The new mode’s logo features a “Superspeed+”caption (stylized as SUPERSPEED+). The USB 3.1 standard increases the data signaling rate to 10 Gbit/s in the USB 3.1 Gen2 mode, double that of USB 3.0 (referred to as USB 3.1 Gen1) and reduces line encoding overhead to just 3 percent by changing the encoding scheme to 128b/132b. The first USB 3.1 implementation demonstrated transfer speeds of 7.2 Gbit/s.

The USB 3.1 standard is backward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.

ASMedia Technology

ASMedia Technology Inc. has years experience in IC design field. Its product line includes USB3.0, PCIE bridge and Switch IC. In terms of USB 3.1 Controller, the company provider both Devices and Host comtroller, and USB3.1 to SATA 6Gbps bridge solution.

ASMedia’s USB 3.1 Gen 2 10 Gbps host controller — ASM1142 , is the company’s first host con-troller in the industry to pass USB-IF certification.

Figure 1 : ASM1142 is the first SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps silicon to be certified by USB-IF

“Massive data growth and the demand for faster transfer speeds is a significant challenge for all silicon providers. ASMedia is armed to provide our customers with reliable solutions that allow users to enjoy the speed without worrying about the silicon quality. I am glad to announce that ASMedia’s ASM1142 is the first SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps silicon to be certified by USB-IF,” said Chewei Lin CEO of ASMedia Technologies.

“The USB 3.1 specification adds support for 10 Gbps speed mode and enhances PHY, link layer and protocol layer design. Users can easily double the data transfer performance with SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Gen 2 design. ASMedia is the only vendor that can demo certified USB 3.1 Gen 2 host and device controller. We believe USB-IF certification will help grow the SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps ecosystem.”

Etron Technology

Etron Technology, Inc. is a fabless IC design and product company founded in February 1991, specializing in buffer memory and system-on-chips.

In the new era of the “experience economy”, Etron's buffer memory products act like brain memory, its USB3.0 host products are like nerves providing connectivity, and the webcam IC are like eyes supplying vision. Moreover, the flash drive – commonly known as a thumb drive – is now moving from the USB2.0 era to USB3.0. Etron's recently launched USB3.0 device controller ICs have established world records in terms of speed.

Etron has completed the development of USB 3.1 Type C and second-generation USB electric power transmission (USB-PD 2.0) chips for products including, the industry’s first electric power transmission USB-PD 2.0 control IC, a Type C connector IC, and the world’s first single-chip that integrates Type C and USB-PD 2.0 functions.

Figure 2 : Etron has completed the development of USB 3.1 Type C and second-generation USB electric power transmission (USB-PD 2.0) chips

USB 3.1 Type C connectors have just 2.4mm plugs and hot insertability. They are also pluggable on their reverse side and can simultaneously transmit USB, PCIe and display port signals. They transmit 100W of power and can replace wire functions of traditional power sources, such as USB and HDMI. Therefore, they can solve the current difficulties with having separate lines of transmission for power, data, and audio-visual in 3C products.

Etron Chairman and CEO Nicky Lu stated that the outlook for USB3.1 Type C applications is extremely optimistic. Just one connecting outlet can take care of everything. It is therefore anticipated that in the future, it will be comprehensively used in many 3C products.

Nicky Lu also pointed out Apple’s new MacBook model supports a USB 3.1 Type C connector and predicted that it will lead other companies to follow suit. When more companies adopt this, it is antici-pated that connectors will enter the brand new USB 3.1 Type C era.

Richtek Technology

Richtek Technology Corporation is one of the leading analog IC companies. The company consistently delivers inventive power management solutions that improve the performance of consumer electronics, computers, and communications equipment.

RichTek courrently has the power supply control IC (RT7207) and USB Type-C transmission cable e-Marker control chip (RT1710), both of them have been certified by USB-IF, and acuired products Test ID from USB-IF which have to embedded in the Type -C transmission cable to ensure the certification.

Figure 3 : RT1710 e-Marker controller is packaged as 8Pin DFN, which is the smallest controller SoC in Taiwan

RT1710 e-Marker controller is packaged as 8Pin DFN, which is the smallest controller SoC in Taiwan, provides high system-level ESD protection without any external components. It allows transmission cable manufacturers to achieve smallest size in designing Paddle Card, and complete finest appearance.

In addition, the process of burning softward and burning fixtures in the production have been completed.

Genesys Logic

Genesys Logic specializes in the design, manufacturing, testing, and selling of ICs for PC peripherals and related products, and provides comprehensive solutions for consumer electronics and systems manufacturers.

In addition to USB 3.1 Gen 1 technology, the company have put a lot of effort into researching and developing high-speed SerDes interface technology to keep up with the trend of the new cross-disciplines and cross-platform technologies. Genesys Logic is planning a complete range of products based on the USB 3.1 Gen 1, SD 3.0/4.0, SATA 3.0 interfaces for multiple application areas.

