USB3 and Linux

Combining 5 Gbps with the convenience of USB sounds like a sure win. The idea is is simple. Just start with widely used, fast, and bulletproof USB 2.0 and put in the PHY (physical-layer) interface from another common and reliable standard, PCIe (peripheral-component-interconnect express) Generation 2. Put two extra differential pairs into the USB connector to carry the new high-speed serial signals. Getting this all to work well is not simple and there are still many issues that are hiding behind the premise. EDN magazine article USB 3.0: A simple idea full of challenges tells you those issues.

Besides getting the hardware working there is still long way until there are well working drivers for all operating system. It looks like Linux will be the first OS to support USB 3.0. Sarah Sharp has made xHCI (USB 3.0) host controller driver and initial support for USB 3.0 devices for Linux operating system. This makes Linux the first operating system to support the USB 3 standard.

Superspeed USB

8 Comments

  1. Financial Tips says:

    Great information you write it very clean. I’m very lucky to get this details from you.

    Reply
  2. Jon Brink says:

    Are you kidding? You must be, right?

    Reply
  3. Jon Brink says:

    I totally agree.

    Reply
  4. Tomi says:

    New USB Specification Promises 100W of Power
    http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/08/10/1224202/New-USB-Specification-Promises-100W-of-Power

    “The group behind the USB 3.0 specification has announced a tweak which could lead to impressive new devices, including large-format displays, printers, and even laptops that are powered entirely from a USB port.”

    http://www.thinq.co.uk/2011/8/10/new-usb-specification-promises-100w-power/

    The third generation of the Universal Serial Bus standard introduced high speeds of up to 5Gb/s, but also added increased bus power of up to 900mA at 5V for more complex devices. This latest update goes a step further, however: allowing variable voltages and up to 100W to be negotiated over USB, the new standard will greatly increase the flexibility of USB devices.

    Announced today by the USB 3.0 Promoter Group, the USB Power Delivery specification is designed to co-exist with the current USB Battery Charging 1.2 specification and includes backwards compatibility with USB 2.0 as well as support for USB 3.0.

    A massive increase in power output – from a maximum of 4.5W to 100W – isn’t going to be straightforward, however. The USB 3.0 Promoter Group claims that the USB Power Delivery specification will be ready for industry review towards the end of the year, with the final specification expected in early 2012. No time scale has yet been offered for a commercial implementation, however.

    Read more: http://www.thinq.co.uk/2011/8/10/new-usb-specification-promises-100w-power/#ixzz1UdXVUQkg

    Reply
  5. bored says:

    bored…

    [...]USB3 and Linux « Tomi Engdahl’s ePanorama blog[...]…

    Reply
  6. Tomi Engdahl says:

    EEVblog #340 – USB 3.0 Eye Diagram Measurement
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8DPlqWVmzk

    Using the Agilent 90000 series 13GHz oscilloscope and 12GHz differential probe to measure a USB 3.0 Super Speed signal.

    http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-340-usb-3-0-eye-diagram-measurement/?PHPSESSID=44566d80c8660620ab3acc20588bf97b

    Reply
  7. Clair Kerlu says:

    Thanks for this information.

    Reply
  8. Clair Kerlu says:

    Thanks for this information.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

*