What is a usb connector? USB Interface Basics
This material is suitable for beginners and professionals. Some people are often concerned about how to determine the type of USB port. This is especially difficult when all the ports on the laptop are marked black, although the specifications say that USB 3.0 and 2.0 are present. It’s not really written which side.
This article will not only help you identify USB 3.0, but we will also try to distinguish a fake. The article will be short, but it will fully help you figure out what’s what.
Determine the type of USB port using Windows
Now I’ll try to show everything programmatically, and then we’ll look at the ports themselves. Most of you know that USB ports come in versions 1.0 , 2.0 And 3.0 . Now there is already version 3.1, but that doesn't matter. To determine the type of USB port, you need to go to Device Manager. In Windows 10, click right click mice from the Start menu and select the appropriate item (or press the combination Win+X and do the same).
As soon as the window opens, look for the tab "USB Controllers" and open it. There we can see many drivers for USB ports. If one of the devices has a word "xHCI", then this is USB 3.0, everything else refers to USB 2.0.
Easily? Then let's move on to the next definition.
How to determine the type of USB port by appearance?
Let's start with the very first version - USB 1.0, now this option It is practically not used in laptops, but it occurs in some mice and other devices. It looks like this:white port with 4 contacts– this is USB 1.0.
USB 2.0 usually painted black and inside it also has 4 contacts. The second type is compatible with USB 1.0, but differs only in bandwidth. The second type is faster.
IN in this example We looked at a flash drive, but what does the connector look like, for example, in a laptop?This is what it looks like:
Almost no different. Important point– some manufacturers may paint the same USB 2.0 in a different color, for example, orange. Of course, this does not affect the interface characteristics in any way.
USB 3.0 looks like blue port And has 9 contacts. Four are in front, the other five are behind. Take a closer look. The ones at the back are slightly raised. If the material is blue, then it is definitely USB 3.0. Also, on some computers next to the connector you can see the inscription "SS", which speaks about maximum speed data transfer (Super Speed).
I would like to note that USB 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 are compatible with each other, so you can safely use them as you please. For example, insert a USB 2.0 connector into 3.0, although the speed here will be at the 2.0 level.
So, let's summarize, now I will once again describe the features of USB ports:
USB 1.0
- Material white;
- Has 4 contacts.
USB 2.0
- Made from black or blue material. Depending on the preferences of the developers, it can be any other color;
- Has 4 contacts.
USB 3.0
- The material is almost always blue, but it can also be black;
- There are always 9 contacts - 4 in front and 5 in back.
That's all I wanted to tell you about the definition USB type ports.
The USB 3.0 interface is significantly more productive than its predecessor, USB 2.0. While the latter limits the speed linear recording data on a flash drive with an indicator of 30-40 MB/s; through the first, files can be copied to a USB 3.0 flash drive at a speed of about 100 MB/s. This real example, in theory the maximum throughput USB capability 2.0 is considered 60 Mb/s, and USB 3.0 is 625 Mb/s. To take advantage USB interface 3.0, both the media (flash drive, USB-HDD, other data storage devices) and the computer must be equipped with it. How do you know if your computer has USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports?
Laptops and PC motherboards released before 2010 are likely to have USB 2.0 ports installed. And here computer devices, released later may be equipped with USB 3.0.
You can find out which USB interface your computer is equipped with by the external features of the ports. USB 1.0 ports have 4 pins and the plastic underneath is white. USB 2.0 ports also have 4 pins, but the plastic underneath is usually black. There are as many as 9 pins inside a USB 3.0 port, and the plastic underneath is usually blue. The latest models of PCs and laptops can be equipped with the most powerful USB 3.1 interface to date with a stated maximum throughput of 1250 Mb/s. The plastic under the contacts of such ports can be painted either black or Blue colour. What distinguishes USB 3.1 ports from their predecessor interfaces is the inscription “SS” (Super Speed) engraved next to them.
