{"wikiid":110136,"langid":"en","namespace":"CATEGORY","title":"USB","revisionid":1174065,"contents_raw":"== Background and Identification ==\n\nUniversal Serial Bus, more commonly known as \u201cUSB,\u201d is a common standard for cables and connectors originally released to the public in 1996. USB cables were originally intended to be a replacement for the multitude of [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Serial_port|serial], [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Parallel_port|parallel], proprietary, and lesser-used cables that were common in the era. The goal of USB, as the name \u201cUniversal Serial Bus\u201d implies, was to unite and replace most of these cables with a single standard. USB technology and development is overseen by the [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USB_Implementers_Forum|USB Implementers Forum], a group of electronics companies like Microsoft, Apple, Intel, HP, Texas Instruments, and others.\n\nSince USB cables have undergone multiple revisions over the years, it can be difficult to tell what type of cable or connector you have. Luckily, [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USB#Connector_type_quick_reference|Wikipedia has a useful chart] with diagrams for all the connectors you can find on a device or on the ends of a USB cable. Unfortunately, just knowing the type of connector does not tell you the speed of a given cable. For that part, let\u2019s dive into a little bit of history (I promise it\u2019s interesting).\n\n=== USB 1.0 and USB 1.1 ===\n\nAfter a year in development, USB 1.0 was released in 1996. This first standard specified a data transfer rate of 1.5 Mbit\/s (called \u201clow speed\u201d) and a rate of 12 Mbit\/s (called \u201cfull speed\u201d). At this time, USB cables were designed so that the device on one side would \u201chost\u201d the communication and the device on the other side was passive. The host side of the cable has a rectangular connector, called a [link|https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB_Type-A_plug_B%26W.svg|USB type-A connector]. The passive side of the cable has a [link|https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB_Type-B.png|USB type-B connector] that is almost square with just two corners notched so that you can\u2019t insert the plug backwards. This asymmetrical design continued for quite a while: a type-A ''host'' and a type-B ''follower''.\n\n=== USB 2.0 ===\n\nUSB 2.0 was released in 2000 and introduced transfer speeds of 480 Mbit\/s (called \u201chigh speed\u201d). Since USB 2.0 cables and connectors are identical to USB 1.x versions, they are completely backwards compatible. Mix and match to your heart\u2019s content. Alongside USB 2.0, the forum introduced smaller versions of the existing connectors. These were called the [link|https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB_Mini-A.svg|USB mini-A connector] and the [link|https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB_Mini-B.svg|USB mini-B connector]. They play the same roles as before, but they are ''smaller!''\n\nDespite the introduction of the mini-A and mini-B connectors, people (and companies making thin phones) wanted an even smaller connector. Thus, the forum introduced the [link|https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB_Micro-B.svg|USB micro-B connector]. They also released a smaller version of the type-A connector, but it was very rarely used.\n\n=== USB 3.0 to USB 3.2 ===\n\nRealizing the need for faster data transfer, the forum introduced USB 3.0 in 2008. This specification allowed for up to ten times the transfer speed at a rate of 5 Gbit\/s (called \u201cSuperSpeed\u201d or just \u201cSS\u201d). To support this large jump, the cables had to include four new wires and the connectors needed new designs. Compared to their lower speed counterparts, the [link|https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB-3.0-Stecker_(Typ_B).jpg|SS type-B connector] is taller and the [link|https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB_3.0_Micro-B.svg|SS micro-B] connector is wider. The [link|https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB-A_3.1_Gen_1_ports_on_OWC_Thunderbolt_3_Dock.jpg|SS type-A connector] has all the new electrical conductors inside, so it is the same shape as its predecessor. Manufacturers are supposed to use blue plastic inside SuperSpeed connectors to mark their higher speed, but some companies do not follow this design trend (cough, Apple, cough). Due to the smart design of these connectors, you can use USB 2.0 or USB 1.x cables in a USB 3.0 socket, although the speed will be limited to 480 Mbit\/s.\n\nThe USB 3.1 and 3.2 standards were released in 2013 and 2017. These additions defined even faster transfer speeds of 10 Gbit\/s and 20 Gbit\/s (both called \u201cSuperSpeed+\u201d).\n\nIn 2014, the forum introduced the [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USB-C|USB-C connector] in an attempt to unify the existing standards. The USB-C connector is symmetrical and can be plugged in right-side-up or upside-down without any issues. It also replaces the host and passive functionality of both the A and B connectors, making the entire distinction a moot point. Additionally, USB-C cables ***that support the feature*** can carry other data such as [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/DisplayPort|DisplayPort] video, [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/HDMI|HDMI] video, and [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Thunderbolt_(interface)|Thunderbolt 3]. More expensive Thunderbolt 3 cables are especially useful because that standard permits transfer of up to 40 Gbit\/s.\n\n==== Naming scheme ====\n\n[image|2935529|size=large|align=center|caption=Image Credit: Wikipedia User GravityCore]\n\nStarting with the USB 3.2 standard, USB-IF introduced a new naming scheme. To help companies with branding of the different transfer modes, USB-IF recommended branding the 5, 10, and 20\u00a0Gbit\/s transfer modes as ''SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps'', ''SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps'', and ''SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps'', respectively. [[Topic:USB#Section_September_2022_naming_scheme|As of September 2022, this naming scheme is deprecated.]]