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1394 and USB - Living in Harmony; Read the Top Story in Issue #6 of PSN that compares these two interconnect technologies.
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USB Specification Version 1.1 Proposed Modifications Discussed at IDF
The USB core group is deliberating a number of clarifications and enhancements to the current USB Specification version 1.0. An overview of these proposed modifications for incorporation in USB Specification version 1.1 were discussed at the February IDF, together with the implications to hardware and software developers.
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The focus of the update to the specification (1.0 has been in existence for over two years now) is to enable more robust designs through examples, guidelines, and clarifications to the 1.0 specification. Resolution is always in favor of existing devices. Some key points developed in the update are:
- Better design examples and guidelines (e.g. I/O buffer design)
- Differentiates between typical and worse case design budgets and test conditions (e.g. clearer definition of suspend current, connector testing for worse case conditions)
- Identifies valid versus invalid usage models of the bus (e.g. bandwidth resource allocation)
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Silicon and firmware/driver impact is likely to be zero in most instances and minimal worse case - the emphasis is maintaining a low cost device focus and interoperability with existing 1.0 compliant devices.
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New USB Products Arriving on the Market
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Industry Status
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Next Steps
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Universal Serial Bus (USB) is the easier to use and flexible interconnect specification that enables instant "outside the box" Plug and Play peripheral connectivity. It allows users to add peripheral devices without expensive add-in cards or configuration headaches such as DIP switches and IRQ settings. A single connector type simplifies connection of all USB-compliant devices, including telephony and broadband adaptors, video phones, digital cameras, scanners and monitors in addition to joysticks, keyboards and other I/O peripherals. USB's hot attach/detach capability lets users add and remove devices without turning off their PC. USB also distributes power to peripheral devices and employs a hub architecture that allows multiple different devices to be connected simultaneously.
USB is a key enabling technology for emerging PC initiatives including PC Imaging and Computer Telephony Integration (CTI). Moreover, the connectivity needed to support Intel's Visual Computing Initiative may now be attained without the need for add-in card solutions.
For more details, visit Intel's USB home page.
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USB expands the PC experience by enabling a new dimension of configuration freedom and interactivity. The absence of add-in cards and power supplies also helps reduce overall system cost. USB is easier to use and allows users to instantly reconfigure their systems "on the fly" by plugging and unplugging devices. Because USB enables both isochronous and asynchronous data transfers, it has the capacity to enrich the user's ability to control peripherals, such as audio speakers, from the PC. The ease of device sharing makes PCs more manageable for users of home and business PCs.
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USB is an open, royalty-free specification which has received broad industry acceptance. USB's ease of use and relatively low cost are expected to support the continued expansion of the PC peripherals market into new and fast-growing areas such as digital imaging, integrated telephony and interactive multi-player games. Absence of add-in cards and, in many cases, external power supplies also simplifies product design and helps reduce costs. Fast time-to-market development solutions are available now from Intel and other suppliers.
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USB technology is in full-swing implementation. Most new PCs introduced in 1997 are shipping with live USB ports, ready to connect to USB-compliant devices. Many USB devices are now arriving on the market, and hundreds of USB peripheral products are slated for release in 1998.
Intel has announced the new single-chip 8x931Hx Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub controller and the new 8x931Ax USB hubless controller to complement the Intel family of integrated USB products. Hub monitors play a central role in implementing the virtually unlimited peripheral connectivity potential of USB. Intel expects the demand for "smart" USB hub monitors on Windows* 95 platforms to grow as users experience the benefits of USB. Intel is helping developers prepare with a comprehensive one-stop solution that includes a Win32 Driver Model monitor driver, USB Monitor class and Human Interface Device (HID) class-compliant APIs, an On-Screen Display (OSD) applet, Intel 8x931 and 8x930 USB hub controllers and HID-compliant firmware, Intel 8x931 and 8x930 USB hub reference board hardware schematics and application notes.
Intel also offers assistance for developers in the areas of systems integration and validation testing through its Peripheral Integration Laboratories and Systems Integration and Validation (SIV) program.
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Peripheral Developers—Once they get their hands on USB, PC users may never let go. Now is the time to develop USB-compliant products, so you will be ready to meet this growing level of consumer awareness. Register for the Intel Developer Forum - External Interconnect Technologies track.
System Developers—Designing with PCIsets that support USB and the OEM release of Windows* 95 will help position you to meet the emerging consumer demand for "device-ready" USB-compliant PCs. Be sure to visit Intel's USB home page and the USB Implementers Forum home page for the design information, developer support and product information you need.
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Q&A with Intel's USB experts, Steve Whalley and Bala Cadambi, in Issue 1 of Platform Solutions.
See Intel's USB home page for the latest developer resources and design tools.
Visit the USB Implementers Forum home page for information on development support, products and events.
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* Legal Information © 1998 Intel Corporation
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