PC cases are usually equipped with a panel on the front with additional USB ports for easy connection of devices. But for such convenience, computer owners who do not know that their motherboards support USB 3.0 often pay with agonizing wait while moving data to a flash drive. After all, even modern but budget cases are usually equipped with USB 2.0 ports.
You can find out whether your computer has USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports using Windows tools. Go to the device manager and open the “USB controllers” branch. If in the list of the branch the host controllers are listed as “Enhanced Host Controller”, and their names do not contain the addition “USB 3.0”, this means that the computer has USB 2.0 ports.
The presence of USB 3.0 ports will be directly indicated by the addition “USB 3.0” in the names of extended host controllers. The fact that the computer supports USB 3.0 is also evidenced by the presence in the list of a branch of controllers, the name of which contains the abbreviation XHCI - an indication of the universal eXtensible Host Controller Interface.
How to get USB 3.0 ports if they are not found? A total upgrade in the form of replacing a laptop or PC motherboard with all its dependent components has an alternative - installing a USB 3.0 adapter. For PC assemblies, such adapters exist in the form of boards installed in a slot PCI Express. USB 3.0 adapters are connected to laptops using an ExpressCard slot. On AliExpress, USB 3.0 adapters can be ordered for a promotional price of just over $5. This option will give a certain increase in productivity, but still will not reach USB capabilities 3.0, originally supported modern laptops and motherboards. After all, data transfer will be limited by the bandwidth of the corresponding slot.
Good day, Geektimes! Everyone has already heard about USB Type-C? The one that is double-sided, fast-fashionable-youth, charges new macbook, makes hair smooth and silky and promises to be the new standard of connectivity for the next ten years?
So, firstly, this is a connector type, not a new standard. The standard is called USB 3.1. Secondly, we need to talk specifically about the new USB standard, and Type-C is just a nice bonus. To understand what the difference is, what is behind USB 3.1 and what is behind Type C, how to charge an entire laptop using a USB cable, and what else can be done with the new USB Type-C:
Briefly about the main thing
USB as a standard appeared almost twenty years ago. The first specifications for USB 1.0 appeared in 1994 and solved three key problems: unification of the connector through which PC equipment that expanded the functions was connected, simplicity for the user, high speed transferring data to and from the device.Despite certain advantages of the USB connection over PS/2, COM and LPT ports, its popularity did not come immediately. USB experienced explosive growth at the beginning of the 2000s: first cameras, scanners and printers were connected to it, then flash drives.
In 2001, the first commercial implementations of the USB that is familiar and understandable to us appeared: version 2.0. We have been using it for the 14th year now and it is designed relatively simply.
USB 2.0
Any USB cable versions 2.0 and below have 4 copper conductors inside. Two of them transmit power, the other two transmit data. USB cables (according to the standard) are strictly oriented: one of the ends must be connected to the host (that is, the system that will manage the connection) and it is called Type-A, the other - to the device, it is called Type-B. Of course, sometimes in devices (such as flash drives) there is no cable at all; the “to-host” connector is located directly on the board.There is a special chip on the host side: USB controller(V desktop computers he can be part system logic, and is taken out as an external microcircuit). It is he who initializes the operation of the bus, determines the connection speed, the order and schedule of data packets, but these are all details. We are most interested in connectors and connectors of the classic USB format.
The most popular connector that everyone used was USB Type-A of classic size: it is located on flash drives, USB modems, at the ends of the wires of mice and keyboards. Full-size USB Type-B is a little less common: printers and scanners are usually connected with this cable. A mini version of USB Type-B is still often used in card readers, digital cameras, USB hubs. Through the efforts of European standardizers, the micro-version of Type-B has become de facto the most popular connector in the world: all current mobile phones, smartphones and tablets (except for the products of one fruit company) are produced with a USB connector Type-B Micro.
