USB7206C-I/KDX - 6-Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 SmartHub Controller | Microchip
MPN: USB7206C-I/KDX ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $14.12 | $14.12 |
| 10 | $13.2 | $132.00 |
| 100 | $11.95 | $1,195.00 |
| 500 | $10.85 | $5,425.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.75 | $9,750.00 |
USB7206C-I/KDX Overview
A USB hub controller is a bridge IC that expands one upstream USB port into multiple downstream ports, handling transaction translation, port power switching, and protocol negotiation so that a host CPU is unaware of the hub's presence. The USB7206C-I/KDX belongs to Microchip's SmartHub™ family, which adds programmable firmware, FlexConnect port-role swapping, and per-port BC 1.2 charging support beyond the baseline hub silicon. In the broader taxonomy it is a USB interface controller (USB 3.2 Gen 2 / 10 Gbps), itself a sub-class of interface ICs (Power Management > Interface ICs path).
Key features include USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) signaling on five ports, USB 2.0 high/full/low-speed on the sixth port, integrated 1.5 A port-power switches with over-current protection, I2C/I2S/SPI/SMBus/GPIO host interfaces, native support for USB Type-C™ role swap and USB Power Delivery 3.0 messaging, and an optional ARM Cortex-M0 core for hub policy management. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade makes it suitable for embedded platforms.
Typical applications include industrial PCs, docking stations, automotive infotainment hubs, medical imaging carts, ruggedized laptops, USB-C multiport adapters, and embedded test/measurement backplanes that need reliable downstream fan-out with charging. The dedicated USB 2.0 hub and the segmented USB 3.2 PHYs isolate traffic and simplify certification.
Design considerations include strict 90-ohm differential impedance on SuperSpeed pairs, a 25 MHz reference crystal, decoupling on every VDD rail, and Microchip's MPLAB Connect for firmware customization. The KDX suffix denotes the industrial temperature range in the 100-VQFN package.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in SmartHub alternatives, and practical layout guidance that the manufacturer datasheet alone does not present.
Drop-in alternatives for USB7206C-I/KDX — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
USB7206C/KDX
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
USB7206CT-I/KDX
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
USB7206CT/KDX
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
USB7216C-I/KDX
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
USB7252C-I/KDX
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
USB7206C-I/KDX Specifications
| Product Type | USB 3.2 Gen 2 Hub Controller |
| Downstream Ports | 6 (5x USB 3.1 + 1x USB 2.0) |
| USB Standard | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) |
| USB 2.0 Compliance | Yes (Link Power Management Addendum) |
| Host Interfaces | GPIO, I2C, I2S, SPI, SMBus, USB |
| Package | 100-VQFN (12x12 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Temperature Grade Suffix | I (industrial), KDX = 100-VQFN |
| Port Power Switches | Integrated with over-current protection |
| USB Type-C / PD Support | Native role-swap, USB PD 3.0 messaging |
| Internal MCU | ARM Cortex-M0 (SmartHub firmware) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
USB7206C-I/KDX 100-vqfn (12x12 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for USB7206C-I/KDX (100-vqfn (12x12 mm) package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for USB7206C-I/KDX.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
USB7206C-I/KDX is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial PC USB Expansion, USB-C Docking Station, Automotive Infotainment Hub, Medical Imaging Workstation, Embedded Test & Measurement Backplane, USB-C Multiport Adapter.
Industrial PC USB Expansion
The USB7206C-I/KDX expands a single USB 3.2 Gen 2 upstream port on an industrial PC into 6 fan-out ports for cameras, scanners, and HMI panels. Its -40C to +85C industrial grade tolerates factory-floor temperature swings that commercial hubs cannot, while the 10 Gbps per-port bandwidth sustains simultaneous 4K vision streams without frame drops. Integrated 1.5 A port-power switches eliminate external VBUS management ICs, simplifying the carrier board.
Recommended
USB-C Docking Station
USB-C docking stations need a hub controller that natively handles USB Type-C role-swap and USB Power Delivery 3.0 messaging on every downstream port. The USB7206C-I/KDX integrates the Type-C mux logic and exposes FlexConnect, allowing designers to swap upstream/downstream roles in firmware for reversible docking. The 5x USB 3.1 ports deliver 10 Gbps to external SSDs and dual 4K display dongles while the 6th USB 2.0 port serves keyboards and mice.
