SuperSpeed controller to boost adoption of USB 3.0

San Francisco, Calif. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has officially certified NEC’s SuperSpeed USB host controller. The component – which was introduced in May – could help spur the broad adoption of USB 3.0 amongst host and peripheral device manufacturers.

“The certification of NEC Electronics’ host controller signals to the industry that the promise of SuperSpeed USB is now a reality,” said USB-IF president Jeff Ravencraft. “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.”

Ravencraft explained that the host controller had undergone extensive testing and was fully compatible with “billions” of USB-enabled devices on the market. He added that SuperSpeed USB offers data transfer rates up to ten times faster than Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0), along with optimized power efficiency.

As TG Daily previously reported, the USB-IF is slated to showcase a number of SuperSpeed devices at the upcoming Intel Developer Forum. Demonstrations will include an Asus X58 motherboard exchanging data with a LucidPort USB mass storage device, the latter running the USB Attached SCSI Protocol (UASP). There will also be a demonstration of a Fujitsu USB 3.0 optimized notebook exchanging data with an external Buffalo SuperSpeed USB drive.

Finally, Point Grey Research is expected to debut a Superspeed digital video camera equipped with a three megapixel Sony IMX036 CMOS image sensor. The camera is reportedly capable of outputting 1080p HD images at 60 frames per second.

The Intel Developer Forum takes place between September 22nd and September 24th 2009. TG Daily editors will be there.

See Also

Point Grey debuts USB 3.0 digital video camera     
USB 3.0 gets public viewing     
Expect some Superspeed USB products this year