Well, probably no one has really seen USB Type-A micro and mini formats. Personally, off the top of my head I can’t name a single device with such connectors. Even the photographs had to be taken from Wikipedia:
Hidden text
All these connectors are united by one simple thing: inside there are four contact pads that provide the connected device with both power and communication:
With USB 2.0 everything is more or less clear. The problem with the standard was that two conductors were not enough to transmit data, and the specifications developed in the middle of the first decade did not provide for the transmission of large currents through power circuits. External hard drives suffered the most from such limitations.
USB 3.0
To improve the characteristics of the standard, a new USB 3.0 specification was developed, which contained the following key differences:- Five additional contacts, four of which provide additional communication lines;
- Increase in maximum throughput from 480 Mbit/s to 5 Gbit/s;
- Increasing the maximum current from 500 mA to 900 mA.
In addition, 4 more connectors have appeared that are electrically and mechanically compatible with USB Type-A version 2.0. They allowed both USB 2.0 devices to be connected to 3.0 hosts, and 3.0 devices to 2.0 hosts or via a 2.0 cable, but with limitations in power supply and data transfer speed.
USB 3.1
Since the fall of 2013, specifications for the updated USB 3.1 standard have been adopted, which brought us the connector Type-C, delivers up to 100W of power and doubles the data transfer speed of USB 3.0. However, it is worth noting that all three innovations are just parts of one new standard, which can be applied all together (and then the device or cable will receive USB 3.1 certification) or separately. For example, technically, inside a Type-C cable, you can organize at least USB 2.0 on four wires and two pairs of contacts. By the way, she pulled off such a “feint” Nokia company: her Nokia N1 tablet has USB connector Type-C, but used internally regular USB 2.0: with all restrictions on power supply and data transfer speed.
USB 3.1, Type-C and power
The new standard is responsible for the ability to transfer truly serious power USB PD (Power Delivery). According to the specifications, to be certified as USB PD, the device and cable must be able to transmit current with a power of up to 100 Watts, both in both directions (both to and from the host). In this case, the transmission of electricity should not interfere with the transmission of data.So far there are only two laptops that fully support USB Power Delivery: new MacBook and Chromebook Pixel.
Well, then, who knows, maybe we’ll install sockets like this at home?
USB Type-C and backward compatibility
USB as a standard is strong in its backward compatibility. Find an ancient 16 megabyte flash drive that only supports USB 1.1, insert it into a 3.0 port and go. Connect a modern HDD to a USB 2.0 connector, and if it has enough power, everything will start, the speed will just be limited. And if that’s not enough, there are special adapters: they use the power circuit of another USB port. The speed will not increase, but the HDD will work.The same story with USB 3.1 and the Type-C connector, with only one amendment: new connector geometrically in no way compatible with the old ones. However, manufacturers have actively begun production of both Type-A wires<=>Type-C, as well as all kinds of adapters, adapters and splitters.
USB Type-C and tunneling
The data transfer speed of the USB 3.1 standard allows you not only to connect storage devices and peripherals, charge the laptop from the network via a Type-C cable, but also to connect, say... a monitor. One wire. And a USB hub with several 2.0 ports inside the monitor. 100 W of power, speed comparable to DisplayPort and HDMI, a universal connector and just one wire from the laptop to the monitor, the power supply of which will provide electricity to the display and charge the laptop. Isn't this wonderful?What's on USB Type-C now?
Since the technology is young, there are very few devices with USB 3.1. There are slightly more devices with a USB Type-C cable/connector, but still not enough for Type-C to become as common and natural as Micro-B, which any smartphone user has.On personal computers Type-C can be expected as early as 2016, but some manufacturers have taken and updated the line of existing motherboards. For example, USB Type-C with full support USB 3.1 is available on the MSI Z97A Gaming 6 motherboard.
