USB Type-C: Pros and Cons versus Charging USB types: guide to various standards
It rarely happens that one extra letter in the name of the standard threatens to revolutionize the world of data transfer interfaces and gadgets, but the emergence of the latest version of USB 3.1 Type-C seems to be just the case. What does the next update of the good old USB interface promise us?
- Baud rate up to 10 GBps
- Possibility to be powered from a port of devices with power consumption up to 100W
- Connector dimensions comparable to micro-USB
- The symmetry of the connector - it has no top and bottom, which means there is no key, which often leads to damage to both the connectors themselves and the gadgets connected through them
- This interface can be used to supply voltage up to 20 volts
- No longer exists different types connectors - A and B. At both ends of the cable there are exactly the same connectors. Both data and supply voltage can be transmitted through the same connector in both directions. Depending on the situation, each connector can act as a master or slave
- We are promised that the design of the connector is able to withstand up to 10,000 connections
- It is possible to use this interface for direct connection instead of some other widespread interfaces for fast data exchange.
- The standard is top-down compatible both with the usual USB 3 interface and with its younger brothers. Of course not directly, but with the help of an adapter it is possible to connect, say, a USB 2.0 disk through it
I will not touch on the history of the development of the USB interface, this topic is not poorly developed in this comic in the sense of a story in pictures
Electronics - the science of contacts
To begin with, comparative photos of today's hero in the company of honored ancestors.
Connector USB Type-C slightly larger than the usual USB 2.0 Micro-B, but noticeably more compact than dual USB 3.0 Micro-B, not to mention the classic USB Type-A.
The dimensions of the connector (8.34 × 2.56 mm) make it easy to use for devices of any class, including smartphones and tablets.
Signal and power leads are placed on a plastic insert, perhaps this is its weakest point in the central part of the connector. The USB Type-C pin group contains 24 pins. Let me remind you that USB 1.0 / 2.0 had only 4 pins, while USB 3.0 connectors already needed 9 pins.
If you look closely at the picture on the left, you can see that the contacts have different lengths. This ensures that they are closed in a specific sequence. In the figure in the center, we see the presence of latches that should hold the plugged in cable and provide a tactile click during the connection-disconnection process. The right graph shows the dependence of the force during the insertion and removal of the connector.
The peaks that we see on it are the moments of the latch actuation.
It can be stated that the developers of the standard have done, if not everything, then almost everything to make the connector as convenient and reliable as possible: it is inserted at any end and either side with a tangible click. In their opinion, he is able to survive this procedure more than 10 thousand times.
The many-sided symmetrical Janus
An extremely pleasant and useful feature of USB-C is the symmetrical design of the connector, which allows you to connect it to the port either side. This is achieved due to the symmetrical arrangement of its terminals.
Ground outlets are located at the edges. The positive supply contacts are also symmetrically positioned. In the center there are contacts responsible for compatibility with the USB2 and lower interface. They are the most fortunate of all - they are duplicated and therefore a 180-degree rotation when connected is not terrible. The pins that are responsible for high-speed data exchange are marked in blue. As we can see, everything is more cunning here. If we rotate the connector, for example, the TX1 output will swap places with TX2, but at the same time the RX1 input will be taken up by RX2.
The Secondary Bus and USB Power Delivery Communication pins are service pins and are intended for communication between two connected devices. After all, they need to tell each other a lot about a lot before starting the exchange, but more on that later.
In the meantime, about one more feature. The USB Type-C port was originally designed as a one-stop solution. In addition to direct USB data transfer, it can also be used in Alternate Mode to implement third-party interfaces. This flexibility of USB Type-C has been exploited by the VESA by introducing the ability to stream video through DisplayPort Alt Mode.
USB Type-C has four Super Speed USB lines (pairs). If two of them are dedicated to the needs of DisplayPort, this is enough to get a picture with a resolution of 3840x2160. At the same time, the speed of data transfer via USB does not suffer. At its peak, this is still the same 10 Gb / s (for USB 3.1 Gen2). Also, the transmission of the video stream does not in any way affect the energy capacity of the port. Even 4 high-speed lines can be allocated for the needs of DisplayPort. In this case, resolutions up to 5120x2880 will be available. In this mode, USB 2.0 lines are not involved, so USB Type-C will still be able to transfer data in parallel, albeit at a limited speed.
In the alternative mode, the SBU1 / SBU2 pins are used to transmit the audio stream, which are converted to the AUX + / AUX- channels. They are not used for the USB protocol, so there are also no additional functional losses here.
When using the DisplayPort interface, the USB Type-C connector can still be connected either way. The required signal matching is provided initially.
