Hermes is a 4-port USB HUB, using FE1.1s. It has 3 USB-A and 1 USB-C downstream ports, and 1 USB-C upstream port for connecting to the computer. It is a highly integrated, low-power USB 2.0 high-speed bus-powered USB HUB supporting upto 480 MHz signals.

This is my first iteration of a USB Hub using the FE1.1s IC. I plan to make future versions with more ports and different ICs, It was built to solve the scarcity of ports on my miserable laptop

Animation

All the components will be hand soldered by me, and the case will be 3D Printed! The bottom and top cases will be attached together with 4mm magnets!!

The PCB was made in KiCAD (an open-source software), which uses a 4-layer board with a (5V GND 5V GND) stackup to provide a clean GND plane for data signals. It can support up to 480MHz..

All layers

Without Zones

Main IC

Upstream Port

Downstream Ports

1. Order the PCBs and the components
2. Assemble the PCB ( Make sure to have appropriate tools such as a hotplate or a reflow station )
3. Get the case 3D printed!
4. Attach the top and bottom case using 4x1.5mm magnets
5. Start using!!

ZINE