http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/522634/usb_will_soon_catch_up_thunderbolt_ 10gbps_speeds
After five years, the ubiquitous SuperSpeed Universal Serial Bus (USB) communications protocol got a huge upgrade this week with a new specification that more than doubles its speed. This latest release of the specification, version 3.1, is available now for download by developers from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) website. USB 3.1 jumps I/O throughput (on paper) from 4.8Gbps to 10 Gbps, bringing it on par with another specification Intel developed, Thunderbolt. The new USB 3.1 spec is fully backward compatible with USB 3.0 connectors and cables, software stacks and device class protocols, as well as with existing 5Gbps hubs and devices and USB 2.0 products. Separately, the first USB Power Delivery specification -- it would boost from 10 watts to 100 watts the power across Power Delivery-certified USB cables -- is also being tested by equipment developers. "The intention being that we want to extend the USB charging benefits that phones get today to notebook computers and higher power peripherals," an Intel spokesman said via email to Computerworld. Both the SuperSpeed 3.1 and the USB Power Delivery specification initiatives are in the implementation enabling phase where the functional components for each are being developed and component suppliers are working with platform and peripheral manufacturers, the spokesman said. "While some products sporting these latest technologies are potentially going to reach the market next year, 2015 is when both will likely gain a more measurable impact," he added. Intel could not say which peripheral suppliers are actually developing products using the USB 3.1 specification. The spokesman said Intel has seen "very strong interest," with more than 100 companies involved in the spec development and review process. "At the initiative level, we are working diligently toward having the associated certification process in place for products that could ship in late 2014," he said. "We recognize this advancement in USB technology is an important development for our customers," said Tom Bonola, CTO for Hewlett-Packard's Business PC Solutions Group. "The USB 3.1 Specification enables us to meet the growing needs of our customers for faster data transfer while maintaining backwards compatibility with existing devices." Message sent using MelbPC WebMail Server _______________________________________________ Link mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
