Industry Expert Blogs

The USB IP segment was the largest of all the Interface IP segments: HDMI, PCI Express, SATA and DDRn in 2008, with $55M to $60M, out of a total of $250M for the overall Interface IP market. USB 2.0 is a standard interface between devices and personal computers (host) and connects my mouse, iPod, camera, smartphone, etc…

Unfortunately, USB 2.0 running at 480 Mbps has poor performances compared with the other high speed serial links running in the 2 to 5 Gbps range. The release of USB 3.0 however is a real game changer with a nominal speed defined at 5 Gbps (same as PCIe gen-2), and the protocol is now packet based (allowing more efficient transaction) and dual simplex (this allows to transmit and receive at the same time). I touched the first certified USB 3.0 consumer products demonstrated at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January.