Build That Geek

USB Port Explanation

Everyone that has used a PC or laptop will have used this ports without themselves knowing.

The history of the USB port goes back to the period of 1990s where several connection interface exist such as serial port, parallel port, ps2, etc. With so many interfaces, a typical user will need different cables for each separate connection.

USB(Universal Serial Bus) was created to standardize all the different interfaces, hence the word “universal”

With the standardization of different interface, the USB port has more tasks to complete – to increase their transfer rate between the host and devices connected to it.

USB started off on specification USB1.0 in 1994, followed by USB1.1, and finally USB2.0 in 2000

The various transfer speed of the specification is as follows

USB1.0 – 1.5Mbit/s

USB1.1 – 12Mbit/s

USB2.0 – 480Mbit/s

As of writing, USB3.0 Specification was in the midst of discussion and the transfer speed is rumored to be at 5000Mbit/s!!

The increase in transfer speed was mainly meant for transferring of data between devices. As USB hard disk expands in capacity, and users are demanding for better video quality, naturally, video file sizes are increased. Thus the birth of USB3.0

The first commercial product released for USB flash drives, commonly known as thumbdrive, in 2000. Back then, flash storage was at a measly 128mb. At time of writing, 2009, 1.5TB (1,500GB or 1,500,000MB) already exists!

If we were to transfer a single file of 5Gb on usb1.1 specs, on theory, we will need 3333s, which will take around 55min!! and 83s on a USB2.0 Specs.

Over the years, different companies develop different interface for USB devices as well, which somehow defeats the purpose of standardizing a common interface. However, the problem of different interface was not as serious as it was back in 1990s.

USB cable was able to carry power and to power up devices such as thumbdrive, webcams, external hard disk, usb speakers, etc. However, power is capped at 5v, 100mA.

USB cables suffer from a “useful” distance. Meaning, the maximum length of a usb cable is capped at 5m. Should the length be longer, the efficiency dropped and data may be corrupted.

For PCs with limited USB ports, a hub, typically with 4 additional USB ports, may be purchased. This will indirectly increase 3 more USB ports on your computer. However, take note that the bandwidth and power of each port on the USB hub will be reduced, as all its bandwidth and power are sourced from a USB port.

Common problems faced from using a USB hub, slower transfer rate and the inability to power up external 2.5” hard disk as they require more power as compared to a usb webcam or usb speaker.

That is all to wrap up for the topic and history for USB. I hope that the above computer guide will assist you in having a further understanding of USB history.

For more information about computers, do visit S-Mall Computer Article Section.

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HP PARALLEL PORT ADAPTER $43.33 HP KD061AA PARALLEL PORT ADAPTER

EX PARALLEL PORT FDD CBL $34.99 EX PARALLEL PORT FDD CBL

PARALLEL PORT ADAPTER P300 2000 $125.99 PARALLEL PORT ADAPTER P300 2000

Parallel Port Adapter - Parallel adapter - parallel $36.99 Connect to external device such as printers with the HP Parallel Adapter. This adapter provides a parallel port support that can be used to connect to parallel interfaced devices.

Quatech - SPPXP-100 1 Port Parallel Adapter $118.47 Quatech SPPXP-100 - SPPXP-100 1 Port Parallel Adapter

HP SERIAL/PARALLEL PORT OPT KIT $45.46 HP 401222-B21 SERIAL/PARALLEL PORT OPT KIT

Lava Computer Manufacturing Parallel-PCI 1 Port Parallel Adapter $45.56 Lava Computer Manufacturing PARALLEL-PCI Parallel-PCI 1 Port Parallel Adapter

Parallel Port Complete $24.29 -- Comprehensive reference on the parallel port, a standard component on every PC. -- Author is a popular columnist in The Microcomputer Journal. -- Disk provides extensive Visual Basic source code.

Parallel Port Complete $23.73 -- Comprehensive reference on the parallel port, a standard component on every PC. -- Author is a popular columnist in The Microcomputer Journal. -- Disk provides extensive Visual Basic source code.

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Parallel Port Complete $30.34 -- Comprehensive reference on the parallel port, a standard component on every PC. -- Author is a popular columnist in The Microcomputer Journal. -- Disk provides extensive Visual Basic source code.

