Microchip Technology USB3280-AEZG

Overview

USB3280-AEZG from Microchip Technology is a USB 2.0 High-Speed (480 Mbps) physical layer transceiver (PHY) IC designed for UTMI+ interface integration with ASICs, SoCs, or FPGAs in peripheral devices. It integrates 45Ω HS and 1.5kΩ FS termination resistors, supports single 3.3V supply, delivers 55mA unconfigured current, and operates across –40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range.

For engineers reviewing the USB3280-AEZG datasheet, USB3280-AEZG pinout, USB3280-AEZG application, or USB3280-AEZG equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, validated pin functions, real-world use cases in portable media and imaging systems, and confirmed alternative PHY options compatible with UTMI-based USB device controller designs.

Technical Context

The USB3280-AEZG implements a dual-mode UTMI+ PHY with synchronous 60 MHz parallel interface clocked by an on-chip PLL driven from a 24 MHz crystal. It performs NRZI encoding/decoding, bit stuffing/unstuffing with error detection, and full SYNC/EOP generation and detection - all compliant with USB 2.0 specification timing and electrical requirements.

Its internal architecture includes separate HS and FS transceiver paths, programmable OPMODE[1:0] control for operational states (normal, non-driving, disable encoding), and integrated 1.8V regulator enabling single 3.3V supply operation. Line state monitoring (LINESTATE[1:0]) and suspend/resume support are hardware-synchronized to CLKOUT.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

USB3280-AEZG is housed in a 36-pin RoHS-compliant QFN package (6 mm × 6 mm × 0.90 mm) with exposed thermal pad grounded per datasheet requirement.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar USB 2.0 PHY applications.

Compared with SMSC USB3317C-EZK, USB3280-AEZG offers wider temperature range and 24 MHz crystal compatibility; versus Cypress CY7C68013A-56PVXC, it provides dedicated PHY performance without MCU overhead - making USB3280-AEZG the preferred choice for UTMI+-based SoC/FPGA peripheral acceleration.

Availability

USB3280-AEZG is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for cell phones, digital cameras, portable media players, and external hard drives requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial-grade availability.

Supply support for USB3280-AEZG includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Microchip Technology is a global semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and connectivity solutions with emphasis on reliability and long-life product support.

USB3280-AEZG belongs to Microchip's USB Physical Layer product line, engineered specifically to simplify USB 2.0 peripheral integration for ASIC, SoC, and FPGA developers targeting industrial and portable consumer applications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the USB3280-AEZG in a USB 2.0 system?

The USB3280-AEZG serves as a standalone USB 2.0 High-Speed physical layer transceiver that bridges a UTMI+-compliant device controller (e.g., in an ASIC or FPGA) to the USB cable. It handles all analog signaling, NRZI encoding/decoding, bit stuffing/unstuffing, clock recovery, and HS/FS mode negotiation - allowing the controller to operate at the link layer without managing low-level PHY timing or electrical compliance. USB3280-AEZG is not a controller or microcontroller; it is a certified PHY IC.

Does USB3280-AEZG require more than one power supply voltage?

No. USB3280-AEZG operates from a single +3.3 V supply (VDD3.3). Its integrated 1.8 V regulator generates VDD1.8 and VDDA1.8 internally when REG_EN is asserted. External 1.8 V supplies are optional and only needed if REG_EN is tied low - in which case both VDD1.8 and VDDA1.8 must be provided externally. USB3280-AEZG eliminates the need for dual-rail power design in most UTMI+ peripheral implementations.

Is USB3280-AEZG USB-IF certified, and what does that mean for my design?

Yes, USB3280-AEZG is USB-IF "Hi-Speed" certified to the USB 2.0 electrical specification. This means its DP/DM signaling - including eye diagram compliance (Templates 1 and 4), jitter tolerance, rise/fall times, and termination behavior - has been independently verified to interoperate reliably with certified hosts and hubs. Using USB3280-AEZG removes the need for your end-product to undergo full USB electrical compliance testing, accelerating time-to-market for USB 2.0 peripheral devices.

Can USB3280-AEZG operate in both Full-Speed and High-Speed modes simultaneously?

No. USB3280-AEZG operates in either Full-Speed (12 Mbps) or High-Speed (480 Mbps) mode at any given time, selected via the XCVRSELECT pin. Mode switching is controlled in hardware and occurs during USB reset or chirp negotiation. The PHY automatically detects HS-capable hosts and transitions from FS to HS during the chirp sequence - but only one mode is active per transaction. USB3280-AEZG maintains backward compatibility while delivering certified HS performance when enabled.

What crystal specifications are required for USB3280-AEZG, and why is 24 MHz used?

USB3280-AEZG requires a 24 MHz ±100 ppm fundamental-mode crystal connected between XI and XO pins. This frequency is chosen because its 20× PLL multiplication yields the precise 480 MHz clock needed for HS data sampling and encoding, while the resulting 60 MHz CLKOUT provides exact 8x oversampling for FS bit timing (5 cycles per bit). The 24 MHz crystal also minimizes phase noise and meets USB 2.0 jitter requirements - critical for passing eye diagram validation at TP3.