Native support for USB3 APU chipset appearances

AMD Fusion APU processors have appeared frequently, but the supporting platform chipset is quite low-key, until today we were informed of its complete model, specifications table.

The first batch of AMD APU processors is divided into two major parts, among which the ultra-low-power platform Brazos includes two sub-series Zacate E series and Ontario C series, which will be released early next year. The high-performance platforms Sabine and Lynx are for mobile and desktop applications, respectively. 32nm Llano, introduced mid-year next year.

Because the AMD APU integrates graphics cores, memory controllers, and UVD decoding engines, the companion chipset "Hudson" is simplified as a single-chip design. It is called the "Fusion Controller Hub" (Fusion Controller Center) and is abbreviated as FCH. There are seven different versions for three market segments.

The seven versions of the Hudson PCH have the same features, such as a clock generator, the highest four-channel HD Audio audio controller, four PCI-E x1 GPP channels, APU fan control (based on SB-TSI input), consumer infrared , MCTP management component transmission protocol (similar to the SB710 via SMBus bus support).

There are three versions of the Hudson-M1, Hudson-M2, and Hudson-M3 for notebooks. The specifications have been increased in order. The first one is the Ontario processor and the Brazos platform. The latter two are the Llano APU processor and the Sabine platform.

The Hudson-M mobile chipset Hudson-M1 has been the first to ship. The first APU platform products are basically used, but its specifications are the weakest: no network function, support for six SATA 6Gbps interfaces but no RAID disk Array mode, PCI-E x1 GPP channel is only PCI-E 1.0 specification, no DP UMI bus, no USB 3.0 interface, no SD controller (SDHC memory card with maximum 32GB capacity), VGA DAC (VGA output is not supported ), PCI Controller (PCI slot not supported).

Hudson-M2 is more feature-rich because it is for mainstream market. It integrates Gigabit Ethernet (MCA) and supports Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE). It supports RAID 0/1 and its bus interface is PCI-E 1.0 x4+DP UMI. USB 3.0, ten USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 interfaces, six SATA 6Gbps interfaces, SD controller, VGA DAC, but still does not support the PCI bus.

The Hudson-M3 is basically similar, but has increased the much anticipated native USB 3.0 interface, and as many as four, the USB 2.0 interface has been reduced to ten.

The Hudson-D desktop series chipset also has three versions Hudson-D1, Hudson-D2, and Hudson-D3 for the desktop. It is also becoming more and more specifications. The first one comes first, which is the hybrid cheap Lynx platform and the so-called Brazos ECSD platform, the latter two with Llano APU processor, the corresponding platform Lynx.

The Hudson-D1 is similar to the mobile version. The bad one is that the disk interface is degraded to six SATA 3Gbps. On the bright side, the PCI-E x4 UMI bus is upgraded to the second generation standard, and the PCI is retained and up to four are supported. Slot.

Hudson-D2 adds Gigabit Ethernet MCA and supports Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), six SATA 6Gbps interfaces and supports RAID 0/1/10 and FIS based switching technology, DP UMI bus, SD controller, VGA DAC , but the number of PCI slots has been reduced to three.

The Hudson-D3 change is also a USB interface, supporting the same four USB 3.0, ten USB 2.0 as the mobile version.

The last is the more special Hudson-E1, for the so-called AES applications, used on the Brazos AES platform. The specification adds another RAID 5 disk array mode, and there are also four PCI channels, but no native USB 3.0, no SD controller and no VGA DAC There is also no DP UMI bus.

The specification of this chip has not been finalized yet, and the release date will be the latest. It may take until the second half of next year.