Startech 2 Port Serial 1 Port Parallel Serial Card $50.37 Startech PEX2S5521P 2 Port Serial 1 Port Parallel Serial Card

HP Parallel Port Cable - 1 x Female Parallel - 1 x Parallel $29 HP Parallel Port Cable - 1 x Female Parallel - 1 x Parallel

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Startech 1 Port Parallel ExpressCard Adapter Kit $40.1 Startech EC1UP 1 Port Parallel ExpressCard Adapter Kit

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Koutech IO-USP210 USB to Serial+Parallel Port Adapter $29.49 Type: USB to Serial+Parallel Features: Enable you to connect your serial & parallel devices to any PC, or laptop computer through USB 1.1 & USB 2.0 port Fast and easy installation One 9-pin serial port & one 25-pin parallel port connector; all in one USB connection cable only Supports RS-232 serial, and true bi-directional parallel interface USB Specification v.1.1 Parts: 3 years limited Labor: 3 years limited

Parallel Port Complete: Programming, Interfacing & Using the PC's Parallel Printer Port $26.05 This detailed guide for programmers, developers, and computer enthusiasts shows how to get the most from parallel port in any application or project. The Visual-Basic code and circuit designs include examples that use the new enhanced (EPP) and expanded (EPC) modes.

Lava Computer 1 Port Parallel Adapter - 1 x 25-pin Parallel $39.99 The Parallel-PCI 3.3v has all the operational features of the standard Parallel-PCI. Compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit 3.3v PCI slots, it is the ideal means of adding an EPP parallel port to servers and PCs that use 3.3 volt conventional PCI slots.

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CyberParallel ExpressCard - Parallel adapter - ExpressCard - parallel $79.99 PRODUCT FEATURES:Easily add parallel port connectivity to ExpressCard equipped computersInstalls in any ExpressCard slotFast ECP/EPP parallel optimizes performance from parallel port devices such as printers removable drives scanners ...

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LAVA Computer One Port Parallel PCI Card (Enhanced Parallel Port) Model PARALLELPCI3.3 $42.99 Type: PCI to Parallel Port Card External Ports: 1 x Parallel Port Data Transfer Rate: Up to 4.5Mbps Features: Adds one PCI bus 25-pin Enhanced (EPP) Parallel Port to any 3.3 volt PCI-equipped PC Up to 3x FASTER than standard ISA or motherboard EPP ports: supports transfer rates of up to 4.5Mbps Automatically selects next available IRQ and LPT address Easy Plug and Play installation Backwards compatible with legacy Parts: Lifetime limited Labor: Lifetime limited

1284B Parallel EIO Card $96.99 Parallel port interface for compatible HP peripherals giving you the flexibility to continue to support parallel devices. The card fits easily into an open EIO slot of the peripheral.

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Programming the Parallel Port $35.86 Why purchase expensive add-on cards or bus interfaces? Gadre teaches readers how to build a complete data acquisition system and such varied applications as a CCD camera controller, a photometer interface, and a wave form generator. (Computer Books)

Startech.com 1 Port Parallel ExpressCard Adapter Kit - Hardware Connectivity Kit $39.99 This ExpressCard (34mm) based Parallel Adapter Card provides a quick and easy way to connect EPP/ECP Parallel devices to a laptop computer using an available ExpressCard port. Providing data transfer rates of up to 1.5Mbps, the Parallel Adapter Card (EC1UP) offers ideal performance and superb value by interfacing older parallel devices (USB-based printing support only) with cutting edge laptop designs through an ExpressCardport, eliminating the expense of upgrading parallel peripherals for compatibility with computers that don't offer native parallel support.

Startech.com 1 Port Parallel ExpressCard Adapter Kit - Hardware Connectivity Kit $31.24 This ExpressCard (34mm) based Parallel Adapter Card provides a quick and easy way to connect EPP/ECP Parallel devices to a laptop computer using an available ExpressCard port. Providing data transfer rates of up to 1.5Mbps, the Parallel Adapter Card (EC1UP) offers ideal performance and superb value by interfacing older parallel devices (USB-based printing support only) with cutting edge laptop designs through an ExpressCardport, eliminating the expense of upgrading parallel peripherals for compatibility with computers that don't offer native parallel support.

25ft Standard Parallel Printer Cable $6.99 Designed for printers that are not compliant with the IEEE 1284 specification this Standard Parallel Printer Cable lets you print from a PC with a DB25 female parallel port to a parallel printer with a Centronics-36 female port.

USB to Parallel Printer Adapter - Parallel adapter - USB - parallel - black $24.99 This USB to Parallel Printer Adapter allows USB capable PCs to print to any standard parallel printer converting a USB port into a Centronics (male) connector for direct connection to a parallel printer. The USB interface provides a much faster data ...

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Parallel Fax Kit $599 Expand the capabilities of your Xerox WorkCentre 4150 Multifunction Printer with a parallel port fax kit.

