USB 3.0 – The Speed Star Is Here

09. Mar, 2010 7 Comments

usb-30 I don’t remember when I’ve started using USB devices and connectors, but I definitely can say that USB has changed the way we talk(!!!) with computers in our day to day life. As I remember I first used USB pendrive then USB mouse, keyboard, harddisk and what not. Actually the USB protocol we are using till date is USB 2.0. It’s speed is 60 MB/s which seems ok now. But as you see, with the advent in HD videos, terabyte hard disks and hordes of digital photos, now this speed seems to be limiting. In September 2007, Intel announced it was beginning to define the specifications of USB 3.0, and now, at long last, the successor is ready. USB 3.0 is codenamed “SuperSpeed”. So let’s zapp pass through USB 3.0!!

USB 3.0 device was first time demonstrated publically in January 2009. Seagate made the first external hard disk which supports USB 3.0. Though USB 3.0 is almost 10 times faster than USB 2.0 ( as we will see in the comparison chart later in this article ), it will take some time to start appearing on the motherboards and other devices.

640 MB Per Second Of Data Transfer Speeds !!

USB 3.0 is 10 times faster than its predecessor USB 2.0. USB 3.0 offers data transfer speeds of 640 MB/s (i.e. approximately half the English movie in one sec!!!). Compared to that USB 2.0’s data transfer speeds are 60 MB/s.

USB 3.0 SuperSpeed

The third edition of USB is set to wow the world with phenomenal speeds, but its most appealing feature is complete backwards compatibility. This is made possible by a set of innovative standards and techniques used in the plugs and cables.

Meanwhile we talk about USB, let’s not forget about FireWire and SATA which offers speeds of around 300 MB/s. But the most appealing feature of USB 3.0 (as I personally think) is its compatibility with older standards. That means you won’t have to throw away your USB 2.0 devices after you install USB 3.0 ports.

Both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 supports three different speed levels for compatibility. USB 3.0 has additional “SuperSpeed” level which operates at the rate of 5 Gb/s (640 MB/s). There were rumors initially about USB 3.0 that, it’s using fiber optic cables. But that’s not true. It manages “SuperSpeed” with the help of additional pins in the connector.

USB 3.0 Connector Types And Their Functions:

USB 3.0 houses 2 types of connector sets. Type A and Type B. Type A contains five additional pins which supports “SuperSpeed”. USB 3.0 connectors are blue in color, to distinguish them from the usual black, grey or white color of USB 2.0. Type B connectors are enlarged little bit to encapsulate new pins. Type B supports hard drives and printers. But for digital cameras and mobiles which needs micro USB connector has no space for new pins and needs an extension.

Power Saving Mode

USB 2.0 can only connect 127 devices at a time and need to poll them to start communicating with devices. USB 3.0 will use a new method, something like “Ping” in which device will communicate to USB for use. This will save power and bandwidth

USB 3.0 v/s USB 2.0 : Speed Comparison Chart

comparison-chart

Conclusion

I don’t think there will be any problem with replacing USB 2.0 as it’s compatible with USB 3.0. But the benefits are enormous. Faster speeds (tenfold), increased power capacity and new technique to connect multiple devices. Hope it gets into the mainstream the way USB 2.0 did.

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7 Responses to “USB 3.0 – The Speed Star Is Here”

sudharsan @ technoskillonline 09. Mar, 2010 at 1:31 pm

wow that great improvements…
@llaniel 09. Mar, 2010 at 11:03 pm

wow!… I would like use now =D
Niket Agrawal 09. Mar, 2010 at 11:41 pm

you rock !!!
Keyur 20. Mar, 2010 at 5:27 pm

Gr8 info..DV..!!!
Hope Tahoe 25. Mar, 2010 at 11:35 am

Almost all my computer peripherals are now in USB and I can’t wait to get the new 3.0. Damn, 25,000 MP3s in 2 minutes is really gr8!
Bryan Thomas 06. Jun, 2010 at 3:02 am

I can’t wait for USB 3.0, it’s a huge step in mobile memory space. Just wondering: When do you think USB 3.0 will be as wide spread as 2.0? When are we going to walk into stores and see them right in front of us?
çember makinesi 10. Jun, 2010 at 2:55 am

usb 3.0 good technologies nice sharing

USB 3.0 – The Speed Star Is Here