\n\n=== USB4 and USB4 2.0 ===\n\nUSB4 was released in 2019 and uses Thunderbolt 3 technology to enable an equivalent data transfer rate of 40 Gbit\/s. USB4 is only available for cables and devices with USB-C connectors. In 2022, the USB Implementers Forum released the USB4 2.0 specification, supporting an equivalent data transfer rate of up to 80 Gbit\/s.\n\n==== September 2022 naming scheme ====\n\n[image|2935530|align=center|caption=Image Credit: Wikipedia User GravityCore]\n\nBecause of the previous confusing naming schemes, USB-IF decided to change it once again. As of 2 September 2022, marketing names follow the syntax \"USB\u00a0''X''Gbps\", where X is the speed of transfer in Gb\/s.\n\n== Versions ==\n\n{table\n|width=100%\n|format=m:m:m:m:m:m:m:m\n|! Name\n|! Marketing Name (2022)\n|! Release Date\n|! Transfer Speed\n|! Notes\n|--\n| USB 0.7\n|\n| 11 November 1994\n| ?\n| Pre-release\n|--\n| USB 0.8\n|\n| December 1994\n| ?\n| Pre-release\n|--\n| USB 0.9\n|\n| 13 April 1995\n| Full Speed (12\u00a0Mbit\/s)\n| Pre-release\n|--\n| USB 0.99\n|\n| August 1995\n| ?\n| Pre-release\n|--\n| USB 1.0-RC\n|\n| November 1995\n| ?\n| Release Candidate\n|--\n| USB 1.0\n| USB 1.0\n| 15 January 1996\n| <> Low Speed (1.5\u00a0Mbit\/s)[br]\nFull Speed (12\u00a0Mbit\/s)\n|\n|--\n| USB 1.1\n|\n| August 1998\n|\n|--\n| USB 2.0\n| USB 2.0\n| April 2000\n| High Speed (480\u00a0Mbit\/s)\n|\n|--\n| USB 3.0\n| USB 5Gbits\n| November 2008\n| SuperSpeed (5\u00a0Gbit\/s)\n| Also referred to as USB\u00a03.1\u00a0Gen\u00a01 and USB\u00a03.2 Gen 1 \u00d7 1\n|--\n| USB 3.1\n| USB 10Gbits\n| July 2013\n| SuperSpeed+ (10\u00a0Gbit\/s)\n| Includes new USB\u00a03.1\u00a0Gen\u00a02, also named USB\u00a03.2 Gen 2 \u00d7 1 in later specifications. Last version to support Type A connector.\n|--\n| USB 3.2\n| USB 20Gbits\n| August 2017\n| SuperSpeed+ dual-lane (20\u00a0Gbit\/s)\n| Includes new USB 3.2 Gen\u00a01 \u00d7 2 and Gen\u00a02 \u00d7 2 multi-link modes. Requires Type C connector.\n|--\n| USB4\n| USB 40Gbits\n| August 2019\n| 40\u00a0Gbit\/s (2-lane)\n| Includes new USB4 Gen 2 \u00d7 2 (64b\/66b encoding) and Gen 3 \u00d7 2 (128b\/132b encoding) modes and introduces USB4 routing for tunnelling of USB3.x, DisplayPort 1.4a and PCI Express traffic and host-to-host transfers, based on the Thunderbolt 3 protocol\n|--\n| USB4 2.0\n| USB 80Gbits\n| September 2022\n| 120\u00a0Gbit\/s\n| Includes new 80 and 120\u00a0Gbit\/s modes over Type C connector\n}\n\n== Additional Information ==\n\n* [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USB|USB on Wikipedia]\n* [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USB_hardware|USB hardware on Wikipedia]\n* [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USB_On-The-Go|USB On-The-Go on Wikipedia]","contents_json":{"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":2},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Background and Identification"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Universal Serial Bus, more commonly known as \u201cUSB,\u201d is a common standard for cables and connectors originally released to the public in 1996. USB cables were originally intended to be a replacement for the multitude of "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Serial_port","target":false}}],"text":"serial"},{"type":"text","text":", "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Parallel_port","target":false}}],"text":"parallel"},{"type":"text","text":", proprietary, and lesser-used cables that were common in the era. The goal of USB, as the name \u201cUniversal Serial Bus\u201d implies, was to unite and replace most of these cables with a single standard. USB technology and development is overseen by the "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USB_Implementers_Forum","target":false}}],"text":"USB Implementers Forum"},{"type":"text","text":", a group of electronics companies like Microsoft, Apple, Intel, HP, Texas Instruments, and others."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Since USB cables have undergone multiple revisions over the years, it can be difficult to tell what type of cable or connector you have. Luckily, "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USB#Connector_type_quick_reference","target":false}}],"text":"Wikipedia has a useful chart"},{"type":"text","text":" with diagrams for all the connectors you can find on a device or on the ends of a USB cable. Unfortunately, just knowing the type of connector does not tell you the speed of a given cable. For that part, let\u2019s dive into a little bit of history (I promise it\u2019s interesting)."}]},{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":3},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"USB 1.0 and USB 1.1"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"After a year in development, USB 1.0 was released in 1996. This first standard specified a data transfer rate of 1.5 Mbit\/s (called \u201clow speed\u201d) and a rate of 12 Mbit\/s (called \u201cfull speed\u201d). At this time, USB cables were designed so that the device on one side would \u201chost\u201d the communication and the device on the other side was passive. The host side of the cable has a rectangular connector, called a "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB_Type-A_plug_B%26W.svg","target":false}}],"text":"USB type-A connector"},{"type":"text","text":". The passive side of the cable has a "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB_Type-B.png","target":false}}],"text":"USB type-B connector"},{"type":"text","text":" that is almost square with just two corners notched so that you can\u2019t insert the plug backwards. This asymmetrical design continued for quite a while: a type-A "},{"type":"text","text":"host","marks":[{"type":"italic"}]},{"type":"text","text":" and a type-B "},{"type":"text","text":"follower","marks":[{"type":"italic"}]},{"type":"text","text":"."