The better usb type c connector. USB Type-C pinout. The best devices with USB Type-C

We are on the verge of significant changes - the classic and familiar USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports are being replaced by a new, backwards compatible type of connector. Despite its external convenience, symmetry and visual simplicity, the list of USB Type-C capabilities is not only impressive, but at the same time it is fraught with many unobvious difficulties for the user.

The first USB standard appeared in 1994 to solve the key problems of that time: the unification of connectors for PC equipment peripherals combined with high data transfer rates. Since 2001, the USB 2.0 connector (as well as its various variations) has become a universal connection standard for any peripheral. The key to fifteen years of USB success is simplicity, because there are only four contacts inside that provide the connected device with power and communication.

What was an advantage in the 2000s has become a bottleneck for modern devices - USB ports can no longer cope with the volume of information growing almost exponentially, users appreciate the advantages of symmetrical (and fast!) mobile reversible connectors (such as Apple Lightning), cables in which you can insert on both sides, and the speed of wireless data transfer is very close to the speed of a cable connection.

USB 3.0 only highlighted the existing problem by mechanically increasing the number of additional pins to five, which increased the maximum throughput from 480 MBit/s to 5 Gbit/s, and the maximum current increased from 500 mA to 900 mA. The new connector also received its own distinctive marking - a blue socket. USB 3.0 connectors require 9 pins to operate.

Let's figure out how much the USB Type-C / USB-C / USB C connector differs from its predecessors, what prospects and difficulties are fraught with the transition to a new type of connector, and what types of cables it will be able to replace in the near future.

The confusion starts with the name: “USB Type-C”, “USB-C” and “USB C” are different names for the same connector, which can work with different protocols. Until a common name is settled, we'll stick with the name USB Type-C - although the general trend points to the growing popularity of the shorter variant USB-C.

The diagram of backward-compatible USB Type-C protocols allows you to understand what functions the new connector can take on - there were unexpectedly many of them, which is good news. The most important thing about this diagram is that each subsequent level is backward compatible with the levels below it.

The fastest protocol for the new connector is Thunderbolt 3. The Thunderbolt hardware interface was developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple. The Thunderbolt brand itself was previously owned by Apple, but was later transferred to Intel. USB Type-C connectors working with this protocol are installed in new

But the USB Type-C port in the previous one is “a step lower”, allowing you to connect peripherals compatible only with the USB 3.1 gen 1 standard, but not with Thunderbolt 3.

This is a good example that clearly demonstrates in practice why, despite the same USB Type-C connector, Thunderbolt 3 peripherals cannot be connected to the Macbook 12, however, any accessories and peripherals for the Macbook 12 will work with the new Macbook Pro 2016.

Let's take a closer look at what other types of signals USB Type-C can transmit through itself.

First of all, these are classic USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 - this is relevant for mobile devices with a new connector (for example, the first tablet with USB Type-C Nokia N1), which supported signals and power only for USB 2.0. The most modern mobile devices (for example l) support a USB 3.0 connection.

What does this mean in practice? When purchasing a cable for a mobile device with USB Type-C, pay attention to the speed and compatibility of the connectors on both gadgets. A good choice for a modern Windows laptop with USB 3.0 would be a cable that will provide operation via USB Type-C using the USB 2.0 and 3.0 protocols.

If your mobile device, for example an Android smartphone, is equipped with a Micro-USB port (or its modification Micro-USB B) operating under the USB 2.0 protocol, you can use a cable, or. The maximum data transfer speed will be limited to 480 Mbps.

The next standard is USB 3.1 gen 1 - allowing you to connect hard drives, network adapters and docking stations. It is backward compatible with “SuperSpeed” USB 3.0, “Hi-Speed” USB 2.0, and even the original USB 1.x.

USB 3.1 gen 2 protocol is similar to the previous one, but doubles the bandwidth of USB peripherals to 10 Gbps. Only the newest USB-C devices support it.

USB 3.1 and USB Type-C connections are also supported by external drives, for example.

Examples of accessories that provide compatible high-speed network connections via USB Type-C:
And .