Cables Unlimited 1 Port Parallel PCI Express Card - 1 x 25-pin DB-25 Female IEEE 1294 Parallel $54.99 This easy to install and configure PCI Express card from Cables Unlimited adds a parallel port to any newer PC, with an extra PCI Express slot. This simple and reliable card is compatible with most parallel peripherals and provides the most convenient way of connecting legacy parallel devices to newer PCs.

1 Port ExpressCard Parallel Laptop Adapter Card - Parallel adapter - ExpressCard/34 - parallel $37.99 This ExpressCard (34mm) based Parallel Adapter Card provides a quick and easy way to connect EPP/ECP Parallel devices to a laptop computer using an available ExpressCard port.Providing data transfer rates of up to 1.5Mbps the Parallel Adapter Card ...

1 Port CardBus PCMCIA Parallel Laptop Adapter Card - Parallel adapter - CardBus - parallel $57.99 Connect parallel peripherals to your notebook computer using CardBus technology! Compatible with all 32-bit CardBus slots this 1-port ECP/EPP adapter is the cost-effective way to connect parallel printers scanners and more using the convenience of ...

2 Port Parallel PCI Express Card $64.99 This easy to install and configure PCI Express card from Cables Unlimited adds 2 parallel ports to any newer PC with an extra PCI Express slot.

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SocketSerial 1 Port PCMCIA to DB-25 Parallel Adapter - 1 x 25-pin DB-25 Female IEEE 1284 Parallel PC Card Type II $89.99 Add one reliable, high-speed, EPP parallel port for connecting printers, scanners, security dongles and other parallel devices to laptop, tablet and handheld PCs. Because many portable and handheld computers do not provide a parallel port (or if they do, the built-in port often cannot function in EPP mode), Quatech's Parallel PCMCIA Card is an ideal choice when a high speed parallel interface is required. Compatible with 3.3V and 5V systems.

SocketSerial 1 Port PCMCIA to DB-25 Parallel Adapter - 1 x 25-pin DB-25 Female IEEE 1284 Parallel PC Card Type II $103.99 Add one reliable, high-speed, EPP parallel port for connecting printers, scanners, security dongles and other parallel devices to laptop, tablet and handheld PCs. Because many portable and handheld computers do not provide a parallel port (or if they do, the built-in port often cannot function in EPP mode), Quatech's Parallel PCMCIA Card is an ideal choice when a high speed parallel interface is required. Compatible with 3.3V and 5V systems.

Parallel PCMCIA Card 1-Port EPP $222.99 Add one reliable high-speed parallel port for connecting printers scanners security dongles and other parallel devices to laptop tablet and handheld PCs.

StarTech 1 Port PCI Dual Voltage Parallel Adapter Card $39.99 This PCI Dual Voltage EPP/ECP Parallel Adapter Card adds an IEEE 1284 port to your PC, with support for data transfer speeds of up to 1.5Mbps – up to 3 times faster than built-in parallel ports. A versatile solution, the Parallel Adapter Card can be installed in either a PCI 5V or PCI-X 3.3v PCI slot, making installation simple. The adapter card supports Windows Vista, XP, ME, 2000, 98SE, NT4, DOS and Linux. Plus, IRQ sharing and plug and play capabilities guarantee convenient, hassle-free connections to any parallel peripheral. This PCI Parallel adapter card is a complete dual profile solution, providing both a standard bracket and a low profile bracket for adapting to slimline or small form factor system applications. Type: PCI to Parallel Port Card External Ports: 1 x Parallel Port Data Transfer Rate: 1.5 Mbps Operating Systems Supported: Windows NT4, 95 / 98 / ME / 2000 / XP Weight: 0.31 lb (Package) Features: Maximum data transfer rate of 1.5 Mbps PCI 2.2 and PCI Power Management 1.0 compliant SPP/EPP/ECP Parallel port that fully supports existing Centronics interface Parts: 1 year limited Labor: 1 year limited

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Shuttle Parallel-Port Adapter für BPC SS51G/SK41G/SB51G Barebones €2.64 Technische DatenAbmessungen und Gewicht / Längecm27Technische DatenKabel / E/A-KabeltypParallel-AdapterTechnische DatenKabel / Typ des linken AnschlussesD-Sub (DB-25), 25-poligTechnische DatenKabel / Typ des rechten AnschlussesIDC 26-poligTechnische DatenKabel / Art des rechten AnschlussesWeiblichTechnische DatenKabel / Art des linken AnschlussesWeiblichTechnische DatenKopf / ProduktlinieShuttleT...