
    • Quickly backup files to desktop PC
  • Instant Networking at 480Mbps – USB Duet® FastLink
    • Quick internet sharing
    • Easy setup for multi-player network gaming
    • Leverage existing network applications (e.g. backup software)

Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs) / Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs)

  • Share desktop PC's peripherals with USB Duet® EZ-Dock (See figure 1 on the right)
    • Share desktop's DVD-ROM to install new software on UMPC/MID
    • Use desktop's big LCD monitor as an external display
    • Share desktop's keyboard and mouse to control UMPC/MID
  • Share files with USB Duet® HD (See figure 2 on the right)
    • Easy access to UMPC files
    • Enjoy UMPC's music, pictures, and movies from STB or gaming console
    • Quickly backup files
  • Instant Networking at 480Mbps with USB Duet® FastLink
    • Quick internet sharing
    • Leverage existing network applications (e.g. backup software)

USB Duet® Advantages

  1. Compliance – USB 2.0 specification
  2. Familiar usage models
  3. Performance – 480Mbps
  4. Easy integration to existing systems
  5. Multiple functions (future expandability)
  6. Secure protocol

Product Information

NET 2280 / 2282 PCI to Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Peripheral Controller. Download databook and development tools.

  • Packaging: Tiny 121-ball BGA or 120 pin TQFP
  • Sub-micro watts power

USB Duet® reference boards are available in PCI, PCMCIA (cardbus), and ExpressCard form factors.