Doesn't lag behind ASUS company: ASUS X99-A and ASUS Z97-A motherboards support USB 3.1, but, unfortunately, do not have Type-C connectors. In addition, it was announced special boards extensions for those who do not want to update motherboard, nor give up a pair of USB 3.1 ports.
SanDisk recently introduced a 32 GB flash drive with two connectors: classic USB Type-A and USB Type-C:
Of course, don't forget about the recent MacBook with passive cooling and only one USB Type-C connector. We’ll talk about its performance and other delights separately, but about the connector today. Apple abandoned both its “magic” MagSafe charging and other connectors on the body, leaving one port for power, connecting peripherals and external displays. Of course, if one connector is not enough for you, you can buy an official adapter-splitter to HDMI, a classic USB and a power connector (the same Type-C) for... $80. :) We can only hope that Type-C will come to mobile devices Apple (and this is where the zoo with wires for smartphones will finally end), although the chances of such an update are minimal: was it in vain that they developed and patented Lightning?
One of the peripheral manufacturers - LaCie - has already released a stylish external storage With USB support 3.1 Type-C.
Nowadays, any phone or computer user is familiar with the USB interface. Thanks to it, it becomes possible to connect various devices among themselves, transfer data. It also charges many phones. USB has gained great popularity due to its versatility.
What is USB
When creating the interface, the developers set the initial task of connecting a computer and a phone. On this moment connecting any two devices can be done without a computer. The abbreviation USB stands for Universal Serial Bus and is translated as a universal serial bus. It has power line, which is located among the information transmission lines. The technology allows you to transmit power with a power of 5V, 500 mA. Serial transmission allows you to achieve exchange speed information up to 480 Mbit/s. The combination of these factors led to the great popularity of the interface.
Features, advantages and disadvantages
USB features include ease of use. When connecting the device to a PC, the interface interacts with Plug and Play technology and automatically selects drivers, which makes it much easier to use. Since entering the market in 1996 USB connectors began to appear in any PC specifications, and with its further popularity their number only grew. Nowadays it is difficult to imagine any device without a USB port, because its absence leads to many inconveniences.
Types and specifications
First version came out in early 1996 and had a throughput of 12 Mbit/s and a cable length limit of up to 5 meters.
The next one was 1.1, which was released two years later. It corrected the errors and shortcomings of the first one. This version has become widespread.
Published in the first quarter of 2000 version 2.0 in which the Hi-speed mode appears, increasing throughput to 480 Mbit/s. Now it is the most common and is installed on more than half of PCs.
The following specification is USBOTG, which was created by the developers to simplify the connection between each other peripheral devices without using a computer. For example, you can connect a printer and a video camera. Or connect a USB flash drive to the PDA, if, of course, the PDA supports the OTG standard. The developers were forced to create such a specification because... Lately Users increasingly need to connect devices to each other, but do not have a PC at hand.
In 2008, the newest USB 3.0(sometimes called USB SS), in which the developers increased the maximum throughput and maximum current. To do this, it was necessary to add a couple of contact lines, and only thanks to this the data transfer speed increased to 5 Gbit/s, and the current strength to 900 mA. So that the average user can distinguish the second version from the third, manufacturers began to mark latest version in blue, which can be easily seen if you look at the port itself.
In 2013, a USB specification with a throughput of 10 Gbit/s called 3.1 was released. This version already uses connectorType-C, which can be connected from either side, just like Apple’s Lightning.
Last one for today version 3.2 was released in 2017 and doubled the data transfer speed to 20 Gbps as two more were used contact lines. Type-C cables currently available support this specification and allow data exchange at such speeds. The interface is planned to be launched to the masses in 2019.
In May 2005, the opportunity arose to create wireless communication With high speed data exchange thanks to the interface Wireless USB.
In 2006, a specification for 2.0 Inter-Chip USB, which simplified the connection of microcircuits. This became possible thanks to the change physical level interface from asynchronous to synchronous. The ability to change speed modes has been removed, electrical protection drivers and connection definition. The bus logic remains unchanged, the interface has a throughput of 480 Mbit/s.
