USB 3.0 spec in the works

[Handruin]

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9780794-7.html

SAN FRANCISCO--Intel and others plan to release a new version of the ubiquitous Universal Serial Bus technology in the first half of 2008, a revamp the chipmaker said will make data transfer rates more than 10 times as fast by adding fiber-optic links alongside the traditional copper wires.

Could be interesting once they release the spec for the maximum length of cables. Longer fiber runs would be the only reason I can see for using optical fiber over copper. Otherwise the increased data rates and greater energy efficiency seem nice.

 

[Mercutio]

Speed is good, but I wish they'd take some time to reduce CPU overhead instead. Plus, I have a feeling that the market will prefer Wireless USB over greater speed.

 

[Handruin]

With so many cores, I guess it's a moot point over CPU overhead, but I agree, that should be considered. With higher energy efficiency, they may rely on the system CPU more than before (just a WAG)?

I would have thought bluetooth owned the short-range wireless market...I admit I've not even researched wireless USB at all, I've only heard the name.

 

[DrunkenBastard]

Short range wireless now includes devices that can transmit HD video over wireless. Far more performance than USB3, generally to avoid wire clutter in home theatres.

 

[mubs]

What protocol do these devices use? Got any links for the curious?

 

[DrunkenBastard]

Still a work in progress, looks like they are using the 60GHz band:

The idea is to use it where HDMI would be used, i.e. from HD device to display etc.

http://www.wirelesshd.org/

 

[LunarMist]

Will the speed of the wired USB increase as well?

 

[Handruin]

My understanding is that it would be 4.8 Gb/s for both, but I may be wrong here. If not then I assume the wired connection is only for backward compatibility.

 

[udaman]

Looks like 2010 at the earliest, assuming all agree on the specs tout sweet.

http://blogs.intel.com/research/2007/10/usb_30_rocket_fast_file_transf.html

At least according to Jeff Ravencraft who is a technology strategist in Intel’s Communication Technology Lab-Chairman and President of the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) industry group, Chairman of the Wireless USB Promoters group, and also serves as the USB 3.0 Promoter group chairman.