Its high-performance USB Type-C integrated SuperSpeed hub controller, GL3523S, features USB 3.1 Gen 1 PHY developed in-house by Genesys Logic with on-chip integration of USB Type-C functions. By removing the need of external MUX and USB-C Configuration Channel (CC) controller, it not only eases the complex board design that would otherwise be required but also saves the BOM cost to help customers convert existing USB designs to support USB Type-C. In addition, GL3523S offers the best performance/cost and lowest power consumption on the USB 3.1 market.

Regarding extending and natively supporting USB Type-C functions, GL3523S can be used in a variety of applications, such as NB/PCs, monitors, docking stations, retailed Hubs, and home entertainments. With the powerful signal transfer capability of USB-C, the rising of USB Type-C applications is all but assured. USB Type-C connectors have started to appear in Ultrabooks, tablets, and mobile devices; the docking station and USB-C power adapter markets are also thriving.

Figure 4 : GL3523S not only provides expansion for USB ports but also features complete functions of CC controllers

In USB Type-C applications, GL3523S not only provides expansion for USB ports but also features complete functions of CC controllers, including handshaking for reversible attaching, discovering/configuring VBUS (USB Type-C current modes up to 3A@5V), and configuring/providing VCONN power. Besides, GL3523S achieves high data throughput and power efficiency with the industry’s lowest 0.85W power consumption when all four downstream ports are operating with SuperSpeed devices and 9mW at reset state. It makes GL3523S ideal for power-demanding applications.

GL3523S can be flexibly configured according to customers’ needs such as disabling specific downstream ports, compound device setting, and customized GPIO/LED usages. GL3523S has built-in 5V to 3.3V and 5V to 1.2V regulators which saves both cost and area on the PCB board. In addition, GL3523S supports both individual and gang mode and is available in BGA144, QFN 88-pin and QFN 64-pin packages.

VIA Labs, Inc.

VIA Labs, Inc., is a supplier of SuperSpeed USB Silicon and is a wholly owned subsidiary of leading technology platform provider, VIA Technologies, Inc. VIA Labs is listed as a contributor of USB Type-C and power design (PD), which is one of a select few to achieve USB-IF certification. The company pointed out that not every USB 3.1 has 10G transfer rate.

“People always get confused with USB 3.1. However, not every USB 3.1 has 10Gbps (gigabits per second) transfer rate.” said Terrance Shih, Project Manager at PM Division of VIA Labs, Inc.

Terrance Shih stated that there are Gen1 and Gen2 out out USB 3.1, the former has gotten the same transfer rate as USB 3.0, 5G. The latter is somewhat the true USB 3.1, which has 10G transfer rate.

“USB Type-C can carry data, power, audio and video, also faster charging, quicker data transfer and the ability to handle a variety of tasks.” Added Terrance Shih. He also said that SoC PD is top priority when talking about Type-C.

Figure 5 : These are chipsets that help VIA Labs USB Type-C and PD revolution enable superspeed USB and beyond

VIA Labs aims at defining USB Type-C and PD revolution that enabling superspeed USB and beyond. In other words, offering the wide ranges of turnkeys for USB Type-C.

Being a constributor of USB-IF is the main strategy of VIA Labs, which made the company an insider to produce wide range of products.

Wanshih Electronic Co.

With the latest standard USB and LTE, Wanshih is focusing on the top speed of connecting users’ life.

Chasing ultra-high speed, high power and tiny size, USB 3.1 interface is what Wanshih is focusing on right now. The company takes the lead of passing USB-IF USB 3.1 Gen2 10G speed standard as the first cable assembly manufacturer.

Wanshih has devoted to USB 3.1 C to C coaxial cable ultra-high speed technology. Emphasizing on antenna design since 2001, the company has full antenna production lines(LTE/UMTS/GSM/WiFi). Its ultra high precision 3D printer and CTIA 3D full size OTA (Over The Air) LAB support users with antenna total solutions.

With the PC industry starting to adopt USB 3.1 technology, prices for cables that can connect to these products are also expected to rapidly fall, according to manufacturers.

In March, Apple was among the first to come out with a laptop built with a single USB 3.1 port that used the Type-C connector.

The USB 3.1 standard promises data transfer speeds of 10G, two times faster than USB 3.0. But given that the technology is still new, prices for USB 3.1 cables with Type-C connectors are hovering between $24 and $29.

More affordable cables, however, will start to arrive in next year’s first half, said Lake Chang, Gneral Mnager of Wanshih Electronic, a maker of USB connectors. By next year, the prices could fall to $15,” he said.

Lake Chang pointed out that USB 3.1 is essential in completing PC, consumer eletronics and even Internet of Things (IoT).

Lake Chang forecast that USB Type-C is a specification for a reversible-plug connector for USB devices and USB cabling, which will probably make a biggest wave of replacement in the past ten years.