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First SuperSpeed USB 3.0 product gets certified

By Amarendra Bhushan for CEOWORLD Magazine Updated:September 21, 2009

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) today announced the first certified SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) commercially available product. The host controller (part number µPD720200) from NEC Electronics Corporation will enable the SuperSpeed USB ecosystem and represents the first step to broad adoption among host and peripheral device manufacturers. NEC Electronics` µPD720200 host controller uses a PCI Express Gen 2 system interface bus, allowing designers to easily add up to two USB 3.0 interfaces to systems containing the PCI Express
bus interface.

“The certification of NEC Electronics` host controller signals to the industry that the promise of SuperSpeed USB is now a reality,” said Jeff Ravencraft, president and chair of the USB-IF. “Not only does it mean host device manufacturers can build and certify products that can display the SuperSpeed USB logo, it also provides peripheral device manufacturers incentive to bring to market SuperSpeed USB-enabled devices like external storage drives, digital cameras and MP3 players, which will empower consumers with unmatched USB data transfer speeds.”

SuperSpeed USB brings significant power and performance enhancements to the popular USB standard, delivering data transfer rates up to ten times faster than Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0), with optimized power efficiency. The specification was completed and made available to the industry in November 2008, and can be found at www.usb.org.

The NEC Electronics µPD720200 host controller was first made available in May of this year. The host controller has been tested for compliance to the USB 3.0 specification, and its certification offers manufacturers and consumers the assurance that it will function in accordance with the specification and will interoperate with the billions of USB-enabled devices that exist in the market today.

“NEC Electronics has supported the development of SuperSpeed USB technology since the earliest efforts, and it is gratifying to help make the technology become a reality,” said Masao Hirasawa, General Manager, SoC Systems Division, NEC Electronics Corporation. “Certification is an important step that we feel will help enable the market for SuperSpeed USB-enabled products, as it provides a level of assurance to end users that host and peripheral devices have passed USB-IF interoperability testing.”

Analyst firm In-Stat projects that SuperSpeed USB will expand upon the broad market adoption of USB, which is the most successful interface in history with more than three billion devices shipped in 2008 alone. In-Stat predicts that SuperSpeed USB will make up approximately 30% of the USB market by 2013.

To learn more about the SuperSpeed USB compliance and certification program or how to become a USB-IF member, please visit www.usb.org.

About SuperSpeed USB

SuperSpeed USB brings significant performance enhancements to the ubiquitous USB standard, while remaining compatible with the billions of USB enabled devices currently deployed in the market. SuperSpeed USB will deliver 10x the data transfer rate of Hi-Speed USB, as well as improved power efficiency.

The USB 3.0 specification was developed by the USB 3.0 Promoter Group which consists of Intel Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Microsoft Corporation, NEC Electronics Corporation, ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments.

About the USB-IF

The non-profit USB Implementers Forum, Inc. was formed to provide a support organization and forum for the advancement and adoption of USB technology. The USB-IF facilitates the development of high-quality, compatible USB devices, through its logo and compliance program and promotes the benefits of USB and the quality of products that have passed compliance testing. Further information, including postings of the most recent product and technology announcements, is available by visiting the USB-IF Web site at www.usb.org.

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