For the Thunderbolt interface, the high transmission rate brings rich expandability support, which can realize fast charging, data transmission and expansion through a Thunderbolt interface, and realize multiple functions through the USB-C interface, which not only reduces the cost of consumer learning, but also makes the device thinner and smaller.
In addition to targeted converters, the docking stations have rich interfaces and support a variety of peripheral connections, truly giving full play to the potential of Thunderbolt interfaces. The following brings a summary of the dismantling of these four products, and let's take a look at the internal design and materials.
Through the dismantling of the charging head network, it was found that the Apple Thunderbolt 2 interface converter has built-in copper foil and thermal pads to help dissipate heat, and the copper foil can also help shield and resist interference to ensure stable operation for a long time. The buck-boost scheme used for the converter is from MPS, and the interface controller is from TI Texas Instruments. In addition, it is also equipped with input under-voltage protection, using Panasonic polymer tantalum capacitors for filtering, and the workmanship of the material is still the same apple, which is quite solid and reliable.
However, this product has been launched for a while, and it was originally designed to connect to Thunderbolt 2 devices, and it only transmits Thunderbolt signals, and does not support DP** signal output. Now that the Type-C port is very popular, such a product can be used as a bridge between the computer and the old-fashioned equipment, and the Thunderbolt 2 interface equipment can be fully revitalized, so as not to be eliminated due to the upgrade of the computer interface to Thunderbolt 3.
Related reading: 1. Teardown report: Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 converter.
LG Ultrafine 5K Monitor is a monitor with a built-in Thunderbolt 3 interface, with high resolution and P3 color gamut, which is equivalent to the display content of 4 2K monitors, thus giving it strong competitiveness and becoming the main display for many content workers.
The display uses Intel JHL6540 for ** signal output, and Realtek RTD2799 for screen driver, and Ress FL1100 for PCIe to USB30 and use two hub chips for corresponding interface expansion. The internal audio output uses Realtek ALC4020 and Nefu NTP7515 for audio decoding and amplification.
In terms of chip power supply, LG uses MPS and Richtek's step-down converters extensively in the display to power different chips on the motherboard. The electrolytic capacitor uses the Korean Sanying brand, and the design is mature. The 5K resolution and USB-C fast charging support make it an ideal partner for laptops.
Related reading: 1. Teardown report: LG Ultrafine 27 5K monitor driver board.
The Seagate 5A2C 7-Port HDD Docking Station features customizable RGB lighting effects for cool gaming. The product supports a variety of peripherals, solves all peripheral needs in one line, and is equipped with 5A2C seven USB interfaces with very fast speeds, which can meet the needs of multi-tasking at the same time and save time. In addition, the innovative built-in 4TB ultra-large capacity HDD, and users can also add SSDs according to their own needs. In terms of performance, it is a combination of large capacity and high transmission speed, which is very convenient to use and easily solves various problems in daily office or entertainment.
Through the dismantling of the charging head network, it was found that the product uses Intel JHL7440 Thunderbolt controller, Texas Instruments PCM2912A audio decoder, Weifeng VL822 hub chip, Realtek RTL8153 network controller, Xiangshuo ASM235CM bridge chip, Maxim MAX97220A headphone amplifier and other well-known manufacturers of chips to complete the functions of the docking station, and the overall materials are solid.
In terms of design, the bottom of the fuselage and the inner middle layer are made of metal to absorb heat, the front and rear ends and the bottom are also designed with heat dissipation windows, built-in small fans for heat dissipation, and each interface has an overcurrent protection IC to prevent damaged devices from affecting the normal operation of the docking station. In addition, the back of the PCB board corresponds to the key chips are made of vias, to ensure that the equipment works for a long timeThe interface receptacle is pasted with conductive cloth and is provided by major manufacturers such as Foxconn and Luxshare Precision.
Related reading: 1. Teardown report: Seagate 5A2C seven-port multi-function hard disk docking station.
The Greenlink Thunderbolt 3 multi-function docking station is a comprehensive product, so it is designed with an aluminum alloy shell, which can not only improve the protection strength and appearance, but also help dissipate heat. The bottom shell is also equipped with heat dissipation holes in all directions to avoid local heat accumulation.
The docking station supports fast charging, data transmission and ** expansion trinity, and has also passed the official certification of Intel, and the compatibility of thunderbolt equipment can be said to be more stable in daily use. The product has comprehensive functions and strong overall performance, which is enough to meet the work needs of many first-class makers.
Through dismantling, the charging head network learned that the product is based on the Intel JHL7440 thunderbolt chip, which is composed of Weifeng Electronics' USB hub chip and related peripherals. Among them, the JHL7440 Thunderbolt chip is assembled with a small board, and the layers are equipped with thermal pads, heat sinks, exposed copper and tin on the motherboard, and via design, all of which are designed to help this chip dissipate heat, and the heat dissipation measures are very sufficient.
Weifeng Electronics VL822-Q7, VL817-Q7 and Chuangwei GL850G are used for USB interface and corresponding network port and sound card and other peripheral connections. In addition, Realtek ALC4030 and RTL8153B functional chips are also used, the memory comes from Puran, Fudan Micro, and Xintianxia, and the step-down power supply solution comes from MPS and Jiehuate, all of which are well-known manufacturers with solid and reliable materials.
Related reading: 1. Dismantling report: Greenlink Thunderbolt 3 multi-function 10 interface docking station.
As the ultimate solution, the Thunderbolt docking station has rich and comprehensive interface support, using a Thunderbolt interface, you can achieve fast charging, high-speed data transmission and display expansion, which greatly simplifies the internal design of the laptop, making the laptop more thin and light, compact, so that consumers have a better experience.
Among them, the LG display uses JHL6540 bridge chip inside, and Seagate docking station and Greenlink docking station use JHL7440 bridge chip inside, and the main chip solutions are from Intel, with other chips for expansion. The internal chip has perfect heat dissipation measures to avoid high temperatures for long periods of use, and provide stable and reliable expansion connections.