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This section provides an overview for usb dongles as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 20 usb dongle manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked usb dongle companies as of December, 2024: 1.Kestrel Instruments, 2.Nordic Semiconductor, 3.Control Devices Inc..
Table of Contents
A USB dongle is a small device that is inserted into a USB port.
USB dongles are often used as license activation keys to prevent unauthorized copying of software; by connecting the USB dongle to a computer via a USB port, licensed software can be used. They are small, portable, and extremely easy to operate.
In the past, parallel and serial ports on PCs were used. However, USB dongles have become the mainstream due to their convenience. In recent years, network authentication has become the mainstream.
USB dongles are mainly used for software sold for a fee to maintain security and prevent unauthorized copying.
USB dongles are used to limit the number of licenses and prevent unauthorized use of software.
In recent years, USB dongles have also become popular for digital media players such as Chromecast and Fire TV Stick, and external Wi-Fi ports for USB dongles are also available and can be connected to a PC.
USB dongles are devices that have a license authentication function by rewriting part of the program inside.
A portion of the program is compiled and stored in the USB dongles so that it can be executed within the USB dongles.
The program itself rewrites the program to call the program stored in the USB dongles.
This is the principle of preventing unauthorized use of the USB dongles. This ensures that only the owner of the USB dongles can use the software.
Previously, if a program was completely copied, it could be duplicated in large quantities. However, with the advent of USB dongles, these duplications can now be prevented.
In addition, data is stored by applying a voltage to the elements inside the USB dongles. It must be handled with care, and data may be damaged if it is mishandled.
USB dongles are sold in a wide variety of products, depending on their intended use.
USB dongles are dongles that convert another interface to USB, such as USB dongles that enable a SIM card to be installed in a PC or a dongle that enables Wi-Fi to be used.
Some dongles convert USB dongles to DVI or HDMI format. Some products are used for in-vehicle applications and add Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions to car navigation systems. Some dongles can transfer the screen from a smartphone to a car navigation system.
A protected dongle is a dongle that is attached to a PC to ensure security and has the function of checking for license violations. Due to its lack of convenience and the sophistication of other license authentication methods, the use of this type of dongle has been decreasing in recent years.
As security measures have become more sophisticated in recent years, USB dongles are increasingly being used as a component of two-factor authentication. In addition to password authentication, USB dongles are used to control access only from the PC to which the dongle is connected.
Generally, two-factor authentication uses a physical device such as a smartphone, but USB dongles are sometimes used as an inexpensive way to implement two-factor authentication.
Two-factor authentication using USB dongles is effective in preventing information leaks because it allows strict restrictions on who can use the device and for what purpose. It is also an effective means of authorizing the use of shared PCs or dedicated PCs for specific purposes.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Unibrain is a manufacturer and supplier of FireWire/IEEE 1394 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 & 2 cables, which are used for high-speed data transfer and connectivity between devices such as cameras, computers, and audio equipment. The company's products are used in aerospace, automotive, medical, and robotics, as well as in research and development. One of Unibrain's products is the FireWire 800 camera. It's a digital camera that delivers high-resolution images with low noise and fast frame rates, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. In 2020, Unibrain received the Best of Show award at the Vision China Shanghai Exhibition.
Nordic Semiconductor, established in 1983, is a manufacturer of integrated electronics design services and products such as wireless devices for cellular IoT, Bluetooth mesh, Bluetooth low energy, ZigBee, and thread. The Norwegian company offers power management ICs and cloud services for Nordic wireless devices for procol agnostic transport protocols. The company is a member of the ANT+ Alliance, Bluetooth SIG, Thread Group, Connectivity Standards Alliance, Wi-Fi Alliance, and GSMA. The products are used in applications such as wireless PC peripherals, mobile phone accessories, sports and fitness, healthcare and automation.
