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An interface is required when connecting peripheral devices to a PC. Traditionally, different devices used different interfaces, for example RS-232C or SCSI. However, this was inconvenient and sometimes led to difficulties since each device needed to be configured separately, and separate power supplies were sometimes required for each peripheral device. The data transmission speed between the PC and peripheral device is another major concern, since applications such as the Internet and storing images require larger amounts of data to be transferred.
In 1997, interface standards USB and IEEE1394 appeared as potential solutions to these problems. The benefits of USB and IEEE1394 include: power can be supplied via the interface cable if the peripheral device is small; troublesome configuration work is reduced dramatically, and cables can be plugged in and pulled out while the PC is running. These standards have been supported since Windows 98 and are rapidly replacing others such as RS-232C.
New versions of these interfaces, called USB2.0 and IEEE1394b, have appeared recently and provide a higher transmission speed while maintaining backwards compatibility. USB2.0 is standard in almost all PCs currently on the market, and IEEE1394 is standard in high-end models. As well as connecting peripheral devices to a PC, the interfaces can be used to connect conventional peripheral devices directly, for example a digital camera and printer. Use of USB is expanding to systems other than PCs, such as digital electric appliances and car multi-media.
A recent USB-related topic is the expansion to wireless forms. Currently, specifications for this are being examined and a Certified Wireless USB standard is scheduled to be announced officially in the near future. In order to realize the very high speed wireless data transfer provided by USB2.0, the focus is now on the new technology called UWB (Ultra Wide Band) which communicates via radio wave in a wider area and with low output. With the emergence of Certified Wireless USB, a more comfortable connection environment for peripheral devices is anticipated. <For details, go to Certified Wireless USB>
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The important technical specifications required in the LSI for such connection interfaces are defined during standardization. Products can then be promptly placed on the LSI market and used in PCs and peripheral devices so that the new interface is widely supported. Standards guarantee stable operation when connecting peripheral devices.
In order to contribute to the development of new interfaces, NEC Electronics actively participates in worldwide standardization organizations that define connection interfaces. By participating in the standardization process from its early stages, we are able to supply LSI for new standards extremely quickly.
Also, by preemptively placing the product on the market we can accumulate important information on how to further enhance product reliability. Our USB2.0 host controller was the first to be certified by the USB Implementers Forum standardization organization. It also obtained Microsoft's WHQL logo certification because of its quality and stable operation on Windows. This demonstrates our status as a pioneer in this field. NEC Electronics is making progress also in preparing for Certified Wireless USB, which is a new standard just like USB2.0, so that we will be able to meet customer expectations.
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