Steal the enemy's base at the start and build a technological empire.

Chapter 104 Open Source, Free

"UHSB, 5Gbps speed, reversible plug, strong power supply, and compact interface. Each one is an overwhelming advantage." Ling Yun paused, smiled slightly, and continued:

"I plan to open-source the complete protocol stack—any vendor can use it for free without paying patent fees."

"Open source?" Dell's eyes sharpened. "You don't want patent fees?"

"No," Ling Yun confirmed. "I only ask one thing: if you adopt UHSB, you need to label your products with the UHSB mark. The standard will be managed by a neutral industry association, with me holding one seat, the three of you each holding one seat, and other manufacturers invited to join. It will be fair and transparent."

Favor and Platt exchanged a glance. They both understood the unspoken message.

Intel promotes USB to collect patent fees and control standards. Cirrus Blend's UHSB, on the other hand, is free and open-source, allowing for collaborative management.

More importantly, the performance gap is enormous. 5Gbps versus 1.5Mbps, that's a generational difference. It's like a jet aircraft versus a propeller plane.

"Has the technology been verified?" Platt asked. "Stability? Compatibility? Electromagnetic interference?"

"The prototype has been tested for six months," Ling Yun said, pointing to the circuit board in his suitcase. "This is the fifth version of the design. Stability is not an issue. Regarding compatibility, I will provide the complete driver source code for the protocol stack, supporting Windows and Xingchen systems. Other systems can be ported themselves. Electromagnetic interference testing has passed FCC standards."

Dell picked up the small interface sample and weighed it in his hand.

"If we start designing now, when can we use it in a product?"

"I've already commissioned AMD to design and fabricate the chip, and samples are expected by the end of the month. The motherboard interface design data is now complete. If you decide to adopt it, the first batch of chips can be mass-produced in April. They can then be used in the new products this summer," Lingyun provided the timeline.

Feffer calculated: "Chip mass production in April, motherboard production in May, complete system assembly in June... new product launch in July, just in time for the shopping season."

"But what about Intel..." Pratt hesitated.

"Intel is pushing their standard, but whether a standard is good or not, the market will vote." Ling Yun looked at the three of them. "You are the top three in the PC market. If you all promote UHSB together, other manufacturers will follow suit. Users will vote with their feet—on one hand, there's the slow, cumbersome USB that requires finding the right orientation; on the other hand, there's the ultra-fast, reversible UHSB. Which one will they choose?"

Dale smiled. This was the first real smile he had shown all day.

"Ling, this time you're not asking us to discuss things, you're forcing us." He put down the interface sample. "The product is indeed excellent, so excellent that we can't refuse. If we don't use it, you can find other manufacturers to make products, and our products will be completely outclassed in terms of interface speed. Consumers will ask: Why are Dell/Compaq/HP still using outdated, slow interfaces?"

"I'm just offering choices," Ling Yun said calmly.

Febrez sighed. "I need to take them back to the company for testing. Give me two sets of samples and the complete documentation."

"I need it too," Platt said.

"Of course." Ling Yun took two prepared document bags from his briefcase and handed them to Feffer and Pratt. "Inside are two sets of interface samples, test circuit boards, technical documents, and driver source code. Fully covered by a confidentiality agreement."

Dell doesn't need it. He's already decided to cooperate.

"UHSB..." Dell murmured the name. "The name could be made easier to remember. But that's a minor matter."

The four picked up their clubs again and headed towards the sixth tee. The atmosphere had changed.

On the way, Febreze whispered to Platt, "Intel is going crazy."

"They should have designed the USB better," Platt shrugged. "We're just not as technologically advanced as them, there's nothing we can do about it."

Dell walked up to Ling Yun and lowered his voice: "AMD is designing chips for you?"

"Yes. They need new growth points, and the UHSB chip is an opportunity," Ling Yun replied.

"Smart." Dell nodded. "Team up with AMD to fight Intel. In the standards war, chips come first."

They finished drilling the remaining holes. The conversation shifted from technical details to specific cooperation steps: how to establish an industry association, how to arrange chip supply, and how to coordinate product launch schedules.

As they left the stadium, all three CEOs carried the black document bag. It was lightweight, but they all knew that what was inside could change the future of PC peripherals.

Ling Yun watched the three cars drive away from the club and then packed up his golf bag.

UHSB is just the first step. A high-performance, universal interface will spawn a series of new peripherals: high-speed portable hard drives, high-definition cameras, external sound cards, data acquisition devices... all of which will enrich the application scenarios of PCs.

All of these devices will prioritize driver support and optimization on the Starry Sky system. Because the protocol stack is open source, developers can delve into the underlying fine-tuning.

This is how an ecosystem is built, little by little. It starts with interface standards, then moves on to peripherals, applications, and user habits.

He got into his car but didn't start it immediately.

1997 will be a year of standards battles. Intel's USB and its UHSB. Microsoft's Windows and its Starry Sky system. The Wintel alliance's dual-line system, he wants to touch them all.

The risks are high. The opportunities are also high.

The car drove away from the golf club and merged into the traffic of Los Angeles on the first day of the new year. Sunlight streamed in through the car windows, warm and pleasant.

Lingyun turned on the radio and tuned to a news station. The anchor was reporting on preparations for the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

He turned off the radio and focused on driving.

A few months later, UHSB will make its first public appearance at a trade show. That's when the standards war will truly begin.

He needs to be prepared.