}]},{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":3},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"USB 2.0"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"USB 2.0 was released in 2000 and introduced transfer speeds of 480 Mbit\/s (called \u201chigh speed\u201d). Since USB 2.0 cables and connectors are identical to USB 1.x versions, they are completely backwards compatible. Mix and match to your heart\u2019s content. Alongside USB 2.0, the forum introduced smaller versions of the existing connectors. These were called the "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB_Mini-A.svg","target":false}}],"text":"USB mini-A connector"},{"type":"text","text":" and the "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB_Mini-B.svg","target":false}}],"text":"USB mini-B connector"},{"type":"text","text":". They play the same roles as before, but they are "},{"type":"text","text":"smaller!","marks":[{"type":"italic"}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Despite the introduction of the mini-A and mini-B connectors, people (and companies making thin phones) wanted an even smaller connector. Thus, the forum introduced the "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB_Micro-B.svg","target":false}}],"text":"USB micro-B connector"},{"type":"text","text":". They also released a smaller version of the type-A connector, but it was very rarely used."}]},{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":3},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"USB 3.0 to USB 3.2"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Realizing the need for faster data transfer, the forum introduced USB 3.0 in 2008. This specification allowed for up to ten times the transfer speed at a rate of 5 Gbit\/s (called \u201cSuperSpeed\u201d or just \u201cSS\u201d). To support this large jump, the cables had to include four new wires and the connectors needed new designs. Compared to their lower speed counterparts, the "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB-3.0-Stecker_(Typ_B).jpg","target":false}}],"text":"SS type-B connector"},{"type":"text","text":" is taller and the "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB_3.0_Micro-B.svg","target":false}}],"text":"SS micro-B"},{"type":"text","text":" connector is wider. The "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:USB-A_3.1_Gen_1_ports_on_OWC_Thunderbolt_3_Dock.jpg","target":false}}],"text":"SS type-A connector"},{"type":"text","text":" has all the new electrical conductors inside, so it is the same shape as its predecessor. Manufacturers are supposed to use blue plastic inside SuperSpeed connectors to mark their higher speed, but some companies do not follow this design trend (cough, Apple, cough). Due to the smart design of these connectors, you can use USB 2.0 or USB 1.x cables in a USB 3.0 socket, although the speed will be limited to 480 Mbit\/s."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"The USB 3.1 and 3.2 standards were released in 2013 and 2017. These additions defined even faster transfer speeds of 10 Gbit\/s and 20 Gbit\/s (both called \u201cSuperSpeed+\u201d)."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"In 2014, the forum introduced the "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USB-C","target":false}}],"text":"USB-C connector"},{"type":"text","text":" in an attempt to unify the existing standards. The USB-C connector is symmetrical and can be plugged in right-side-up or upside-down without any issues. It also replaces the host and passive functionality of both the A and B connectors, making the entire distinction a moot point. Additionally, USB-C cables "},{"type":"text","text":"that support the feature","marks":[{"type":"bold"}]},{"type":"text","text":" can carry other data such as "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/DisplayPort","target":false}}],"text":"DisplayPort"},{"type":"text","text":" video, "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/HDMI","target":false}}],"text":"HDMI"},{"type":"text","text":" video, and "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Thunderbolt_(interface)","target":false}}],"text":"Thunderbolt 3"},{"type":"text","text":". More expensive Thunderbolt 3 cables are especially useful because that standard permits transfer of up to 40 Gbit\/s."}]},{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":4},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Naming scheme"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"wikiImage","attrs":{"imageid":"2935529","size":"large","align":"center","caption":"Image Credit: Wikipedia User GravityCore","link":null,"newWindow":false,"renditions":{"standard":{"src":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/SvdBHtcQrM1NvDSN.standard","width":300,"height":69},"original":{"src":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/SvdBHtcQrM1NvDSN.full","width":1280,"height":291}}}}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Starting with the USB 3.2 standard, USB-IF introduced a new naming scheme. To help companies with branding of the different transfer modes, USB-IF recommended branding the 5, 10, and 20\u00a0Gbit\/s transfer modes as "},{"type":"text","text":"SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps","marks":[{"type":"italic"}]},{"type":"text","text":", "},{"type":"text","text":"SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps","marks":[{"type":"italic"}]},{"type":"text","text":", and "},{"type":"text","text":"SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps","marks":[{"type":"italic"}]},{"type":"text","text":", respectively. "},{"type":"text","text":"As of September 2022, this naming scheme is deprecated.","marks":[{"type":"wikiLink","attrs":{"target":"Topic:USB#Section_September_2022_naming_scheme","tag":null,"newWindow":false,"href":"\/Topic\/USB#Section_September_2022_naming_scheme"}}]}]},{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":3},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"USB4 and USB4 2.0"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"USB4 was released in 2019 and uses Thunderbolt 3 technology to enable an equivalent data transfer rate of 40 Gbit\/s. USB4 is only available for cables and devices with USB-C connectors. In 2022, the USB Implementers Forum released the USB4 2.0 specification, supporting an equivalent data transfer rate of up to 80 Gbit\/s."