Microchip Launches Cost‑Effective Single‑Port USB Smart Hub ICs for Automotive Connectivity

Microchip has introduced a new line of single‑port USB Smart Hub ICs—USB4912 and USB4712—to expand its automotive USB portfolio. These devices empower manufacturers to deliver reliable, high‑speed connectivity while reducing system bill‑of‑materials (BoM) and overall costs.

Built on the same patented technology that underpins Microchip’s multi‑port hubs, the USB4912 and USB4712 are USB 2.0‑compliant and come in compact 40‑pin VQFN packages. By sharing a single, unified software stack with the multi‑port family, designers can select the configuration that best fits their vehicle architecture and bring products to market faster.

The ICs support USB 2.0 Low‑Speed, Full‑Speed and Hi‑Speed, and each contains an embedded 32‑bit microcontroller that implements USB I/O bridging. The USB4912 extends the hub’s functionality to GPIO, I2C, SPI and UART, making it a central hub for system connectivity and control. Both chips also feature Microchip’s native USB drivers, role‑swapping, multi‑host reflector and FlexConnect technologies to ensure seamless integration with infotainment head units and the broader smartphone ecosystem.

Certified to the USB 2.0 specification and passed AEC‑Q100 grade 3 testing, the USB4912 and USB4712 are ready for automotive deployment, offering OEMs a dependable, cost‑effective solution for single‑port USB connectivity.