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Types of USB connectors. What is USB Type-C? Where is USB Type-C used?

The reliable Universal Serial Bus port standard is one of the most commonly used on the planet. But the USB Developers Forum, a compendium formed by companies such as Intel, Microsoft, Apple, and HP to monitor the development of this standard, is not resting on its laurels. Latest version standard, as well as new devices and computer components that adhere to the standard that are just beginning to come to market. So how is it different (and better) than older versions of USB 2.0 and 3.0? And what is the difference between 3.1, 1 and 2 generations?

Basics of USB ports.

First of all, it is a standard and should not be confused with the shape of the ports on your computer or the cables that connect to it. devices and computers can use both connectors on the ends of the cable, while USB Type-A- rectangular plug, which is used by most devices, USB Type-B- a square-shaped connector, which is mainly used for printers, external hard drives. Smaller connectors like mini USB and micro USB may not be compatible, so sometimes a USB Micro Type-B connector is used, as on phones like the Galaxy Note 3. This allows for higher data transfer speeds in the USB 3.0 specification, but still allows use older micro USB cables for standard charging and data transfer.

USB 3.0/3.1 is also compatible with , the latest connector design that's just starting to come into use with devices like the new MacBook, the second-generation Chromebook Pixel, and the OnePlus 2 smartphone. This reversible plug is different from , although manufacturers can choose to support both , which is certainly possible. For example, the 2015 MacBook and second-generation Chromebooks support the standard on their ports, while the OnePlus 2 uses the USB 2.0 standard despite the port.

During 2016 and beyond, expect more complete motherboards, laptops, tablets and smartphones equipped with ports, thanks to its small size and mirror-like design. These ports may or may not be equipped with or later versions due to cost or hardware compatibility.

Need for speed (data transfer).

The biggest improvement to the standard is the increase in data transmission capacity to 10 Gbit/s. The new SuperSpeed ​​USB specification in the second generation provides improved encoding and data transfer efficiency, doubling the speed of the first generation standard (5 Gbit/sec ). In more practical terms, the contents of a fully loaded 50 GB Blu-Ray disc can be transferred through the second generation in just 38 seconds.Of course, this is assuming that you have the necessary ports and cables on both ends, and that both read and write devices can transfer data at this speed - the fastest consumer-grade drives (for example) can write data only at a fraction of this speed. Additionally, the second generation is so new that there are currently very few devices that support it. A slightly older standard, the first generation only supports speeds up to 5 Gbit/sec , like USB 3.0. USB 3.0 and the first generation are very similar, in fact - the latter is mainly different due to the few devices that support it. In addition, any USB 3.0, 3.1 first or second generation device is preferable to the old USB 2.0 standard, whose ceiling is 480 Mbit/sec , which is significantly slower than all subsequent alternatives.

With higher data throughput, USB 3.0 and 3.1 can be used for video transfer. There are already adapters that allow PCs and Macs to output high-definition video to a monitor or TV via a standard USB port, and new versions allow faster, smoother transfer of higher-resolution video. supports the specification that outputs video at up to 4K. It is quite possible that it can replace existing standards and HDMI, DVI and DisplayPort ports, although this seems unlikely in the short term.

Let's add energy.

Modern devices such as phones, tablets and even laptops have larger and more efficient batteries, so you need to get the right amount of electricity to them as safely as possible. The latest fast charging technologies can reach up to 15W and charge devices much faster than the older 2.1 standard. However, this is not enough to sate the producers' thirst.

USB 3.0 and 3.1 and supports USB power specifications that support a maximum of 20 volts at 5 amps for a total of up to 100 watts of power. This means there are very few portable devices that can't be powered by this standard - the recently released Macbook and Chromebook Pixel models charge through their USB ports with a standard power adapter, using 29W and 60W, respectively.

Comparison with Thunderbolt.

This is where things get confusing. Intel's proprietary Thunderbolt standard, which competes with, is sometimes compatible with it using the same cables. First, let's compare the speed. Thunderbolt version 3 can handle data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps, potentially four times faster than the second generation. Versions of Thunderbolt 1 and 2 use a proprietary cable that is not compatible with USB, so some computers, like the Macbook Pro, have both USB and Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Starting with Thunderbolt 3, Intel moved on to ports as well as cables and made the standard cross-compatible with . This means that if the manufacturer supports it, the same device can be used as Thunderbolt and operates in data, video and power modes. The port on the 2015 Macbook is compatible with first-generation and Thunderbolt 3, as well as adapters for the standard USB Type-A cable and legacy Thunderbolt ports.

Currently, Thunderbolt is mainly used on Apple devices and in specialized areas for higher data transfer speeds, such as video editing. While Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro lineup will likely continue to support it, USB ports compatible with Thunderbolt 3 may be rare on PC motherboards and laptops.

