USB type c throughput. Type C: why it’s interesting and why microUSB is better

It is impossible to imagine a modern person without electronic devices. Smartphones, tablets, music players and laptops are found in almost every family today. Each of these devices has its own use and therefore each functions in its own unique way. However, there is something that in one form or another unites them all. And this is the presence of USB ports.

One day in 1994, 7 of the world's leading technology companies created a new standard for connecting computer peripherals. This is how the Universal Serial Bus appeared, which for short is called USB.

Today it is truly a universal standard, and it is difficult to find an electronic device that does not have a USB port of one type or another. But how do you know which cable is suitable for it? This guide will help you determine the type of USB connector and select the appropriate plug.

Variety of options

Almost all modern computers and electronic devices have some form of USB connection and come complete with the appropriate cables. Does it matter which one is used, and what are all these differences for? This is really important for now, but it may change in the future.

In the mid-1990s. The universal bus became an industry standard that made it possible to streamline the connection of computer peripherals. It has replaced a number of earlier interfaces and is now the most popular connector type in consumer devices.

However, it is still difficult to understand all the varieties of USB.

If the standard was meant to be universal, why are there so many different types? Each of them serves a different purpose, mainly ensuring compatibility when new devices with better specifications are released. Below are the most common types of USB connectors.

Type-A

Most cables and peripherals (such as keyboards, mice, and joysticks) have a Type A connector. Personal computers, laptops, and netbooks typically have multiple ports of this shape. Additionally, many other devices and power adapters use them for data transfer and/or charging. The connector has a flat rectangular shape and is the most recognizable and used. The USB Type-A pinout is as follows:

1. +5V - voltage +5 V.
2. D- - data.
3. D+ - data.
4. GND - ground.

All versions of USB standards retain the same form factor for Type-A, so they are mutually compatible. However, USB 3.0 connectors have 9 pins instead of 4, which are used to provide faster data transfer speeds. They are located so as not to interfere with the operation of pins of previous versions of the standard.

Type-B

This is an almost square-shaped connector that is mainly used to connect printers, scanners and other devices with their own power to a computer. Sometimes it can be found on external drives. These days, this type of connector is much less common than Type-A connections.

The connection form in version 3.0 of the standard has been changed, so backward compatibility is not supported, although the new type of ports accepts older modifications of plugs. The reason for this is that Type-B USB 3.0 has 9 pins for faster data transfer, while Powered-B has 11 pins, 2 of which provide additional power.

Again, as with Type-A, physical compatibility between different versions does not indicate support for speed or functionality.

Basic Concepts

Before attempting to understand the differences between types A and B, it is necessary to understand the concepts of host, receptor, and port.

The slot located on the front or back of the computer case (host) into which one end of the USB cable is inserted is called a port. An electronic device that needs to be charged or to which data needs to be transferred (such as a smartphone or tablet) is called a receptor.

The most popular USB standard is Type A, which can be seen at the end of almost every USB cable inserted into a host slot today. Most often, desktop computers, game consoles and media players are equipped with Type-A ports.

Type B connectors are found at the end of a regular USB cable that connects to a peripheral device, such as a smartphone, printer, or hard drive.

Benefits of USB

The standard simplifies the installation and replacement of equipment by reducing all communications to serial data transmission over twisted pair cables and identification of the connected device. If you add grounding and power here, you get a simple 4-wire cable, inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

The standard defines the way the peripheral interacts with the host. If you are not using USB On the Go (OTG), which allows you to limit the capabilities of the host, a direct connection is made. The USB device is not able to initiate communication, only the host can do this, so even if you have a cable with the appropriate connectors, the connection will not work without it. Additionally, since wires carry both power and data, connecting two hosts without an intermediary device can be disastrous, causing high currents, short circuits, and even fires.

Mini

The connector was standard for mobile devices before the advent of micro-USB. As the name suggests, mini-USB is smaller than normal and is still used in some cameras. The connector has 5 pins, of which 1 serves as an identifier for OTG support, allowing mobile devices and other peripherals to act as a host. The USB Mini pinout is as follows:

1. +5V - voltage +5 V.
2. D- - data.
3. D+ - data.
4. ID - host/receptor identifier.
5. GND - ground.

Micro

This is the current connector standard for mobile and portable devices. It has been adopted by almost every manufacturer except Apple. Its physical dimensions are smaller than Mini-USB, but it supports high data transfer rates (up to 480 Mbps) and OTG capabilities. The shape is easily recognizable thanks to the compact 5-pin design.

The Lightning connector is not a USB standard, but rather an Apple proprietary connection for iPad and iPhone. It is similar to micro USB and is compatible with all Apple devices made after September 2012. Older models use a different and much larger proprietary connector.

