Why USB Type-C is very cool. We understand in USB Type-C cables

It rarely happens that one excess letter in the name of the standard threatens to make a revolution in the world of data interfaces and gadgets, but the appearance of the last USB 3.1 variety Type-C. It looks like the case. What promises to bring to the next update of the old good USB interface?

Data transfer rate up to 10 gbps.
The ability to power from the port of devices with power consumed up to 100W
Connector Sizes Comparable with Micro-USB
The symmetry of the connector - it does not have top and bottom, which means there is no key that often leads to damage to both the connectors themselves and the gadgets connected through them
Using this interface, you can power the devices with voltage. up to 20 volts
There are no more different types of connectors - A and B. At both ends of the cable, there are absolutely identical connectors. As the data and the supply voltage can be transmitted through the same connector in both directions. Depending on the situation, each connector can act as a lead or slave
We promise that the design of the connector is able to withstand up to 10,000 connections
It is possible to use this interface to directly connect instead of some other widespread interfaces for quick data exchange.
The standard is compatible from top to bottom as a conventional USB 3 interface and with his younger brothers. Of course not on the direct, but using the adapter through it it is possible to connect a USB 2.0 disk

Under the kat I will try to disassemble the topic on the bones - ranging from the design of the connector and cable, and ending with a brief overview of the equipment profiles and new items of chips to support the capabilities of this interface. I thought for a long time on which site place an article, because all the previous ones relating to this topic went to GT, but in my publication there are so many technical details that it would be helpful not to gickens, but to potential developers who are already to begin to look close to him. Therefore, I risked to settle the article here.

I will not concern the history of the USB interface development, this topic is not poorly developed in this comic in the sense of history in pictures

Electronics - Contact Science

For the beginning of the comparative photos of today's hero in the company of deserved ancestors.

The USB Type-C Connector is a bit larger than the usual USB 2.0 Micro-B, but noticeably compactly dual USB 3.0 Micro-B, not to mention the classic USB Type-a.
The dimensions of the connector (8.34 × 2.56 mm) allow without special difficulties to use it for devices of any class, including smartphones and tablets.

Signal and power findings are placed on the plastic insert, it is probably the weakest place in the central part of the connector. The contact group USB Type-C contains 24 outputs. Let me remind you that USB 1.0 / 2.0 had only 4 contacts, and USB 3.0 connections already needed 9 conclusions.

If you carefully look at the drawing on the left, it can be seen that contacts have different lengths. This ensures their closure in a certain sequence. In the figure in the center, we see the presence of snacks that must hold the stuck cable and provide a tactile click during the disconnection connection. The right chart shows the dependence of the effort during the insertion-removal of the connector.

The peaks that we see on it are the moments of the triggering of the latch.

It can be stated that the standard developers did if not all, then almost everything so that the connector became the most convenient and reliable: it is inserted with any end and any side with a tangible click. In their opinion, he is able to survive this procedure more than 10 thousand times.

Multician symmetric Janus

An extremely pleasant and useful feature of the USB-C has become a symmetric connector design that allows you to connect it to port by any side. This is achieved due to the symmetrical location of its conclusions.

Along the edges are the conclusions of the Earth. Plus power contacts are also symmetrically located. The center contains contacts responsible for compatibility with USB2 and younger interface. They are lucky most - they are duplicated and therefore turning 180 degrees when connected is not terrible. The conclusions that are responsible for high-speed data exchange are labeled in blue. As we see all the cunning. If we turn the connector, for example, the TX1 output will be swapped with TX2, but at the same time the RX1 entry site will take RX2.

Conclusions Secondary Bus and USB Power Delivery Communication service and are intended to communicate between two connected devices. After all, they need to tell each other many things before starting the exchange, but this later.

In the meantime, another feature. The USB port of Type-C was originally developed as a universal solution. In addition to direct USB data transfer, it can also be used alternatively (Alternate Mode) to implement third-party interfaces. Such flexibility USB Type-C used the VESA association, implementing the ability to transfer a video stream through DisplayPort Alt Mode.

USB Type-C has four high-speed lines (pairs) Super Speed \u200b\u200bUSB. If two of them stand out for the needs of DisplayPort, this is enough to obtain a picture with a resolution of 3840 × 2160. It does not suffer from USB data transfer rate. At peak, these are all the same 10 GB / s (for USB 3.1 Gen2). Also, the transmission of the video stream does not affect the energy abilities of the port. Even 4 speed lines can be allocated for DisplayPort. In this case, permissions will be available up to 5120 × 2880. In this mode, USB 2.0 lines remain not involved, because USB Type-C can still transmit data in parallel, although already at a limited speed.

Alternatively, SBU1 / SBU2 contacts are used to transmit the audio stream, which are converted to AUX + / AUX channels. For the USB protocol, they are not activated, because there are also no additional functional losses.

