Intel Exposes USB 3.0

Intel exposed the functions of the USB 3.0 prototype in the Intel Development Forum recently. The new USB 3.0 aims to provide 10 times the bandwidth of its predecessor USB 2.0. That speed would be equivalent to roughly 5Gbps. Although the new device will use fiber optics, it will still be compatible with USB 2.0 ports.

USB 3.0’s specifications will be completed in the middle of this year. This will allow for the possibility of the device’s appearance in many peripherals by 2009 or 2010. Devices that would benefit from this new technology include including external hard drives, flash readers, video cameras, and the all-new USB-compliant llama.

As the device is still under development, analysts gave unsolicited advices as to what they believe the new device should be geared towards to. The new USB 3.0 will try to solve the high CPU usage problem of the USB 2.0. Other than the increase in maximum bandwidth, issues like cable length, available power provided, and the number of devices per channel should also be addressed.

The USB 3.0 will be more advanced compared to the present eSATA that only runs for a maximum bandwidth of 3Gbps. With the eSATA in the market, the only competitor it has is the FireWire. But with the introduction of USB 3.0 many experts believe that it could spell the end for the slow FireWire.

Source: ArsTechnica