Type-C

It is a reversible connector that promises faster data transfer and more power than previous types. It is increasingly used as a standard for laptops and even some phones and tablets, and has been approved by Apple for Thunderbolt 3.

Type C is a new solution and promises to be everything to everyone. It is smaller, faster and can receive and transmit much more power than previous versions.

Apple shocked the world when it introduced a new MacBook with a single USB-C port. This will likely be the start of a trend.

You can read more about USB-C at the end of this article.

Nuances of micro-USB

Those of you who have an Android phone or tablet definitely have a micro USB cable as well. Even the most die-hard Apple fans can't avoid them, as they are the most common type of connector used for things like external power boxes, speakers, etc.

Owners of many gadgets may find that these cables become plentiful over time, and since they are usually interchangeable, you may never have to buy them separately unless they get lost or fail all at once.

When shopping for a micro-USB cable, it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option, but as is often the case, this is a bad idea. Poor quality wires and plugs can easily break and become useless. Therefore, it is better to save yourself from future problems by purchasing a quality product from a reputable manufacturer, even if it costs a little more.

Another thing worth mentioning is the cable length. The short ones are great for transport, but they often mean you have to sit on the floor next to an outlet while your phone charges. Conversely, a cable that is too long can be awkward to carry, will become tangled, and can potentially cause injury.

0.9m is a good length for a charging cable. It allows you to keep your phone while connected to the battery in your bag or pocket, ideal for playing Pokemon Go or simply using your phone while traveling for long periods of time.

If you frequently charge from third-party USB ports to comply with safety precautions or when the device charges slowly, a special cable that prevents data transfer can solve the problem. An alternative is a network adapter.

Another issue that can be problematic is the fact that the connectors on most USB cables (except USB-C) are not interchangeable and often require several attempts to connect correctly. Some manufacturers have attempted to fix this. However, not all devices support this feature.

What is USB OTG?

It is a standard that allows portable and mobile devices to act as hosts.

Let's say you have an external drive, a laptop and a smartphone. What do you need to do to copy files from the disk to your phone? The easiest way is to move them from an external drive to a laptop, and from there to a smartphone. USB OTG allows you to connect the drive directly to your phone, thereby bypassing the need for an intermediary.

And that is not all! There are many other ways to use OTG. You can connect any USB device to your smartphone, be it a flash drive, wireless mouse, keyboard, headphones, card readers, game controllers, etc.

USB cables

In a connected world, wired connections between various electronic devices play an important role. The demand for them is so high that tens of millions of USB cables are produced every year around the world.

Technologies are constantly evolving and improving, as are the associated peripheral devices. The same trend of upgrades holds true for USB connectors, but with so many versions and types of USB standards, it can become difficult to keep track of which USB is best suited for which functions. To do this, it is necessary to understand their basic differences.

USB types

The different versions of USB, such as 2.0 and 3.0, relate to the functionality and speed of the USB cable, and their type (such as A or B) mainly refers to the physical design of the connectors and ports.

The USB 1.1 standard (1998) is designed for a throughput of 12 Mbps, a voltage of 2.5 V and a current of 500 mA.

USB 2.0 (2000) is distinguished by the “HI-SPEED” marking on the USB logo. Provides speeds of 480 Mbps at a voltage of 2.5 V and a current of 1.8 A.

Adopted in 2008, USB 3.0 supports 5 Gbps at 5 V and 1.8 A.

USB 3.1, available since 2015, provides speeds of 10 Gbps at 20 V and 5 A.

The latest standard provides higher throughput and is mostly backward compatible with earlier versions. Standard-A connectors are identical to previous versions of Type-A, but are usually colored blue to distinguish them. They are fully backwards compatible, but the increased speeds are only available if all components are USB 3 compatible. The Standard-B and micro versions feature additional pins for increased throughput and are not compatible with previous versions. Older USB Type-B and Micro-B cables and connectors can be used with USB 3.0 ports, but will not improve speed.

Type C Connector Specifications

The name made headlines in tech magazines around the world when Apple released the 12” Macbook. This is the first laptop to include a Type-C design.

From a physical point of view, the connector is similar to the existing USB Micro-B variant. Its dimensions are 8.4 x 2.6 mm. Thanks to its small form factor, it can easily fit into even the smallest peripherals used today. One of the many advantages of Type-C over other existing solutions is that it allows connections in reverse orientation, meaning the plug will always be inserted correctly on the first try! The connector is designed in such a way that you don't have to worry about it being upside down.

