One of the problems with talking about a future operating system is 1) the little news that comes out of Microsoft about it, but 2) it is hard to speculate two years out about technology that might change considerably between now and then. So we are left with rumor and wish lists and the like. Unless some company actually says something worth noting. In this case, Intel has announced that USB 3.0 will be an embedded product within the Windows 8 Operating System.
What is USB 3.0?
The original specification USB was released by a combination of manufacturers in 1996. These included, Intel, Compaq, Microsoft, Sony, Digital Equipment Corporation, IBM, and Northern Telecom.
On September 18, 2007, at the Intel Developer Forum a demonstration of USB 3.0 was presented. Two months later the USB 3.0 Promoter Group announced that the specifications for version 3.0 were complete and was ready for the USB Implementers Forum, the managing body of USB specifications to decimate the specifications and monitor implementation.
A new feature is the bus, which provides a fourth transfer mode at 4.8 Gbit/s. This gives is a “Superspeed.” With the raw throughput at 4 Gbit/s, and the new specifications, it is possible to achieve a speed of 3.2 Gbit/s, which translates to 0.4 GByte/s or 400 MByte/s or more after protocol overhead.
USB 2.0 maxes out at 480 MBits/s. USB 3.0 is expected to max out at 5 Gbits/s. This dramatic performance improvement over version 2.0, makes it more desirable. However, these new data transfer rates while attainable by the USB hardware, my not be easy to implement.
The USB 3.0 Icon
Current Timeline of Release
Consumer products are expected to become available sometime in 2010. With commercial controllers are expected to enter into volume production by April 2010.
In September 24, 2009 Freecom announced a USB 3.0 external hard drive.
Following that on October 27, 2009 Gigabyte Technology announced new P55 chipsets motherboards for computers that included an onboard USB 3.0.
On January 6th, 2010 ASUS release a USB 3.0-certified motherboard. . They had to comply with spesifications approved by the USB Implementors Forum to ensure compatibility between motherboards and peripherals.
Windows 7 and Linux
Drivers are under development for Windows 7, but initial support was not included with the initial release of the operating system. But on the other hand, the Linux kernel has supported USB 3.0 since version 2.6.31. That version was released in September 2009. This means that for the time being one complete system for end-to-end testing and development for USB3 is now available on the market.
USB 3.0 Super Speed Certified
Intel and AMD
Intel will not support USB 3.0 until next year, 2011. This will undoubtedly have the effect ofl slowing down mainstream adoption. These delays are related to problems in the CMOS manufacturing process.
AMD indicates that the new southbridges released in the beginning of 2010 will not support USB 3.0. Some market research from In-Stat predicts the relevant market share of USB 3.0 not begin to take hold until 2011.
Windows 8
At the CeBIT Global Conference in Hannover, Germany, Intel Manager Steve Peterson, attending said that USB 3.0 would become mainstream with the implementation of the next iteration of the Windows client operating system, Windows8. Intel is working with Microsoft to make sure that the hardware will work with Windows 8. It will fully support USB 3.0 Windows 8 integration. Although products featuring the USB3.0 technology have been release after the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the current expectations for USB 3.0 are that only high-end PCs will feature USB 3.0, as a general rule.
Intel expects Windows8 and the continuing evolution of computers to make USB 3.0 readily available. But, Intel, however, is not optimistic when it relates to the mainstream adoption of the technology. Apparently the technical details and specification to overcome are still problematic.
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