1997-11-17 , E/IC-846/650

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) offers a very simple way to connect up to 127 peripheral devices to a PC using just one type of cabling with special plugs at either end that prevent it from being connected up incorrectly. The peripherals can be daisy-chained together using integral hubs. A small amount of power is supplied by the USB cable to eliminate the need for many small transformers.

This architecture gives rise to a new connectivity model for the PC setup. This model extends the concept of Plug&Play from the inside of the PC to include the outside peripherals. The operating system on the PC recognises whenever a new peripheral is added and instantly loads the appropriate drivers so that it can be used, giving Hot Plug&Play. Similarly, the system recognises if a peripheral is removed. This Plug&Play concept makes the PC easy to use for novice users as well as lowers the hotline support cost for corporate buyers.

Most computer manufacturers have followed Intel's lead and have been shipping PCs and laptops with USB connections for many months. Monitors from leading manufacturers, such as Philips, have been shipping with USB functionality for several months and many other peripherals have started to show up on the retail shelf. The market penetration of this exciting technology will accelerate with the introduction of the Win98 operating system. This all supports the SIPC (Simply Interactive PC) drive to take the PC into the living room with ease of use, OnNow (i.e. always ready to use) and Hot Plug&Play.

Philips commitment to pioneering USB
Philips recognises the importance of this new digital interconnectivity standard and fully supports it to accelerate its efforts to bring new multimedia magic in many of its products. Philips is a major pioneering innovator in USB with a string of industry first accomplishments:

• Philips demonstrated the first soft control of a monitor and a prototype of a USB audio DAC at the February 1996 USB developers conference.
• Philips demonstrated the first USB hub and also the first USB speaker. Philips' USB audio was in the key-note address by Bill Gates, CEO of Microsoft at the WinHEC '96 in the USA.
• Philips showed the first monitor prototype with built-in USB audio.
• Philips showcased the first PC monitor with an integrated USB Hub.
• Philips announced the first USB transceiver ICs to be commercially available.
• Philips announced the first USB Hub ICs to be commercially available.
• Philips announced the first USB audio ICs to be commercially available (DAC and CODEC).
• Philips announced the availability of the first USB digital speakers for PCs.
• Philips is the first to comply to latest USB Hub specifications v1.1
• Philips introduced the first monitor range to include a USB Hub.

Philips Semiconductors commitment to the future of USB
Philips Semiconductors supports this important interconectivity standard with the industry's most extensive and innovative product roadmap. See the diagram below.

Philips is co-driving USB standards
Philips is very active in helping define the USB standards and is the author of the USB Audio device class and co-author of the monitor device class.

• Philips is an active member of the USB Implementers Forum.
• Philips is a member of the USB Device Working Group:
  • Chairman of Monitor Control Class
  • Chairman of Audio Device Class
  • Key member of Hub Class
  • Key member of Communication Class
  • Review member of USB IrDA
  • Member of other Device Classes
• Co-author of specification update:
  • Core specification updates
  • Chapter 11 (Hub) update

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the ninth largest semiconductor supplier in the world and the third largest supplier of discretes in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video, and mobile technology position the company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia and wireless communications markets. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by systems labs.