Type-C supports the USB 3.1 standard and provides a maximum speed of 10 Gbps. It also has a significantly higher power output of up to 100W at 20V and 5A. Since laptops typically consume 40-70W, this means Type C easily covers their power requirements. Another functionality offered by USB Type-C is bidirectional power. In other words, you can not only charge your smartphone through a laptop, but also vice versa.

Type-C has received rave reviews from users around the world and has appeared in the popular Chromebook Pixel and Nexus 6P smartphones, as well as the Nokia N1 tablet.

We can confidently say that in the coming years all electronic devices will be equipped with ports of this type. This will make working with them easy and convenient. All you need is a single Type-C cable, which will eventually eliminate the tangled tangle of wires in your desk drawer.

Although the specifications were first published in 2014, the technology only really took off in 2016. Today, it has become a viable replacement not only for older USB standards, but also for others such as Thunderbolt and DisplayPort. The new Type-C audio solution is also a potential replacement for the 3.5mm headset jack. Type C is closely intertwined with other new standards: USB 3.1 provides more bandwidth and USB Power Delivery - better power delivery.

Connector shape

USB Type-C is a new tiny connector that's barely the size of a microUSB. It supports various new standards such as USB 3.1 and USB PD.

The usual connector that everyone is familiar with is Type-A. Even after the transition from USB 1.0 to 2.0 and further to modern devices, it remained the same. The connector is just as chunky as before and only connects when oriented correctly (which obviously never works the first time). But as devices got smaller and thinner, massive ports simply weren't suitable anymore. This led to many other forms of USB connectors such as Mini and Micro.

This inconvenient array of connectors of various shapes for devices of all sizes is finally becoming a thing of the past. Type C is the new standard of very small size. It is about a third of the old USB Type-A. This is a single standard that all devices must use, so to connect an external drive to a laptop or charge a smartphone from a charger, you only need one cable. This tiny connector is small enough to fit into an ultra-thin smartphone, but powerful enough to connect all your peripherals. The cable itself has identical Type C connectors on both ends.

Type-C has many advantages. The orientation of the connector doesn't matter, so you no longer have to flip the plug over and over again trying to find the right position. This is a single form of USB connector that everyone should accept, so you don't have to have a lot of different USB cables with different plugs for different devices. And there won’t be many different ports taking up scarce space on increasingly thin gadgets.

What's more, Type-C connectors can also support multiple protocols using "alternate modes" which allow you to have adapters capable of outputting HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, or other types of connections from that single connection. A good example of this is the Apple Multiport Adapter, which allows you to connect HDMI, VGA, USB Type-A and Type-C. Thus, the many connectors on regular laptops can be reduced to one type of port.

Nutrition

The USB PD specification is also closely intertwined with Type-C. Currently, a USB 2.0 connection provides up to 2.5W of power. This is only enough to charge your phone or tablet. The specification, supported by the USB-C standard, provides power supply of up to 100 W. This connection is bidirectional, so the device can both charge and charge through it. In this case, data transmission can occur simultaneously. The port allows you to charge even a laptop, which usually requires up to 60 W.

Apple's MacBook and Google's Chromebook Pixel use USB-C for charging, eliminating all proprietary power cables. At the same time, it becomes possible to charge laptops from portable batteries, which are usually used to charge smartphones and other electronics. And if you connect the laptop to an external display powered from the mains, then its battery will be charged.

However, keep in mind that the presence of a Type C connector does not automatically support USB PD. Therefore, before purchasing devices and cables, you need to make sure that they are compatible with both standards.

Transfer rates

USB 3.1 is the latest Universal Serial Bus standard with a theoretical throughput of 10 Gbps, which is twice the data transfer speed of first-generation Thunderbolt and USB 3.0.

But Type-C is not the same as USB 3.1. This is just the shape of the connector, and the technology behind it can be based on standards 2.0 or 3.0. For example, the Nokia N1 tablet uses USB Type C version 2.0. However, these technologies are closely related. When purchasing, you just need to pay attention to the details and make sure that the device or cable you are purchasing supports the USB 3.1 standard.

backward compatibility

The physical Type C connector, unlike the basic standard, is not backward compatible. You can't plug older USB devices into today's tiny Type-C port, and you can't plug a USB-C plug into a larger, older port. But this does not mean that you will have to get rid of all the old peripherals. USB 3.1 is still compatible with previous versions, so you only need a physical USB-C adapter. And you can already connect old devices to it directly.

In the near future, many computers will have both Type-C USB connectors and larger Type-A connectors, like the Chromebook Pixel. This way, users will be able to gradually migrate from older devices by connecting new ones to USB Type-C. But even if the computer is manufactured with only Type C ports, adapters and hubs will fill this gap.