When using the DisplayPort interface, the USB Type-C connector can still be connected to any side. The required signaling approval is initially provided.

Connecting devices using HDMI, DVI and even D-Sub (VGA) is also possible, but for this you need separate adapters, but it must be active adapters, as the DUAL-MODE mode is not supported for DisplayPort Alt Mode Display Port. (DP ++).

Alternative USB Type-C mode can be used by no means not only for the DisplayPort protocol. Maybe soon we learn that this port has learned, for example, to transmit data using PCI EXPRESS. or Ethernet.

And it gave this, and it was given. In general ... about nutrition.

Another important feature that USB type-c introduces is the possibility of transmission over it with a capacity of up to 100 W. This is enough not only for nutrition / charging mobile devices, but also for the operation of laptops, monitors, and if you have to fantasize, then a small laboratory power supply.

When the USB bus appears, the energy transmission was important, but still the secondary function. USB 1.0 port provided only 0.75 W (0.15 A, 5 V). Enough for the operation of the mouse and keyboard, but no more. For USB 2.0, the nominal strength of the current has been increased to 0.5 A, which made it possible to receive 2.5 watts from it for food, for example, external hard disks Format 2.5 ". For USB 3.0, the current value of 0.9 is nominally provided, which, with a constant supply voltage in 5V, it guarantees the power of 4.5 W. Special reinforced connectors on motherboards or laptops were able to produce up to 1.5 and to accelerate charging connected mobile devices, but this is "just" 7.5 watts. Against the background of these numbers, the possibility of transmitting 100 W looks something fantastic.

In order to fill the USB port of USB Type-C to support the USB Power Delivery 2.0 (USB PD) specification. If there is no, USB Type-C port will be able to give 7.5 W (1.5 A, 5 V) or 15 W (3A, 5 V) or 15 W (3A, 5 V), depending on the configuration. For detailed description This specification in this article is not enough space, and anyway, I will not do it better than the respected STPark in my wonderful article.

However, it will not work around this archiving theme.

In order to provide power at 100 watts at a voltage of five volts, a current of 20 amps will be required! Such a USB Type-C cable dimensions may possibly only make it from the superconductor! I am afraid that today it will be expensive to users expensive, so the standard developers went on another way. They increased the supply voltage to 20 volts. "Let me, but it burns out completely my favorite tablet" - you exclaim, and you will be absolutely right. In order not to fall the victim of angry users, the engineers have conceived a tricky trick - they introduced a system of power profiles. Before connecting, any device is in standard mode. The voltage in it is limited to five volts, and the current is two ampere. To connect to the devices of an old type, this mode will end, but for more advanced cases, after data exchange, devices are moving to another coordinated operation with advanced features. To get acquainted with the main existing modes look at the table.

Profile 1 guarantees the possibility of transmitting 10 W energy, the second is already 18 W, the third - 36 W, fourth whole - 60 W, well, and the fifth of our cherished hundred! The port corresponding to the high-level profile supports all the states of the previous ones. 5V, 12V and 20V are selected as reference stresses. The use of 5V is necessary for compatibility with a huge park of available USB peripherals. 12V - standard supply voltage of various components of systems. 20B is proposed, taking into account the fact that for charging batteries most laptops use external BP by 19-20V.

Couple words about cables!

Supports the format described in the article in full will require great work not only programmers, but also electronics manufacturers. It will be necessary to develop and deploy the production of a very large number of components. The most obvious is the connectors. In order to withstand high currents of the supply voltage, not to interfere with the transfer of signals of very high frequency, and even at the same time not fail after the second connection and not fall out at the most inappropriate moment, the quality of their manufacture should be radical above compared to USB format 2.

To combine the transmission of high power energy and a signal with gigabit traffic, cable producers will have to be seriously strained.

Admire how the cable suitable for our task looks like.

By the way, on the limitations on the length of the cables when using the USB 3.1 interface. For data transmission without significant losses at speeds up to 10 GB / c (Gen 2), the cable length with USB Type-C connectors should not exceed 1 meter, to connect at a speed of up to 5 GB / C (Gen 1) - 2 meters.

The schemes of manufacturers of motherboards, dutches and laptops will long break their heads, how to generate the power of order hundreds of watts, and tracers, how to bring it to the USB Type-C connector.

Low-start chips manufacturers.

Symmetrical connection and operation of the signal lines in different modes will require the use of high-speed signal switches by microcircuits. Today, the first swallows have already appeared. For example, a switch from Texas Instruments, which supports work in devices both in the host mode and the slave device. It is able to switch the line of differential pairs with a signal frequency up to 5GHz.

At the same time, the sizes of the chip HDC3SS460 3.5 by 5.5 mm and in rest mode it consumes the current of about 1 microam. In the actively mode - less than Milliamper. There are also more advanced solutions, such as NXP production chips support the exchange frequency to 10 GHz.

