VIA Labs VL716 USB 3.1 Gen 2 to SATA Bridge Gets USB-IF Certification

By Nathan Kirsch

VIA Labs VL716 USB 3.1 Gen 2 to SATA Bridge with Native USB-C Support achieves USB-IF Certification

The worlds first single-chip native USB-C to SATA solution to achieve USB-IF certification

VL716 Evaluation Board
VL716 Evaluation Board

Taipei, Taiwan, 5 October, 2016 – VIA Labs, Inc., a leading supplier of SuperSpeed USB and Power Delivery Controllers, today announced that the VIA Labs VL716 USB 3.1 to SATA III Bridge Controller with native USB Type-C support has achieved SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps certification from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF).

Optimized for the latest USB Type-C external storage applications such as USB Type-C optical drives, SSDs, and HDDs, the VL716 single-chip USB 3.1 Gen 2 to SATA III Bridge Controller offers blazing data transfer rates up to 10Gbps and is fully backwards compatible with USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB High-Speed, and USB Full-Speed modes. With native USB Type-C support built-in, the VL716 offers advanced features such as USB-C connector orientation detection and USB Mux to enable the reversibility feature without additional components or cost.

Integrating SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps and USB Type-C support minimizes the need for multiple components and reduces cost for developers, said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF President and COO. Companies like VIA Labs are growing the USB ecosystem by developing compliant solutions and submitting products for USB-IF compliance testing.

SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps and USB Type-C certification is an industry first that places us well ahead of the USB 3.1 pack, said Wayne Chang, Product Manager of Sales at VIA Labs, Inc. This quality certification combined with the markets broadest USB 3.1 product range, spanning host, hub and device controllers, will assure our customers that we truly have the know-how to drive SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps into the mainstream.

VIA Labs VL716 / VL715
In addition to the 10Gbps data transfer rate, the VL716 also integrates all of the expected features of a high performance, BOM-optimized, low power USB to SATA Bridge Controller such as integrated 5V to 3.3V Linear Regulators and 5V to 1.2V Switching Regulators. The VL716 is designed to fit small form-factor design, featuring the easy-to-manufacture 6x6mm QFN 48L green package and is also fully compatible with any modern operating system with USB storage support including Windows, Mac OSX (Mac OS), Linux, and Android.

If native USB Type-C support is not needed, VIA Labs also offers the VL715, a USB-IF Certified USB 3.1 Gen 2 to SATA 6Gb/s bridge controller for legacy USB micro-B connectors.

For more information about the VIA Labs VL716 or to purchase an evaluation board, please visit: http://www.via-labs.com/shop.php?id=4

The VIA Labs VL716 / VL715 SATA bridge controllers are currently shipping. For information on pricing, please contact your local VIA Labs sales representative or send an email to: [email protected]

For images related to this release please visit: http://www.viagallery.com/via-products/via-labs-inc/via-vl716

About VIA Labs, Inc.
VIA Labs, Inc. is a leading supplier of SuperSpeed USB and Power Delivery Controllers, based on the latest USB-IF Standards. As the worlds first company to offer a complete USB 3.1 product portfolio including Host, Hub, and Device Controllers, VIA Labs, Inc. has demonstrated technology and industry leadership through Standards Development and bringing newly developed USB Technologies to market. In addition to USB Host, Hub, and Device Controllers, VIA Labs, Inc. core product lines include new USB Type-C, Power Delivery, and Charging IC’s. VIA Labs, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of VIA Technologies, Inc. www.via-labs.com