SuperSpeed USB 3.0 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions )

Q1: Where are the drivers located in the CD?
Q2: How to install USB 3.0 drivers for Windows XP/Server2003/Vista/Server2008/7 (32bit/64bit)?
Q3: Where can I download  the drivers?
Q4: What is SuperSpeed USB 3.0?
Q5: How does USB 3.0 gain these new features?
Q6: What do the new power management features mean for me?
Q7: Are the new connectors backwards compatible?
 

Q1: Where are the drivers located in the CD?
A1: IO-PEU230:  CD-Rom drive:/USB3.0 Host/NEC/NECEL-USB3-Host-Driver-10170-setup.exe
       IO-PEU231: Insert drivers CD into the CD-Rom - Click HPU-300NC - then Windows Driver
       IO-ECU230: Insert drivers CD into the CD-Rom - Click HBU-300NC - then Windows Driver
Before you start to use the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 card, you must install the driver first.

Q2: How to install USB 3.0 drivers for Windows XP/Server2003/Vista/Server2008/7 (32bit/64bit)?
A2: Before you start to use the SuperSpeed USB 3.0, please install the driver first.

1. Run installer setup.exe on Driver CD, CD/DVD-ROM drive:\USB3.0 Host\NEC\setup.exe (for IO-PEU230)
   Insert Driver CD into the CD/DVD-ROM drive, Click on HPU-300NC --> Windows Driver (for IO-PEU231)
   Insert Driver CD into the CD/DVD-ROM drive, Click on HBU-330NC --> Windows Driver (for IO-ECU230)
2. Follow the installation steps
3. Click finish to complete the process. Shut down you computer and install the USB 3.0 host controller card into your system
4. Windows should pick up the driver automatically.
5. To check if the drivers are installed, go to Device Manager à under Universal Serial Bus controllers à you should see “NEC Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller” and “NEC Electronics USB 3.0 Root Hub”.

Q3: Where can I download the drivers?
A3: IO-PEU230: Click here
      IO-PEU231: Click here
      IO-ECU230: Click here

Q4: What is SuperSpeed USB 3.0?
A4: USB 3.0 is the next major revision of the Universal Serial Bus, which was originally formed in 1996 by a group of companies led by Intel to create a simple connection between computers and peripherals. USB 2.0, the current standard, has been the de facto standard for years now and more than 6 billion USB 2.0 devices have been sold.

USB 3.0 was first shown off in 2007 when Intel demonstrated what they called "SuperSpeed USB". Since then they have been working on improving and unifying the USB 3.0 standard so when peripheral and computer makers receive the USB 3.0 specs, they will work universally.

USB 3.0 promises the following enhancements:

• Higher transfer speeds up to 4.8 Gbps
• Full-duplex data transfers (allows for simultaneous back-and-forth data transfer)
• Increased bus power to allow for more power supply to devices
• New power management features
• New connectors and cables, but they are backwards compatible with USB 2.0 standards

Q5: How does USB 3.0 gain these new features?
A5: USB 2.0 currently uses only four wires (power, ground, 2 for data) while USB 3.0 adds four more wires for receiving and transmitting data. This means that USB 3.0 will be able to simultaneously send and receive data where USB 2.0 cannot. This means a ten-fold increase in bandwidth in itself from USB 2.0's 480 Mbps max transfer rate.

Q6: What do the new power management features mean to me?
A6: USB 2.0 has been known for not being able to provide enough power for power-hungry devices, which is why some peripheral require a power connection in addition to the USB connection. USB 3.0 provides up to 50% more power for simple devices (up to 150 mA from 100 mA) and 80% more power (up to 900 mA) for more advanced devices. This means many things for devices, such as faster charging, less need for a power connection, etc. There is a new B connection for USB 3.0 that is powered, which can provide up to 1000 mA to extremely power-hungry devices because they contain an extra two power contacts in the connector.

Q7: Are the new connectors backwards compatible?
A7: Yes. Existing USB 2.0 peripherals will continue to work with 3.0 ports and vice-versa. However, plugging an USB 2.0 device into a 3.0 host will only be able to achieve the maximum speed and power allowed by the 2.0 standard. In other words, the speed and power allowed will be limited by the slowest standard connected.

USB 3.0 connectors are longer, however, to allow them to reach the extra set of contacts located deeper on USB 3.0 ports. This won't affect backwards compatibility because plugging into a USB 2.0 port just means those extra set of contacts won't be connected, but the essential contacts will be connected. Therefore, plugging in a USB 3.0 cable into a 3.0 port will allow for the connectors in the far back that provide that extra speed and power boost will come in contact.