Food managers, combined with signaling chains from statics, for example, such a product from NXP began to appear

It is intended for correct processing of the connection of the connector, as well as opening the power circuit in case of malfunctions. This chip already maintains a voltage to VBUS to 30 volts, and with the maximum switching current, everything is much worse - it should not exceed 1 amp, which is understandable, considering the dimensions - 1.4 by 1.7 mm!

Cypress made an unconditional leader in this area, which released a specialized microcontroller with the ARM Cortex M0 core supporting all five possible power profiles.

A typical inclusion scheme for use in a laptop gives some idea about it, and it will be available with it by downloading datashet.

Unlike the NXP chip, it is focused on managing external power keys and therefore can provide commotion of the required currents and stresses, despite its small sizes.

ATTENTION, an important feature for those who are in a hurry to order the first samples - the microcontroller does not have a USB interface and is not a complete and complete solution. It can only serve as a power manager. At the moment, there is a pre-order for the supply of samples and demonstration boards. The fate of this microcontroller will probably largely depend on whether the company will provide a manufacturer of developers with reference libraries for its use in different modes.

The fact that already for him has already been created by several demokites greatly increases the likelihood of the latter.

Elevator in heaven or Babylonian tower.

So today the revolutionary situation has fully developed. The tops cannot, but the bottoms do not want to live in the old one. Everyone is tired of confusion with a huge number of cables, charger, Power supplies and their low reliability.

The new standard gave rise to unprecedented activity. The flagships of the electronic industry - Apple, Nokia, ASUS prepare their first gadgets with USB Type-C support. The Chinese are already stamping cables and adapters. On the approach of the Document and Habs with the support of high load in power. Manufacturers of chips are developing new chips and think how to stuff a new port driver into a microcontroller. Marketers decide where to stick a new connector, and engineers are scratching the turnips trying to implement multidisciplinary devices from existing electronic components.

Not only one thing is clear. What do we get as a result? Convenient and reliable connector, which will replace the lion's share of the interfaces and find everyday use, or the Babylonian pillar, because the situation may begin to develop on not the most favorable scenario:

Users can finally get confused in numerous specifications and cables that will look at exactly the same way, but will only be certified under certain profiles. Try to figure it out with all these labels.

But even if it turns out, it is unlikely to solve the problem - the Chinese without a branch of conscience easily put any icon on any cord. And if necessary, then to a heap for each side of one cable different, they will not be embarrassed even if they are mutually exclusive.

The market is flooded with an incredible number of adapters of different caliber and dubious quality.

Trying to connect one device to another Never as a result you will not know what kind of result this process will lead and because of which there is no connection at all, or it is terribly buggy. Whether one of the gadgets does not support the necessary profile, whether it supports but not too correctly, whether it was rude instead of a high-quality cable chinese fake. And what should you do if suddenly the only connector remaining on it fails on your laptop?

To new meetings.

P.S. The new standard already leads to the emergence of highly exotic devices. It is so announced a cable of 100 meters long, which seems to be in no way fit into standards. The whole chip is that it is active. At both of its ends, the cable has a USB3 interface signals converter to optical. The signal is transmitted by optics and the output is converted back. Naturally, it does not transmit energy, but only the data. In addition, each of the converters at its ends is powered by the connector to which is connected.
I think that in a short time to confirm the authenticity, self-respecting firms will begin to insert active labels into cables. The problem of hubs gives unprecedented activity from developers and manufacturers of DC-DC converters. How did the dear user really noticed

Can not imagine modern man without electronic devices. Smartphones, tablets, music players And today there are practically in every family today. Each of these devices has its own use and, therefore, each functioning in its own way uniquely. However, there is something that in one form or another of them all unites. And this is the presence of USB ports.

Once in 1994, 7 leading global technological companies created new standard Connecting computer peripherals. So a universal serial tire appeared, which is called USB for short.

Today, it is indeed an universal standard, and it is difficult to find an electronic device that would not have a USB port of one or another type. But how to find out what kind of cable it is suitable for it? This manual will help determine the type of USB connector and choose the corresponding plug.

Variety options

Almost everyone modern computers and electronic devices Have some form of a USB connection and are supplied with the corresponding cables. Does the value of which of them are used, and for which all these differences are needed? While it is really important, but in the future it may change.

In the mid-1990s. The universal tire has become an industrial standard that allowed to organize the connection of a computer peripheral. It replaced a number of earlier interfaces and is now the most popular type of connector in consumer devices.

However, it is still difficult to deal with all USB varieties.

If the standard was supposed to be universal, why is there so many different types of it? Each of them serves as its goals, mainly providing compatibility when issuing new devices with the best specifications. Below are the most common types of USB connectors.

Type-A.

