With USB 2.0 on the way, it seems like Motorola is just a bit behind the times with its new USB System Reference Design, the second in a series of application-specific designs based on the company's 68HC908 8-bit Flash microcontrollers. Then again, we haven't seen a ton of gadgets based on the new USB format. Motorola says the reference design is intended to help engineers develop peripherals compatible with the USB 1.1 standard. The reference designs include application software, device drivers, hardware schematics and documentation. Based on Motorola's 68HC908JB8 Flash MCU, the reference design board features USB 1.1 communication with a PC with no driver development required, USB demo application and device driver (running on Windows 98/ME/2000 Professional operating systems), LEDs and jumpers for status condition and board configuration, a breadboard area for development of application-specific circuitry, a monitor-mode interface for on-board Flash programming and monitor mode debugging, software analog-to-digital converter, and an RS232 interface with software UART. The USB System reference design is available now for download at no cost to registered users of Motorola's semiconductor website and pre-built hardware is also available.