Connecting devices using HDMI, DVI and even D-Sub (VGA) is also possible, but this will require separate adapters, however, these must be active adapters, since for DisplayPort Alt Mode, Dual-Mode Display Port (DP ++) is not supported ...
USB Type-C alternate mode can be used for more than just DisplayPort. Perhaps soon we will learn that this port has learned, for example, to transfer data using PCI Express or Ethernet.
She gave to this one and gave to that one. In general ... about nutrition.
Another important feature that USB Type-C brings is the ability to transmit power up to 100 watts through it. This is enough for more than just power / charging mobile devices, but also for the operation of laptops, monitors, and if you fantasize, then a small laboratory power supply.
With the advent of the USB bus, power transmission was an important, but still a minor, function. The USB 1.0 port provided just 0.75W (0.15A, 5V). Enough for a mouse and keyboard to work, but nothing more. For USB 2.0, the nominal current was increased to 0.5 A, which made it possible to get 2.5 watts from it for power, for example, external hard drives format 2.5 ". For USB 3.0, a current of 0.9 A is nominally provided, which, with a constant supply voltage of 5V, guarantees a power of 4.5 W. Special reinforced connectors on motherboards ah or laptops were capable of delivering up to 1.5 A to speed up the charging of connected mobile devices, but this is “only” 7.5 watts. Against the background of these numbers, the ability to transmit 100 watts looks like something fantastic.
In order to fill such energy the USB Type-C port is supported by the USB Power Delivery 2.0 (USB PD) specification. If there is none, the USB Type-C port will be able to supply 7.5 W (1.5 A, 5 V) or 15 W (3A, 5 V) to the mountain, depending on the configuration. For detailed description there is not enough space for this specification in this article, and still I will not do it better than the respected stpark in his wonderful article.
However, it will not be possible to completely bypass this paramount topic.
In order to provide 100 watts of power at a voltage of five volts, a current of 20 amperes is required! With the dimensions of a USB Type-C cable, this is perhaps possible only if it is made from a superconductor! I'm afraid that today it will cost users a lot, so the developers of the standard took a different path. They increased the supply voltage to 20 volts. “Excuse me, but it will completely burn out my favorite tablet” - you exclaim, and you will be absolutely right. In order not to fall prey to angry users, the engineers conceived a clever 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 to two amperes. To connect with devices of the old type, everything will end with this mode, but for more advanced cases, after exchanging data, the devices switch to another coordinated mode of operation with advanced capabilities. To get acquainted with the main existing modes, take a look at the table.
Profile 1 guarantees the ability to transfer 10 W of energy, the second already - 18 W, the third - 36 W, the fourth - 60 W, but the fifth is our cherished hundred! The port corresponding to the higher profile maintains all the states of the previous downstream. 5V, 12V and 20V are selected as reference voltages. The use of 5V is essential for compatibility with the vast array of USB peripherals available. 12V is the standard supply voltage for various system components. 20V was proposed taking into account the fact that external power supply units for 19-20V are used to charge the batteries of most laptops.
A few words about cables!
Full support of the format described in the article will require a lot of work not only from programmers, but also from electronics manufacturers. It will be required to develop and deploy production very a large number components. The most obvious is the connectors. In order to withstand high currents of the supply voltage, not interfere with the transmission of signals of very high frequency, and even thus not fail after the second connection and not fall out at the most inopportune moment, the quality of their manufacture should be radically higher compared to the USB format 2.To combine high power transmission and signal transmission with gigabit traffic, cable manufacturers will have to work hard.
Admire what a cross-sectional view of a cable suitable for our task looks like.
By the way, about the restrictions 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 / s (Gen 2) cable length c USB connectors Type-C should not exceed 1 meter, for a connection at speeds up to 5 Gb / s (Gen 1) - 2 meters.
Circuit designers of manufacturers of motherboards, docking stations and laptops will long puzzle how to generate power of the order of a hundred watts, and tracers, how to bring it to the USB Type-C connector.
Chip makers at a low start.
Symmetrical connection and operation of signal lines in different modes will require the use of high-speed signal switch chips. Today the first swallows have already appeared. For example, here is a switch from Texas Instruments, which supports work in devices in both host and slave modes. It is capable of switching lines of differential pairs with signal frequencies up to 5 GHz.
At the same time, the dimensions of the HDC3SS460 chip are 3.5 by 5.5 mm and in idle mode it consumes a current of about 1 microampere. In the active mode, it is less than a milliampere. There are also more advanced solutions, for example, chips manufactured by NXP support exchange rates up to 10 GHz.
