Infineon EZ-USB FX20: 20 Gbps USB Controller with Dual-Core ARM Processing

The Infineon EZ-USB FX20 is a next-generation USB peripheral controller engineered for high-speed applications, delivering an impressive performance of up to 20 Gbps. Building on the legacy of the EZ-USB FX3, which has been pivotal in fields such as machine learning, machine vision cameras, and high-bandwidth data acquisition systems, the FX20 offers up to 600% more performance. It supports emerging applications in AI and imaging, facilitating the digitalization of various industries through enhanced data transfer capabilities.

This USB controller features a USB 3.2 Gen 2 x2 device port, capable of achieving data rates of 10 Gbps in both single and dual-lane configurations, along with support for 5 Gbps and 480 Mbps. A dual-core CPU, comprising a 150 MHz ARM Cortex-M4F and a 100 MHz ARM Cortex-M0+, enhances processing capabilities for complex tasks. The memory subsystem includes 512 KB of flash memory and 1,024 + 128 KB of SRAM, providing ample storage for firmware and application data. Additionally, it integrates a cryptography accelerator for secure data transactions.

To support high-speed data transfer, the FX20 incorporates a dual-mode high-bandwidth data interface featuring LVDS/SubLVDS with up to 16 RX data lanes operating at 1.25 Gbps and LVCMOS with a 32-bit data bus at 160 MHz DDR. This architecture is particularly suited for data-intensive applications such as imaging and machine vision systems. The USB-C plug orientation detection and correction feature further enhances user experience by ensuring reliable connectivity, making the FX20 a robust solution for modern high-speed data applications.

Infineon EZ-USB FX20 specifications:

• CPU: Dual-Core CPU Architecture
  • 150 MHz ARM Cortex-M4F core for high-performance processing.
  • 100 MHz ARM Cortex-M0+ core for lower-power tasks.
• Memory
  • 512 KB flash memory for firmware storage
  • 1024 KB + 128 KB SRAM for data processing
• High Bandwidth Data Interface
  • LVDS/SubLVDS supporting up to 16 RX data lanes at 1.25 Gbps.
  • LVCMOS provides a 32-bit data bus at 160 MHz DDR RX.
• USB
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Device Port
  • Integrated PHY supporting 20 Gbps (10 Gbps x2), 10 Gbps, 5 Gbps, and 480 Mbps
  • USB-C plug orientation detection and correction
• Peripheral I/O Ports
  • Dual Quad-SPI (QSPI) interfaces for high-speed data access.
  • Seven serial communication blocks (I2C, SPI, CAN, UART) for versatile connectivity.
  • USB full-speed (12 Mbps) device support.
  • Two I2S/PDM-PCM interfaces and multiple GPIOs
• Misc
  • Direct USB-C connection without the need for high-speed signal multiplexers.
  • Supports USB Video Class (UVC) and USB3 Vision firmware for quick application deployment.
• Package: 10 mm x 10 mm, 169-ball BGA with 0.75 mm ball pitch for reduced PCB footprint

Designed for machine vision applications, the EZ-USB FX20 enables the transmission of four uncompressed 4K video streams at 30 frames per second, providing unparalleled performance. It features two USB 10 Gbps lanes that connect directly to a USB-C cable, supporting various data transfer configurations, including Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps), Gen 2×1 (10 Gbps), Gen 1×2 (10 Gbps), and Gen 1×1 (5 Gbps). The controller automatically detects plug orientation, manages data transfer to active lanes, and corrects polarity for each USB 10 Gbps differential pair.

For efficient image acquisition and processing, an FPGA can be connected to four high-speed image sensors, transferring data to the EZ-USB FX20 via LVDS or LVCMOS connections. In LVDS mode, each lane supports up to 1.25 Gbps, achieving a total bandwidth of 20 Gbps. In LVCMOS mode, a 32-bit data bus provides 10 Gbps throughput with DDR clocking. The EZ-USB FX20’s DMA fabric optimizes the utilization of the 20 Gbps USB bandwidth, enabling efficient auto header and trailer insertion for data packets.

The EZ-USB FX20 peripheral controller, available in a 10 x 10 mm² BGA package, is set for release in the first quarter of 2025, with development samples currently available. The controller comes in two variants: the CYUSB4024B0, which includes all features such as LVCMOS alt mode, QSPI interface, and cryptography accelerator, and the CYUSB4022B0, which lacks these specific functionalities. More information can be found on the product page and in the press release.

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