External storage will go through a change of generations when the new USB 3.0 interface hits the market. Third generation USB offers up to 10 times the transfer rates of USB 2.0, which in theory enables drives to transfer data as fast as 600MB/s. Several companies have demonstrated the technology, but during CES we will see retail products supporting the new protocol. Seagate will be showing off products from its FreeAgent series using Symwave’s USB 3.0 controller, which will be the first USB3.0 capable storage devices from Seagate. Press release follows after the break;
Symwave and Seagate Demonstrate World’s First USB 3.0 Storage Solution
Companies will showcase first end-to-end storage application of USB 3.0 at CES 2009
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, January 5, 2009 – Symwave, Inc., a semiconductor supplier of highperformance
analog/mixed-signal connectivity solutions for the PC, consumer and mobile devices, today announced collaboration with Seagate to demonstrate Symwave’s USB 3.0 storage controller device designed to comply with the Superspeed (USB 3.0) specification revision 1.0. The technology demonstration is the world’s first consumer product application of USB 3.0 and will take place at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 8-11, 2009. The demonstration will showcase streaming data to and from a commercially available external storage device at speeds previously unattainable with legacy USB technology.
Seagate’s award-winning FreeAgent® family of external storage solutions will be used to demonstrate the read-and-write transfer speeds of USB 3.0. Seagate was selected for this display of technology due to the company’s industry leadership position and reputation for maintaining a high-level of technological innovation.
The USB 3.0 specification is a rapidly emerging technology that enables high-speed connectivity between consumer devices at up to 10 times faster than current solutions. It is backwards compatible with the more than 10 billion USB devices shipped to date. Only seven weeks ago, Symwave announced the world’s first USB 3.0 physical layer device (PHY) at the same time as the first public release of the Revision 1.0 Specification at the SuperSpeed USB Developers Conference.
“Symwave is honored to be working with Seagate in this show of the first USB 3.0 solution in a real world application of data backup, storage and media streaming,” said Yossi Cohen. president and CEO of Symwave. “Customer reaction to our new PHY device for USB 3.0 has been extremely positive and we will continue to focus on delivering leading-edge products that will allow them to address the growing demand for high-speed storage solutions.”
The industry’s SuperSpeed USB organization encompasses over 200 companies including the leading brands in consumer electronics, mobile devices, storage, and PCs. With such broad industry momentum and support, SuperSpeed USB is poised to become the most pervasive high-speed connectivity technology over the coming years.
Symwave’s technology demonstration will be held in a private suite at the Las Vegas Hilton immediately adjacent to CES being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). To schedule an appointment to view the demo or to receive additional information, please contact Jim Kappes at (858) 774-7122 or jim.kappes@symwave.com. To schedule a press briefing, please contact Lauri Julian at (949) 280-5602 or l.julian@mediaconnectpr.com.
About Symwave, Inc Symwave is a global fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets highperformance analog/mixed-signal integrated circuits and related system software solutions. The Company specializes in the design and development of low-power, high-speed, standardsbased Serial Physical Layer ICs (PHYs) and Analog Front End ICs (AFEs) leveraging its proprietary mixed-signal technology and silicon design capabilities. Symwave is focused on defining, developing and delivering best-in-class/first-in-class solutions for its customers, leveraging an experienced world-class analog/mixed-signal IC design team and unique IP portfolio. Symwave is a privately held company funded in 2004 headquartered in Orange County, CA with a Design Center in Shenzhen, China, and offices in San Diego, CA, and Taipei, Taiwan. The company is backed by top-tier venture capital firms including Kodiak Venture Partners and CMEA Ventures, among others. Additional information is available at www.symwave.com.
Seagate and Seagate Technology are trademarks or registered trademarks of Seagate Technology LLC or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. FreeAgent is either a trademark or registered trademark of Seagate Technology LLC
