USB3.0

USB3.0 is the latest specification for the USB bus used today with the majority of PC user-interface and peripherals devices. The current USB2.0 standard provides non-duplex data transmission rates of up to 480Mbit/s. The USB2.0 cabling also provides power to peripherals, such as external disk drives.

USB3.0 is a big step forward in speed, offering 5Gbit/s data rates. The USB specification requires USB3.0 interconnects to maintain compatibility with USB2.0 and even USB1.0. This places a substantial burden on developers and impacts the complexity of cables that must be used.

Perhaps the greatest drawback for USB3.0 is that cable lengths are limited to 3m. If there is substantial wiring within the computer cabinet on the way to the external connector, this also eats into the 3m budget.

To overcome limitations in the reach of USB3.0, EqcoLogic has developed an equalizer, the EQCO5000 to deliver extended range. In full USB cabling (with USB2.0 and 1.0 compatibility), the EQCO5000 can give a 15 - 20m cable reach. For cables optimized for USB3.0, without backwards compatibility, 30m is achievable.

Long-haul applications for USB3.0 will include external data storage (eg RAID systems attached to remote servers) and high performance cameras. It will also be feasible to connect displays over USB3.0 for certain applications.