Type-C is a worthy upgrade. Although this port has already appeared in laptops and some smartphones, this technology is not limited to them. Over time, all types of devices will be equipped with it. One day, the standard could even replace the Lightning connector used in iPhones and iPads. Apple's port doesn't have many advantages over USB Type-C, other than the fact that the technology is patented and the company can charge a licensing fee.

New standards are constantly replacing old ones. And now the time has come for a truly significant transition, because the introduction of a new format for the most common port - USB - has begun. Let's find out what the newly-minted Type-C will bring to us.

In fact, the format itself was approved quite a long time ago. At one time we were even on our website. But the standard's path to final consumer devices is quite difficult. Things like ports should be included in production at a fairly early level, so it is logical that only now the first real gadgets with the discussed port have begun to appear.

The first more or less large commercial device with USB Type-C on board was a tablet. Although it was announced back in November last year, it only went on sale in China. And just the other day, two of the largest IT giants announced their new laptops, which are also equipped with the new USB standard. This is the new one from Apple and the new one from Google. And if in the Chromebook there are two new ports, which are accompanied by two “old” USB, then in the MacBook it is the only one, except for the combined 3.5 mm jack.

The release of devices with a new port standard by such large companies means that the market for peripherals, for which any ports are conceived, will receive a strong push. Even though both of the aforementioned laptops will be very niche devices.

So what can you do with the new USB standard? First, let's clarify the hardware. The new connector is called Type-C. It is small, thin and symmetrical. A kind of golden mean between microUSB (aka Micro-B USB) and Lightning. Its physical dimensions will be 8.4 mm by 2.6 mm.

But at the same time, there is also a new USB 3.1 standard (this is not the same as a connector), which is supported by the new Type-C connector. There has been a big step forward in specifications. Compared to USB 3.0, the data transfer speed has doubled, from 5 Gbit/s to 10 Gbit/s. At the same time, the ability to transmit power has also increased. Using the 3.1 standard, you can transmit a current of 5 A at a voltage of 20 V. With the help of simple calculations, this is transformed into 100 W of power. By comparison, USB 3.0 was capable of delivering 1.8 A at 5 V (9 W). In addition, USB 3.1 can transmit current not only from the host to the recipient, but do it in both directions, if necessary.

Now let's return to the question of what the new USB standard can give us. As you can see from the specifications, it is now truly ready to take on absolutely all the functions that can be taken on. When humanity came up with connectors and plugs, at about the same moment the dream should have been born that there would be only one connector and one plug in the world, for absolutely any purpose. And now this dream is beginning to take shape.

Using the USB 3.1 standard, you can transfer data, connect external displays, connect audio devices, transfer charge - i.e. the new standard has the potential to truly replace all currently existing ports.

Although the new 12″ MacBook does this somewhat aggressively, it clearly shows that one port is enough. Or rather, everyone will probably eventually understand that one port is probably not enough (we need to somehow distinguish the second generation MacBook from the first, after all), but one type of port is enough. What’s especially pleasing is that now the charging will be universal. This means that all laptops can be charged with exactly the same cable as a smartphone. No more proprietary plugs that will cost as much as a full laptop if you lose them. In addition, charging blocks will become smaller, neater and, again, will fit any device.

The big problem with the new standard is the lack of direct backward compatibility with older devices. But everything is not as bad as many people think. It is possible to have cables with Type-C on one end and the “old” USB Type-A on the other. Naturally, in this case, all the goodies of 3.1 will be unavailable, and will be limited by the smaller standard in the chain, but everything will work and this is a positive thing. There are already adapters. The one from Apple, for example, costs $79, but this does not mean that everything will be so bad and the Chinese will not quickly catch up.

It is unlikely that all manufacturers will now decide to completely abandon the old ports, but the sooner we switch to new ones, the better. Ask Apple users if they regret switching to Lightning? I'm sure not, although it was painful for many. By the way, it’s very interesting what port will be in the new iPad and iPhone, Lightning or USB-C?

As a result, we have a standard that has every chance of completely killing all competitors. It is quite possible that in the very near future we will only need one thin cable to do absolutely everything with absolutely any device. And that is great.

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Recent changes and improvements in USB technology are expanding the choice of interfaces for users. Initially, the USB Implementers Forum renamed the USB 3.0 interface to USB 3.1 Gen 1. However, the technical characteristics of the interface remained the same. Then the forum introduced USB 3.1 Gen 2 and a new type of physical connector, which was called USB Type C. We decided to shed light on the situation around these standards and connectors.