}]},{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":4},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"September 2022 naming scheme"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"wikiImage","attrs":{"imageid":"2935530","size":"standard","align":"center","caption":"Image Credit: Wikipedia User GravityCore","link":null,"newWindow":false,"renditions":{"original":{"src":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/SXP5EJet24COmEJU.full","width":1280,"height":209}}}}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Because of the previous confusing naming schemes, USB-IF decided to change it once again. As of 2 September 2022, marketing names follow the syntax \"USB\u00a0"},{"type":"text","text":"X","marks":[{"type":"italic"}]},{"type":"text","text":"Gbps\", where X is the speed of transfer in Gb\/s."}]},{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":2},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Versions"}]},{"type":"table","content":[{"type":"text","text":"{table"},{"type":"text","text":"\n|width=100%"},{"type":"text","text":"\n|format=m:m:m:m:m:m:m:m"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"|! "},{"type":"text","text":"Name"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"|! "},{"type":"text","text":"Marketing Name (2022)"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"|! "},{"type":"text","text":"Release Date"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"|! "},{"type":"text","text":"Transfer Speed"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"|! "},{"type":"text","text":"Notes"},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 0.7"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"11 November 1994"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"?"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"Pre-release"},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 0.8"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"December 1994"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"?"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"Pre-release"},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 0.9"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"13 April 1995"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"Full Speed (12\u00a0Mbit\/s)"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"Pre-release"},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 0.99"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"August 1995"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"?"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"Pre-release"},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 1.0-RC"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"November 1995"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"?"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"Release Candidate"},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 1.0"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 1.0"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"15 January 1996"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"<> "},{"type":"text","text":"Low Speed (1.5\u00a0Mbit\/s)"},{"type":"customHardBreak"},{"type":"text","text":"Full Speed (12\u00a0Mbit\/s)"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 1.1"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"August 1998"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 2.0"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 2.0"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"April 2000"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"High Speed (480\u00a0Mbit\/s)"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 3.0"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 5Gbits"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"November 2008"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"SuperSpeed (5\u00a0Gbit\/s)"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"Also referred to as USB\u00a03.1\u00a0Gen\u00a01 and USB\u00a03.2 Gen 1 \u00d7 1"},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 3.1"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 10Gbits"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"July 2013"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"SuperSpeed+ (10\u00a0Gbit\/s)"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"Includes new USB\u00a03.1\u00a0Gen\u00a02, also named USB\u00a03.2 Gen 2 \u00d7 1 in later specifications. Last version to support Type A connector."},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 3.2"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 20Gbits"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"August 2017"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"SuperSpeed+ dual-lane (20\u00a0Gbit\/s)"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"Includes new USB 3.2 Gen\u00a01 \u00d7 2 and Gen\u00a02 \u00d7 2 multi-link modes. Requires Type C connector."},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB4"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 40Gbits"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"August 2019"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"40\u00a0Gbit\/s (2-lane)"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"Includes new USB4 Gen 2 \u00d7 2 (64b\/66b encoding) and Gen 3 \u00d7 2 (128b\/132b encoding) modes and introduces USB4 routing for tunnelling of USB3.x, DisplayPort 1.4a and PCI Express traffic and host-to-host transfers, based on the Thunderbolt 3 protocol"},{"type":"text","text":"\n|--\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB4 2.0"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"USB 80Gbits"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"September 2022"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"120\u00a0Gbit\/s"},{"type":"text","text":"\n"},{"type":"text","text":"| "},{"type":"text","text":"Includes new 80 and 120\u00a0Gbit\/s modes over Type C connector"},{"type":"text","text":"\n}"}]},{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":2},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Additional Information"}]},{"type":"bulletList","attrs":[],"content":[{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USB","target":false}}],"text":"USB on Wikipedia"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USB_hardware","target":false}}],"text":"USB hardware on Wikipedia"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USB_On-The-Go","target":false}}],"text":"USB On-The-Go on Wikipedia"}]}]}]}]},"contents_rendered":"
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Background and Identification<\/h2><\/div>\n\n