Power managers began to appear, combined with circuits for protecting signal lines from static, for example, such a product from NXP
It is designed to correctly handle the moment of connecting the connector, as well as opening the power circuit in case of malfunction. This chip already supports VBUS voltage up to 30 volts, but with the maximum switched current, everything is much worse - it should not exceed 1 ampere, which is understandable, given the dimensions - 1.4 by 1.7 mm!
The undisputed leader in this area was Cypress, which released a specialized microcontroller with an ARM Cortex M0 core that supports all five power profiles possible for the standard.
A typical connection diagram for use in a laptop gives some idea about it, and you can get acquainted with it in more detail by downloading the datasheet.
Unlike the NXP chip, it is focused on controlling external power switches and therefore can provide switching of the required currents and voltages, despite its small size.
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. He can only serve as a food manager. At the moment, a pre-order is open for the supply of samples and demo boards. The fate of this microcontroller will probably largely depend on whether the manufacturer supplies the developers with reference libraries for its use in different modes.
The fact that several demokits have already been created for him greatly increases the likelihood of the latter.
Elevator to Heaven or the Tower of Babel.
So today we have a completely revolutionary situation. The upper classes cannot, and the lower classes do not want to live in the old way. Everyone is tired of the mess with a lot of cables, chargers, power supplies and their low reliability.
The new standard spawned unprecedented activity. The flagships of the electronics industry - Apple, Nokia, Asus are preparing to release their first gadgets with USB Type-C support. The Chinese are already stamping cables and adapters. Docking stations and hubs with support for high power load are on the way. Chip manufacturers are developing new microcircuits and are thinking of how to cram the driver of the new port into the microcontroller. Marketers decide where to plug in the new connector, and engineers scratch their turnips trying to implement multidisciplinary devices from existing electronic components.
So far, only one thing is not clear. What will we get as a result? A convenient and reliable connector that will replace the lion's share of interfaces and find everyday use, or the Babylonian pandemonium, because the situation may begin to develop according to not the most favorable scenario:
Users can become completely confused by numerous specifications and cables that look exactly the same, but at the same time will be certified only for certain profiles. Try to figure it out on the fly with all these markings.
But even if it works out, this is unlikely to solve the problem - the Chinese, without a twinge of conscience, will easily put any badge on any cord. And if necessary, then up to the heap on each side of one cable are different, they will not be confused even if they are mutually exclusive.
The market will be flooded with an incredible number of adapters of various calibers and of dubious quality.
Trying to connect one device to another, you will never, as a result, know what result this process will lead to, and because of what the connection is either completely absent, or everything is terribly buggy. Either one of the gadgets does not support the desired profile, or it does support it but not very correctly, or instead of a high-quality cable, its rough chinese fake... And what do you want to do if suddenly the only remaining connector on your laptop fails?
Until next time.
P.S. The new standard is already leading to highly exotic devices. This is how a 100-meter cable was announced, which does not seem to fit into the standards. The whole point is that he is active. At both ends, the cable has a USB3-to-optical converter. The signal is transmitted via optics and converted back at the output. Naturally, they do not transmit energy, but only data. In this case, each of the converters at its ends is powered from the connector to which it is connected.
I think that soon, self-respecting companies will start to insert active tags into cables to confirm the authenticity. The problem of hubs will generate unprecedented activity among developers and manufacturers of DC-DC converters. As a respected user rightly noted
The process of mass adoption of the USB interface in PCs and peripherals began in the late 90s of the last century. Only a few years have passed, and USB has become the de facto standard for connecting peripheral devices, practically replacing other solutions such as serial and parallel ports, PS / 2, etc.
Moreover, the business was not limited to computers and peripheral equipment. The convenience, ease of connection, and versatility of the USB interface have contributed to the proliferation of this decision and in other areas - in particular, in mobile devices, consumer audio and video equipment, automotive electronics, etc.
Since the process of improving PCs, mobile devices and other equipment is ongoing, from time to time it becomes necessary to refine the USB interface in order to improve key characteristics (in particular, throughput), expand functionality, introduce new connectors, etc. All this allows you to adapt existing solution to the changing needs of the industry.
One of the most notable innovations in recent years is the introduction of the SuperSpeed mode, which appeared in the USB 3.0 specification. The final text of this document was approved at the end of 2008, and over the next couple of years this decision was widely disseminated.
However, a lot of time has passed since then, and the time has come for the next improvements. In the coming year, the IT industry and you and I will have a number of revolutionary innovations without exaggeration. We will talk about them in this review.