Most cables and peripheral devices (for example, keyboards, mice and joysticks) have a Type A connector. Personal computers, laptops and netbooks usually have several ports of this form. In addition, many other power adapters use them for data transmission and / or charging. The connector has a flat rectangular shape and is the most recognizable and used. Type-A pinout as follows:

+ 5V - voltage +5 V.
D- - data.
D + - data.
GND - Earth.

All versions of USB standards are saved for Type-A the same form factor, so they are mutually compatible. However, USB 3.0 connectors instead of 4 have 9 contacts used to provide greater data transfer rates. They are located so as not to interfere with the work of the Pins of previous versions of the standard.

Type-B.

This is a connector of almost square shape, which is mainly used to connect to a computer of printers, scanners and other properties with its own power. Sometimes it can be found on external drives. Nowadays, this type of connector is much less common than Type-a compounds.

The connection form in the version 3.0 version was changed, so the backward compatibility is not supported, although the ports of the new type take the plugs of old modifications. The reason for this is that the Type-b USB 3.0 for a faster data transmission is provided for 9 contacts, and Powered-b - 11, 2 of which provide additional power.

Again, as in the case of Type-A, physical compatibility different versions Does not talk about supporting speed or functionality.

Basic concepts

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

The slot located on the front or back of the computer housing (host), which inserts one end of the USB cable, is called the port. The electronic device that needs to be charged or to which data is required (for example, a smartphone or tablet) is called a receptor.

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

Connectors type B are at the end of the usual USB cable connected to the peripheral device, such as smartphone, printer or hard disk.

Advantages of USB

The standard simplifies the installation and replacement of equipment, reducing all communications to sequential data transmission over twisted pair and identify the connected device. If you add grounding and meals here, you will get the simplest 4-wire cable, inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

The standard determines the method of interaction of the periphery with the host. If USB ON THE GO (OTG) is not used, which allows you to limit the features of the host, directly connecting. The USB device is not able to initiate a connection, it can only be done by the host, so even if there is a cable with the corresponding connectors without it, the connection will not work. In addition, since the wires are transmitted both electricity and data, the connection of two hosts without an intermediate device may have catastrophic consequences, causing strong currents, short circuits and even fires.

Mini.

The connector was standard for mobile devices before the micro-USB appearance. As the name follows, Mini-USB is less than normal and is still used in some cameras. In the connector of 5 contacts, of which 1 serves as an identifier to support OTG, allowing mobile devices And another periphery act as a host. MINI USB pinout as follows:

+ 5V - voltage +5 V.
D- - data.
D + - data.
ID - Host / receptor identifier.
GND - Earth.

Micro.

This is the current standard of mobile and portable devices. He was accepted by almost every manufacturer, except Apple. The physical dimensions are less than mini-USB, but high data transfer rates are supported (up to 480 Mbps) and OTG capabilities. The form is easily recognizable due to a compact 5-contact design.

Lightning connector is not a USB standard, and is an Apple branded connection for iPad and iPhone. It looks like a micro USB and compatible with everyone apple devicesMade after September 2012. More old models use another and much larger corporate connector.

Type-C.

It is a reversible connector that promises a faster data transmission and greater power than previous types. It is increasingly used as a standard for laptops and even some phones and tablets, it was approved by EPPL for Thunderbolt 3.

Type C is a new solution and promises to be all for everyone. It is less, faster and can receive and transmit much greater power than previous versions.

Apple shook the world when I presented a new MacBook with a single USB-C port. Most likely, it will be the beginning of the trend.

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

Nuances of micro-USB

Those who of you have a phone or tablet on the Android platform, definitely have a micro-USB cable. Even the most adamant Apple fans cannot avoid them, since this is the most common type of connector used for things such as external power blocks, speakers, etc.

Holders of many gadgets may find that with the time of these cables it becomes a lot, and because they are usually interchangeable, perhaps you never have to buy them separately, if they do not lose or fail to fail.

When buying a Micro-USB cable may tempt the cheapest option, but, as it often happens, it is a bad idea. Wires and plugs low quality Can easily break and become useless. Therefore, it is better to save yourself from future problems, acquiring a high-quality product from a recognized producer, even if it costs a little more expensive.

Another thing that is worth mentioning is the length of the cable. Shortly fit for transportation, but because of this, it often has to sit on the floor next to the outlet until the phone is charging. And on the contrary, too long cable may be uncomfortable when carrying, will be tangled and can potentially cause injury.

0.9 m - good length for charging cable. It allows you to keep the phone when it is connected to the battery in a bag or pocket, ideal for playing Pokemon Go or easy to use the phone while traveling for a long time.

With frequent recharging from outsidated USB ports to comply with security measures or when the device is charging slowly, a special cable that prevent data transmission can solve the problem. An alternative is a network adapter.

