Intel's USB 3.0 for Linux
Chipmaker Intel is currently working on Linux support for its next generation of USB, version 3.0. The new bus specification promises a 5 Gbit per second transfer speed, ten times faster than USB 2.0.
Intel developer Sarah Sharp describes her work on USB 3.0 in her recent blog with these words: "Now that the bus specification is public, I can finally talk about the code... I've been writing a Linux driver for xHCI (the new USB 3.0 host controller), and changing the Linux kernel stack to support USB 3.0 devices." As she says, the wire speed will be 5 Gbps, while USB 2.0 languishes at 480 Mbps: "Roughly speaking, it means that a file that takes 30 minutes to transfer over USB 2.0 could take 3 minutes to transfer under USB 3.0."
In a video on her blog, Sharp demonstrates a USB 3.0 prototype from hardware provider Fresco Logic that runs under Linux. "My Linux xHCI driver is necessary to communicate with the USB 3.0 device through the xHCI host controller prototype," she adds. She was happy with the results: "The demo showed speeds that were about 3.5 times faster than USB 2.0 high speed devices. I expect this demo to be even faster when the device and host controller are implemented in silicon." The new bus also provides better power management that leads to longer battery life. And it is backward compatible so that you can continue to use it with USB 2.0 hardware.
Sharp asserts that USB 3.0 support for Linux means having to adapt the Linux USB stack to the new device speed and develop a new driver for the xHCI host controller. She is beginning the kernel patches for the USB changes and hoping that Red Hat, Novell and Ubuntu and other distros will begin picking them up. The work on the xHCI host controller will be a "little trickier," she says, because it is currently under a non-disclosure agreement as a 0.9 draft specification that isn't yet ready for Linux community review.
As much as basic USB 3.0 is there, "some features might be lacking. We might not have awesome power management right off the bat, or we might be missing USB 3.0 support from some class drivers," Sharp says, "My driver will be marked EXPERIMENTAL for a reason. ;)" Nevertheless, shipping code earlier and often (before it is "perfect") gives reviewers a better chance to suggest changes. Finally, she says that she's "willing to test new devices and host controllers on an unofficial basis to make sure they work properly under Linux” and provides her email address at Sarah.A.Sharp@linux.intel.com.
Microsoft is planning the new USB support for its upcoming Windows 7. According to Jeff Ravencraft, head of Intel's USB Promoter Group, the first USB 3.0 devices should start appearing the middle of 2009. The USB 3.0 specification is available here.
Comments
comments powered by DisqusSubscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
![Learn More](https://www.linux-magazine.com/var/linux_magazin/storage/images/media/linux-magazine-eng-us/images/misc/learn-more/834592-1-eng-US/Learn-More_medium.png)
News
-
Canonical Offers 12-Year LTS for Open Source Docker Images
Canonical is expanding its LTS offering to reach beyond the DEB packages with a new distro-less Docker image.
-
Plasma Desktop 6.1 Released with Several Enhancements
If you're a fan of Plasma Desktop, you should be excited about this new point release.
-
SUSE Offers CentOS 7 Support with Liberty Linux Lite
SUSE's Liberty Linux support offering now includes CentOS 7, which means businesses won't be forced to migrate those servers for some time.
-
Ubuntu's App Center Finally Supports Local Installs Again
If you regularly download .deb files and would prefer a GUI method of installing, Ubuntu has your back.
-
AlmaLinux Now Supports Raspberry Pi 5
If you're looking to create with the Raspberry Pi 5 and want to use AlmaLinux as your OS, you're in luck because it's now possible.
-
Kubuntu Focus Releases New Iterations of Ir14 and Ir16 Laptops
If you're a fan of the Kubuntu Focus laptops or have been waiting for the right time to purchase one, that time might be now.
-
NixOS 24.05 Is Ready for Prime Time
The latest release of NixOS (Uakari) has arrived and offers its usual reproducible, declarative, and reliable goodness.
-
Linux Lite 7.0 Officially Released
Based on Ubuntu 24.04 and kernel 6.8, Linux Lite version 7 now offers more options than ever.
-
KaOS Linux 2024.05 Adds Bcachfs Support and More
With updates all around, KaOS Linux now includes support for the bcachefs file system.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils New Iteration of the Stellaris Laptop Line
The Stellaris Slim 15 is the 6th generation and includes either an AMD or Intel CPU
Thanks for the hint!
Correction