SuperSpeedPlus Mode
In the summer of 2013, the USB specification version 3.1 was approved. The main innovation that legalized this document, became the SuperSpeedPlus mode, which allows you to double the bandwidth of the data transfer bus of the USB interface: from the previous 5 to 10 Gb / s. For compatibility with older equipment, it is possible to work in SuperSpeed mode (up to 5 Gb / s). Thus, a USB 3.1 connection will allow (at least in theory) to transfer data at speeds over 1 GB / s and practically reach the interface in terms of this indicator. HDMI version 1.4 (throughput which is 10.2 Gbps).
What does this mean in practice? 10 Gbps bandwidth is enough for broadcasting high-definition video (Full HD) with a frame refresh rate of up to 60 Hz or stereoscopic recordings in the same resolution with a frequency of up to 30 Hz. Accordingly, USB 3.1 can be viewed as a full-fledged alternative to specialized interfaces (such as DVI and HDMI) for broadcasting high-definition video signals from PCs and mobile devices to monitors, projectors and other devices.
USB Type C connector
One of the revolutionary innovations that will affect the field of PCs, as well as peripheral and mobile devices in the near future is the introduction of a new type of USB interface connector. The USB 3.0 Type C plugs and receptacle specification was developed by the USB 3.0 Promoter Group and was finalized in August 2014. The design of USB Type C connectors has a number of important features that it makes sense to talk about in detail.
First, USB Type C plugs and sockets are symmetrical. In a USB Type C socket, the plastic tongue is located exactly in the middle, and the contact pads are located on both sides. Thanks to this, the plug can be plugged into such a socket both in a straight position and in an inverted position by 180 °. This will greatly simplify the lives of users, who will finally be relieved of the need to guess the correct orientation of the plug at random (which is especially important when connecting cables to system unit installed under the table).
Secondly, the USB Type C specification calls for the use of balanced cables that have the same plugs on both sides. Accordingly, the sockets installed on the host devices and on the peripheral equipment will be the same.
And thirdly, the USB Type C connector will not have mini and micro versions. It is expected that USB Type C sockets and plugs will become the same for desktop and laptop PCs, peripheral equipment, home appliances, mobile devices, power supplies, etc. Accordingly, only one unified cable is required to connect devices of any type.
The dimensions of the USB Type C socket are approximately 8.4x2.6 mm, which allows you to easily place it in the case of even small-sized devices. Several options are available for surface mounting printed circuit board, and in a special cutout (the latter option allows you to reduce the thickness of the device body).
The design of USB Type C plugs and sockets is designed for 10 thousand connections and disconnections - which corresponds to the reliability indicators of USB connectors currently used.
The first public demonstration of USB Type C connectors and cables took place as part of the IDF Fall 2014 Forum, which was held in early September in San Francisco (USA). One of the first mass-produced devices equipped with a USB Type C connector was the tablet announced in mid-November.
Of course, the physical incompatibility of the USB Type C connector with older types of outlets is not good news for end users. Nevertheless, the developers from the USB 3.0 Promoter Group decided to take such a radical step in order to expand functionality the USB interface, and also create a foundation for the future. To connect new devices to equipment equipped with connectors of older types, adapter cables (USB Type C - USB Type A, USB Type C - USB Type B, USB Type C - microUSB, etc.) will be produced.
USB Power Delivery 2.0
One of the reasons for the current popularity of the USB interface is the ability to transfer not only data, but also power over a single cable. This allows you to simplify the connection procedure as much as possible and reduce the number of wires used. When working with mobile devices this property USB interface provides the ability to transfer and synchronize data with a PC, and at the same time recharge the battery of the gadget by connecting just one cable. The same can be said about the low-power periphery. Thanks to the ability to transmit power via an interface cable, we have long been relieved of the need to use external power supplies for some peripheral devices - in particular, flatbed scanners, low-power speaker systems, etc. Due to this, it was possible to reduce not only the number of wires on the desktop, but also the occupied sockets under it.
However, the rapid development of mobile devices in recent years has led to a significant change in the requirements not only for the bandwidth of the data bus, but also for the parameters of the power supply supplied over the USB connection. For charging low-power devices (such as MP3 players or wireless headsets), a current of 500 mA is quite enough (and this, recall, is the maximum value for standard USB ports 1.1 and 2.0). However, for normal charging modern smartphones and tablets require power supplies capable of delivering currents of 2 A or more.
A similar situation is observed in the segment of peripheral devices. The USB power is sufficient to power a 2.5 '' external hard disk or a desktop flatbed scanner with a CIS type sensor. However, supplying electricity to a small jet printer or, for example, an LCD monitor, the USB interface does not even allow version 3.0 (and in it the maximum current was increased to 900 mA per port).