Audio Accessory Mode is a specification for use with analog audio, allowing the USB Type-C port to compete with the analog 3.5mm jack in the future.

Connection mode Alternate Mode - includes all other non-USB protocols: DisplayPort, MHL, HDMI and Thunderbolt (which was previously connected via the DP connector). The main problem here is that not every device supports the Alternate Mode protocol, which is very confusing for buyers.

For video devices, not only branded adapters with USB Type-C from Apple are available: and adapter, but also options from other manufacturers, for example.

But there are also advantages - transmitting a video stream via a USB Type-C port does not in any way affect its energy capabilities, because as many as four high-speed lines can be allocated for the needs of DisplayPort. In this case, it is possible to transmit images in resolutions up to 5120×2880.

The symmetry of the contact pads made it possible to make the port reversible, and depending on the connected device, a different number of connections is involved.

The first USB 1.0 port provided only 0.75 W (0.15 A, 5 V) of power. For USB 2.0, the current was increased to 0.5 A, which made it possible to receive 2.5 watts from it to power, for example, external 2.5” hard drives. It is not surprising that connecting more power-intensive drives sometimes required several ports at once.

For USB 3.0, a current of 0.9 A is provided, which, with a supply voltage of 5 V, guarantees a power of 4.5 W. Compared to these numbers, the 100W transmission capability is truly impressive!

To ensure the transfer of such an amount of energy, the supply voltage can increase to 20 Volts. The Secondary Bus and USB Power Delivery Communication contacts are designed to select the desired operating mode between connected gadgets - after all, if the device is not capable of accepting 100W of energy, it will simply burn out! Thanks to pre-communication, compatible devices enter an advanced operating mode with enhanced power options.

There are five such profiles in total: “profile 1” guarantees the ability to transmit 10 W of energy, the second – 18 W, the third – 36 W, the fourth – 60 W, and the fifth – a whole hundred!

The PD (Power Delivery) function requires a separate cable, e.g.

The prospects for USB Type-C or USB-C are very bright. In addition to Apple, both high-performance desktops (motherboards) and mobile devices are beginning to be equipped with USB Type-C ports. So far, the leading place is occupied by the USB 3.1 protocol in both of its variations (and mobile devices are just approaching USB 3.0 speeds).

It won’t be long before we can finally switch to a universal type of USB-C cables from USB-C (such cables are available now) to connect other peripherals. It's especially nice that accessories purchased today will continue to work thanks to backwards compatibility mode. Important note - USB Type-C is an open standard that does not require licensing fees from manufacturers.

The risks and difficulties lie only when connecting new peripherals (requiring the fastest protocols, such as Thunderbolt of various versions) to older versions of devices with USB Type-C operating at USB 3.1 speeds - at best, they will be able to continue working at a reduced speed.

When purchasing accessories and USB Type-C cables, be sure to consider what speeds your device should (and can) operate at - if USB 2.0-3.1 speeds are suitable for mobile devices and gadgets, then for transmitting video signals or data from high-capacity hard drives it can be important Thunderbolt 3 compatible.

For your convenience, we have collected them in a separate section of the catalog.

It would seem that the USB Type-C standard has just begun to earn its reputation in the world of mobile technology, but 2015 has already given us a certain number of devices that have tried on the new interface: memories of OnePlus 2, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are still fresh.

There is no doubt that the number of such devices will continue to grow this year. The largest manufacturers will continue to fight fiercely for consumers, supplying Type-C connectors not only to their flagship models, but also to offerings in lower price segments.

If you regularly use external batteries or other portable chargers designed for microUSB, this will add to your headache: in order to continue to benefit from your favorite accessories, be prepared to fork out for a dozen different adapters.

But there is an alternative option - an external battery, or the so-called Power Bank, with a built-in connector for a USB Type-C connector, which, among other things, has a number of significant advantages over its competitors: recharging the device via a Type-C connection is much faster, and you don't have to carry all the necessary adapters with you.

On the pages of online stores you can find dozens of different names of portable chargers. Looks like it's time to figure out which products are worth buying. Taking into account the brand, rating and positive reviews, we have compiled a small subjective list for you. And if the power banks presented below are not in your local store, their cost allows you to order them from ebay, amazon or other online platform without hassle with customs.

