The VMB5000 is a highly integrated PCMCIA / CF device that has been specially designed for chip-to-chip bridging using either serial or parallel bit-streams. The device offers two separate functions, one aimed at high speed data streaming and the other aimed at medium speed control and bridging uses.
The VMB5000 is what Elan Digital Systems claims to be the world's first multi-function bridge chip, designed to exceed the data transfer speed requirements of current 3G wireless datacards and beyond with 20MBps host interface capability.
For ultimate flexibility Function 0 includes a unique 2 Port USB host controller that allows Full Speed (12Mbits/sec) USB target devices to be bridged via the VMB5000 to the PCMCIA / CF bus. This unique combination of a USB host controller on the PCMCIA/CF bus, avoids the need to target 32-bit Cardbus cards with their inherently more complex, technically risky and power hungry interfaces, and which preclude use in PDAs and also prevent the card from drawing 5V from the host.
Each function can also be configured as a 16550+ UART device with support for auto flow control and Smart Card modes (T=0/T=1), or as a flexible serial controller offering support for popular synchronous serial bus protocols such as SPI, SD™ and 1-Wire™.
The VMB5000 supports both 8 and 16-bit host interface transfers, making burst data moves at up to 2.6MBytes/sec (>20Mbit/sec) possible. This opens the way for PCMCIA or CF cards that can support 3rd or 4th Generation wireless data rates and beyond, even on PDAs.
To sustain such high throughput rates, the VMB5000 offers separate 16KByte TX and RX FIFOs on Function 0 for use with the UART or USB controller.
Function 0 also supports a parallel access 16550 UART mode, suitable for use with a micro controller. Function 1 allows bridging to a child CF module to make Combi card design easy, perfect for WLAN + 3G dual role cards.
Technical Features
• Dual function single chip PC-Card compliant device, with choice of modes
on each function
• Integrated parallel EEPROM for CIS, re-programmable in-circuit
(with software un-lock mechanism)
• Ultra-thin 64 terminal QFN package, just 9mm x 9mm x 0.9mm typ.
• Operates at 3.3V, or 5V using internal LDO (with 5V tolerant I/Os)
• Supports PCMCIA *and* Compact Flash interfaces with 8 or 16-bit
wide host interface for very high speed
• Function 0 offers choice of 16550+ UART, Dual port USB Full Speed
Host controller, SmartCard, DIO, and parallel uProcessor interface modes
• Function 0 has internal 16Kx8 data FIFO in each direction to allow
efficient data streaming
• Function 1 offers choice of 16550+ UART, SmartCard, DIO, and CF
Bridging modes
• Chip can also operate in single function mode (Function 0) with backward
compatible features to VPU16551
• UARTs are 16550 compatible devices with support for baud rate multipliers
of x1, x4, x8, x32, configurable from CIS data (no device driver needed)
• UARTs also support auto RTS/CTS, programmable thresholds and enhanced
data rates, allowing baud rates up to 10Mbit/s
• ISO7816-3 SmartCard support on both UARTs, with T=0 and T=1 modes
and built-in power sequencing logic
• USB Host Controller supports 12Mbit/s transfers using BULK, INTERRUPT,
or ISO modes. Built-in root hub allows direct connection of 2 devices. • Controller runs from 24MHz crystal for low power consumption.
Includes PLL and PHY interface to allow “transceiver-less” bridging if
required or can connect to standard 3rd party transceiver chips.
Can bridge to any class of USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 device.
• DIO modes offer simple software bit-bashing capabilities but also include
hardware acceleration features to make protocols such as SPI, I2C, SD, • MicroWire and 1-Wire protocolsmore efficient and easy to implement.
Max bit rate is up to 10Mbit/sec synchronous serial.
• Max crystal rate is 40MHz, with support for separate clock input for
Function 1’s UART if required
• Built-in pull-up and pull-down resistors simplify PCB layout task
• Low power consumption, perfect when every milliamp counts
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Reference Design Kit
VMB REF KIT
All the tools needed to deliver a simple, fast and effective design process.
The following items are included in the kit:
• Qty 5 VMB5000 chips
• Full data sheet
• Users Guide
• Elan multi-interface development hardware (MDH)
• Elan P423 Desktop PCMCIA Slot
• A CF Type I or II to PCMCIA adapter
(facilitates use of MDH in PCMCIA slot)
• A utility to generate a COM port compatible Card Information Structure
using simple type-in fields for your company name, card name, h/w rev
and serial number. This is combined with an in-circuit-programming tool,
and an INF file generator. This means you can fit the EEPROM blank and
program it as part of your production test phase. The utility runs in Win9x,
2K and XP and works with any PCMCIA slot (including the P423). It also
allows automatic incrementing serial number insertion into the CIS data,
making the utility suitable for use as a production programming tool.
Outputsfrom the tool include binary and text CIS images as well as a
Win98/2K/XP INF file for deployment with your card.
• Window drivers for VMB5000
• Full data sheet
• Users Guide
Technical Information and Assistance
Elan recognises the importance of giving good technical assistance during your development process. Because our ASICs were designed in parallel with our own PCMCIA and Compact Flash products you will find that they are straight-forward to use. However, we realise that every design is different and so we have prepared some guides to help you as you go along:
• Datasheet
• User Guide
• Application Notes
If you are interested in UARTS too please take a look at VPU 16550/1 !
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