USB 3.1 technology

Currently, USB 3.1 Gen 1 (formerly USB 3.0) technology is supported as standard by the latest MacOS, Linux and Windows operating systems. The interface provides a maximum theoretical throughput of 5 Gbps and actual throughput of up to 3.4 Gbps and up to 900 mA of current for devices. Unlike USB 2.0, version 3.1 operates in full duplex mode, in other words, simultaneous sending and receiving of data is possible.

USB 3.1 Gen 2 offers users twice the throughput of Gen 1: 10 Gbps. USB 3.1 Gen 2 is not a standard for Intel or AMD, but may be supported by third-party drivers and controllers. Although Gen 2 received minor protocol changes, it is backwards compatible with Gen 1.

Scope of application of USB 3.1

So, USB 3.1 technology provides the user with significantly increased performance compared to USB 2.0. When using removable drives, faster data transfer will be ensured: large video files and images. USB 3.1 will provide support for high resolutions and frame rates for cameras used in machine vision systems on production lines. Accordingly, PTZ cameras used both in video surveillance systems and in video conferencing systems without using a hardware codec can support resolutions of 1080p60 and higher. This undoubtedly improves the quality and reduces the cost of video conferencing systems, and also allows users to connect their own devices to Skype and WebEx.

USB 3.1 pinout

Like USB 3.0, USB 3.1 received additional pins to support SuperSpeed. The D+ and D- pins remain the same, including (power) and (ground). To service the SuperSpeed ​​bus, two additional twisted pairs were added, which provide bidirectional SuperSpeed ​​data transmission: StdA_SSRX+ and StdA_SSRX- (receive) and SSTX+ and StdA_SSTX (transmit).

USB Type C

The new type of physical connector brings significant qualitative changes that set it apart from USB 3.1 Gen 1 and Gen 2. Type C supports data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps (Thunderbolt 3 alternative mode) and current power of up to 100 Watts. Many have already appreciated the shape of the connector: it can be inserted from either side. Both the connector and connector are quite compact and much more durable than alternatives, for example, micro USB. The cables are marked with an electronic chip for correct use and to prevent situations where it is not compatible or transfers too much power to a device that does not support it. Type C is backward compatible with USB 2.0, 3.1 Gen 1 and 3.1 Gen 2.

Type C can both consume and provide power. The same port can be used both to connect a flash drive and to charge a laptop. In addition, Type C charges devices such as smartphones and tablets faster.

Alternate Modes

USB Type C can operate in so-called alternative modes, which allow you to transfer not only USB data through the connector and cables. In this case, other physical protocols are used, and with each of them, current transmission with a power of up to 100 Watts is ensured.

• DisplayPort Alternate Mode– support for video transmission with resolutions up to 4Kp60 4:4:4 with DisplayPort version 1.3. Simultaneous transfer of USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 2.0.
• Mobil High-Definition Link (MHL) Alternate Mode— support for video transmission with resolutions up to 4Kp60 (1 line) or up to 8Kp60 (4 lines) using MHL 1.0, support for USB 2.0 and 3.1 depending on the configuration.
• Thunderbolt 3 Alternate Mode– Supports up to two displays with resolutions up to 4Kp60, PCIe 3.0, DisplayPort, USB 2.0 and 3.1 transmission, depending on configuration.
• HDMI Alternate Mode– support for HDMI 1.4b specification (4Kp30, 4Kp60 4:2:0), no USB 3.1 concurrent support in any configuration.

Trends around USB-C

The features and advantages of USB Type C will certainly be reflected in the increasing presence of the connector in mobile devices and laptops. Devices with this type of connector include flash drives, various docking stations, monitors and adapters for legacy interfaces. By 2019, up to two billion different devices are expected to be shipped.

The process of mass introduction of the USB interface in PCs and peripheral devices began in the late 90s of the last century. Just a few years have passed, and USB has become the de facto standard for connecting peripheral devices, practically displacing other solutions - such as serial and parallel ports, PS/2, etc.

Moreover: the matter is not limited to computers and peripheral equipment. The convenience, ease of connection and versatility of the USB interface have contributed to the spread of this solution in other areas - in particular, in mobile devices, household audio and video equipment, automotive electronics, etc.

Since the process of improving PCs, mobile devices and other equipment is ongoing, from time to time there is a need to refine the USB interface in order to improve key characteristics (in particular, throughput), expand functionality, introduce new connector sizes, etc. All this allows you to adapt the existing solution to the changing needs of the industry.

One of the most notable innovations in recent years is the introduction of the SuperSpeed ​​mode, which appeared in the USB specification version 3.0. The final text of this document was approved at the end of 2008, and over the next couple of years this decision became widespread.