In order to expand the capabilities of the USB interface to provide power to external devices, the USB Power Delivery 2.0 specification was developed. This document regulates the supply of power to devices with a power consumption of up to 100 W, and in any direction - both from the host device to the peripheral, and vice versa. For example, a laptop can be powered by a monitor to which it is connected via USB.
Of course, the ability to supply power to external devices is limited. design features A PC or other device that acts as a power source. That is why the USB Power Delivery 2.0 specification provides three profiles - for devices with a power consumption of up to 10, 60 and 100 watts. In the first case, the supply voltage is 5 V, and the maximum current in the load circuit can reach 2 A. The second profile provides for the use of a supply voltage of 12 V, and the third - 20 V. The maximum current in the load circuit in both cases is limited to 5 A.
It should be noted that in order to power a heavy load, both devices must support the corresponding USB Power Delivery 2.0 profile. Obviously, the maximum power will be limited by the capabilities of the device acting as a power source. There are other aspects to keep in mind as well.
In the event that the current in the power circuit does not exceed 2 A, USB connectors of any currently existing types can be used to connect devices. Connecting a more powerful load is possible only through the USB Type C connectors (which were already mentioned above) and the corresponding cables. It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that, unlike USB Type C connectors, standard cables are designed for a maximum current of 3 A. Thus, to connect a more powerful load, you will need a special cable.
The introduction of the USB Power Delivery 2.0 specification will significantly expand the possibilities for transferring power over the USB interface bus. The implementation of this solution in the future will allow the use of USB ports desktop computer for recharging not only smartphones, tablets, etc. gadgets, but also mobile PCs - netbooks, laptops, etc. In addition, the range of peripheral devices will be significantly expanded, which can receive the current required for operation via the USB interface bus and, accordingly, do without separate power supplies. LCD monitors with active acoustic systems etc.
Alternative modes
Another important innovation that will become available with the transition to the use of the USB Type C connector is support for functional extensions (Functional Extensions). A special case of functional extensions is the so-called Alternate Modes (AM). With their help, manufacturers will be able to use the physical connection of the USB interface to implement the specific capabilities and functions of certain devices.
For example, the Audio Adapter Accessory Mode allows you to use a physical USB connection to broadcast analog audio to headphones, external speakers, and other equipment. To a device equipped with a USB Type C connector and supporting Audio Adapter Accessory Mode, it will be possible to connect headphones or an external speaker through a special adapter equipped with a 3.5 mm mini-jack.
Support for alternative modes is one of the features of a new class of USB devices - USB Billboard Device Class. Manufacturers wishing to develop their own alternate modes need to obtain a unique identifier (SVID) from the USB-IF organization.
In 2014, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) developed the DisplayPort Alternate Mode specification. This solution allows you to use two pairs of USB cable conductors (TX + / TX– and RX + / RX–) for broadcasting an uncompressed digital AV stream. At the same time, it is possible to transfer data (in Low Speed, Full Speed and Hi-Speed modes via D + / D– pair), as well as power supply via the same interface cable. Thus, by connecting two devices that support DisplayPort Alternate Mode, you can broadcast audio and video signals, transfer data in both directions at speeds up to 480 Mbps, as well as supply power - all through one cable!
Devices supporting DisplayPort Alternate Mode can be connected to equipment not equipped with USB ports Type C (in particular, monitors, TVs, etc.). Specification this regime provides options for connecting to the DisplayPort, HDMI or DVI interfaces through special adapters.
In November 2014, the MHL consortium announced the development of an alternative mode MHL Alternate Mode, which will allow broadcasting uncompressed audio and video signals (including high and ultra-high definition) from mobile devices equipped with a USB Type C connector to external equipment (monitors, TVs, projectors etc.) using a standard USB cable. Specialists from Nokia, Samsung Electronics, Silicon Image, Sony and Toshiba took part in the development of the specification.
The introduction of alternative modes will significantly expand the functionality of the USB interface and simplify to the limit the procedure for connecting devices of various types.
Conclusion
Concluding this review, we will once again list the most important innovations, the process of implementation of which in serial devices equipped with a USB interface will begin in the near future.
The SuperSpeedPlus data transfer mode described in the USB specification version 3.1 will increase the maximum bandwidth of this interface to 10 Gb / s. Of course, this is less than HDMI 2.0 and Thunderbolt 2 (which, recall, provide data transfer rates up to 18 and 20 Gbps, respectively). However, 10 Gbps is enough to transfer uncompressed high definition video with frame rates up to 60 Hz. In addition, representatives of USB-IF said that in subsequent versions of USB it is quite possible to increase the bandwidth up to 20 Gb / s - fortunately, the design of the new USB Type C connectors and corresponding cables has a certain margin for further development.
