First SuperSpeed USB Products to Roll Out

SuperSpeed USB i.e. the USB 3.0 specification that delivers improved data transfer rates up to 10x faster than Hi-Speed USB or “USB 2.0” will soon become reality. The USB Implementers Forum or, “USB-IF,” today announced the first 17 consumer products to pass compliance and certification testing for SuperSpeed USB.

The products include certified SuperSpeed USB motherboards, notebook PC systems, consumer devices and enabling device silicon. SuperSpeed USB, introduced just over one year ago, defines a backward compatible interconnect and offers optimized power management.

This first wave of certified SuperSpeed USB consumer products and devices to enter the market are from industry-leading manufacturers including ASMedia Technology, ASUS, Fujitsu (News - Alert), Giga-Byte Technology, HP, I/O Interconnect, LucidPort Technology, RATOC Systems, SIIG, Symwave and Western Digital.

The products certified represent end-to-end consumer products, solutions for new and legacy PC systems, devices and enabling silicon. These will pave the way for future SuperSpeed USB products with additional certified products are set to enter the market in the first quarter of 2010. The USB 3.0 specification was developed by the USB 3.0 Promoter Group which consists of Intel Corporation, HP, Microsoft Corporation, NEC (News - Alert) Corporation, ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments.

“SuperSpeed USB is an incredible advancement of the USB technology that consumers know and love, and we’re excited to witness this broad industry support for SuperSpeed USB technology,” stated Jeff Ravencraft, president and chairman, USB-IF. “The hard work of companies creating certified SuperSpeed USB products and devices is a clear indication of intense interest in, and momentum behind SuperSpeed USB.”

The following products have achieved compliance and certification for SuperSpeed USB:

*          Motherboards (ASUS P6X58D Premium motherboard; Giga-Byte Technology

GA-P55A-UD3 motherboard)

 

*          Notebooks (HP Envy 15 notebook PC; Fujitsu FMV-BIBLO NF/G70 notebook PC)

 

*          Consumer Devices (I/O Interconnect RS952, USB 3.0 2.5' hard disk drive enclosure; RS954 USB 3.0 3.5' hard disk drive enclosure, RA314 USB 3.0 2-port PCIe add-in card, RA315 USB 3.0 2-port ExpressCard; RATOC Systems USB 3.0 PCIe add-in card, USB 3.0 ExpressCard; SIIG JU-P20412-S2 USB 3.0 2-port PCIe add-in card; Western Digital (News - Alert) My Book USB 3.0 external hard drive USB 3.0 PCIe (Gen 2) adapter card)

 

*          Device Silicon (ASMedia Technology ASM1051, USB 3.0 to SATA storage controller; Fujitsu Microelectronics MB86C30, USB 3.0 to SATA storage controller; LucidPort USB300, USB 3.0 to SATA storage controller; Symwave SW6316, USB 3.0 to SATA storage controller)

“ASUS is committed to providing the very best PC experience across our entire range of products,” expressed CheWei Lin, General Manager of ASUS Motherboard Business Unit. “We are thrilled to work with the USB-IF and offer SuperSpeed USB capabilities on our new P7P55D Series and M4 Series motherboards. It is a technology that will open new doors for both designs and consumers of technology alike.”

“We are pleased that the Fujitsu MB86C30 USB 3.0-SATA device earned USB-IF compliance and certification,” said Fujio Nakanishi, ASSP business unit president, Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited. “The SuperSpeed USB specification is ideal for the new generation of external drives and consumer mass storage systems that will be available early this year.”