The USB 3.0 Promoter Group has announced the completion of the USB 3.1 Specification, which adds enhancements to enable SuperSpeed USB to operate at up to 10 Gbps. This latest release of the specification is available for download from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) website (www.usb.org).

SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps uses a more efficient data encoding and will deliver more than twice the effective data through-put performance of existing SuperSpeed USB over enhanced, fully backward compatible USB connectors and cables, according to Brad Saunders, USB 3.0 Promotor Group chairman. Compatibility is assured with existing USB 3.0 software stacks and device class protocols as well as with existing 5 Gbps hubs and devices and USB 2.0 products.

Developers interested in implementing the new USB 3.1 Specification have the opportunity to learn technical details during three developer conferences currently being planned. The international conferences planned in Europe and Asia will offer more advanced system design training as breakout sessions on the second day. For more details and conference registration instructions, please visit the USB-IF website.