The problem can also represent the fact that the connectors most USB cables (except USB-C) are not interchangeable and often require several attempts to produce proper connection. Some manufacturers attempted to fix it. True, not all devices support such an opportunity.

What is USB OTG?

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

Suppose there is an external drive, laptop and smartphone. What needs to be done to copy files from disk to phone? The easiest way to move them from the external drive to the laptop, and from it to the smartphone. USB OTG allows you to connect the disk directly to the phone, thereby bypassing the need for a mediator.

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

USB cables

In the world connected to the world, wired connections between different electronic devices play an important role. The demand for them is so high that dozens of millions of USB cables are produced every year in the world.

Technology is constantly developing and improving, as well as the corresponding to them peripherals. The same update trend is also valid for USB connectors, but with such a number of versions and types of USB standards it becomes difficult to track which USB is better suitable for performing certain functions. To do this, it is necessary to understand their basic differences.

USB Types

Various versions USB, for example 2.0 and 3.0, are associated with the functionality and speed of the USB cable, and their type (for example, a or b) is mainly related to the physical design of connectors and ports.

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

USB 2.0 (2000) is distinguished by the mark on the USB logo "Hi-Speed". Provides a speed of 480 Mbps at a voltage of 2.5 V and a current of 1.8 A.

USB 3.0 adopted in 2008 supports 5 Gbps at a voltage of 5 V and a current of 1.8 A.

USB 3.1, operating since 2015, provides a speed of 10 Gb / s at a voltage of 20 V and current 5 A.

The last standard provides a higher bandwidth and for the most part backward compatible with earlier versions. Standard-A connectors are identical to previous versions, but usually painted in blue so that they can be distinguished. They are completely compatible, but increased speeds are available only if all components are compatible with USB 3. Standard-B and Micro versions are distinguished by additional contacts that allow you to increase bandwidth, and incompatible with previous versions. Older cables and connectors USB Type-B and micro-b can be used with uSB ports 3.0, however, the speed does not increase.

Specifications of the type C connector

This name appeared in the headlines of technical magazines around the world when apple company released 12 "MacBook. This is the first laptop that includes the Type-C design.

From a physical point of view, the connector is similar to the existing version of USB Micro-B. Its dimensions are 8.4 x 2.6 mm. Thanks to a small form factor, it can easily fit into the smallest peripheral devices used today. One of the many advantages of Type-C compared to other existing solutions It is that it allows you to connect in reverse orientation, i.e. the plug will always be properly inserted from the first attempt! The connector is designed in such a way as not to be worried about what it will turn over.

Type-C supports USB 3.1 standard and provides a maximum speed of 10 Gb / s. It also has a significantly higher output power up to 100 W at a voltage of 20 V and a current 5 A. Since the laptops usually consume 40-70 W, this means that the type C easily covers their nutrition requirements. Other functionality offered by USB Type-C, - bidirectional power. In other words, you can not only charge your smartphone through a laptop, but on the contrary.

Type-C received enthusiastic reviews from users worldwide and appeared in popular smartphones Chromebook Pixel and Nexus 6P, as well as Nokia N1 tablet.

You can confidently say that in the coming years all electronic devices will be equipped with ports this type. It will make work with them easy and comfortable. Everything that will need is the only Type-C cable, which will eventually get rid of the tangled tangle of the wires in the table box.

Although the specifications were first published in 2014, the technology was truly implemented only in 2016. Today it has become a real replacement not only for old USB standards, but also to others, such as Thunderbolt and DisplayPort. A new audio solution based on Type-C is also a potential replacement of 3.5 mm headset connection socket. Type C is closely intertwined with other new standards: USB 3.1 provides greater bandwidth and USB Power Delivery - the best power supply.

Form Connector

USB Type-C is a new tiny connector, the dimensions of which are barely correspond to microUSB. It supports various new standards, such as USB 3.1 and USB PD.

The usual connector with which everyone is familiar is Type-a. Even after the transition from USB 1.0 to 2.0 and then it remained the same to modern devices. The connector is the same massive, as before, and is connected only with the right orientation (which, obviously, never happens from the first time). But as the devices became smaller and thinner, the massive ports simply stopped approaching. This led to the appearance of many other USB connector forms, such as Mini and Micro.

Such an uncomfortable set of connectors of various shapes for devices of all kinds of size finally goes into the past. Type C is a 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 only one cable will be required to connect to a laptop of an external drive or charging a smartphone. This tiny connector is small enough to fit into an ultra-thin smartphone, but quite powerful, so that all peripheral devices can be connected through it. The cable itself has the same connectors of type C at both ends.

Type-C has many advantages. The orientation of the connector does not matter, so no longer have to turn the plug several times in search of the right position. This is a single form of a USB connector that everything must be accepted; therefore, for different devices it is not necessary to have a large number of Different USB cables with different plugs. And there will be no many different ports that occupy the scarce space on increasingly subtle gadgets.

