USB is a standard port for easy data transfer between computers and digital equipment. USB 1.1 had a data transfer rate of 12 mbps, while USB 2.0 is 40 times faster at 480 mbps. A high-speed USB host controller is needed for USB 2.0. USB ports can work in a daisy chain and a USB hub can be added for additional ports. Devices must support the same USB standard for faster data transfer.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a standard input/output port for computers and digital equipment, allowing for easy data transfer via a direct connection or cable. The original USB standard version has been replaced by high speed versions. A high-speed USB host controller refers to the hardware inside your computer that provides high-speed USB functionality to the ports.
USB first hit the market in November 1995, but the new standard ran into compatibility issues. These bugs have been fixed and the later USB version is now referred to as “original” USB 1.1. The data transfer rate (DTR) for USB 1.1 was an impressive 12 megabits per second (mbps) and was intended to replace slower parallel and serial ports for peripheral devices. The first devices to be widely adopted for USB ports were keyboards and mice. Printers, scanners, external tape drives, and other devices follow.
As the demand for faster data transfer grew, a newer version of USB answered the call. USB 2.0 boasts maximum data rates of 480 mbps, 40 times faster than the original USB. Computers that supported the old standard required a new high-speed USB host controller to take advantage of the higher speeds. Devices made for the new 2.0 standard, such as memory sticks and digital cameras, would default to the old slower transfer speeds when plugged into a computer with a USB 1.1 controller installed.
A high-speed controller is built into modern computers, while older computers can be upgraded with hardware. A controller is cheap and can be bought anywhere computers are sold. It is a card that easily installs into any available slot in the motherboard. The backplate of the controller provides two or more high-speed USB ports.
To take advantage of USB 2.0 speeds, both the computer and the device connected to the USB port must support the 2.0 standard. A high-speed USB host controller cannot operate a USB 1.1 device at 2.0 speed. High-speed controllers are backward compatible, however, they fall back to the slower 1.1 standard for devices that require it.
One of the many benefits of USB ports is that they can work in a daisy chain and one controller can control several USB ports. If a computer does not have enough ports for your needs, you can add a USB hub. The hub plugs into a single USB port while providing a “housing” of additional ports. However, some devices may require a direct port or powered hub. Powered hubs have their own A/C adapters.
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