Re: [LAU] Intel Rate Matching Hub and USB soundcards

From: Jeremy Jongepier <jeremy@email-addr-hidden>
Date: Mon Jun 14 2010 - 10:55:34 EEST

On 06/13/2010 03:24 PM, Clemens Ladisch wrote:
> Jeremy Jongepier wrote:
>> Does anybody know if there is any relationship between the Intel Rate
>> Matching Hub and poor performance of USB soundcards?
>
> The "Rate Matching" behaves just like a normal USB hub; this design
> choice does not introduce any problems by itself.
>
> However, the USB controllers in these chipsets (5 and 3400 series) are
> just plain buggy; the bug list ("specification update") says:
> | 6. Intel® 5 Series Chipset and Intel® 3400 Series Chipset Full-Speed
> | USB Isochronous Packet Truncation
> |
> | Problem: Full-Speed isochronous-out transactions with multi-frame
> | packets may be truncated, in the presence of Full or Low-Speed USB
> | asynchronous transactions.
> | • For this to occur, two devices, one performing Full-Speed
> | isochronous-out transactions and one performing asynchronous
> | transactions must be connected to the same USB controller
> | (Ports 0-7 and 8-13).
> |
> | Implication: In the case of a USB audio device this issue may result
> | in no audible impact or audible artifacts such as pops and clicks.
> |
> | Note:
> | • High-Speed and Low-Speed USB devices are not impacted by this issue.
> | • Only devices supporting Full-Speed isochronous-out transactions that
> | Intel is aware of are audio devices, such as sound adapters,
> | speakers, and headphones.
> | • Intel has only observed the issue when a Full-Speed audio devices
> | and Full-Speed USB web camera are connected to the same USB
> | controller.
> |
> | Workaround: None.
> | Status: Fixed
>
> (that is, fixed in chip revision B3)
>
>
> Regards,
> Clemens

Hello Clemens,

Thanks for the info! That's a real bummer for those who acquired a
machine with these chipsets and want to use it with a USB soundcard :(
Case closed, thanks again.

Best,

Jeremy
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Received on Mon Jun 14 12:15:02 2010

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