APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USB CONNECTION IN A MULTI-PROCESSOR DEVICE

Disclosed are apparatus and methods for use in a USB device with multiple processors, allowing shared USB connectivity in the device. The disclosed apparatus and methods allow selective coupling of a first processor to a USB port of the device or to a USB hub operable to route a plurality of USB connections including connection of a second processor to the port. Providing selective coupling of the processors to the port by switching the coupling of the first processor and selectively powering the hub on and off for selective coupling of the second processor, thereby selectively enabling tethered networking such as wireless networking, affords increased power savings in the device. Furthermore, default coupling of the first processor to the port allows for USB battery charger detection, or direct connectivity to USB peripheral devices, as well as providing programming capability via the default coupling of the port to the first processor.