By PURPLELEC | 28 October 2024 | 0 Comments
The USB4 era is coming: reshaping the future of data transmission and device connection
Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports have made significant progress over the past 25 years, both in terms of design and transmission efficiency. USB4, released in 2019, marks the pinnacle of this technology. This series of iterations may feel a little confusing, but rest assured, you're not alone.
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (speed 5Gbps) and USB 3.1 Gen 2 (speed 10Gbps) were later renamed USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 respectively. This name change occurred when USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (speed 20Gbps) was launched. time. Then came USB 4, which used Intel's Thunderbolt technology, the same connection technology found in Thunderbolt 3.

So, what do these changes mean? Let's dig into the details of USB 3.1, USB 3.2, Thunderbolt, and USB4.
Understanding USB 3.X Gen 1 and USB 3.X Gen 2
The USB codename has nothing to do with the shape of its connector. That said, USB 3.1 cables can use USB-C, micro-USB, or USB-A connectors. They represent different generations of bandwidth, which ultimately determines the speed of data transfer. For example, USB 1.0 ports created in 1996 initially supported speeds of just 1.5Mbps, while USB 2.0, introduced in 2000, supported speeds of 480Mbps, and USB 3.0, introduced in 2008, supported speeds of up to 5Gbps.
By 2014, USB 3.0 was replaced by USB 3.1. As the 2010s progressed, the older USB standards gradually became less common. Although the use of the term may have become colloquial, the current USB 3 standard is significantly faster, as follows:
USB 3.2 Gen 1 = USB 3.0 (or SuperSpeed USB), the maximum throughput is 5Gbps.
USB 3.2 Gen 2 = USB 3.1 (or SuperSpeedPlus USB), with a maximum throughput of 10Gbps.
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 = USB 3.2 (or dual SuperSpeedPlus USB), with a maximum throughput of 20Gbps.
“USB 3.0” devices manufactured today are 10 times faster than “USB 2.0” devices manufactured in 2013 or earlier. Since many smartphones, tablets, and laptops use USB for charging, USB has become the de facto charging standard for these mobile devices. While you may not notice much of a speed difference when using a wired USB mouse or keyboard, the difference can be very noticeable when transferring large amounts of data.
What is Thunderbolt 3?
Originally released in 2011, Thunderbolt combines data (up to 10Gbps) and video into a single port and cable. Intel developed Thunderbolt 3 to fit into a USB-C port, enabling 40Gbps of data speeds, video, and power transfer. Intel has been developing Thunderbolt 3 products since 2015, while for Apple, Thunderbolt 3 has been standard on its laptops since 2016. Windows PC original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) using Intel motherboards, processors, and GPUs are also leveraging Thunderbolt 3 as a technology standard. However, until USB4 is released, Thunderbolt 3 will not be available to Windows PC OEMs using AMD products, such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo.
Possibility of USB4
USB4 is the culmination of all the above technologies. It combines Intel's Thunderbolt 3 specification with USB 3.2 and is backwards compatible with all previous USB 2 and USB 3 standards. While you'll still get the maximum data throughput the device was designed for, the list of OEMs integrating Thunderbolt 3 capabilities will expand significantly in the 2020s.
USB4 can reach speeds of 40Gbps, but whether it supports 10Gbps, 20Gbps or 40Gbps depends on whether a single-channel or dual-channel cable is used. This means your older USB-C cables will still work with the USB4 standard, but they will only operate at the maximum speed that the device and USB-C cable can support.
In addition, the USB-PD (Power Delivery) protocol has also become a mandatory requirement in USB4. This is important for USB Type-C devices that require fast charging, such as laptops and smartphones, some of which require up to 100W of power. This standard allows for easy fast charging, while other devices that use less power, such as wireless headphones, can trickle charge over longer periods of time. USB-PD maximizes charging efficiency for all your devices, ensuring you get a proper charge every time.
Best of all, USB4 can support more devices without negatively impacting latency. This makes it ideal for gamers, video editors, streamers, and other professionals who need lightning-fast and reliable speeds. However, you may have to wait until late 2020 or even 2021 to see a device that fully supports this new protocol.
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