Moreover, the connectors of type C can also support various protocols using "Alternative modes" that allow you to have adapters that can output HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort or other types of connections from this single connection. A good example of this is an Apple multiport adapter that allows you to connect HDMI, VGA, USB Type-A and Type-C. Thus, many connectors on ordinary laptops can be reduced to ports of the same type.

Food

The USB PD specification is also closely intertwined with Type-C. Currently uSB connection 2.0 provides up to 2.5 W power. This is just enough to charge the phone or tablet. The specification supported by the USB-C standard provides power supply to a power up to 100 W. Such a connection is bidirectional, so the device is capable of charging, so and charge. At the same time, data transmission can occur at the same time. The port allows you to charge even a laptop for which up to 60 W is usually required.

In Apple MacBook and Chromebook Pixel Google, the USB-C connector is used to charge, which allows you to refuse finally from all branded power cables. At the same time, it becomes possible to charge laptops from portable batteries, which are commonly used to recharge smartphones and other electronics. And if you connect the laptop to the external display that is powered by the network, then the battery will be charged.

However, it should be remembered that the presence of a C connector does not mean automatic support for USB PD. Therefore, before buying devices and cables, you must make sure that they are compatible with both standards.

Transmission speeds

USB 3.1 is the latest standard of universal serial tire with a theoretical bandwidth of 10 Gb / s, which twice the first generation ThunderBolt data transfer rate and USB 3.0.

But Turing-C is not the same as USB 3.1. This is just the shape of the connector, and the technology is based on it to rely on the standards 2.0 or 3.0. For example, the Nokia N1 tablet uses a USB connector type C version 2.0. However, these technologies are closely related. When you purchase, you just need to follow the items and make sure that the purchased device or cable support the USB 3.1 standard.

backward compatibility

The physical connector of type C, in contrast to the basic standard of reverse compatibility, does not. You can not connect old USB devices to a modern tiny Type-C port, and you cannot connect the USB-C plug to an older larger port. But this does not mean that you have to get rid of all the old periphery. USB 3.1 is still compatible with previous versions, so only the physical adapter for USB-C will be required. And you can already connect old devices directly.

In the near future, many computers will have both USB connectors type C and large type A, as implemented, for example, in Chromebook Pixel. Thus, users will be able to gradually switch from old devices by connecting new to USB Type-C. But even if the computer is performed only with ports of type C, adapters and hubs will be filled with this space.

Type-C is worthy update. Although this port has already appeared in laptops and some smartphones, only by them this technology Not limited. Over time, they will be equipped with devices of all types. One day, the standard may even replace the Lightning connector used in iPhone and iPad. Apple port is not as many advantages compared to USB Type-C, except that this technology is patented and the company may charge licensing fees.

Good day, geektimes! All have already heard about USB Type-C? The one who is two-way, fast-fashionable-youth, charges a new macbuck, makes hair smooth and silky and promises to become a new connection standard for the next ten years?

So, first, this is the type of connectivity, and not a new standard. Standard is called USB 3.1. Secondly, it is necessary to talk about the new USB standard, and Type-C is only a pleasant bonus. To understand what the difference is what is hidden for USB 3.1, and what - for Type C, how to charge a whole laptop from a USB cable and what else can be done with new USB Type-C:

Briefly about the main thing

USB as standard appeared almost twenty years ago. The first specifications on USB 1.0 appeared in 1994 and solved three key problems: the unification of the connector to which the extensive functions of the equipment PC, simplicity for the user, a high speed of data transfer to the device and from it.

Despite the specific advantages of the USB connection before PS / 2, COM and LPT ports, the popularity came to it not immediately. The explosive growth of the USB experienced at the beginning of two thousands: first cameras, scanners and printers were connected to it, then flash drives.

In 2001, the first commercial implementations of the USB, which we are accustomed and understandable: version 2.0. They use it for the 14th year and it works relatively simply.

USB 2.0

Any USB version 2.0 cable and below has an inside 4 copper conductor. For two of them, food is transmitted, on two other data. USB cables (according to standard) are strictly oriented: one of the ends should be connected to the host (that is, the system that will control the connection) and is called it Type-A., the other - to the device, it is called Type-B.. Of course, sometimes there are no cable in devices (such as flash drives) at all, the "to the host" connector is located directly on the board.

There is a special chip on the host side: USB controller (in desk computers It can be both part of the system logic and is rendered as an external chip). It is he initializes the operation of the tire, determines the speed of connection, the order and timetable of data packets, but these are all the details. We are most interested in connectors and conforers of a classic USB format.

