Report on the Fall 2007 IDF (page 6: PCI Express and USB 3.0)

PCI Express 3.0

In this IDF, we had the opportunity to speak with Al Yanes, Chairman of the PCI-SIG consortium which defines the standards related to PCI Express, as well as with Ramin Nehsati, also a member of the PCI-SIG.

They gave us a clearer view of the differences between PCI Express 2.0, Geneseo and PCI Express 3.0. You may recall, Geneseo is a group of extensions offered by Intel enabling the more efficient use of accelerators. These extensions are indeed coming but will remain optional arriving progressively with PCI Express 2.0. They will, however, integrate PCI Express 3.0. Unfortunately, there will be no easy way to identify the peripherals that support it, because it’s not planned, for example, the PCI Express 2.5 version. The given reason is that a number of extensions are possible and all the peripherals which have support will not support all of them. In short, it’s a bit of a mess, and there is no way to have a clear classification before PCI Express 3.0 which is planned for the end of 2009.

Moreover, note that these extensions aren’t limited to Geneseo, because in addition to what is offered by Intel, others have come and been attached on to PCI Express. These extensions are, amongst other things, destined to reduce the latency between the CPU and accelerator as well as supporting atomic access to memory.

Asked about the possible integration of PCI Express controllers in CPUs, our interviewees stressed that it was under development, without specifying which manufacturer this would be nor when this would happen.

USB 3.0

USB 3.0 made its first appearance at this IDF and the goals were clear ; increase speeds ten-fold and allow the transfer of HD discs in one minute while at the same time still being USB 2.0 compatible. USB 3.0 should arrive at the end of 2009 and will be called SuperSpeed USB. However, the representative at the USB 3.0 booth seemed rather cautious concerning the details because nothing is set in stone. Moreover, he seemed slightly annoyed that Intel maybe went a little too far in its announcement.

The announcement during which the emblematic Pat Gelsinger also spoke of fiber optic connections integrated to USB 3.0 connectors. Once again according to the representative, this is a vague possibility because the foundation of USB 3.0 plans on being more classic.

While the classic connector remains compatible with USB 2.0 plugs, it will not be the case for the mini USB 3.0 which will use a slightly different one.