VESA, the organization behind consumer display standards, showcased some recent technological advancements at the 2024 International CES. To begin with, VESA unveiled the new DisplayPort 2.1a specification, which, among other things, enables longer UHBR10 and UHBR13.5 capable cables. The current DP 2.1 is limited by cable length to meet the ability to stream 8K2K 240 Hz, or 8K4K 120 Hz over 4 length. This comes in the form of the new DP54 cable standard. While VESA is retiring DP40, the cables that have been already shipped have been tested and re-certified by VESA as DP54.

While DP80 UHBR cables continues to be supported, the current UHBR13.5 link could only be serviced using DP80 cables. Now, instead of being restricted in length by a DP80 cable, users can opt for a DP54 cable, that can be twice the length of DP80 to enable UHBR13.5.

At the VESA booth, we were also given Adaptive Sync dual-mode gameplay demos at 240 Hz and 480 Hz; a set of gaming notebooks that implement Adaptive Sync displays, including a GIGABYTE AERO 16 notebook that implements DisplayHDR 1000; some notebooks that demonstrate the ClearMR technology; the new Dell AW252HF Adaptive Sync display that's certified for Full HD at 480 Hz; a new VIA Labs chipset that tunnels DisplayPort over USB4; and reference designs for DisplayPort 2.1 docking stations. Many of these technologies are already being implemented, and we should expect to see DisplayPort 2.1a implemtation over the course of 2024.

VIA Labs, Inc. (VLI), a leading supplier of USB4, USB 3.2, and USB Power Delivery Controllers, today announced that the VL832 USB4 Endpoint Device Controller achieved USB4 certification from the USB Implementor's Forum (USB-IF). VIA Lab's VL832 supports USB 40 Gbps operation and is now listed on the USB-IF Integrator's List under TID: 10033.

VIA Lab VL832's USB-IF Certification represents a key milestone in the USB4 ecosystem. The certified USB4 device controller with an integrated USB 3.2 USB 10 Gbps Hub, USB 2.0 Hub, and DisplayPort output, provides essential connectivity for peripheral devices such as multi-function adapters and docking stations. In USB4 40 Gbps mode, VL832 supports full DisplayPort HBR3 bandwidth (32.4 Gbps), and the USB 20 Gbps hub can enable multiple USB 10 Gbps devices to operate at full performance on supported host platforms. Both metrics are double what was previously possible using DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which is limited to 2-lanes of DisplayPort when supporting USB 3.2 functionality.

VIA Labs, Inc. (VLI), a leading supplier of USB4, SuperSpeed USB, and USB Power Delivery Controllers, today announced that the VL108 USB PD 3.1 and DP Alt-mode controller achieved USB-IF certification for USB Power Delivery 3.1 with support for Extended Power Range (EPR). VIA Lab's VL108 is now listed on the USB-IF Integrator's List under TID: 9064.

With the release of the USB Power Delivery 3.1 specification's EPR functionality, the maximum charging rate of USB Type-C was increased from 100 W to 240 W. Previously, the 100 W limit was sufficient for smaller laptops, but higher-powered 15" or larger models with discrete graphics cards often relied on proprietary charging schemes. As certified USB Power Delivery 3.1 silicon with support for EPR becomes available, many vendors are preparing to launch products featuring the new charging modes by the end of the year.

Having visited all the major Taiwanese USB chip vendors during Computex, it's clear that the three have very different focus when it comes to their businesses, with ASMedia going for host and device controllers with PCIe Express support, Realtek focusing on USB hubs and connectivity. This leaves VLI or VIA Labs who are putting its main efforts into video over USB-C. The company was showing a new USB-C to HDMI 2.1 converter chip, with the added benefit of being a single chip solution that also allows for USB PD passthrough, ideal for devices with a single USB-C port.

VLI is also hoping that USB4 will take off as a lower cost alternative to Thunderbolt based docking solutions, especially as not everyone needs Thunderbolt connectivity on their docks. As such, for those looking at a docking station that's still capable of multi-display support at resolutions over 4K60p or for those that are looking at combining multiple 4K displays while maintaining data speeds of at least 10 Gbps for storage devices, then USB4 appears to be the more affordable option to Thunderbolt. Later this year, the company will start shipping its VL832 USB4 end point device, which is an updated version of the VL830, although we weren't told what features have changed, as VLI wasn't ready to unveil the product at Computex.