The introduction of support for the USB Power Delivery 2.0 specification will significantly increase the maximum power supplied by the USB connection. Accordingly, the range of peripheral and mobile devices that will be able to receive power through the interface cable will be expanded. The widespread implementation of this solution will significantly reduce the number of cables and external power supplies used, reduce the number of occupied outlets and more efficiently use electricity.
The emergence of USB Billboard Device Class devices with support for alternative modes will open up completely new possibilities. Moreover, each manufacturer will be able to create their own modes for devices of various types, taking into account their specifics.
Undoubtedly, one of the revolutionary changes that will affect the areas of PCs, peripheral and mobile devices, household appliances, etc., will be the introduction of the USB Type C connector, which (as expected) will replace the USB plugs and sockets currently in use. On the one hand, the move to a single connector for all types of devices will greatly simplify the lives of users and reduce to a minimum the number of cables required. But, on the other hand, the industry and users will have to go through a very difficult and painful process of generational change. Previous solutions were distinguished by maximum compatibility: the design of conventional USB Type A and Type B plugs allows you to easily connect them to the corresponding version 3.0 sockets. Now, to connect devices of different generations, you will have to use additional devices.
The USB 3.1 specification is backward compatible with earlier versions of the interface. However, with the advent of serial devices equipped with a USB Type C connector, users will inevitably face the need to purchase adapters and adapters that provide the ability to connect new devices to older equipment with USB Type A, Type B and other sockets. Considering that currently about 4 billion devices equipped with a USB interface are produced annually, this problem will be very relevant for at least five to six years to come.
It should also be noted that it will be possible to fully realize the potential of the USB version 3.1 interface and the USB Type C connector in practice only when users have accumulated at least a minimum amount of equipment equipped with these new products. Obviously, in the case of interaction between two devices of different generations, the functionality and maximum bandwidth of the interface will be limited by the characteristics of the USB controller of the older device.
According to experts from the well-known Taiwanese resource DigiTimes, serial models of PCs, as well as mobile and peripheral devices equipped with a USB 3.1 interface and USB Type C connectors, will go on sale in the first half of 2015. In turn, leading developers operating systems and software have already announced their readiness to release updates to implement USB 3.1 support in their products.
In 2015, it was shown a new version MacBook Air... At the presentation, Tim Cook, the head of Apple, as usual, talked about the new features and capabilities of the device. There was one detail in it that interested not only Apple adherents. As you might have guessed, this was a brand new USB Type-C connector.
What it is?
USB Type-C is the evolutionary evolution of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) format that you've probably heard of and is one of the most widespread technologies in mobile and peripheral devices.
This is exactly evolution, not a revolution, although some individual moments can be called revolutionary. So, USB Type-C allows you to transfer not only files, but even video!
Immediately I would like to talk about the designations of USB Type-C and USB 3.1. They do not mean the same thing, although they go hand in hand: USB Type-C is a USB specification, USB 3.1 is essentially a numeric designation that means data transfer speed. Roughly speaking, USB Type-C runs on USB 3.1 technology. By the way, the data transfer rate is very high - over 1200 MB / s versus 500 MB / s for USB 3.0!
Compare USB Type-C and USB Type-A:
And here is a comparison between USB Type-C and microUSB (one of the most popular formats used in the mobile sphere):
What is the advantage of USB Type-C?
As it was written above, in the data transfer rate. But this is not the only advantage of this technology. So, USB 3.1 has a large maximum power, which means that soon it will be possible to connect additional devices like speakers without an additional power source. Just imagine - we took the speakers to nature, connected them with via USB Type-C and listen to music!
Another huge plus is the current strength as much as 5A. This allows you to charge your smartphone, tablet or any other device much faster. The main thing is that this device supports the technology fast charging.
Finally, the plug can now be inserted either side - it is symmetrical. Until recently, this pleasure was available only for the iPhone and iPad, and now - for all other devices that use USB Type-C technology.
What devices use USB Type-C?
Many. These are laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Probably in the future, the transition to USB Type-C devices on Android base will significantly accelerate, since Google advised manufacturers to use exactly this interface in their future updates.
Google laptop:
Recently, more and more phones and smartphones have appeared on the market, which instead of the traditional Micro USB use a new connector called USB Type-C. This type connector appeared not so long ago and while far they understand what it is and how it works.
If you also have questions related to USB Type-C, then we suggest that you read this article. Here you will learn what USB Type-C is, how it differs from Micro USB, and which one is better to choose. If you are also interested
What is USB Type-C in phones and smartphones
USB interface logo.
