USB standards: USB 1.x, 2.0, 3.x and USB4

• USB stands for Universal Serial Bus
• An industry standard for cables, connectors, and communication protocols is used for connection, communication, and power supply between computers and electronic devices

USB standards refer to the underlying technology

• USB standards dictate the data transfer speeds and power capabilities
• Main USB standards:
  • USB 1.x
  • USB 2.0
  • USB 3.x
  • USB4

USB 1.x

• Original USB specification
• USB 1.0: Introduced in 1996, providing a 1.5 Mbit/s data transfer rate (Low Bandwidth)
• USB 1.1: Introduced in 1998, providing a 12 Mbit/s data transfer rate (Full Bandwidth)
• It is now obsolete

USB 2.0

• Released in April 2000
• Introduced a higher transfer rate named Hi-Speed, in addition to Full Bandwidth and Low Bandwidth
• Hi-Speed ​​(480 Mbit/s), with a real transfer rate limited to 280 Mbit/s
• Backwards compatible with USB 1.x

USB 3.x

• A third major version of the Universal Serial Bus standard
• USB 3.0: Released in November 2008, introduced SuperSpeed ​​transfer mode, 5 Gbit/s data transfer rate
• USB 3.1: Released in July 2013, introduced SuperSpeed+ transfer mode, 10 Gbit/s data transfer rate
• USB 3.2: Released in September 2017:
  • SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbit/s: corresponds to USB 3.0
  • SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbit/s: corresponds to USB 3.1
  • SuperSpeed USB 20 Gbit/s: new 20 Gbit/s mode, using two-lane operation over the USB-C connector

USB4

• Released in August 2019
• Based on the Thunderbolt 3 protocol
• It enables a single port to connect various types of devices
• It can support display output, USB data, and PCI Express data
• USB4 20 Gbit/s: same as USB 3.2
• USB4 40 Gbit/s: new, doubles the maximum data transfer rate

USB types refer to the physical connector

• USB types define the physical shape and size of the connector
• Main USB connector types:
  • Type-A
  • Type-B
  • Mini-USB
  • Micro-USB
  • Type-C

Type-A

• Standard, rectangular USB connector
• Commonly found on host devices such as computers and hubs
• USB Type-A ports and plugs are designed to be durable and can withstand numerous insertions and removals

Type-B

• A square or rectangular connector with a beveled top
• Typically used for connecting to peripheral devices like printers or scanners
• Mostly superseded by smaller connectors like Mini-USB and Micro-USB

Mini-USB

• A smaller version of the USB connector
• Once popular for connecting smaller devices such as digital cameras, MP3 players
• Largely replaced by Micro-USB and Type-C

Micro-USB

• An even smaller USB connector
• Widely used for smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices
• Micro-USB connectors come in two forms: Micro-A and Micro-B
• Micro-B is more common

Type-C

• A reversible, oval-shaped connector
• Supports USB 3.1, USB 3.2, USB4 standards
• Increasingly adopted across various devices, including smartphones, laptops and tablets
• USB-C supports USB Power Delivery (USB PD), allowing for faster charging and higher power delivery to devices

USB Power Delivery (USB PD)

• A specification that allows USB connections to deliver more power to devices
• It enables devices to charge faster and power larger devices through USB
• USB PD can deliver up to 100W of power
• It allows for bi-directional power flow, meaning devices can both send and receive power
• It enables devices to negotiate the optimal voltage and current levels for charging, enhancing efficiency and safety

USB Dual-Role-Power (DRP)

• USB Power Delivery makes use of the Dual-Role-Power (DRP) concept
• A DRP port can act as either a power source or a power consumer
• This adaptability allows for more flexible power management in USB connections

Identifying USB Ports and Connectors

• USB ports and connectors are often color-coded to indicate their USB standard
• USB 2.0 ports are often black
• USB 3.0 ports are often blue
• USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports may be teal
• USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports may be red
• However, color-coding is not always consistent, so it is best to check the device's documentation or markings

Explanation of the USB standards, including USB 1.x, USB 2.0, USB 3.x, and USB4. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus and is an industry standard for cables and data transfer. USB standards dictate the data transfer speeds and power capabilities.