The explosion in computing technology and the internet has spawned the connected generation. Each day, we work with and carry multiple devices that are network aware and connected to the ever growing global electronic village.
Two computing interfaces are at the center of this technology explosion: one providing a simple interface for control, the Universal Serial Bus (USB), the other providing the interface to network connections, the Internet/Ethernet's TCP/IP mechanism (IP here for short).
This article explores methods of maintaining and enhancing the value of USB over long reach connections as more and more computing technology converges onto a common IP connection.
It will attempt to answer the following question from Icron's perspective: Is there still a place for USB in the IP connected world, or can IP take over for USB and truly put everything on the network?
USB - The Most Successful Peripheral Interface Ever
With 2.6 Billion USB-enabled devices shipped in 2007, and forecasts of more than 4 Billion devices shipping in 2012 (source: InStat), USB has become the de-facto standard for peripheral connectivity to the PC and is the interface of choice for the ever growing list of "connected" electronics devices and components that we see and use every day.
From simple input and control devices like keyboards and mice, to more complex I/O devices such as printers, network interfaces, audio devices, game controllers, cameras, iPods, and storage devices, USB provides a simple connectivity interface that eliminates complexity for both users and developers.
USB has built upon the benefits and shortcomings of numerous prior peripheral interfaces to create a user friendly and universal connection protocol that eliminates many of the problems associated with those legacy interfaces, including serial RS-232 or RS-422 and parallel ports.
USB offers:
* Plug and Play ease of use. No configuration or complex setup required.
* A high bandwidth interface providing advanced functionality and a quality user experience.
* Versatility. Multiple device types providing a variety of user applications and functions can be connected to the same port type.
* Low cost, enabling implementation into very cost sensitive CE devices.
* Powered interface to enable simple device connectivity without additional power cables, or batteries.
* Embedded support for the USB communications protocol in the operating system to simplify system integration and operation.
By providing a powered, high data rate, low cost interface that enables PC connectivity to multiple devices, USB handles virtually all of the connection responsibilities on today's PCs.
Input devices, storage devices, music players, web cameras and printers all connect via USB, enriching and simplifying our experience every time we sit down in front of a PC to make a VoIP call or upload photos from the day's activities.
IP/Ethernet
Ethernet and IP, like USB for peripheral device connectivity, have become the de-facto connectivity standards for computing networks. Most of us are familiar with the convenience of simply plugging in a wire or finding a wireless hot spot to connect and have the online world at our fingertips.
Instead of a standalone machine capable of storing information, authoring documents or tracking finances, IP networking has turned the computer into a portal to the world, bringing information and the global community to our desktop each day.
Ethernet and IP provide connectivity and communication across a wide array of applications from connecting PCs on a simple home network to long-haul managed Internet data services between major metropolitan centers. IP plays a central role in simplifying and delivering connectivity between PCs.
The all-IP network is often touted as the holy grail of network connectivity, one protocol delivering connectivity for everything from simple in home devices to wide area network transmission equipment.
Considerable research and development has gone into delivering more and more content and services over IP connections. Streaming video, file sharing, network attached storage have all become more commonplace and easy to use through advances in IP based technology.
Serving a much more robust function, IP trades off simplicity of implementation for operational flexibility. A deep software stack is required on top of the physical layer hardware to ensure reliable network connectivity. Depending on the application, the level of sophistication of the implementation can be adjusted, but IP often requires setup, unlike USB.
The USB model of just plug it in and it works isn't always the case with an IP enabled device. A level of technical awareness is required to leverage the value of IP enabled services.
In combination, USB and IP provide the control and connection services that have become commonplace in our modern computing experience. As computing and network connectivity extends beyond the desktop, the question of how to simply connect the USB devices becomes more complex. Converge with IP, or extend native USB?