The most popular connector to which everyone used is a USB Type-A classic size: it is located on USB flash drives, USB modems, on the ends of the wires of mice and keyboards. A little less often meet full-size USB Type-B: Usually, printers and scanners are connected to such a cable. The mini version of USB Type-B is still often used in card readers, digital chambers, USB hubs. The micro version of Type-B by the efforts of European standardizers became the de facto most popular connector in the world: all current mobile phones, smartphones and tablets (except for the production of one fruit company) are produced from uSB connector Type-b Micro.

Well, the USB Type-A micro and minor format probably nobody really saw. Personally, I will not call no device with such connectors. Even the photos had to get from Wikipedia:

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All these connectors combines one simple thing: inside there are four contact sites, which provide a connected device and power supply, and communication:

With USB 2.0 more or less understandable. The problem of the standard was that the two conductors for data transmission are not enough, and the specification developed in the middle of the first decade did not provide for the transmission of high currents by supply circuits. The external hard drives suffered the strongest of such restrictions.

USB 3.0.

To improve the characteristics of the standard, a new USB 3.0 specification was developed, which contained the following key differences:

Five additional contacts, four of which provide additional communication lines;
Increase the maximum bandwidth from 480 Mbps to 5 Gb / s;
Increase the maximum current from 500 mA to 900 mA.

In addition, another 4 connectors appeared, electrically and mechanically compatible with USB Type-A version 2.0. They allowed both to connect USB 2.0 devices to 3.0 hosts and 3.0 devices to 2.0 hosts or 2.0 cable, but with a power limit and data rate.

USB 3.1.

Since the autumn of 2013, specifications are adopted on the updated USB 3.1 standard, which brought us a connector Type-C., Transfer up to 100 W power supply and doubling the data transfer rate compared to USB 3.0. However, it is worth noting that all three innovations are only parts of one new standard that can be used together together (and then the device or cable will receive USB 3.1 certification), or separately. For example, technically inside the Type-C cable can be organized at least USB 2.0 on four wires and two pairs of contacts. By the way, such "Fint" has tested Nokia: its Nokia N1 tablet has a USB Type-C connector, but an ordinary USB 2.0 is used inside: with all power limitations and data transfer rates.

USB 3.1, Type-C and meals

A new standard is responsible for the transfer of truly serious capacity USB PD. (Power Delivery). According to specifications, for USB PD certification, the device and cable must provide current transmission with a power up to 100 watts, and in both directions (both to the host and from it). In this case, the transmission of electricity should not interfere with data transmission.

While there are only two laptops that fully support USB Power Delivery: a new MacBook and Chromebook Pixel.

Well, then, who knows, maybe we will put such sockets at home?

USB TYPE-C and backward compatibility

USB as standard with its backward compatibility. Find an ancient USB flash drive to 16 megabytes that supports only USB 1.1, insert it into port 3.0 and work. Connect the modern HDD in the USB 2.0 connector, and if the power is enough for him - everything will be started, just speed will be limited. And if not enough - there are special adapters: they use the power chains of another one uSB ports. The speed does not increase, but the HDD will work.

The same story and with USB 3.1 and the Type-C connector, with one only amendment: the new connector is geometrically not compatible with old. However, manufacturers actively started production as Type-A wires<=> Type-C and all sorts of adapters, adapters and splitters.

USB Type-C and Tunneling

USB 3.1 standard data transfer rate allows not only to connect drives and peripherals, charge a laptop from the network via a Type-C-cable, but also connect, say ... monitor. One wire. And USB Hub with multiple 2.0 ports inside the monitor. 100W power, speed, comparable with DisplayPort and HDMI, universal connector and only one posting from a laptop to the monitor, the power supply and the display will provide electricity, and the laptop is charged. Isn't it beautiful?

What is now on USB Type-C

Since the technology is young, on USB 3.1 devices is quite a bit. The devices are with a cable / USB cable Type-C a little more, but still not enough for Type-C to become the same common and natural as Micro-B, which has any user smartphone.

On the personal computers You can wait for Type-C already in 2016, but some manufacturers have taken and updated the line of existing motherboards. For example, USB Type-C with full USB support 3.1 is on MSI Z97A Gaming 6 motherboard.

Asus is not lagging behind: ASUS X99-A and ASUS Z97-A motherboards support USB 3.1, but, unfortunately, the Type-c connectors are deprived. In addition, special extension fees are announced for those who do not want to update motherboardnor abandon the pair of USB 3.1-ports.

Sandisk has not so long ago 32 GB flash drive with two connectors: classic USB Type-A and USB Type-C:

Of course, you should not forget about the recent MacBook with passive cooling and only one USB Type-C connector. We will talk about its performance and other charming somehow separately, but about the connector today. Apple abandoned both its "magic" charging MAGSAFE and other connections on the housing, leaving one port for powering, connecting peripherals and external displays. Of course, if you have a little single connector, you can buy an official splitter adapter on HDMI, a classic USB and a power connector (all of the same Type-C) for ... $ 80. :) It remains to hope that Type-C will come to the mobile devices of Apple (and on this zoo with wires for smartphones will end finally), although the chances of such an update are minimal: in vain. Was it developed and patentned Lightning?

