ASMedia has unveiled its USB 4 v2 physical layer (PHY) chips at Computex 2024. The external SSDs of these processors will reach speeds of 15 GBps and users are starting to dream of the time when they will match the internal drives.

USB 4 was launched in 2022 until it was perfected with version 2.0, which has made it possible to take the technology to another level. The new PAM3 signal encoding format increases USB 4 bandwidth to speeds that few external SSDs can achieve.

This technology allows systems operating at 40 Gbps to double their speed and operate at 80 Gbps for peer-to-peer connections. The Taiwanese company has taken advantage of USB 4 version 2.0, which allows for asymmetric speeds of 120 Gbps/40 Gbps, Tech Radar reports.

The strategy that ASMedia will continue until the end of the year
ASMedia's launch event at Computex has been called "Incredible Speed, Pushing the Limit". The manufacturer has shown the potential of USB 4 v2 technology in its PCIe Gen5 chip. USB 4 version 2 will increase the transfer speed of high resolution files, images and videos.

The company has created an 80 Gbps and 120 Gbps physical layer device. The compatibility of this system has been taken to the next level in aspects like data transfer speed and connectivity. USB 4 v2 has seamless integration with previous version USB devices.

At the same event, it introduced the new high-performance PCIe 5.0 PHY chip. The processor can be used in today's booming big data or artificial intelligence servers.

PCIe 5.0 PHY provides higher data transfer rates with reduced latency. Connectivity has also taken a leap in quality with support compatible with a wider range of high-performance devices.

The Taiwanese company has not disclosed its future plans, but all indications are that it plans to test multi-lane switches by the end of 2024. It could also work on an ASMedia FPGA or programmable device with a power supply that would hit the market in 2025, up to 240W.

About ASMedia

Founded in 2004, ASMedia was listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in 2012 (Stock code: 5269. TW). They specialize in the design and development of high-speed integrated circuits and master front-end and back-end development, including digital logic design, analog design and software development, as well as systems development. To provide customers with a better product plan, they collaborate with teams with strong capabilities in product manufacturing and comprehensive testing. They have the ability to research and develop the high-speed physical layer.

Its main product lines are high-speed switching ICs, USB, PCIe and SATA controllers. Major domestic motherboard companies and global OEM companies are all its customers.

- Design and development of the high-speed physical layer.
- Single chip chipset design.
- Design of high-performance analog integrated circuits.
- Hardware RAID technology.

Sustainable environment

Conflict Minerals Policy: "Conflict minerals" currently include the four metals: gold (Au), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W) and tin (Sn), and may also include other minerals if the Responsible Business Alliance Conduct If defined in the code (RBA) in the future. Conflict minerals can be mined in many places around the world, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or a neighboring country. Conflict minerals used in IT products directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups that continue to commit serious human rights violations and cause environmental degradation.

The protection of human rights and the environment is part of ASMedia's core values ​​of social responsibility. Based on the rules defined by the Conflict Free Smelters Program (CFSP), the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) and the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), since 2021 they have started to conduct a survey on conflict minerals. They have also required all of their suppliers to provide a "Conflict Free Metals Guarantee" to ensure that they do not use minerals from conflict zones. ASMedia insists on practicing social responsibility and sustainability by seeking conflict-free supply chains and products.

Protecting the environment

ASMedia is committed to protecting the environment. They emphasize that there is no waste water or combustion gas emissions. In addition to advocating various policies such as "environmental protection", "energy saving and carbon reduction" and "resource recycling", they are responsible for implementing them thoroughly.