Revolution ?

The first generation standard is already available on many motherboards and several portable devices, and the second generation standard is quickly appearing on portable hard drives, cases and adapters. While it is gaining popularity among manufacturers as a port on laptops and phones, the first and second generations are likely to spread much faster through the consumer electronics industry. Today you can purchase flagship phones that support the second generation standard, as well as laptops and desktop computers.

Vention, special for you!

Take a look at almost any laptop and you'll find a whole series various ports decorating their sides: USB, HDMI, power connection and several others. Soon this may become a thing of the past, as manufacturers such as Apple, HP and are already ready to adopt a new universal standard offering increased speed, improved functionality and convenience. The time of USB-C is coming, and its future looks very promising.

One cable, many uses

The idea behind USB Type-C is simple. You have one type of cable, one type of port, and through them you connect everything you need. This means you can use the same connector for hard drives, monitors, audio interfaces, smartphones, tablets, and even to charge your laptop.

Nowadays, most peripherals connect to a PC via USB-A. It has a rectangular shape and is used on USB flash drives, external keyboards, mice, hard drives and almost all other devices.

On the opposite side of the cable, there is usually another type of connector, such as Micro USB for connecting to smartphones, Mini USB for other gadgets, Micro USB-B for connecting to some storage devices, or square-shaped USB-B used in printers. The difficulty is that you need to have a separate cable for each device, and there is no guarantee that if you are somewhere else, you will be able to find exactly the one you need.

USB-C simplifies this situation by establishing a single standard format for all devices, and even the same connector on both ends of the cable. The slim, oval-shaped connector is smaller in size than previous USB formats. Plus, it's also symmetrical/reversible like Apple's Lightning connector - hence the times you were fiddling with the cable to find the right way connections to your device will soon become a thing of the past.

Over time, USB-C will likely become the only universal port for all devices, replacing the USB-A, USB-B, Micro USB and Mini USB that make our lives so difficult now. All cables will be the same and will fit all devices. Admittedly, this will not happen very soon, since most peripherals on the market still use the old connection types. But with Apple's new line of MacBook Pros featuring exclusively USB-C ports, and the Asus Zenbook 3 and HP Specter using the same approach, USB-C ports are becoming a common feature on many modern laptops and 2-in-1 devices. This undoubtedly indicates that the future lies with the new platform.

What are the benefits of USB-C?

Of course, simply changing the design of the connector and port is unlikely to be a compelling reason to upgrade your entire peripheral, but this is not the only advantage of USB Type-C. The new format also supports the latest USB 3.1 protocol, which is faster and more versatile than previous versions used on USB Type A devices.

  • Speed. When USB 1.0 was introduced back in 1996, it had a maximum data transfer speed of 12 MB/s. USB 2.0, which followed in 2000, “jumped” to 480 Mb/s. USB 3.0, which replaced it in 2008, provided a significantly improved performance of 5 Gb/s. Now USB 3.1 has doubled that figure, offering as much as 10 Gb/s and a number of additional benefits.
  • Performance. These additional benefits include the ability to deliver up to 100 watts of power to connected devices, which is enough to charge any smartphone, tablet, and almost any laptop. The new format can also carry 4K monitors and audio.
  • Compactness. The smaller size and versatility of the ports means they will now become ubiquitous on ultra-thin laptops and Android smartphones such as the Google Pixel.
  • Versatility. The universal nature of the new standard opens up a range of useful practical applications using just one cable. For example, a user can connect their USB-C-equipped laptop to an externally powered display and charge while watching video content. If other USB devices are connected to the monitor, such as an external drive, the PC can also access it and transfer files. In addition, the cable can be used to connect and charge your smartphone.
  • Compatibility. USB Type-C is backward compatible with previous generations. If you have an adapter or dongle, you will be able to use your USB devices over USB-C. To meet this need, a number of interesting accessories have already been released, such as the Targus Dock 410, which offers not only three USB 3.0 ports, but also HDMI, Gigabit ethernet and various video options. The fact that the device can manage this entire range of functions through a single USB-C port shows the potential of the platform - it's not for nothing that more and more modern laptops, for example, Apple's line of thin 12-inch MacBooks are equipped with a single port. Now there is an even faster form of USB Type-C, which also includes support for Thunderbolt 3.0. With it, devices like the MacBook Pro, Dell XPS 13 and HP Specter can reach speeds of up to 40 Gb/s - four times faster than USB 3.1. Thanks to the increased data transfer speeds, users can connect a USB-C cable to the aforementioned Targus Dock 410 and run two external displays at up to 3840x2160 resolution by connecting them to the DVI-D and HDMI ports on the dock. Since the standard is still new, manufacturer specifications may vary between devices - so consumers need to ensure that accessories like the Dock 410 are compatible with their laptops.
  • Reversibility. Who has never cursed while trying to get a Micro USB connector or even a standard USB connector into a device correctly? Apple's Lightning connector eliminates this inconvenience, and now USB-C is just as convenient.

