Milestone-Proposal talk:Universal Serial Bus (USB)

Submission and Approval Log

Submitted date:
History Committee approval date:
Board of Directors approval date:

Expert review #1 by John Garney uploaded on his behalf by administrator -- Administrator4 (talk) 16:55, 8 March 2021 (UTC)

March 7, 2021 IEEE History Committee: I was a member of the Intel technical team that developed the USB 1.0 and USB 2.0 Specifications. I was the technical lead for the definition of several parts of the specifications, including: data flow model, hubs, the USB descriptors and standard requests. I was the chairman of the USB 2.0 Hub Working Group and led the definition of the non-electrical portions of USB 2.0. I personally wrote many sections of those USB specifications. While at Intel, the team I led and was part of, created the first USB software drivers and worked with the very first vendors of USB devices to get their devices working and compliant. I have delivered technical talks at international USB developers conferences since the very beginning and have taught international classes on USB technology. One of the first books about USB that I wrote (along with other authors) is cited in the milestone proposal. I am also the inventor of several USB related patents.

Since retiring from Intel, I have provided engineering and expert witness consulting services about USB to a variety of clients. I was a extensive reviewer of the USB 3.0 specification and the Hub Working Group Vice-Chairman of what became USB 3.1.

I lived through many of the earliest technical experiences and debates described in the IEEE milestone proposal, for example, changing from an originally conceived 5Mb/s bus, through a 10mb/s bus to the eventual 1.5mb/s & 12mb/s USB 1.0 bus definition. I remember when Bala Cadambi and I were on a train in Japan and happened to meet Jim Pappas (of DEC at the time) and thought he might be a good fit to work on USB. I have reviewed the milestone citation and proposal, and feel it accurately describes the history of the development of USB and the reality of USB in the world today. I am continually amazed that since those earliest days back in 1994, USB is not only still present in the world, but is in active use by billions of devices and many millions (if not billions) of people throughout the world. From my involvement in the computer and electronics industries, it is unusual for a technology to remain at the forefront for 25+ years. The importance of USB for normal non-technical people "on the street" as well as computer experts merits being recognized for an IEEE milestone. I fully support this effort and applaud IEEE for taking this step.

Re: Expert review #1 by John Garney uploaded on his behalf by administrator -- Bberg (talk) 16:15, 11 March 2021 (UTC)

The letter with the above text as submitted by Expert Reviewer John Garney can be viewed at

Media:USB-Milestone-ExpertReview(JohnGarney).pdf

Expert review #2 by Jan Axelson uploaded on his behalf by administrator -- Administrator4 (talk) 17:01, 8 March 2021 (UTC)

IEEE History Committee: As the author of three technical guides for USB developers, I've watched USB evolve from a new interface with great promise to becoming the dominant interface for peripherals and devices worldwide. This technical achievement merits honoring USB as an IEEE Milestone.

In 1996, the USB 1.0 specification addressed critical considerations for a new interface: ease of use, the ability to attach and use multiple peripherals with different functionsj and support for connectivity and communications. Also important to USB's success was the commitment to keeping the interface inexpensive for device makers and consumers. Over time, USB has demonstrated its robustness by supporting new functions, such as charging and high-speed video, that weren't originally envisioned.

Milestone-Proposa/: Universal Serial Bus (USB) fully documents the significance of USB's technological achievement, including citing the 2nd edition of my book USB Complete. I enthusiastically support approving this proposal

Jan Axelson author of: USB Complete (now in its 5th edition) USB Mass Storage USB Embedded Hosts

Re: Expert review #2 by Jan Axelson uploaded on his behalf by administrator -- Bberg (talk) 16:20, 11 March 2021 (UTC)

The letter with the above text as submitted by Expert Reviewer Jan Axelson can be viewed at

 Media:USB-Milestone-ExpertReview(JanAxelson).pdf

USB Milestone Proposal Review -- Jbart64 (talk) 19:19, 10 March 2021 (UTC)

I reviewed the milestone proposal for the USB and the two expert letters. I approve the milestone and fully support it. My comments and suggestions have already been incorporated by the proposer. Dave Bart Milestone Advocate

support this proposal to be an IEEE Milestone -- Juan Carlos (talk) 19:01, 22 March 2021 (UTC)

I fully support this proposal. USB has been one of the enablers of the terrific developments in the use of personal computers, world-wide. We have to be careful about recognizing one company Intel in an industrial standard. but all the comments on the page point to the leading role played by Intel. so we may allow a plaque at the Intel building and include the name of the company in the citation. my only concern is, as john Garney was deeply involved in the subject at that time in Intel, should we acept him as valid "independent" reviewer?

Re: support this proposal to be an IEEE Milestone -- Bberg (talk) 21:14, 23 March 2021 (UTC)

First, I do not feel that the inclusion of Intel in the citation is necessary. Intel indeed led the charge, and a site on an Intel campus where critical USB development took place is the proposed site for the plaque. However, Intel had critical help from Microsoft, Compaq and many other companies early on, and USB quickly gained support across the industry. I describe all of this in the proposal.

In case there is any question about John Garney being one of the two Experts, I know that a proposer can also serve as an Expert. I thus put myself forward as such an Expert since (1) I have been an independent consultant who has worked on projects involving USB for upwards of 20 years, and (2) I have also served as an Expert Witness re: various aspects of USB, and have testified on both hardware- and software-related capabilities of USB. It was this experience that gave me the inspiration to propose this Milestone. I have also cited books by both Experts in my USB Expert Reports and testimony.

-- JaninA (talk) 01:38, 15 April 2021 (UTC)

The statement that a Milestone proposer can serve as an expert on the very proposal is completely untrue and contradicts the History Committee Milestone Operating Manual. Is also contradict IEEE fundamental publication principles.

I am placing my comment here to prevent this wrong information to propagate.