However, a lot of time has passed since then, and the time has come for further improvements. In the coming year, the IT industry and you and I will see a number of, without exaggeration, revolutionary innovations. We will talk about them in this review.

SuperSpeedPlus mode

In the summer of 2013, the USB specification version 3.1 was approved. The main innovation that this document legitimized was the SuperSpeedPlus mode, which allows the bandwidth of the USB interface data bus to be doubled: from the previous 5 to 10 Gbit/s. For compatibility with older equipment, it is possible to operate in SuperSpeed ​​mode (up to 5 Gbit/s). Thus, a USB 3.1 connection will allow (at least theoretically) to transfer data at speeds in excess of 1 GB/s and practically reach the HDMI version 1.4 interface (whose bandwidth is 10.2 Gbit/s).

What does this mean in practice? A bandwidth of 10 Gbps is quite enough to broadcast high-definition video (Full HD) with a frame refresh rate of up to 60 Hz or stereoscopic recordings in a similar resolution with a frequency of up to 30 Hz. Accordingly, USB 3.1 can be considered as a full-fledged alternative to specialized interfaces (such as DVI and HDMI) for broadcasting high-resolution video signals from PCs and mobile devices to monitors, projectors and other devices.

USB Type C connector

One of the revolutionary innovations that will affect the PC sphere, as well as peripheral and mobile devices in the near future, is the introduction of a new type of USB interface connector. The specification for USB Type C plugs and sockets was developed by the USB 3.0 Promoter Group, and the final text of this document was approved in August 2014. The design of USB Type C connectors has a number of important features that it makes sense to talk about in detail.

Firstly, USB Type C plugs and sockets are symmetrical in shape. In a USB Type C socket, the plastic tab is located exactly in the middle, and the contact pads on it are located on both sides. Thanks to this, the plug can be connected to such a socket either straight or inverted by 180°. This will greatly simplify the life of users who will finally be freed from the need to determine the correct orientation of the plug at random (which is especially important when connecting cables to a system unit installed under the table).

Secondly, the USB Type C specification requires the use of symmetrical cables, which are equipped with the same plugs on both sides. Accordingly, the sockets installed on the host devices and on the peripheral equipment will be the same.

And thirdly, the USB Type C connector will not have mini and micro versions. It is expected that USB Type C sockets and plugs will become common for desktop and laptop PCs, peripheral equipment, household equipment, mobile devices, power supplies, etc. Accordingly, to connect devices of any type you will need only one unified cable.

The dimensions of the USB Type C socket are approximately 8.4x2.6 mm, which allows you to easily place it in the case of even small-sized devices. There are several design options for sockets for mounting both on the surface of a printed circuit board and in a special cutout (the latter option allows you to reduce the thickness of the device body).

The design of USB Type C plugs and sockets is designed for 10 thousand connections and disconnections - which corresponds to the reliability indicators of USB connectors of currently used types.

The first public demonstration of USB Type C connectors and cables took place at the 2014 IDF Fall Forum, which took place in early September in San Francisco (USA). One of the first mass-produced devices equipped with a USB Type C connector was the tablet announced in mid-November.

Of course, the physical incompatibility of the USB Type C connector with older types of outlets is not the best news for end users. However, the developers from the USB 3.0 Promoter Group decided to take such a radical step in order to expand the functionality of the USB interface, as well as create a foundation for the future. To connect new devices to equipment equipped with older types of connectors, adapter cables will be produced (USB Type C - USB Type A, USB Type C - USB Type B, USB Type C - microUSB, etc.).

USB Power Delivery 2.0

One of the reasons for the current popularity of the USB interface is the ability to transfer not only data, but also power over one cable. This allows you to simplify the connection procedure as much as possible and reduce the number of wires used. When working with mobile devices, this property of the USB interface makes it possible to transfer and synchronize data from a PC, and at the same time recharge the gadget’s battery by connecting just one cable. The same can be said about low-power peripherals. Thanks to the ability to transmit power via an interface cable, we have long been freed from the need to use external power supplies for some peripheral devices - in particular, flatbed scanners, low-power speaker systems, etc. Due to this, it was possible to reduce not only the number of wires on the desktop, but also the occupied sockets under it.

However, the rapid development of mobile devices in recent years has led to a significant change in the requirements not only for the bandwidth of the data bus, but also for the parameters of the power supply supplied via a USB connection. To charge low-power devices (such as MP3 players or wireless headsets), a current of 500 mA is sufficient (and this, remember, is the maximum value for standard USB ports versions 1.1 and 2.0). However, for normal charging of modern smartphones and tablets, power supplies capable of delivering a current of 2 A or more are required.