Anker PowerCore+ with a capacity of 20100 mAh will cost you about $51. For this money you will get a device with an LED charge indicator, two USB ports with an output current of 2.4 A, and one USB Type-C port. Actually, the kit itself consists of a “power bank”, a USB/USB Type-C cable for charging the battery, a case and a microUSB cable.

Note that Anker PowerCore+ boasts several unique discoveries that are responsible for legitimately fueling your . Proprietary PowerIQ technology copies the charging protocols of each connected gadget, making the procedure safe and as efficient as possible. VoltageBoost will also be useful: it determines the cable resistance, thereby ensuring process stability. Unfortunately, the Anker PowerCore+ does not support Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 technology.

The CHOETECH external battery with 10400 mAh inside costs $32. There are two USB ports on board, one of which is compatible with Quick Charge 2.0 technology from Qualcomm. The USB Type-C connector can be used to connect to a Macbook, Nexus 6P or Pixel C. The kit includes the Power Bank itself and a USB/USB Type-C cable. There is also an 18 month warranty. The device is charged both via microUSB and via the USB Type-C interface.

In fact, the CHOETECH doesn't look too impressive when compared to the Anker model. It costs $20 less, but along with the price half of the capacity is lost somewhere. The only thing that can tip the scales in favor of CHOETECH is its modest weight and size, as well as support for Quick Charge 2.0.

The price of a RAVPower power bank with a capacity of 20100 mAh is approximately $60. The discreet design - a black box with a four-point LED indicator - contrasts clearly with the excellent functionality: microUSB connector responsible for recharging RAVPower; another USB port is ready to cooperate with Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 and 3.0 technologies; speed is provided by the USB 3A Type-C interface.

A unique feature of the battery is the iSmart port. With its help, RAVPower recognizes the type of device being connected and optimizes its operation based on the information received.

It is noteworthy that the declared 20,100 mAh should be enough to revive the Galaxy S6 five times; To restore your iPhone 6S to full charge, you will have about 8 attempts. RAVPower is also able to protect your device from “overcharge” and preserve the health of its sensitive microcircuits.

Overall, RAVPower is an excellent choice for those who want a large portable battery with tons of additional features and support for Quick Charge from Qualcomm. What else can you say, a luxurious thing with an equally “luxurious” price.

The Talentcell 10400 mAh power supply is the cheapest accessory on our list. Its cost is $27. It charges via microUSB 2.0 and has a USB Type-C connector. The battery status is displayed by a small LED indicator. In the package you will find a Power Bank and a cable with Type-C connectors. You can use Talentcell with any gadget, with the exception of the handsome 12-inch Macbook. This wonderful battery also allows you to charge two smartphones simultaneously.

If you don’t have extra funds to buy an expensive “power bank”, Talentcell is ready to offer its services. The reviews for the project are quite good, but if you are still confused by a little-known brand, consider purchasing the options discussed above.

And again, a product with a not too big name, but an attractive price. This is the dilemma: for $32 you can buy Talentcell and two Big Mac Menus or iVoler with its 10,000 mAh, standard USB port and Type-C interface. The lack of Qualcomm Quick Charge support here is compensated by the ability to “mega” fast charge from 0 to 100 percent in 3.5 hours.

It seems to us that it would be better to take TalentCell and eat, but it was still worth considering an additional option - fast food is a harmful thing.

Universal Serial Bus, or simply USB, is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s to standardize the connection of peripherals to a computer. It has replaced most interfaces and is now the most common connector type for consumer devices.

Today, almost every device, whether portable or stationary, has various types of USB connectors. But everything is much more complicated than beginners think. Today we will look at the types of USB ports and various standards.

Many might now be asking the question: “If USB should be universal, then why does it have a large number of types?” The fact is that all these types of USB connectors perform different functions. This helps ensure compatibility if a device with improved specifications is released. Let's look at the most common types of USB ports.

