Many (most?) 7-port USB hubs on the market seem to be made up of two 4-port controller chips internally (with the 4th port on the 1st controller connected to the upstream port on the 2nd). Since USB has a 5-hub chain limit, this adds up fast. I'm looking for a 7-port USB hub that is built on a true 7-port USB controller chip. Unfortunately, I haven't managed to find out which those are.
As far as I know, the only controller chips that support true 7 ports downstream are:
- SMSC USB2507
- SMSC USB2517
- TI TUSB2077A
- REA uPD720113
I presume such a USB hub will also appear to the computer (lsusb on Linux, at least) as a single USB hub, and dual-4-ports as two USB hubs.
Information is welcome (eg, models that are true 7-port hubs), as well as offers to sell such a hub.
Bonus for something I can use for charging, and/or working per-port power switching (this lets your computer turn each port on/off).
Thanks,
Luke