A similar situation is observed in the segment of peripheral devices. The power transmitted via USB is sufficient to power a 2.5-inch external hard drive or a desktop flatbed scanner with a CIS sensor. However, the USB interface, even version 3.0 (and in it the maximum current was increased to 900 mA per port), does not allow supplying electricity to a small inkjet printer or, for example, an LCD monitor.

In order to expand the capabilities of the USB interface to provide power to external devices, the USB Power Delivery 2.0 specification was developed. This document regulates the supply of power to devices with a power consumption of up to 100 W, and in any direction - both from the host device to the peripheral device, and vice versa. For example, a laptop will be able to receive power from a monitor to which it is connected via USB.

Of course, the ability to supply power to external devices is limited by the design features of the PC or other device that acts as a power source. That is why the USB Power Delivery 2.0 specification provides three profiles - for devices with power consumption up to 10, 60 and 100 W. In the first case, the supply voltage is 5 V, and the maximum current in the load circuit can reach 2 A. The second profile involves using a supply voltage of 12 V, and the third - 20 V. The maximum current in the load circuit in both cases is limited to 5 A.

It should be noted that in order to power a powerful load, both devices must support the appropriate USB Power Delivery 2.0 profile. Obviously, the maximum power will be limited by the capabilities of the device acting as a power source. There are other aspects that need to be kept in mind.

If the current in the power circuit does not exceed 2 A, USB connectors of any currently existing types can be used to connect devices. Connecting a more powerful load is only possible through USB Type C connectors (which were already mentioned above) and the corresponding cables. It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that, unlike USB Type C connectors, the design of standard cables is designed for a maximum current of 3 A. Thus, to connect a more powerful load you will need a special cable.

The introduction of the USB Power Delivery 2.0 specification will significantly expand the ability to transfer power via the USB interface bus. The implementation of this solution in the future will make it possible to use the USB ports of a desktop computer to recharge not only smartphones, tablets, etc. gadgets, but also mobile PCs - netbooks, laptops, etc. In addition, the range of peripheral devices will be significantly expanded, which can receive the current required for operation via the USB interface bus and, accordingly, do without separate power supplies. This list will be supplemented by LCD monitors, active speaker systems, etc.

Alternate Modes

Another important innovation that will become available with the transition to using the USB Type C connector is support for Functional Extensions. A special case of functional extensions are the so-called alternative modes (AM). With their help, manufacturers will be able to use the physical connection of the USB interface to implement the specific capabilities and functions of certain devices.

For example, Audio Adapter Accessory Mode allows you to use a physical USB connection to broadcast analog audio to headphones, external speakers, and other equipment. To a device equipped with a USB Type C connector and supporting Audio Adapter Accessory Mode, you can connect headphones or an external speaker through a special adapter equipped with a 3.5 mm mini-jack jack.

Support for alternative modes is one of the properties of a new class of USB devices - USB Billboard Device Class. Manufacturers who intend to develop their own alternative modes will need to obtain a unique identifier (SVID) from the USB-IF organization.

In 2014, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) developed the DisplayPort Alternate Mode specification. This solution allows you to use two pairs of USB cable conductors (TX+/TX– and RX+/RX–) to broadcast an uncompressed digital AV stream. At the same time, the possibility of data transmission (in Low Speed, Full Speed ​​and Hi-Speed ​​modes via the D+/D– pair), as well as power supply via the same interface cable, is retained. Thus, by connecting two devices that support DisplayPort Alternate Mode, you can broadcast audio and video signals, transfer data in both directions at speeds of up to 480 Mbps, and also supply power - all over one cable!

Devices that support DisplayPort Alternate Mode can also be connected to equipment that is not equipped with USB Type C ports (in particular, monitors, TVs, etc.). The specification of this mode provides options for connecting to DisplayPort, HDMI or DVI interfaces through special adapters.

In November 2014, the MHL consortium announced the development of an alternative mode, MHL Alternate Mode, which will allow broadcasting uncompressed audio and video signals (including high and ultra-high definition) from mobile devices equipped with a USB Type C connector to external equipment (monitors, TVs, projectors etc.) via a standard USB cable. Specialists from Nokia, Samsung Electronics, Silicon Image, Sony and Toshiba took part in the development of the specification.

The introduction of alternative modes will significantly expand the functionality of the USB interface and greatly simplify the procedure for connecting devices of various types.

Conclusion

Concluding this review, we will once again list the most important innovations, the process of introducing them into mass-produced devices equipped with a USB interface will begin in the near future.