• Type-A- most cables have a connector of this type of USB at one end, this also includes cables of modern keyboards and mice. The same type of USB is supplied with personal computers and chargers;
• Type-B- This port is used to connect printers and other peripheral devices to the computer. But it's not currently as common as USB Type-A;

• Mini USB- This was the standard connector for mobile devices before the advent of Micro USB. This connector is smaller than the standard one, as can be understood by its name. This type of connector is also a little outdated and has been replaced by Micro USB, but this does not mean that these types of USB cannot be found anywhere;
• Micro USB- is currently the standard for portable devices. All major mobile device manufacturers have adopted it, with the exception of Apple. But Micro USB is gradually beginning to be replaced by USB Type-C. By the way, there are different types of Micro USB connectors, but we’ll talk about that a little later;
• Type-C- such a cable can have the same connector at both ends. Claims faster data transfer speeds and higher power compared to previous USB standards. This is the connector Apple used for Thunderbolt 3. We’ll talk about USB Type-C a little later;

• Lightning- does not belong to the USB standard, but has been a proprietary interface for Apple mobile products since September 2012. Until that time, devices used a less compact 30-pin proprietary connector.

USB 3.0

The new standard provides higher data transfer rates while being backward compatible with the old standard. In form, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 Type-A are the same, it’s just that the new standard is colored blue to distinguish USB 3.0 from 2.0.

But the speed increase will only occur if the connector where the cable or flash drive is inserted must be USB 3.0, and the cable or flash drive itself must have a USB 3.0 connector.

Also, in addition to USB 3.0 Type-A, there are other types of USB 3.0 connectors. Type-B and its Micro version have additional pins to provide higher data transfer speeds, which breaks the compatibility of these connectors with older versions, but older USB 2.0 devices can be plugged into the new USB 3.0 connectors, but you will not get a speed boost.

Micro USB

If you have an Android device, then you need to have a Micro USB cable. Even the most ardent Apple fans can't avoid this type of connector in portable batteries, speakers and more.

There are also divisions into types of Micro USB connectors. Micro USB Type-B is mainly used, Type-A is not particularly common, and I have never seen it in real life. The same applies to Mini USB.

If you start buying a lot of gadgets, you will soon start using different wires for different devices, still there is no difference. So you don't have to buy additional wires if you don't lose or break them.

When buying a cable, people usually buy the cheapest ones, which I do not advise you to do, since the quality of such products can be very poor. This will lead to cable failure in the future.

Also decide on the length of the cable. A short cable is convenient when traveling, but at home with this you will be sitting on the floor near the outlet. A long cable will get tangled and interfere with you in every possible way. For a portable battery, I have a cable 35 centimeters long, and a cable for charging a smartphone at home is 1 meter long.

USB On-The-Go

USB On-The-Go (USB OTG) is a relatively new standard that allows you to insert flash drives designed for other USB interfaces into portable devices, cables to charge something from the battery of your portable device, and so on. USB OTG supports not only USB Type-A, but also other types of USB ports.

Now imagine that you have an external hard drive, a smartphone and a laptop. What steps will you follow to move any file from external hard drive to your smartphone? The easiest way is to first move the file from the external hard drive to the laptop, and from there to the smartphone.

Now imagine that you have a USB OTG adapter. Just insert the adapter into your smartphone and the cable from the external hard drive into it. There is no need for a laptop. Comfortable?

Unfortunately, not all devices support USB On-The-Go, so before purchasing an adapter, I advise you to check your device for USB OTG support.

Adapters for Lightning exist and they work everywhere even with iOS 9, but I don’t really want to call it OTG.

USB Type-C

This new standard has great potential for the future. Firstly, it is fast and can transmit large currents, and secondly, it can be inserted either way and there can be the same connector on both ends of the wire.

In 2015, Apple shocked the whole world by releasing a MacBook with one USB Type-C connector. This could be the start of a trend.

Now there are many devices with a USB Type-C connector. To connect to a computer, you should use a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable if you do not have the same connector on your computer.

It’s not worth buying cheap USB Type-C cables, it’s not worth it at all. It's very easy to kill your device. In addition, large currents pass through such a cable, so a low-quality cable will also lead to a fire. Don't spare money on a quality cable.

conclusions

Today we looked at various types of USB connectors and standards. Now you know all the popular types of USB connectors. I hope this information was useful to you. If so, please take the time to rate this article below.

