The USB 3.0 Promoter Group today announced that the USB Power Delivery specification and SuperSpeed USB Inter-Chip (SSIC) specification are both on track for completion by the end of Q2 2012. Both specifications are currently at a 0.9 draft completion level, essentially the equivalent of final specifications that implementers can use to start developing products. Prototyping activities to help validate the major technical elements of each specification are well underway and will be completed prior to the final release of these specifications.

The USB power delivery specification will enable increased power delivery via USB cables and connectors, expanding cable bus power capabilities in USB applications. The specification enables higher voltage and current to deliver power up to 100 Watts. It also enables a switchable source of power delivery without changing cable direction. The specification is compatible with existing cables and connectors and will coexist with the USB Battery Charging 1.2 specification and existing USB bus-powered applications.

The SSIC specification will define a chip-to-chip USB based interconnect optimized for mobile device internal use. The specification will bring the MIPI Alliance’s M-PHY high bandwidth and low power capabilities combined with the performance enhancements of SuperSpeed USB.

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group intends to transition the final specifications to the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) for publication and establishment of the ecosystems and associated compliance programs by the end of Q2 2012.