In order to understand what USB Type-C is, you need to make a small excursion into the history of this interface. Is a computer interface that appeared in the mid-1990s and has since been actively used to connect peripheral devices to a computer. With the advent of smartphones, this interface began to be used in them, a little later, USB began to be used in ordinary mobile phones with buttons.
Initially, the USB standard included only two types of connectors: Type-A and Type-B. The Type-A connector was used to connect to a device on the side of which a hub or USB interface controller was used. The Type-A connector, on the other hand, was used on the peripheral side. Thus, a regular USB cable included two Type-A connectors, which connected to a computer or other control device, and a Type-B, which connected to a peripheral device.
In addition, both Type-A and Type-B have smaller versions of the connectors, which are designated as Mini and Micro. The result is a fairly large list of different connectors: regular USB Type-A, Mini Type-A, Micro Type-A, regular Type-B, Mini Type-B and Micro USB Type-B, which was commonly used in phones and smartphones and more. known as Micro USB.
Comparison of different connectors.
With the release of the third version of the USB standard, several additional connectors appeared that supported USB 3.0, these are: USB 3.0 Type-B, USB 3.0 Type-B Mini and USB 3.0 Type-B Micro.
This whole zoo of connectors no longer met modern realities, in which simple-to-use connectors such as those from Apple were gaining popularity. Therefore, along with the USB 3.1 standard, a new type of connector called USB Type-C (USB-C) was introduced.
The advent of USB Type-C has solved several problems at once. Firstly, USB Type-C was originally compact, so there is no need for Mini and Micro versions of the connector. Secondly, USB Type-C can be connected to both peripherals and computers. This allows you to abandon the scheme in which Type-A was connected to a computer, and Type-B to a peripheral device.
In addition, USB Type-C supports many other innovations and useful functions:
- Data transfer rates from 5 to 10 Gb / s, and with the introduction of USB 3.2, this speed can grow to 20 Gb / s.
- Backward compatible with previous USB standards. Using a special adapter, a device with a USB Type-C connector can be connected to the usual USB of previous versions.
- Symmetrical connector design that allows the cable to be plugged in either direction (just like Apple's Lightning).
- The USB Type-C cable can be used to quickly charge mobile phones, smartphones, and compact laptops.
- Support for alternative modes of operation, in which the USB Type-C cable can be used to transfer information using other protocols (DisplayPort, MHL, Thunderbolt, HDMI, VirtualLink).
What is the difference between USB Type-C and Micro USB
USB Type-C (top) and Micro USB cables.
Users who choose mobile phone or a smartphone, you are often interested in how USB Type-C differs from Micro USB. Below we have collected the main differences and advantages of these connectors.
- USB Type-C is the future-proof connector. If you are choosing a flagship smartphone that you plan to use for several years, then you should pay attention to the models with USB Type-C. This connector is actively gaining popularity and more and more devices with its support will appear in the future. You should not be afraid of problems with the connection to the computer. If your computer is not equipped with this connector, you can always connect your phone using an adapter.
- USB Type-C is convenient. The symmetrical design makes it much easier to connect USB Type-C than the classic Micro USB. In order to put a phone with USB Type-C on charging, you just need to plug the cable into it, and you do not need to look at the connector and choose which side to connect it. In addition, due to their symmetry, USB Type-C connectors are more stable and rarely damaged.
- USB Type-C is fast. As we said, USB Type-C supports data transfer rates from 5 to 10 Gbps. If your phone supports this speed, then you can copy data much faster than with using Micro USB, the speed of which is limited by the USB 2.0 standard (up to 480 Mbps).
- Micro USB (or rather Micro USB Type-B) is a time-tested connector, the main advantage of which is its prevalence. A charger and cable with such a connector can be found in any office or home. Therefore, with Micro USB, you will always find where to charge your phone or smartphone.
Which is better USB Type-C or Micro USB
We conclude the article with an answer to the question of which is better, USB Type-C or Micro USB. In short, USB Type-C is definitely better. You can buy a phone with USB Type-C just for the symmetrical connector. Most users charge the phone every day, so such a trifle as a symmetrical connector that can be plugged in either side makes life much easier. On the other hand, if you often charge your smartphone outside the home, then the usual Micro USB may be preferable. This way you will have less trouble finding the right cable or adapter.
The baud rate should also be noted. If the phone and computer support USB 3.1, then using USB Type-C can transfer data at speeds up to 10 Gbps, while Micro USB can provide a maximum of 0.5 Gbps.
Is it really time for one unified connector to charge any device? More recently, such an assumption could be laughed at. But even Apple is giving up on the sly, and the MacBook with its USB Type-C is the first confirmation of this.