Types and types of connectors
Due to the great popularity of the interface, it received a large number of different connectors and plugs. They are divided into two types USB type A and B and are also divided by size into standard, mini and micro USB.
The first version of the connectors is different low speed only 12 Mbit/s.
The second version was able to exchange data at speeds of 480 Mbit/s. Now this is the most popular variation and it is installed on most devices and PCs. Due to various factors real speed work at about 30 MB/s, which may negatively affect the work with the latest hard drives, in which the exchange of information occurs much faster. This is the main disadvantage of this connector. 
It is marked in blue so that it can be easily distinguished from the second one. The speed of this version is 5 Gbps, which is perfect for HDD latest generation and reveals their full potential. 
Also both of these versions can be different sizes. Mini USB used to connect printers, video and photo cameras and it is significantly smaller than a regular one. 
Connector micro USB the smallest of the entire family. Used in modern smartphones, watches, bracelets and this kind of devices. The connector has latches that ensure constant contact. 
Rapid development computer technology affects not only the main components of systems. The possibilities are increasing, including various interfaces. As for the most common method of connecting peripheral devices - USB - here, in general, we can state a multiple increase in productivity for last years. Bandwidth universal serial bus increases, functionality expands. The connectors used to connect various USB devices are also undergoing changes. Today, many people hear about USB, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of the solution is the topic of this article.
Modern computer connectors
Looking around the body of almost any laptop, you can find whole line various ports located on the sides. Among them there is always USB, almost always HDMI and some others. Modern models often equipped the newest port USB Type-C. Many people don’t know what kind of connector this is, but it would be worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the capabilities of the port. Presumably, the connector will replace many other solutions in the future and become a truly universal standard. This is facilitated by the technical characteristics of the new method of pairing a computer and peripherals. The USB Type-C port offers users increased speed data exchange, improved functionality, and new level ease of use. In short, the future of the standard looks very promising.
Multiple uses for one cable
The creators of USB Type-C used very simple idea. The user must have a single type of cable, and his computer equipment is equipped with one type of port. Through use unified interface Anything can be connected. For example, using a USB Type-C cable, you can connect inherently different devices, represented by hard drives, monitors, audio interfaces, smartphones, tablet PCs. Among other things, it becomes possible to use the connector in question even to charge a laptop.
USB-A
Today, almost all peripheral devices are connected to a PC via the usual USB-A connector. This port is firmly established in Computer World, has a familiar rectangular shape, and its use has become almost a standard for pairing flash drives with PCs and laptops, external keyboards, mice, hard drives, printers and many other devices. This monopoly is likely to be broken soon - the USB Type-C cable already takes its rightful place among the solutions used to connect many devices.
Change of concept
To connect devices to what has long been a standard USB-A port apply various cables. The main difference between them is the connector located on the opposite side of the cable connected to the computer. This is almost always a different type of connector. For example, micro-USB is used for smartphones, while mini-USB is often used for other gadgets. To connect the printer, you will need a USB-B cable, and to connect storage devices, you will need a micro-USB-B cable. This variety causes some inconvenience and difficulty, because a user who owns several devices always needs to have a whole set of cables at hand. Designed to be uniform for all devices, i.e. universal cable USB Type-C simplifies this situation many times over.
New format
With the development of the standard, it became possible to install a single connector design for all devices, as well as the same connector at both ends of the cable. How can you tell when you pick up a USB Type-C cable that this is it? The solution is a thin connector, oval in shape and significantly smaller in size compared to previous cable and connector formats of this type. In addition, USB 3 Type-C received the most important characteristic, represented by symmetry and reversibility. Overall very similar to the Lightning solution from Apple- very convenient, because you don’t need to waste time manipulating the cable to find the right way connections.