VIA Labs, Inc. (VLI), a leading supplier of SuperSpeed USB, USB Power Delivery Controllers, and now USB4 controllers today unveiled the VIA Labs VL830 USB4 Endpoint Device. USB4 is a major update to the USB architecture, enabling multiple simultaneous data and display protocols to share a single high-speed link with support for a maximum aggregate bandwidth of 40 Gbps. VL830 offers both USB and DisplayPort functionality and operates at full performance when used with Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 systems, and is also backward compatible with previous-generation devices such as laptops, tablets, and phones that support DisplayPort Alternate Mode over USB Type-C.

"VIA Labs VL830 represents a culmination of our experience in developing USB Type-C, USB Power Delivery, and USB 3.2 products, an industry leader in time to market, and contribution and participation in standards development," said Terrance Shih, Business Development Director, VIA Labs, Inc. "USB4 is based on Thunderbolt technology and we are very excited to deliver these capabilities at new price points."

Toshiba subsidiary OCZ rolled out the XS700 series portable SSDs. Measuring 95 mm x 75 mm x 11 mm, the drive is only slightly bigger than an internal 2.5-inch drive, and features an aluminium body with diamond-cut edges. The drive features USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) interface, with backwards compatibility to older USB generations. A single cable plugging into the drive's type-C connector provides both power and host connectivity.

Under the hood, the OCZ XS700 features Toshiba-made 3D BiCS TLC NAND flash memory. It comes in only a 240 GB capacity for now, which offers sequential reads of up to 530 MB/s, and sequential write speeds of up to 480 MB/s. The drive appears to feature two components, a Phison S11 DRAM-less controller wired to the NAND flash, connected over SATA 6 Gbps to a VIA Labs VL715 chip that connects it to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface. You also get USB-attached SCSI protocol (UASP) support, to speed things up. The drive is backed by a 3-year warranty, and is expected to be priced around $200, when it hits the shelves later this month.

VIA Labs, Inc., a leading supplier of SuperSpeed USB and USB Power Delivery Controllers, today announced that the VIA Labs VL820 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Hub Controller has achieved SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps certification from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). The VIA Labs VL820 is the world's first USB-IF Certified USB 3.1 Gen 2 Hub.

The VIA Labs VL820 features one upstream port and four downstream ports, each capable of supporting SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps devices, while providing backward compatibility for previous generation USB devices. The VIA Labs VL820 was designed with USB-C in mind, integrating an optionally configurable USB Billboard Device for Alternate Mode applications such as Thunderbolt 3 peripherals or DisplayPort over USB-C multi-function dongles.

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, SSD's, and HDD's, the VL716 single-chip USB 3.1 Gen 2 to SATA III Bridge Controller offers blazing data transfer rates up to 10 Gbps 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."

VIA Labs, Inc., a leading supplier of USB 3.0 integrated chip controllers, today announced the Microsoft Windows 8.1 readiness of its USB 3.0 Host, Hub, and Device controllers, corresponding with the recent release of the first major update to Windows 8. The VIA Labs VL805 4-Port and VIA Labs VL806 2-Port USB 3.0 Host controllers are Windows Hardware Certification Kit (WHCK) certified and support xHCI 1.0 and Microsoft's USB Debugging Port Capability.

The VIA Labs VL811+ USB 3.0 Hub Controller, which is used in the Microsoft USB Test Tool SuperMUTT Pack, is certified along with VIA Labs VL812 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub controller. The VL812 remains one of the only USB 3.0 hubs on the market with fully-integrated voltage regulators including 5V to 1.2V Switching regulator and 5V to 3.3V Linear regulator.

VIA Labs, Inc., a leading supplier of USB 3.0 integrated chip controllers, today announced that the VIA Labs VL811+ 4-port SuperSpeed USB Hub controllers has achieved SuperSpeed USB certification from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). The VIA Labs VL811+ is among the first USB 3.0 hubs to achieve USB-IF certification.