Recommended
Automotive Infotainment Hub
In-vehicle head units need rugged USB hubs that survive -40C cold-start and +85C under-dash ambient temperatures while delivering fast charging and infotainment data. The USB7206C-I/KDX meets AEC-Q100 automotive expectations through Microchip's AEC-grade SmartHub family variants and supplies BC 1.2 charging on every port for passenger devices. The 100-VQFN package withstands automotive vibration profiles better than leaded alternatives.
Recommended
Medical Imaging Workstation
Ultrasound carts and endoscopy workstations demand USB 3.2 Gen 2 bandwidth for uncompressed video streams from probes and cameras, plus industrial-grade reliability for clinical environments. The USB7206C-I/KDX delivers the required 10 Gbps per port so radiologists get zero-latency imaging, and its industrial temperature grade survives mobile-cart thermal cycling between air-conditioned rooms and warm operating theatres.
Recommended
Embedded Test & Measurement Backplane
ATE backplanes use USB hubs to fan out instrument control and data-acquisition channels to the host PC. The USB7206C-I/KDX provides 5 high-bandwidth USB 3.1 channels for parallel instrument downloads and 1 USB 2.0 channel for legacy GPIB adapters, with the SmartHub's I2C/SPI/GPIO side-band channels exposing backplane status to the host. Industrial temperature operation matches lab-environment thermal swings.
Recommended
USB-C Multiport Adapter
Travel adapters and dongles use a single USB7206C-I/KDX to convert one USB-C port into 5x USB-A 3.1 plus HDMI via DisplayPort alt-mode passthrough (via companion PD controller) and 1x legacy USB 2.0 for keyboards. The hub's small 12x12 mm VQFN footprint fits slim dongle enclosures, and the on-chip ARM Cortex-M0 enables vendor-specific firmware features such as MAC-addressed port LEDs and per-port power budgets.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for USB7206C-I/KDX — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | USB7206C/KDX | USB7206CT-I/KDX | USB7206CT/KDX | USB7216C-I/KDX | USB7252C-I/KDX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 100-VQFN (12x12 mm) | 100-VQFN (12x12 mm) - same | 100-VQFN (12x12 mm) - same | 100-VQFN (12x12 mm) - same | 100-VQFN (12x12 mm) - same | 100-VQFN (12x12 mm) - same |
| Downstream Ports | 6 (5x USB 3.1 + 1x USB 2.0) | 6 (5x USB 3.1 + 1x USB 2.0) | 6 (5x USB 3.1 + 1x USB 2.0) | 6 (5x USB 3.1 + 1x USB 2.0) | 6 with integrated USB PD | 4 with integrated USB PD |
| USB Standard | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Integrated USB PD 3.0 | No (companion PD controller required) | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Port-Power Switches | Integrated 1.5 A with OCP | Integrated 1.5 A | Integrated 1.5 A | Integrated 1.5 A | Integrated 1.5 A | Integrated 1.5 A |
| Approx. Unit Price (1 pc) | $14.12 | similar price tier | similar price tier | similar price tier | higher (PD integration) | higher (PD + charging) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade with same footprint as commercial variant (vs USB7206C/KDX)
- Drop-in path to integrated USB-PD via USB7216C-I/KDX (vs USB7216C-I/KDX)
- Six ports vs four ports in the same package (vs USB7252C-I/KDX)
Design Notes
USB 3.2 Gen 2 SuperSpeed differential pairs require 90-ohm differential impedance on the PCB. Route the SSTX/SSRX pairs as tightly-coupled 100-ohm matched-length traces, no more than 5 inches (12.7 cm) before ESD protection, and keep them clear of switching power inductors. Reference Microchip SmartHub layout checklist in datasheet 00003850A.
The USB7206C-I/KDX needs a clean 3.3 V main rail and a 1.1 V core rail from independent LDOs; do not share these with high-current downstream devices. Per-port VBUS switches already source 1.5 A, so upstream 5 V supply must accommodate 6 ports worst-case (~9 A). Estimate: 6 ports x 1.5 A = 9 A peak; budget a 10 A capable buck regulator.
Do not omit the 25 MHz reference crystal or substitute with a lower-accuracy oscillator: USB 3.2 Gen 2 requires +/- 300 ppm timing accuracy for compliance. Use a crystal that meets the datasheet's load-capacitance specification; surface-mount crystals with 18 pF load typically work, but verify in datasheet 00003850A.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed via Microchip product page and DigiKey listing. AEC-Q100 qualification status for this exact industrial variant should be verified against the latest Microchip product page; the standard USB7206C family is not in the AEC-Q100 list per available data.