Universal Serial Bus, more commonly known as \u201cUSB,\u201d is a common standard for cables and connectors originally released to the public in 1996. USB cables were originally intended to be a replacement for the multitude of serial<\/a>, parallel<\/a>, proprietary, and lesser-used cables that were common in the era. The goal of USB, as the name \u201cUniversal Serial Bus\u201d implies, was to unite and replace most of these cables with a single standard. USB technology and development is overseen by the USB Implementers Forum<\/a>, a group of electronics companies like Microsoft, Apple, Intel, HP, Texas Instruments, and others.<\/p>\n\n

Since USB cables have undergone multiple revisions over the years, it can be difficult to tell what type of cable or connector you have. Luckily, Wikipedia has a useful chart<\/a> with diagrams for all the connectors you can find on a device or on the ends of a USB cable. Unfortunately, just knowing the type of connector does not tell you the speed of a given cable. For that part, let\u2019s dive into a little bit of history (I promise it\u2019s interesting).<\/p>\n\n

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USB 1.0 and USB 1.1<\/h3><\/div>\n\n

After a year in development, USB 1.0 was released in 1996. This first standard specified a data transfer rate of 1.5 Mbit\/s (called \u201clow speed\u201d) and a rate of 12 Mbit\/s (called \u201cfull speed\u201d). At this time, USB cables were designed so that the device on one side would \u201chost\u201d the communication and the device on the other side was passive. The host side of the cable has a rectangular connector, called a USB type-A connector<\/a>. The passive side of the cable has a USB type-B connector<\/a> that is almost square with just two corners notched so that you can\u2019t insert the plug backwards. This asymmetrical design continued for quite a while: a type-A host<\/em> and a type-B follower<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n