"VIA Labs has been working with the USB-IF since the beginning and we've seen USB 3.0 grow from just a specification to being designed into computing platforms and peripherals that we hadn't even dreamed about," said Jay Tseng, Director, VIA Labs, Inc. "We're very pleased to offer the industry a certified SuperSpeed USB Hub and we look forward to new possibilities for innovation."

VIA Labs, Inc., a leading supplier of USB 3.0 integrated chip controllers, today announced its two latest USB 3.0 device controllers, the VIA VL752 and VIA VL753 SuperSpeed USB 3.0 to NAND flash controllers. The VIA VL752 and VIA VL753 deliver enhanced performance using the latest NAND flash technologies including 19nm, 20nm and 21nm geometries and have been certified by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) for SuperSpeed operation, ensuring high quality, seamless interoperability, and effortless backwards compatibility.

The two-channel the VIA VL752 and single-channel VIA VL753 offer data transfer speeds up to 280MB/s, flexible bad block management, support for the latest 200MHz DDR NAND Flash, and a robust ECC engine for greater data integrity. The package sizes from the previous generation of VIA Superspeed USB to NAND flash controllers have been reduced to a QFN68 8 x 8mm package for the VIA VL752 and a QFN48 6 x 6mm package for the VIA VL753 to enable the smallest form-factor designs.

VIA Labs, Inc., a leading supplier of USB 3.0 integrated chip controllers, today announced two next generation USB 3.0 Host controllers, the four-port VIA VL805 and the two-port VIA VL806. The VIA VL805 and VIA VL806 allow a PCI Express-equipped platform to interface with multiple SuperSpeed USB peripherals devices simultaneously for blistering fast transfers rates up to 5 Gbps while retaining full backwards compatibility with USB 2.0 and 1.1 devices.

The next generation single chip VIA VL805 and VIA VL806 Host controllers include enhancements for improved performance, seamless cross compatibility and interoperability, and new features such as support for USB Battery Charging and "Charging Downstream Port" which enables both fast data sync and rapid charging with compatible devices. The VIA VL805 and VIA VL806 comply with the Universal Serial Bus 3.0 Specification for Super-Speed transfers and Intel's eXtensible Host Controller Interface (xHCI) 1.0 specification and add native inbox driver support for Windows 8. VIA VL805 and VL806 host controllers are USB-IF certified and are currently shipping.

Offices of semiconductor company ASMedia were raided by law enforcement agencies in Taiwan, late last month, over allegations of intellectual property (IP) theft of physical-layer component (PHY) design of USB 3.0 host controllers. While the agencies did not disclose who is behind the allegations, it is rumored to be VIA, which sells USB 3.0 host, hub, and device controllers under the VIA Labs Inc (VLI) brand. Many of ASMedia's engineers are former employees of VIA, who are believed to have trafficked its IP over to their new employers.

Following the raid, ASMedia president Lin Che-wei held a press-conference in Taipei, announcing full cooperation with the authorities over the investigation. It remains to be seen how the investigation affects supplies of ASMedia's USB 3.0 controllers. A PC motherboard maker we spoke with expressed concern over the developments.

VIA Labs, Inc., a leading supplier of USB 3.0 integrated circuit controllers, today announced its 3rd generation USB 3.0 hub controller, the VIA Labs VL812. The VL812 USB 3.0 Hub Controller utilizes a new low-power design and features an industry-first integrated 5V DC-DC switching regulator, offering a single-chip solution that achieves both high power efficiency and greater system integration for further reduced BOM.

In typical configurations, the VIA Labs VL812 USB 3.0 Hub Controller consumes less than 0.5w under load, making it one of the market's low-power leaders. The low operational power consumption of the new VIA Labs VL812 USB 3.0 Hub allows users to attach an external 2.5" USB 3.0 hard drive, USB 2.0 Flash drive, and a USB Mouse simultaneously without the need for an AC adapter, when connected to a regular USB 3.0 port.

EtronTech, which started out as a DRAM IC manufacturer, expanded into PC connectivity solutions, such as USB 3.0 host and webcam controllers, is now shipping its first USB 3.0 flash drive controllers. The EV268-series dual-core controllers come in 2-channel and 4-channel variants, with the ability to offer transfer-rates in excess of 230 MB/s. These controllers are designed to support 30 nm-class and 20 nm-class SLC/MLC/TLC NAND flash memory chips.

