USB Implementers Forum

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) is a non-profit organisation to promote and support the Universal Serial Bus. Its main activities are the promotion and marketing of USB, Wireless USB, USB On-The-Go, and the maintenance of the specifications, as well as a compliance program.

It was formed in 1995 by the group of companies that developed USB. Notable members include Apple Computer, Hewlett-Packard, NEC, Microsoft, Intel, and Agere Systems.

The working committees within USB-IF are:

• Device Working Group
• Compliance Committee
• Marketing Committee
• On-The-Go Working Group

The USB-IF web caters for Developers who can freely sign up to the Developer web-Forums and access documentation, however to join a working group one has to work for a member company or register as a member. The developer forums cover USB hard and software development and is not an end-user Forum.

Obtaining a vendor ID

A vendor ID is necessary for developing a USB product. The USB-IF is responsible for issuing USB vendor ID's to product manufacturers. Despite the purported non-profit nature of this organisation, the cost for simply issuing this number is a minimum of US$2,000. Additionally, if a manufacturer of a USB device wishes to use the Logo then this becomes a 2-year licensing fee. Some microcontroller manufacturers offer a free or low cost sublicense of their Vendor ID for development/testing and limited production (generally under 10,000 units). Vendors offering this free service include:

• Dream S.A.S.
• FTDI
• Luminary Micro
• Microchip
• NXP
• Silicon Labs
• ST Microelectronics
• Texas Instruments

See also

• Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA)
• USB
• Wireless USB
• USB On-The-Go

External links

• USB-IF web page