Nirvana is still far away, first you need to finish off the periphery. Everything in order: before talking about the problems of the new port, you need to remember what kind of "beast" it is.
One ring One connector to rule them all
The idea behind a USB Type-C connector is to replace all the others, whether it's charging, an HDMI port, or a regular USB flash drive socket. No more "I have a cable on the other side" or "I can only connect one monitor." Found the port, inserted the device, it worked. Idyll.
Oh well. In practice, this "freedom" has created a lot of confusion. It is not enough to make a universal connector - it needs at least universal cable.
The fact is that the USB Type-C port has 24 pins through which breakouts of signals of different protocols pass. Here's what can be summed up in this universal connector.
- USB 2.0
The first devices equipped with a USB Type-C port actually worked in USB 2.0 mode and transmitted data at a speed of 480 Mbps. Tablets and smartphones using this protocol are still found today (hello Nokia N1).
- USB 3.1 gen 1 (3.0, SuperSpeed USB)
Flies at speeds up to 5Gbps, backward compatible with USB 1.x and USB 2.0. Most likely, the blue port on your computer works with this protocol. The MacBook is no exception.
- USB 3.1 gen 2
The upgraded version of USB 3.0 is also backward compatible. The data transfer rate has grown to 10 Gbps, and the power to 100 watts. Almost Thunderbolt!
- Alternate Mode (AM)
Other non-USB protocols can be mixed into the Type-C connector. For example, Thunderbolt, HDMI, MHL, or DisplayPort. But not all peripherals understand this Alternate Mode.
- Power Delivery (PD)
The most delicious thing is charging via USB Type-C. Power Delivery supports 5 standard power supply profiles - up to 5V / 2A, up to 12V / 1.5A, up to 12V / 3A, up to 12-20 / 3A and up to 12-20V / 4.75-5A. Compliance with any profile is determined automatically.
- Audio Accessory Mode
Yes, analog audio signal can also be sent through USB Type-C ports.
The hardest part is finding the right wire
Ok, everything is clear with the port, it remains to buy a cable. But beginners usually face three problems:
1. Old protocol in a new connector
"New" USB Type-C cable for 150 rubles from Aliexpress? Beware, an ancient USB 2.0 might be hiding inside. It's not even about the reputation of Chinese entrepreneurs, many well-known brands are ready to sell Type-C cable with the old protocol inside at a bargain price.
2. A heap of specifications
Yes, everything is signed in the title. But how can an ordinary person figure out who doesn't care about all these new specifications? Which picks up the wire according to the shape of the connector? No way. He had just figured out the difference between USB 2.0 and 3.0 wires.
And outputting an image via USB Type-C is not an easy undertaking. In addition to Display Port and HDMI, there are three more generations of Thunderbolt, which can also connect monitors. It is not enough to find a suitable cable - the device must clearly understand that it is connected to it through Alternate Mode.
3. Will it charge?
Will be, if the name contains "charge" or "PD". But there is a catch here: a cable that supports charging via USB Type-C must meet the required profile and be certified. What is it fraught with? At best, slow charging, at worst - on fire.
Why you can't plug in the first cable you come across
Because you can ruin everything. There are three reasons:
1. Low baud rate
Of course, to connect to an external hard drive or a smartphone, almost any wire with the necessary connectors will do. But it is worth making sure that it works with the correct protocol (for example, USB 3.0), otherwise the data transfer speed will drop.
2. Bad picture or lack of it
If the cable will connect the MacBook and the monitor, make sure that the cable is transmitting the correct signal frequency. Remember Thunderbolt 3 doesn't work with previous generations.
3. The current with a power of 100 W is not a joke
PD cables are a little more complicated. The power threshold has been lifted, which means that you need to be more careful, because in the event of a cable marriage, sad consequences are possible. Not so long ago, a man's laptop and a couple of other devices burned down. Of course, this is an isolated case, and your MacBook is unlikely to burn out. But over time, the battery or power controller can be damaged.
So, if a wire is needed to charge a laptop, forget about nouns for two hundred square meters.
But for smartphones with USB 2.0 adapters, it's not all that bad. You can buy any USB Type-C to USB 2.0 cable and quietly charge your phone.
What to do?
Certainly for USB Type-C future... There are more and more devices with new connectors and soon the time will pass when you took the first wire that came across without hesitation.
To USB Type-C cables you need to glue the labels. Seriously, how else to distinguish a deshman, for an external hard, from an expensive one, which can be used to charge any device?
The best option is to use original wires. Well, if you really buy, then only cool USB 3.1 with Power Delivery support. These cost from 1,500 rubles and more. With connectors from Alternate Mode, the situation is simpler, but the price tag is about the same.
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