Differences Between USH And 1394 - Technology Information

Computer Technology Review, Dec, 2000 by Bhupender Virk, Dave Sroka

USB1.1's data rate of 12 Mbps is sufficient for many PC peripherals such as telephones, keyboards, mice, digital joysticks floppy drives, digital speakers, and low end printers. These peripherals will continue to operate with no change in USB2.0 systems. The higher bandwidth of USB2.0 will permit PC peripherals with more functionality, including higher resolution video conferencing cameras, next generation scanners and printers, fast storage units, and faster broadband Internet connections.

It will make today's user applications more productive, such as taking the time to download a roll of digital photos from a few minutes on USB 1.1 down to a few seconds on USB2.0. Also, the higher bandwidth will support the most demanding PC user applications, such as digital image creation and interactive gaming, where multiple high-speed peripherals will be running simultaneously. The higher data rate of USB2.0 will also open up the possibilities of new and exciting peripherals.

Industry plans are underway now to have USB2.0 incorporated in chipsets. Once these chipsets reach high volume, it is expected that USB2.0 will be about the same cost as USB1.1 is today. Because of this, USB2.0 is expected to supersede USB1.1. Also, like USB1.1, USB2.0 will satisfy the peripheral-interface needs of desktops, mobile systems, and other classes of host platforms. To satisfy the needs of power-sensitive applications such as notebook computers, USB2.0 will provide the same power-management mechanisms as USB1.l to allow the aggressive management of I/O power consumption. This is expected to allow USB2.0 to find use even in demanding low-power systems.

In the 1394 camp, the applications run far and wide. Existing and potential uses for 1394 span a wide range of applications. Consequently, it is difficult to say that any particular applications are the targeted ones for 1394. As 1394 continues to proliferate, an extended network of diverse end equipment will become a reality. 1394 is now being used in such applications as:

* Laptops, PCs, workstations, and servers

* PC peripherals

* Consumer electronics and audio/video home networking

* Telecom/networking

* Automotive and industrial

* Audio/Video home, networking backbone

Bhupender Virk is the international product marketing manager at Philips Semiconductors (San Jose, CA) and Dave Sroka is the 1394 marketing manager at Philips Semiconductors (Albuquerque NM).

Fig
1394 vs. USB2.0 Technologies with Different Strengths
                     1394 strength lies in    USB strength lies in
                     real time A/V transport  PC and PC peripherals
                     1394                     USB 2.0
Availability of 400  Now                      2002
Mbps
PC Host Required     No                       Yes
Network Topology     Peer to Peer             Master/slave
Video Protocol       Yes                      No
Support 1
Net Efficiency 2     A/V                      PC
Comparative Cost 3   $6-$8/node               TBD
(1)1394 includes support for the DV/MPEG protocols and 5C copy
protection.
(2)1394 devices can communicate directly with one another with
guaranteed bandwidth and fair arbitration. A USB device communicates
through the PC. Requiring hubs and the necessity to address latency
issues.
(3)Pricing is volume dependent.