FTDI Chip, founded in, Glasgow, in 1992 is a manufacturer of silicon and software solutions for the Universal Serial Bus (USB). The company's product portfolio includes USB cables, including Type-A, Type-B, Micro USB, USB-C, Multi-port USB hubs that enable users to connect multiple devices to a single USB port, USB Flash Drives, USB Adapters and USB Chargers. The company serves markets including Medical and Healthcare, Education, Consumer Goods, Industrial Manufacturing and IT. The company provides services such as Product Selection Guidance, Engineering Support, and Custom Manufacturing.
EURESYS S.A., founded in Seraing, Liege, in 1989 is a manufacturer of image and video acquisition components, and frame grabbers. The company's product portfolio includes Sensor IP cores, Camera Links, Video capture cards, IP video encoders, and Video Converters. The company serves markets including Automotive and Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy and Energy Storage and Electronics and IT Infrastructure. They also offer services including color analysis, barcode reading and verification and 3D inspection.
NXP was established in 2006 as a spinoff from Phillips and is headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The company is a co-founder of NFC communication and designs and manufactures semiconductors that serve the automotive, industrial, mobile, and smart home industries. The company’s automotive products include driver assistance transceivers, sensors, and security systems. For industrial markets, the company produces RFID readers, processors, and microcontrollers. For communication infrastructure, the company produces RF mixers, diodes, and low-noise amplifiers for wireless LAN networks. The company also produces peripherals, power management chips, communications chips, and interface devices.
Fujitsu Components America, Inc. is a global leader in electronics manufacturing services (EMS), providing integrated services and solutions for OEMs and ODMs operating in the automotive, communications, computing, consumer, industrial and medical sectors. Fujitsu Components America’s Products include relays, touch panels, and wireless modules, and input and pointing devices. Fujitsu Component America serves customers across volume spectrums in variable-mix, variable-volume production.
Softing Industrial Automation, headquartered in Haar, Germany, is a manufacturer of industrial communication products and technologies for manufacturing and process automation. They offer products such as gateways for multi-protocol process control, network access parallel to the controller and access for controller data, UA software platform, integration platform, and Docker container, providing secure data exchange between different systems and devices. These products are used in various industries such as automotive, industrial, and IT networks.
C2G, Inc., founded as Cables To Go in 1984, has a nearly four-decade history of manufacturing cabling and connectivity solutions. After becoming part of Legrand in 2014, the company expanded its product range to include AV, USB, Networking, and Power offerings. C2G specializes in end-to-end solutions, catering to diverse sectors such as Education, Healthcare, Government, and Commercial Offices, with simplified connectivity. Flexible shipping, custom design options, and 24/7 technical resources ensure seamless service. By consistently bridging the gap between industry standards and evolving business needs, C2G ensures a future-ready approach to connectivity solutions.
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (ASUS) is a Taiwanese multinational developer and manufacturer of consumer electronic products that was established in 1989 and is based in Beitou, Taipei. The company produces various computing devices including desktop, laptop, and netbook models. They also function as an OEM of motherboards, computer assembly components, displays, networking and IoT devices, and smartphone parts. ASUS has several notable subsidiaries operating worldwide, including ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG), ASMedia, and AAEON.
Sandberg A/S, established in 1985 and based in Bikerod, Denmark, is a manufacturer and supplier of computer accessories and equipments. Its product portfolio includes computer accessories, webcams, USB adaptors, earphones, headsets audio, sports equipments, mobile accessories, cable solutions, and systems. They are used in multiple applications such as automation, computers, mobiles, electronic gadgets, and other web solutions. The company also offers IT solutions, technical support, 5-year warranty with double-tested solutions.
Terasic Technologies Inc., founded in 2003 and headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, is a supplier and developer of FPGA-based hardware and complex system solutions. The company specializes in rapid-processing boards and tailor-made robust system configurations serving industries like advanced computing, military, aerospace, and data centers. The company ensures that the minerals used in its products are conflict-free. It has sold over a hundred thousand FPGA kits globally. It has provided advanced designs and solutions to OEMs and ODMs and earned the prestigious Altera 2006 Supplier Excellence Award.
