More USB 3.0 device controller suppliers have launched crystal-less solutions designed for small, lightweight products, including startup M31 Technology. The design would also help to reduce overall BOM cost, due to the elimination of an additional quartz oscillator.

　　The crystal-less design is already found in USB 2.0 controller chips provided by Phison Electronics, being targeted at cost-sensitive applications such as flash drives, wireless transmitters, external sound cards and webcams.

　　M31 Technology recently announced that its crystal-less solutions have passed the USB-IF test procedure for USB 3.0 products. Employing its built-in clock (BCK) technology, M31 Technology's crystal-less USB 3.0 PHY (physical layer) solution keeps power consumption low, and electrical characteristics in good running condition, while providing significant savings in overall costs.

　　M31 Technology noted that demand for crystal-less USB 3.0 device controllers has surged, driven by the growing popularity of mobile devices. Mass production for products utilizing M31's BCK USB 3.0 PHY solution already kicked off at customers using either 0.11-micron or 55nm process technology, the chip designer indicated.

　　M31 Technology is currently partnering with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for advanced 40nm and 28nm IP cores used in system-on-chip (SoC) solutions, and cooperates with China-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International (SMIC) on mature processes.