A USB host controller allows hardware to communicate with software, handling communication between peripheral devices and the computer system. It maintains connections and enables standard programming languages. Different types of interfaces support various USB ports, and the host controller protocol combines communication processes for efficient data transfer. A single port can connect multiple devices, and the host controller determines how each device receives power. Older computers can have a host controller installed into an open slot on the motherboard.
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) host controller is an interface that allows an enabled piece of hardware to interact and communicate with particular software. A USB connection is an input and output port that comes standard with most computers and a variety of other digital equipment that allows data to be transmitted over a cable or any other form of direct connection. A USB host controller handles communication between peripheral devices and the computer system. Most modern computers have high-speed host controllers, and many older computers may have a host controller that easily installs into an open slot on the motherboard.
A high-speed USB host controller maintains a connection between devices such as a keyboard, mouse, modem, or printer and ensures that the computer’s operating system recognizes the device. The operating system relies on the USB host controller to avoid having to install individual drivers for each connected device. Each USB device communicates with the computer’s operating system in a standard programming language, such as C++.
There are different types of USB host controller interfaces that support different types of USB ports. Open Host Controller Interface (OHCI) is the standard for most and also supports USB 1.1. The Intel® Universal Host Controller Interface (UHCI) supports both high-speed and low-speed USB 1. Other types of host controller interfaces include the Enhanced Host Controller Interface (EHCI), which is rated as super-fast by publicly specified standards, and the newer host controller standard, called the Extensible Host Controller Interface (xHCI). The xHCI was designed to improve speed, power and efficiency over its predecessors.
Recognition of standard devices such as the keyboard and mouse by the operating system is usually done automatically by the host controller. The host controller protocol combines the communication process of multiple devices in order to create efficient and simultaneous data transfer. A good example is when a computer user enters data into a word processing program using a keyboard and mouse simultaneously.
A USB host controller is capable of establishing communication between the computer and several devices through a single port. The host controller also determines how each connected device gets its power, which is why a user can charge a cell phone through one USB port while listening to music from a USB stick in another port. For older computers without a USB host controller, hardware can be purchased from vendors and installed into a slot on the motherboard fairly quickly.
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