Have you ever met a person who enthusiastically said: “My smartphone has Type-C”?

Debates about the modernity and usefulness of the new interface have been going on for quite a long time. Some consider it the future, others - a utopia. The trouble is that both sides have strong evidence that they are right. To understand the situation, it is necessary to comprehensively study the issue.

Development

Not everyone remembers the first USB Type-A connector, which is still used in the latest computers, laptops and tablets. Back in the 90s, it had the same physical form, but a different standard - USB 1.1. In more detail, there were restrictions on data transfer speeds.

In 2001, standard 2.0 was developed, which is the most widespread today. It provided data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbit/s. At this moment, the era of creating a universal and high-speed connector for connection began.

The first generally accepted connector to become very popular and widespread was Type-B Mini. It is successfully used in phones, cameras, video cameras and allows you to connect devices to a computer. However, this should not be considered a big breakthrough, only the form has changed, the standard remains the same - USB 2.0. In other words, the transfer speed did not increase.

The desire to minimize the size of gadgets led to the creation of the new Type-B Micro. It continues to be the protagonist of the vast majority of modern technology, but cannot offer users great benefits.

A real breakthrough was the USB 3.0 specification, which radically changed the way we look at many things. The new interface made it possible to increase the data transfer speed to 5 Gbit/s. Changes also affected the internal structure. The new 3.0 introduces a 9-pin group (in 2.0 there were only 4 contacts).

The last step towards the emergence of Type-C was the adoption of the 3.1 standard, which remains the fastest and most efficient today. Users were able to transfer data at speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s. The new standard also allows for 100W charge transfer.

The standard consists of 24 pins: two rows of 12 pieces. 8 pins of the USB 3.1 interface are used for data exchange at high speed. Pins B8 and A8 (SUB1 and 2) are used to transmit analog signals to the headphones (right and left), A5 and B5 (CC1 and 2) are needed to select the power mode. There are also ground (GND) and power (V+) pins.

Benefits of Type-C

It is not so necessary, but is simply another physical modification that has received support for USB 3.1. But don’t rush to conclusions, as there are a number of advantages that the new connector offers:

• Safety. The connector is double-sided, i.e. You can connect the cable in any position. This ensures complete safety and security of the gadget from breakdowns that are accompanied by bent or broken contacts.
• Versatility. Full compatibility with all old generation standards is ensured, starting with USB 1.1.
• Independence. Type-C, which supports USB 3.1, can supply connected devices with up to 100W of power. Simply put, when connected, there is not just a full power supply, but also recharging the batteries of other gadgets, as from “”.
• Compactness. The connector has very small dimensions, so it is actively used in the production of modern tablets.

Flaws

From a technical point of view, USB Type-C is almost perfect. So why hasn't it become the most popular yet? Why are manufacturers not in a hurry to equip their equipment with it? There are no obstacles to technical equipment, but there are significant reasons that slow down this process.

First of all, it has a unique physical structure, so to connect most gadgets you need adapter cables, all kinds of splitters and adapters. If the connected device does not support USB 3.1, such a connection simply becomes meaningless, since the maximum data transfer speed and power support will not be provided.

Most of the released computer, mobile, audio and video equipment is equipped with Type-A, Type-B Mini/Micro, which do not support USB 3.1 or even 3.0. The mass transition to USB Type-C will reduce demand for existing products that do not have it. Regardless of the desires and hopes of users, manufacturers deliberately push back effective technology and slow down its spread.

Secondly, even if two connected devices have Type-C, it may not be possible to get all the benefits. This is due to imperfect technology for processing and transmitting information from certain categories of devices. For example, you can synchronize a smartphone and a personal computer/laptop via Type-C. However, data transfer in both directions will be limited, since the hard drive will not be able to provide maximum speed.

Yes, new technology is available, it is being used, but a complete transition is still far away. You need to understand that in the event of a complete transition to USB Type-C, all outdated equipment will have to be sent for recycling.