B&H Foto & Electronics Corporation, founded in 1973 and based in Manhattan, New York City, is a retailer of photo, video, and other technological equipment. B&H is an authorized seller of Sony, Panasonic, Canon, Fuji, and more. The company serves photographers, musicians, and professionals with products related to film, music, photography, audio, art, and technology. The company's main products include photography gear, computers, televisions, drones, surveillance systems, and more. B&H store has nearly 500,000 items in stock for customers who need them.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Kestrel Instruments |
21.9%
|
2 | Nordic Semiconductor |
12.3%
|
3 | Control Devices Inc. |
8.4%
|
4 | RMA Electronics, Inc |
7.1%
|
5 | FTDI Chip |
5.8%
|
6 | ASUSTeK Computer Inc. |
5.8%
|
7 | B&H Foto and Electronics Corp. |
5.2%
|
8 | C2G |
5.2%
|
9 | Fujitsu Components America, Inc. |
4.5%
|
10 | EPOS |
3.9%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the usb dongle page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 4 | 30.8% |
Japan | 2 | 15.4% |
Norway | 1 | 7.7% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 7.7% |
Belgium | 1 | 7.7% |
Netherlands | 1 | 7.7% |
Denmark | 1 | 7.7% |
China | 1 | 7.7% |
Taiwan | 1 | 7.7% |
15 products found
15 products
Hiten Japan Co., Ltd.
490+ people viewing
Last viewed: 16 hours ago
Standard Response
4.0 Company Review
■ Overview The USB dongle "ROCKEY" is a protector that operates as a physical "key" when launching the application, preventing software fraudulent ...
2 models listed
Shinko Shoji Co., Ltd.
90+ people viewing
Last viewed: 26 minutes ago
Fast Response
Tampering or leakage of information, hacking, or unauthorized use of applications. We live in an era where people are asking how to protect their i...
RF Link Co., Ltd.
340+ people viewing
Last viewed: 23 hours ago
Very Fast Response
■Summary RM-92X_USB is an adapter product that is equipped with RFLINK's RM-92A and RM-92C and used as a USB device. The onboard UART/USB conversio...
Compass Lab Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 22 hours ago
CANUSB is a CAN to USB Gateway that connects to a PC's USB port and communicates with the CAN bus. You can read data passing through the CAN bus th...
Fuji Soft Co., Ltd.
280+ people viewing
Standard Response
5.0 Company Review
YUAN USB2.0/3.0 Capchabox/Dongle series. Video capture USB3.0 series with H.264 software compression compatible with 4K/60fps compatible, H.264 sof...
3 models listed
A and Day Co., Ltd.
200+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 hour ago
Standard Response
Compatible with A&D models that support Bluetooth® communication. Maximum communication distance approximately 10m. This is a dongle required for t...
Compass Lab Co., Ltd.
20+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
CANUSB SET (CANUSB+CAN232J_PRG) Set product with software Prices are subject to change without notice depending on the appreciation or depreciatio...
Green House Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 6 hours ago
■Summary LTE USB dongle for embedded/networking that can be used with compatible routers Features ■LTE USB dongle compatible with docomo/au microS...
Green House Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 6 hours ago
■Summary LTE USB dongle compatible with docomo/au microSIM Features ■Easy settings from a web browser Access settings and other settings are done ...
Green House Co., Ltd.
20+ people viewing
Last viewed: 19 hours ago
■Summary Connect your computer to the Internet anywhere with an LTE USB dongle compatible with docomo/au microSIM Features ■LTE USB dongle compati...
Green House Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 22 hours ago
Overview ■LTE USB dongle compatible with docomo/au microSIM for embedded/network products ・GH-UDG-MCLTED is a product that can be used by insertin...
Green House Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 10 hours ago
■Features ・USB connection board compatible with 920MHz communication module (RM-92A). - Can be used for communication tests and evaluations by con...