With the EV268, Etron entered a small but budding group of companies with USB 3.0 flash-drive controllers: VIA Technology/VIA Labs Inc. (VLI), Phison Electronics, and InnoStor Technology. By Q4 2012, it is estimated that USB 3.0 flash drives will make up 20% of all flash-drives shipped.

VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced the two latest VIA modules in the growing VIA Modular Solutions portfolio, the VIA COMe-8X92 and the VIA QSM-8Q90. The modular design approach allows for short time-to market, application-specific customization, simplified development, high stability and long life cycles allowing customers to rapidly develop new and exciting devices.

Measuring 95mm x 95mm, the VIA COMe-8X92 is based on the industry standard Computer-on-Module (COM) Express Compact form factor, developed and maintained by the PICMG (PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group). The VIA COMe-8X92 module combines a 1.2GHz VIA NanoTM X2 E-Series dual core processor and the VIA VX900H media system processor (MSP) providing a ruggedized solution targeted at industrial PC and large OEM customers focused on dynamic application segments, including medical, advanced gaming, industrial automation and digital signage.

VIA Labs, Inc., a leading supplier of USB 3.0 integrated chip controllers, announced the VIA Labs VO510 5-Gigabit Optical Transceiver which was showcased at CES 2012. The VIA Labs V0510 Optical Transceiver is used in USB 3.0 Active Optical Cables (AOC) which enables rapid data transfers and high-definition multimedia across distances of over 100 meters. Developed in collaboration with FOCI, PCL, OpTarget and UMEC, USB 3.0 AOC solutions offer exciting new possibilities in the use of USB 3.0 technology.

"This USB 3.0 AOC was designed to be fully compliant with SuperSpeed USB electrical specifications," said Dr. Janpu Hou, Vice President of FOCI. "We are very pleased to be a partner on this collaboration team. This partnership will accelerate the deployment of breakthrough USB 3.0 technologies and enable new applications for all USB 3.0 developers." As a partner of FOCI, Dr. Thomas Liu, President of PCL said "As the world leading optical transceiver ODM/CM company, PCL Technologies is excited to build and demonstrate the optical USB 3.0 cable in collaboration with VIA Labs and Foci. With the USB 3.0 AOCs providing higher data rates across much longer distances, we will enable usage scenarios in Digital Signage, Surveillance, and Zero Client applications."

VIA Labs, Inc., a leading supplier of USB 3.0 integrated chip controllers, today announced its proprietary USB2Expressway Dedicated Bandwidth Technology for USB 3.0 Hubs which dramatically improves USB 2.0 performance when multiple devices are utilized. USB 3.0 Hubs featuring the technology eliminate USB 2.0 bandwidth limitations by providing full, dedicated bandwidth per port, allowing multiple USB 2.0 devices to be connected and operated at their maximum capabilities.

USB 2.0 provides 30-40MB/s of actual throughput, and this is shared across all connected devices. When multiple devices such as external hard drives, flash drives, and webcams are connected, they share available bandwidth which results in severely degraded performance. Compared to USB 2.0, USB 3.0 offers 10x more bandwidth and allows transfers as fast as 300-400MB/s. VIA Labs USB2 Expressway Dedicated Bandwidth Technology allows USB 2.0 devices to utilize USB 3.0 bandwidth, eliminating bandwidth bottlenecks and freeing each connected device to reach its maximum performance potential.

VIA Labs, Inc., a leading supplier of SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) integrated chip controllers, today unveiled the VIA Labs VL811 4-port SuperSpeed Hub Controller. The VL811 is VIA Labs' second-generation USB 3.0 Hub product, and adds support for USB Battery Charging Spec. 1.2. Beyond transfer rates of up to 5Gbps, the VL811 features improved performance for new and existing devices with host controllers, and adds rapid-charging capabilities.

"VIA Labs VL811 builds on the success of the VL810, the world's first 4-port USB 3.0 Hub controller," said Terrance Shih, Project Manager of VIA Labs, Inc USB 3.0 Hubs. "It adds exciting new features, such as the rapid charging function and improved performance."