VIA Labs, Inc. (VLI), a leading provider of USB4, SuperSpeed USB, USB PD Controllers, and Display Controllers, has unveiled a USB4 gaming dock reference design that meets the latest EU EUP/ERP energy efficiency requirements. The design features VL832, a USB-IF certified USB4 Device Controller; VL109, a USB PD 3.2 certified Power Delivery Controller; and VL605, a DisplayPort to HDMI 2.1 Protocol Converter. VIA Labs will showcase its latest product solution at Computex 2025 from May 20 to 23 at the Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1, USB-IF Community – VIA Labs, Inc. (Booth N0313).
Since the launch of Nintendo's Switch in 2017, which became a massive hit with its support for both handheld and TV modes, the market has seen the emergence of various gaming handheld consoles. Valve's Steam Deck has attracted significant attention due to its impressive ability to run PC games. Subsequently, gaming handhelds such as ASUS ROG Ally, MSI CLAW, Lenovo Legion Go, and Acer Nitro Blaze series have also been released, rapidly expanding the handheld gaming market. There are even speculations that Xbox and PlayStation will launch handheld gaming consoles in 2027. These gaming handhelds are equipped with powerful and efficient graphics processors, capable of running various AAA game titles while using battery power. They also support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology, which enhances the gaming experience by eliminating screen tearing, reducing input lag, and improving overall game smoothness. Moreover, these handhelds support USB-C connectivity, allowing users to switch from handheld mode to TV mode and enjoy gaming on a television or gaming monitor for a more immersive visual experience. Most of these gaming devices also support USB4 or Intel Thunderbolt, enabling high-speed video, audio, and USB data transmission at up to 40Gbps.
Concurrently, within the wider regulatory environment for electronic goods, the EU's EUP (Energy-Using Products) and ERP (Energy-Related Products) regulations are also evolving. These aim to reduce the environmental impact of energy-consuming products and improve energy efficiency. The updated regulation (EU) 2023/826 expands the scope of control and imposes stricter power consumption limits for electronic and electrical equipment in off, standby, and networked standby modes. Starting May 9, 2025, products must comply with the new requirements, with power consumption not exceeding 0.5 watts in standby or off mode. From 2027 onward, the limit will be further reduced to 0.3 watts.
In response to emerging trends in the gaming market and the upcoming EU 2027 EUP/ERP regulations, VIA Labs has introduced a USB4 gaming dock reference design that delivers new levels of functionality and performance while meeting these stringent energy efficiency standards. The design features the VL109, a 3-port USB PD 3.2 controller optimized for ultra-low standby power consumption. It supports the USB4 device controller VL832, enabling USB4 40Gbps or legacy DisplayPort Alternate Mode, and also provides USB PD EPR charge-through, delivering up to 140W of power to the host. In standby mode—when the upstream port is not connected to host—the design intelligently manages power to other key components on the board, reducing total power consumption to only 10 milliwatts. This is significantly below the 300 milliwatt limit mandated by the 2027 EUP/ERP standby/off-mode requirements, offering very large margin for developers to implement additional features or functionality.
To provide flexible yet cost-effective display options for gamers, this reference design features an HDMI 2.1 port and a USB-C port supporting DisplayPort Alternate Mode. It avoids the cost of a DP MST hub (required for simultaneous dual output) by activating video output on a first-come, first-served basis. Gamers can easily connect to either HDMI Displays or the growing range of USB-C portable monitors. Through VL832's USB4 DP tunneling mode, either interface can deliver high refresh rates of up to 4K@240Hz.
Another highlight of this reference design is the VL605, a fully VRR-capable HDMI 2.1 Protocol Converter. The VL605 converts DisplayPort signals from the VL832 into HDMI 2.1 output at up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz. It preserves VRR capabilities by translating DisplayPort's Adaptive Sync for seamless operation over HDMI 2.1. This ensures seamless VRR functionality is enabled across AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible platforms. Furthermore, VL605 has passed AMD FreeSync validation testing, and its OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier) has been incorporated into AMD's latest GPU drivers, enabling FreeSync Premium Pro functionality on compatible AMD platforms as well. Additionally, VL605 supports LPCM and various compressed audio formats. It integrates a DSC decoder and complies with the latest DisplayPort 2.1 standard, supporting both Autonomous Mode and Source-controlled Mode, which provide enhanced control capabilities for the signal source. To safeguard against malicious firmware attacks, VL605 also enables secure firmware updates via built-in ECDSA authentication.
Huineng Chang, Director of Product Management Division at VIA Labs, emphasized the potential of VL605 in the gaming market. He stated: "With increasingly powerful handheld game consoles entering the market, mobile chipsets from Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek now support hardware-based ray tracing. This marks a shift where gamers are no longer confined to traditional consoles like Xbox or PlayStation, but can enjoy AAA titles on handheld game consoles. On the other hand, many of today's TVs support high refresh rates and Game Mode, while portable monitors have also become more popular and widely adopted. In response to these trends, VIA Labs has introduced this reference design alongside a range of USB Hub and USB PD controllers, enabling VL605 to support USB-C multifunction docks with USB PD charging and compliance with the 2027 EUP/ERP energy regulations. With VRR support across platforms, VL605 empowers handheld game consoles to transform into high-end home gaming consoles, delivering a gaming experience that rivals traditional console systems."
VIA Labs VL605: https://www.via-labs.com/product_show.php?id=123
VIA Labs VL832: https://www.via-labs.com/product_show.php?id=119
VIA Labs Exhibition Information
Computex Taipei 2025
Date: 2025/5/20-23
Location: Nangang Exhibition Hall, Hall 1, Taipei, Taiwan
Booth: VIA Labs, Inc. at USB-IF Community (N0313)
About VIA Labs, Inc.
VIA Labs, Inc. (VLI) is a leading supplier of USB4, SuperSpeed USB, USB PD Controllers, and Display Controllers. A subsidiary VIA Technologies, Inc., VLI leverages its expertise in analog circuit design, high-speed serial interfaces, and systems integration to create a rich product portfolio that includes USB Host, Hub, and Device controllers in addition to USB PD and charging controllers. VIA Labs, Inc. has demonstrated technology and industry leadership through Standards Development and bringing newly developed USB Technologies to market. www.via-labs.com
Article edited by Sherri Wang