Future
Probably today we can say that after a certain time the USB Type-C connector will turn into the only universal port for all peripheral devices. Thus, USB-A, B, micro-USB and mini, which complicate life so much, will be replaced ordinary users to date. All cables should become the same and be able to be used for any device. Of course, quick unification will not happen; there are too many functional devices other than USB Type-With connectors is in use today and will continue to be in use for several years to come.
At the same time, we should not forget: the expansion of new solutions has already begun. Eg, USB flash drive Type-C is no longer uncommon on the shelves of computer stores. In addition, the fact that flagship devices are released from the most famous brands, equipped with the port in question, indicates that the described situation, i.e., the displacement of outdated connectors from the market will occur sooner or later. For compatibility with older solutions, you will have to use a USB Type-C adapter for now.
Compatibility
After reading the above, you can think about what to do with already purchased devices equipped with connector types other than USB Type-C. Need to say, this question shouldn't cause much concern. A wide variety of adapters have already been developed, produced and sold, allowing you to connect any device with a USB connector, regardless of its type. Adapters such as mini-USB - Type-C, micro-USB - Type-C and others are already widespread and perform their functions perfectly. The security principle, which has been used in computer technology for many years, no one is going to violate. If a new laptop or computer has a USB Type-C port, an adapter for other types of connector is a completely applicable and effective solution.
Learn more about the benefits of the connector
Of course, a simple revision of the design of the connector and port will not be a compelling reason to encourage the user to upgrade all of his existing peripherals, but performance is far from the only advantage of the new solution. The new format supports the most modern USB protocol 3.1, which brings an increase in data exchange speed and greater versatility compared to previous versions, which are used on devices equipped with USB-A.
Speed
More than two decades have passed since the presentation of the first version of the connector. At that time, the maximum speed at which data was transferred was 12 Mb/s. Today we can say, considering USBType-C, that this is the most fast interface for connecting peripheral devices from existing solutions. USB standard 3.1 is capable of providing a data transfer rate of 10 Gb/s.
Performance
TO additional benefits The standard under consideration should certainly include performance, represented by the ability to provide power transmission of up to 100 W. This figure is enough to power almost any laptop, not to mention smartphones, tablets and other gadgets. In addition to energy, the new format supports the transfer of a huge amount of data per unit of time. For example, today video signals in 4K resolution are successfully transmitted via USB Type-C.
Versatility
Universal nature latest standard a wide range opens practical applications. Mass useful functions can be provided with a single cable. For example, you can connect an equipped USB-C laptop to a monitor with external power supply and charge the laptop battery while simultaneously watching video content. When storage devices are connected to the display, e.g. external drive, from a laptop you can access information stored on the media.
Disadvantages of USB Type-C
This connector is a brilliant new format that is sure to become a ubiquitous solution in the very near future. At the same time, the initial stages of distribution and development, in which the standard is currently still located, do not provide complete absence dangers, as well as some confusion when using the connector.
Cheap accessories
The main problem that a user who decides to join modern trends, are cheap low-quality accessories and cables. In view of large quantity energy transmitted through USB Type-C connectors, using cables of insufficient quality may damage the paired devices. This factor must be taken into account by users when mandatory. When purchasing cables and adapters, you should choose products from reliable, trusted brands.
Confusion about standards
Another unpleasant moment that you may encounter USB users Type-C today is caused by the fact that the standard in question relates more to the type of connector used, rather than to the specifications of the interface itself. Therefore, it is quite likely that a device connected to a new connector will not work as fast as the owner of the device expected. The first generation uses USB 3.0 technology, providing a maximum speed of 5 Gb/s. The second generation of USB-C supports the 3.1 standard, the data transfer speed through which reaches 10 Gb/s. Problems with each of the ports arise due to the fact that they look the same, but during production ready-made solutions used by brands various components even in lines of similar models. In other words, before purchasing a device with a USB Type-C connector, you need to check whether it matches the actual technical characteristics port to the required parameters.