One of the producers of peripherals - Lacie - has already managed to release a stylish external drive with USB 3.1 Type-C for the new MacBook.

Today I will tell you about various USB Type-c cables. And I will try to dispel doubts about their feasibility. ORICO cable is present on the review, which are intended for connecting your device with a new-fashioned connector to a computer or another device with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports.

The USB Type-C connector is only gaining popularity and many it is not just "in the eyes did not see", but also do not understand what innovations are behind it. On the basis of which the opinions of the type "all burnit" and "why do I need another connector?".

I will try to tell my words. The rest can find the "USB Type-C Specification Release 1.1.pdf" specification. .

In the text, I use the word "connector" as a generalizing word for the concepts of "connector", "nest", "connector", "port", etc.

Historical information

And now on the fingers. A long time ago, in one distant, a distant galaxy was developed specification of data transfer called "USB" V1.0. Then USB 1.1 Announced Punch. USB 2.0 went to the masses. And although USB 3.0, though not everywhere, but successfully settled in various devices. The USB 3.1 standard has a clarification and amendment. And, most importantly, each standard had a bunch of relevant connectors. By the connector on different types Devices with different intention and partial backward compatibility - USB Type-A, USB Micro-A, USB Micro-B SuperSpeed.
It was the accumulated diversity and incomplete compatibility that made confusion, inconvenience and gave rise to a lot of jokes. So, the new USB Type-C standard has become "new hope." It does not make changes to the data transfer standard (but it actually adds). This is a connector standard that combines the advantages of connections of all previous USB standards and avoids their disadvantages.

USB Type-C properties

Maintenance newintroduction:
- One connector for all (for printers, smartphones, flash drives ... monitors!)
- mirroring connector (no need to guess how sideline insert it)
- Small dimensions (he is a little more than Micro USB)
- the connector is very reliably fixed in the nest (Hurray!)
- must withstand up to 10,000 connections
- The connector implements USB 1.0 - USB 3.1 standards support
- It offers devices independently decide who to be the leading \\ slave and source \\ consumer
- The cable may be passive and active (with electronics inside)

Maintenance oldintroduction:
- Standard does not define the length of the wire, it has already been determined in data transmission standards
- connector withstands up to 5a, but this is described in the standards BC1.2 and Power Delivery

Next, you can talk about DisplayPort integration, sound transmission and other things. And I will try to do this in the following reviews, but for now let's look at the implementation of three USB Type-C cables with backward compatibility.

Unpacking

And just now consider the received parcel. On the review hit

Each of them is packaged in the cocklees, in a cardboard box and in one couch. Two of the three boxes were blocked during transportation. All cables have a length of exactly 1 meter, a thickness of 3 mm (except LCU-10-BK, it is 4 mm). Wires are a bit harsh and with pleasure returning to their old position.

Plotovka

What brought universality into backward compatibility?
In the standards of USB 2.0 - USB 3.1, the role of the master \\ slave is determined through the molding form.
In the USB Type-C standard, the leading role \\ driven is determined through the pull-up resistor to the ground or power supply. So the connection of the cable alone says the USB Type-C to be expected on the other end.

Test stand

The stand itself is as follows.

I already tested various cables on it, so there is something to compare with. Charger is quite powerful and has good output voltage stability. Used tester can load charging current A specified value and save all measurement data.

The table introduced the results of cable measurements at different currents.

* The Direct Column Shows Voltages without any cable. The remaining columns need to be compared with the Direct and with each other.
* The ECU10BK gray column shows the result of the USB Type-C connector with the other side.
* The rest of the gray columns contain data on some previously measured cables.

Summary

So far, the devices with a new connector are very small and the article is intended to the lucky
Which are looking for similar "bridges" between generations.

* The USB Type-C connector has shown itself in all its glory. It is easily inserted, tightly held and removed with the effort. And has a mirror position of contacts.

* The most popular ECU-10-BK cable (USB Type-C to USB Type-a) showed good results. He can painlessly skip about 2a. But yes, he does not reach his meter conifers.

* A slightly specific LCU-10-BK cable (USB Type-C to Micro USB 3.0) suddenly showed completely identical results with different cable thickness and different connectors. Even strange somehow.

* What happened to the MCU-10-BK cable (USB Type-C to Micro USB 2.0) can not say. Perhaps this is just a marriage.

P.S. Checking speed characteristics will be, but in another review.

The goods are provided for writing a survey shop. The review is published in accordance with paragraph 18 of the site rules.

I plan to buy +8. Add to favourites I liked the review +22 +29