UltraSoC granted patent on USB based debug interface

CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom -- October 2, 2014 – UltraSoC Technologies Ltd announced today that it had been granted patents for its pioneering debug hub. This innovation enables a single physical chip interface, such as USB or PCIe, to be used simultaneously for normal system communications and for the purpose of debugging and on-chip analytics. IP for 2.0 is already licensable and is under development for USB 3.x and PCIe.

The major advantages of using USB, or similar, is that, unlike dedicated debug interfaces such as JTAG, they are readily accessible in the final form of products like smartphones and do not require any additional chip pins in order to provide high-performance access. The unique approach requires no changes to the software at either end of connections like USB. This not only enables chip suppliers to debug their devices, but also provides the OEM with the crucial ability to enhance their product’s performance and power through advanced on-chip analytic applications.

Dr Andrew Hopkins, Chief Technology Officer of UltraSoC, said, “The recently granted patents further demonstrate the novelty and inventiveness of the UltraDebug® silicon-IP platform. UltraDebug® has been designed holistically for the whole-system, comprising the IP components needed to understand even the most complex interactions, which can now be partnered with the advanced off-chip connectivity needed”

UltraSoC’s Graham Pink said, “This can revolutionise the process of product debug, which is often a struggle for an OEM, where normally the only way to solve a problem is to rip apart the product and try to access the hidden test pins on the various devices squeezed together on a PWB. Now you can do this by plugging in a USB cable”.

About UltraSoC Technologies

UltraSoC Technologies, which is backed by Octopus Investments, is pioneering advanced debugging and on-chip analytic technology for the embedded systems used in everyday products from cars to smartphones. The Company has developed universal debug IP, UltraDebug®, capable of supporting any silicon device from any semiconductor vendor. It will facilitate the increasingly complex system-on-chips (SoCs) required to enable the functionality and performance of sophisticated electronic products.

For more information please visit www.ultrasoc.com

About Octopus Investments

Octopus is a venture capital investor who backs talented people with the potential to build big businesses. Our focus is on identifying entrepreneurs and fast growth companies that can scale explosively to create, transform or dominate an industry. The Ventures team has a proven track record of helping build exceptional global businesses, including Zoopla Property Group, Secret Escapes, SwiftKey, graze.com and YPlan.

The Ventures team is part of Octopus Investments, one of the UK’s fastest growing investment management companies specialising in smaller company investing, with more than £3.5 billion of assets under management.

For more information visit www.octopusinvestments.com