What are the disadvantages of USB Type-C?

While USB-C is a shiny new format that will no doubt become ubiquitous in the near future, it is currently still in its infancy and therefore not without some confusion and dangers.

Since USB-C refers to a connector type rather than an internal specification, users may be unpleasantly surprised that their device isn't as fast as they expected. The first generation of USB-C uses USB 3.0 technology, which has a maximum speed of 5 Gb/s, while the second generation of USB-C supports USB 3.1, which provides 10 Gb/s. There is also a third generation that includes Thunderbolt 3 (such as on the new MacBook Pro), with maximum speed up to 40 Gb/s. The problem with each of the ports is that they look the same, but the manufacturers use different components in their model lines. Therefore, to avoid disappointment, potential buyers should check the connector's specifications and speed before purchasing.

Cables can also be confusing as they all look the same but have various options performances that affect their capabilities. If you need a charging cable, you'll need to make sure it supports USB Power Delivery, and for HDMI, MHL, or DisplayPort, you need a USB-C cable with Alt Mode functionality. These inconveniences will undoubtedly be eliminated in the future, but at this stage the buyer should check all details carefully.

The main problem facing USB-C is cheap cables and accessories that can cause physical damage to the device. The problem is caused by the amount of energy they are capable of transmitting. This can be dangerous not only for devices, but also for people. Therefore, you should not purchase cheap, non-branded products from China, but choose reliable, proven brands.

Apple's latest MacBook laptop is equipped with a single USB Type-C port. But this form factor is not the corporation's own standard. USB Type-C - new type universal port, standardized by the international USB-IF consortium. And over time, it will spread to all devices that these days are equipped with a classic (if not “old”) larger USB connector.

The variety of modern Apple MacBooks can be found on the pages of Bayon:

USB Type-C connector tightly intertwined with other new standards: high-speed USB 3.1 and “electric” USB Power Delivery, whose task is to supply sufficient current to power various devices.

In the article we will talk about the differences between USB Type-C and USB 3.1 and how the USB Power Delivery standard and the Type C port are similar.

Type-C is a new form of USB port

By its physical nature, the USB Type-C connector is a thinner port. The connector itself can support existing USB 3.1 and USB Power Delivery standards (USB PD for short). In fact, 3.1 and PD are “logical” varieties of USB, and Type-C is just the size, shape and type of port.

The most common USB connector belongs to the USB Type-A category. Even when moving from the “ancient” USB 1.1 standard to the long-lived 2.0 (and to the fast 3.0, which is usually marked in blue), the connector remained the same. At one time it seemed miniature, but after years of technological development it looks very massive. Its other drawback is the ability to connect to the device exclusively on one specific side. Therefore, before attaching the connector to the port, you must ensure that it is in the correct position.

But the USB bus is also attractive for other devices! And a large USB port of a classic form factor physically cannot be placed on the thin edges of smartphones, game controllers, digital cameras and all other gadgets where this data transfer standard begs to be used. This is how numerous connector standards were born, including the now widespread “micro” and “mini”.

A variety of connectors and connectors of the Universal Serial Bus class

“Zoo” of various sizes of USB ports is nearing closing. The reason for this is the new USB standard Type-C, which has a huge advantage: the miniature geometric dimensions of the port. Its dimensions are approximately one third of the “old” USB Type-A. The new form factor can be placed in any device. No more collections of wires: both for an external hard drive and for charging a smartphone you only need one single cable. At the same time, a tiny port can both fit into the body of a mobile device and serve as a source of electricity even for “gluttonous” peripheral devices. The cable ends on both sides with identical USB Type-C connectors.

The beautiful “chargers” of various shapes and colors will not go away, but the cable will be standard.

Unified Type-C standard

That’s right: a single standard, and so many “goodies” at once. There is something else: “Type C” (this is the English transcription of the name) is also attractive for its two-sided nature. You can insert the connector into this connector from either side. You no longer have to consider the direction of the “cord” in order to carefully insert it into the port.
While USB Type-C is just beginning its victorious march, data cables are an indispensable attribute of any computer household.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with our products in this category: USB cables

USB class size Type-C can work in various “protocol” modes. In practice, this means that one and only The port can also connect HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort cables or other types of computer connections to peripherals. Digital USB-C multiport adapter from Apple is a great example of the above. This adapter allows you to connect HDMI or VGA video outputs and large USB connectors of the old standard to your computer. Type-A , and, of course, its native USB inputs Type-C . A bunch of all kinds of USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA and other connectors that now decorate most laptops on all side edges can be replaced with just one type of port. Something similar in recent years happened with mobile computer speakers - they are increasingly connected to the computer via USB, rather than through specific ports.