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USB 2.0<\/h3><\/div>\n\n

USB 2.0 was released in 2000 and introduced transfer speeds of 480 Mbit\/s (called \u201chigh speed\u201d). Since USB 2.0 cables and connectors are identical to USB 1.x versions, they are completely backwards compatible. Mix and match to your heart\u2019s content. Alongside USB 2.0, the forum introduced smaller versions of the existing connectors. These were called the USB mini-A connector<\/a> and the USB mini-B connector<\/a>. They play the same roles as before, but they are smaller!<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Despite the introduction of the mini-A and mini-B connectors, people (and companies making thin phones) wanted an even smaller connector. Thus, the forum introduced the USB micro-B connector<\/a>. They also released a smaller version of the type-A connector, but it was very rarely used.<\/p>\n\n

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USB 3.0 to USB 3.2<\/h3><\/div>\n\n

Realizing the need for faster data transfer, the forum introduced USB 3.0 in 2008. This specification allowed for up to ten times the transfer speed at a rate of 5 Gbit\/s (called \u201cSuperSpeed\u201d or just \u201cSS\u201d). To support this large jump, the cables had to include four new wires and the connectors needed new designs. Compared to their lower speed counterparts, the SS type-B connector<\/a> is taller and the SS micro-B<\/a> connector is wider. The SS type-A connector<\/a> has all the new electrical conductors inside, so it is the same shape as its predecessor. Manufacturers are supposed to use blue plastic inside SuperSpeed connectors to mark their higher speed, but some companies do not follow this design trend (cough, Apple, cough). Due to the smart design of these connectors, you can use USB 2.0 or USB 1.x cables in a USB 3.0 socket, although the speed will be limited to 480 Mbit\/s.<\/p>\n\n

The USB 3.1 and 3.2 standards were released in 2013 and 2017. These additions defined even faster transfer speeds of 10 Gbit\/s and 20 Gbit\/s (both called \u201cSuperSpeed+\u201d).<\/p>\n\n

In 2014, the forum introduced the USB-C connector<\/a> in an attempt to unify the existing standards. The USB-C connector is symmetrical and can be plugged in right-side-up or upside-down without any issues. It also replaces the host and passive functionality of both the A and B connectors, making the entire distinction a moot point. Additionally, USB-C cables that support the feature<\/strong> can carry other data such as DisplayPort<\/a> video, HDMI<\/a> video, and Thunderbolt 3<\/a>. More expensive Thunderbolt 3 cables are especially useful because that standard permits transfer of up to 40 Gbit\/s.<\/p>\n\n

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Naming scheme<\/h4><\/div>\n\n
\"Image<\/a>