The SuperSpeedPlus data transfer mode described in the USB specification version 3.1 will increase the maximum throughput of this interface to 10 Gbps. Of course, this is less than HDMI 2.0 and Thunderbolt 2 (which, remember, provide data transfer speeds of up to 18 and 20 Gbps, respectively). However, 10 Gbps is quite enough to transmit uncompressed high-definition video signals with frame rates up to 60 Hz. In addition, representatives of USB-IF stated that in subsequent versions of USB it is quite possible to increase the throughput to 20 Gbit/s - fortunately, the design of the new USB Type C connectors and the corresponding cables contains a certain margin for further development.

The introduction of support for the USB Power Delivery 2.0 specification will significantly increase the maximum power transmitted over a USB connection. Accordingly, the range of peripheral and mobile devices that will be able to receive power via an interface cable will be expanded. The widespread implementation of this solution will significantly reduce the number of cables and external power supplies used, reduce the number of occupied outlets and use electricity more efficiently.

The advent of USB Billboard Device Class devices with support for alternative modes will open up completely new possibilities. At the same time, each manufacturer will be able to create their own modes for devices of certain types, taking into account their specifics.

Of course, one of the revolutionary changes that will affect the spheres of PCs, peripheral and mobile devices, household equipment, etc., will be the introduction of the USB Type C connector, which (as expected) will replace the USB plugs and sockets of currently used types. On the one hand, the transition to a single connector for devices of all types will significantly simplify the lives of users and reduce the number of required cables to a minimum. But, on the other hand, the industry and users will have to go through a very difficult and painful process of generational change. Previous solutions were distinguished by maximum compatibility: the design of conventional USB Type A and Type B plugs allows them to be easily connected to the corresponding sockets of version 3.0. Now, to connect devices of different generations, you will have to use additional devices.

The USB 3.1 specification provides backward compatibility with earlier versions of the interface. However, with the advent of serial devices equipped with a USB Type C connector, users will inevitably face the need to purchase adapters and adapters that provide the ability to connect new devices to older equipment with USB Type A, Type B and other types of sockets. Considering that currently about 4 billion devices equipped with a USB interface are produced annually, this problem will be very relevant for at least the next five to six years.

It should also be noted that it will be possible to fully realize the potential of the USB version 3.1 interface and the USB Type C connector in practice only when users accumulate at least a minimum amount of equipment equipped with these new products. Obviously, in the case of interaction between two devices of different generations, the functionality and maximum bandwidth of the interface will be limited by the characteristics of the USB controller of the older device.

According to experts from the well-known Taiwanese resource DigiTimes, serial models of PCs, as well as mobile and peripheral devices equipped with a USB 3.1 interface and USB Type C connectors, will go on sale in the first half of 2015. In turn, leading operating system and software developers have already announced their readiness to release updates to implement USB 3.1 support in their products.

The USB Type-C port has at least one undeniable and obvious advantage over the micro USB port - the connector can be inserted into it from either side (like Lightning). But USB Type-C also has disadvantages, we will talk about them today.

1. USB Type-C does not support fast charging

Currently, no smartphone with a USB Type-C cable is compatible with technologies that support fast charging (for example, Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0). Perhaps it will appear in the future, but definitely not on those smartphones that have already been released.

2. USB Type-C does not guarantee high data transfer speeds

USB Type-C is only a connector form factor, not a data exchange standard. The USB Type-C cable itself can comply with different standards - USB 2.0, 3.0 and 3.1. Even if the cable supports USB 3.1, the data transfer speed through it will be limited by the port of the smartphone or computer. In theory, data can be transferred via USB 3.1 at speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, but in reality such speeds will most likely be unattainable even under ideal conditions.

3. USB Type-C is not widely used

Surely you have often asked your friends for a charger or cable to charge your dead smartphone. In the case of USB Type-C, this will not work - it’s unlikely that anyone will have such a cable. You can ask any passerby for a micro USB cable. They may refuse, but almost everyone has it..

4. USB Type-C is expensive

The worst thing is if the cable gets lost or becomes unusable - a micro USB cord is very cheap in computer stores, but USB Type-C is not available in all retail outlets, and you will have to pay much more money for it. In addition, there is no guarantee that the new cable will be of the same quality as the one that came with the smartphone; there is a high risk of running into a fake.

5. USB Type-C does not support common accessories

If you have already purchased various accessories for your smartphone, such as portable chargers, OTG adapters, flash drives, speakers, etc., be prepared that they will be incompatible with USB Type-C. Finding accessories that support this standard is currently quite difficult.

All this does not mean that the USB Type-C standard is bad, it’s just that its time has not come yet. In addition, many compatibility issues can be solved by purchasing a USB Type-C -> micro USB adapter.