I almost didn't do it. I knew a fair amount about USB but I hesitated sending the '10 things' article idea to Jody. I knew it would be a difficult subject to tackle but it was even more difficult than I had imagined. Looking back on it now perhaps I shouldn't have pressed the Send button.

But I wanted to know all about USB 3.0 and so I did press that Send button. I have learned a lot about USB 3.0 SuperSpeed. I learned the hard way that I actually knew very little about how USB really works.

No article like this gets written without help from others. I am grateful for their help especially the helpful information I received from Microsoft.

If you would like to see a diagram showing how USB ports are shared by both the UHCI host controllers and the EHCI host controllers for motherboards using the Intel ICH9R I/O Controller Hub see page 222, section 5.19.8.1 figure 5-14 and 5-15 (PDF 6.6MB).

http://www.intel.com/Assets/PDF/datasheet/316972.pdf

I had preconceptions that a group that develops and promotes USB SuperSpeed and USB 3.0 would want to help spread the word. So I was surprised when they turned down my request to use some of their diagrams in the article. I list these diagrams at the end of the article. They explain simply in one or two images what is difficult to explain in words. You might want to look a few of them up if you have further interest in USB 3.0.

The name SuperSpeed is rather interesting. Who comes up with these names? With the progression of names I can't help but wondering what name we will see next. SuperDuperSpeed? RammingSpeed? LudicrousSpeed anybody?

I welcome all feedback. Even after all of my research I still can't claim to be a USB expert. I will be available to try to answer those USB questions that I can and participate in the discussion when I have something to add.

Edit: Formatting