Image Credit: Wikipedia User GravityCore<\/p><\/div>\n\n

Starting with the USB 3.2 standard, USB-IF introduced a new naming scheme. To help companies with branding of the different transfer modes, USB-IF recommended branding the 5, 10, and 20\u00a0Gbit\/s transfer modes as SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps<\/em>, SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps<\/em>, and SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps<\/em>, respectively. As of September 2022, this naming scheme is deprecated.<\/a><\/p>\n\n

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USB4 and USB4 2.0<\/h3><\/div>\n\n

USB4 was released in 2019 and uses Thunderbolt 3 technology to enable an equivalent data transfer rate of 40 Gbit\/s. USB4 is only available for cables and devices with USB-C connectors. In 2022, the USB Implementers Forum released the USB4 2.0 specification, supporting an equivalent data transfer rate of up to 80 Gbit\/s.<\/p>\n\n

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September 2022 naming scheme<\/h4><\/div>\n\n
\"Image<\/a>

Image Credit: Wikipedia User GravityCore<\/p><\/div>\n\n

Because of the previous confusing naming schemes, USB-IF decided to change it once again. As of 2 September 2022, marketing names follow the syntax "USB\u00a0X<\/em>Gbps", where X is the speed of transfer in Gb\/s.<\/p>\n\n

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Versions<\/h2><\/div>\n\n
Name<\/th>Marketing Name (2022)<\/th>Release Date<\/th>Transfer Speed<\/th>Notes<\/th><\/tr>
USB 0.7<\/td><\/td>11 November 1994<\/td>?<\/td>Pre-release<\/td><\/tr>
USB 0.8<\/td><\/td>December 1994<\/td>?<\/td>Pre-release<\/td><\/tr>
USB 0.9<\/td><\/td>13 April 1995<\/td>Full Speed (12\u00a0Mbit\/s)<\/td>Pre-release<\/td><\/tr>
USB 0.99<\/td><\/td>August 1995<\/td>?<\/td>Pre-release<\/td><\/tr>
USB 1.0-RC<\/td><\/td>November 1995<\/td>?<\/td>Release Candidate<\/td><\/tr>
USB 1.0<\/td>USB 1.0<\/td>15 January 1996<\/td>Low Speed (1.5\u00a0Mbit\/s)
Full Speed (12\u00a0Mbit\/s)<\/td>		<\/td><\/tr>
USB 1.1<\/td><\/td>August 1998<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
USB 2.0<\/td>USB 2.0<\/td>April 2000<\/td>High Speed (480\u00a0Mbit\/s)<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
USB 3.0<\/td>USB 5Gbits<\/td>November 2008<\/td>SuperSpeed (5\u00a0Gbit\/s)<\/td>Also referred to as USB\u00a03.1\u00a0Gen\u00a01 and USB\u00a03.2 Gen 1 \u00d7 1<\/td><\/tr>
USB 3.1<\/td>USB 10Gbits<\/td>July 2013<\/td>SuperSpeed+ (10\u00a0Gbit\/s)<\/td>Includes new USB\u00a03.1\u00a0Gen\u00a02, also named USB\u00a03.2 Gen 2 \u00d7 1 in later specifications. Last version to support Type A connector.<\/td><\/tr>
USB 3.2<\/td>USB 20Gbits<\/td>August 2017<\/td>SuperSpeed+ dual-lane (20\u00a0Gbit\/s)<\/td>Includes new USB 3.2 Gen\u00a01 \u00d7 2 and Gen\u00a02 \u00d7 2 multi-link modes. Requires Type C connector.<\/td><\/tr>
USB4<\/td>USB 40Gbits<\/td>August 2019<\/td>40\u00a0Gbit\/s (2-lane)<\/td>Includes new USB4 Gen 2 \u00d7 2 (64b\/66b encoding) and Gen 3 \u00d7 2 (128b\/132b encoding) modes and introduces USB4 routing for tunnelling of USB3.x, DisplayPort 1.4a and PCI Express traffic and host-to-host transfers, based on the Thunderbolt 3 protocol<\/td><\/tr>
USB4 2.0<\/td>USB 80Gbits<\/td>September 2022<\/td>120\u00a0Gbit\/s<\/td>Includes new 80 and 120\u00a0Gbit\/s modes over Type C connector<\/td><\/tr><\/table><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Additional Information<\/h2><\/div>\n\n