USB Power Delivery standard

Closely related to Type-C consists of another fresh standard of the consortium - USB PD. What is USB Power Delivery?

Many mobile devices - smartphones, tablets, pocket computers - can be charged from a computer when connected to it via USB. The USB 2.0 class port provides current transmission of up to 2.5 Watts - enough for leisurely recharging, but there was no need to think about more demanding devices: the average laptop, for example, requires up to 60 Watts.

USB Power Delivery specifications allow current transmission up to 100 W. Moreover, the direction of current can be bidirectional, so both devices connected by a USB cable can both send and receive electricity. At the same time as power supply is provided, data transmission is also possible. Both the new MacBook and Google's Pixel Chromebook are capable of charging their batteries when connected via a USB Type-C port. New standard USB PD will allow you to forget about numerous types of cables and connectors for powering laptops. Any device can be powered from a standard USB port. The current source for a laptop can be any newfangled “ external battery" You can connect the laptop to an external screen - and this display will share its current with the computer, while simultaneously showing the image sent to it by the computer via a small USB Type-C port.

All you need is support for USB Power Delivery technology. A regular USB Type-C port is not a guarantee of such electrical omnipotence. As Bayon already noted at the beginning of the article, Type-C is just a new geometry of this connector; everything else will depend on the specific manufacturer of the device - whether developers want to equip their devices with Type-C-sized ports with USB PD support.

Relationship between USB Type-C and USB 3.1

USB 3.1 is the next milestone in the development of the USB bus. The theoretical bandwidth of USB 3.0 is limited to 5 gigabits per second. The new iteration, USB 3.1, doubles this figure - up to 10 theoretical gigabits/sec. This beautiful figure matches the speed of the first generation Thunderbolt port.

What is the difference between USB Type-C and USB 3.1?

The first (USB Type-C) is just the geometric shape of the connector, nothing more. Inside this “geometry” you can embed the old man USB 2.0, and its descendant 3.0, and their successor 3.1. In principle, nothing prevents you from placing even the logic of a frankly “museum” USB 1.1 in Type-C.

A practical example of the difference between USB Type-C and USB 3.1 is the Nokia N1 Android tablet. It is equipped with a new USB Type-C connector, but inside there is 2.0 bus logic (yes, not even 3.0). It also has an appropriate data transfer speed. However, these two technologies are directly related to each other, even if they are not synonymous.

Backwards compatible USB and new standard technologies

From a physical and geometric point of view, the USB Type-C connector is not compatible with its predecessors. And from a logical point of view, the developers have maintained full backward compatibility. In other words, it will not be possible to “shove” an ordinary bulky connector from a printer or mouse into the thin new Type-C connector. It will not be possible to connect a modern flash drive or external HDD equipped with a Type-C cable into the classic USB port of a computer format that everyone is familiar with.

Now let's get back to the good stuff. The USB 3.1 standard is fully compatible with previous versions of USB, so connecting old peripherals to a USB Type-C port requires only a simple adapter. The devices will work, there will be no problems.

How to live in the era of USB Type-C?

In practice, most new computers will be equipped with both the new USB Type-C ports and the familiar USB Type-A - at least for the foreseeable future. This process has already begun; let’s take the same Pixel Chromebook as an example. There is no need to change old peripherals (printers, scanners, flash drives with mice) to new devices with USB Type-C cables. And even if your future computer is orthodoxly equipped exclusively with USB Type-C ports (as is the case with the MacBook), inexpensive and increasingly common adapters will help solve the problem.

Bottom line: Bayon's thoughts on USB Type-C

A timely and long-awaited update, this new connector. The pioneers of USB Type-C are the MacBook developers, but this technology will soon spread far beyond the Apple universe. Over time, other ports will become a thing of the past, and the transition to a new era will be as painless as possible. Whatever the readers' opinion about Apple, this time they have given way to a new standard that will be useful to everyone.

Moreover, the USB Type-C port can replace the Lightning interface, which is used only by smartphones and tablets of this corporation. Lightning has no special advantages over USB Type-C - it is beneficial Apple only because it receives royalties for its use.

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

USB 3.1 Gen 1 (formerly USB 3.0) technology is currently 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- (reception) and SSTX+ and StdA_SSTX (transmission).

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 turned out to be 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, charging devices such as smartphones and tablets from Type C is 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 support for USB 3.1 simultaneous transfer in any configuration.

Trends around USB-C

Features and benefits of USB Type C will certainly affect the increased presence of the connector in mobile devices and laptops. Among devices with this type of connector, flash drives, various docking stations, monitors and adapters for outdated interfaces are expected. By 2019, up to two billion different devices are expected to be shipped.