USB 3.0 Controllers Reset Performance Bars

Targeting the consumer storage market, the OXU3102, OXU3101, and OXU3100 USB SuperSpeed 3.0-to-SATA controllers reportedly provide the highest performance of direct attached storage (DAS) products using the emerging USB SuperSpeed standard. The OXU3102 DAS controller addresses the professional- and power-consumer market by combining a 5-Gb/s interface with dual SATA hard disk-drive ports while the midrange OXU3101 for portable computing and desktops offers the same features but bridges to a single SATA HDD. Both the OXU3102 and OXU3101 integrate AES-256 encryption/decryption capabilities. Additionally, the entry-level OXU3100 provides just the essential features for basic SuperSpeed-to-SATA designs. Support for all three controllers is via a comprehensive support package that includes evaluation boards, reference designs, a software development kit, and PLX’s exclusive ISIS-branded toolkit. The ISIS toolkit provides smooth access to device and firmware configurations, simplifying encryption settings, RAID configurations, power settings, and HDD monitoring, Pricing for the OXU310x family ranges from $1.50 to $3 each in large volumes. PLX TECHNOLOGY INC., Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 759-3735.