Types of USB connector: panoramic and differences

Communication in the era of computers and smartphones would be practically unthinkable without USB connections. The serial interface is now available for Any type of data transmission between two devices Used that it can be connected to each other during operation. It's there USB connection not the USB connection: Once introduced as a standard interface, has in the meantime numerous Different plugs and forms of socket developed. In this overview we explain how the individual Distinguish the types of USB spines from each other And what they are used for.

1. The story of the USB standard

THE USB-Standard («Universal Serial Bus») was introduced in 1996 by well -known producers such as Intel, around the prevalent ones To dissolve the serial interfaces, parallel and com. The goal was to create a universal connection with which computers and the periphery Connect together in a simple way possible allow. Today USB is thanks also with Represents smartphones and televisionsAnd even modern appliances such as coffee machines or refrigerators have long been equipped with it.

1.1. USB 1.0 and USB 1.1 – The first generation

The beginning of USB 1.0 At the end of 1996 there was no good star: it was Transfer rate with 12 Mbit/s significantly higher than that of common interfaces, but support Common Windows operating systems (mainly Windows 95 and Windows NT) the Standard no. In addition to this There was the lack of suitable peripheral devicesThat's why USB has been left behind for a long time Firewire-bus apples (IEEE1394) he had, that even with one more than Data creation 30 times higher it could emerge.

It appeared in 1998 With USB 1.1. A magazine versionin which some errors have been eliminated in the internal software. But there No adaptation of the data speed The new specification did not bring the hoped for success.

1.2. USB 2.0 – The most used generation

The big turning point did In 2001 with the introduction of USB 2.0. With a 12 Mbit/SA 480 Mbit/s jump, the transmission speed was suddenly increased to 40 times.

In addition, the Maximum current from 0.1 AA 0.5 a raised. Starting now, devices with a higher energy requirement such as external Rigid discs, cameras or video recorder be connected.

Good to know: USB 2.0 is still today The most used standard And also the current devices that already work with USB 3.0 or higher in most cases still have a bushy Support USB 2.0.

1.3. USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 – The latest generation

In 2008 followed with USB 3.0 The next phase on the evolutionary manager. With 5 Gbit/s a decent shovel was put on the previous data speed on it. To this end, the USB 3.0 thorns have compared to the 2.0 versions Five additional contacts for sending and receiving (SSRX+ and SSRX and the mass line) and one Maximum current of 0.9 a.

The competition does not sleep: Attachments from the success of the new generation, Apple and Intel publishes an alternative faster than 2.5x to USB 3.0 with the Thunderbolt interface. The new Thunderbolt 3 is also 25 times faster.

From USB 3.0. Standard emerged two new standards: USB 3.1 (Gen1) is a technically improved USB 3.0 with a similar transmission speed and constant specifications, while USB 3.2 (Gen2) Superspeed+ would theoretically also be possible. And the current has also been increased: With the maximum 5th, there is practically no limitation regarding connected devices.

1.4. USB 3.2 – The next generation

In July 2017, 3rd The latest USB standard publishedWho is still still In the technical implementation phase located. The initial tests were already very promising, so the new specifications should also be possible for data rates up to 20 Gbit/s.

Good to know: According to the USB If (USB Imple Implementrs Forum), the first components and PC devices with USB 3.2 be available in stores around half -2019. However, another year should probably go to the country before the new standard has completely settled.

The following overview shows the above USB standards again in the direct comparison:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5krtd7r4fm

2. The different types of USB plug in the overview

In addition to the various standards, over the years established a series of types of thorns and USB socketswhich have been designed for different areas of application.

USB Typ a The USB type is that Most common USB plug-in type And it is used on devices such as mice, keyboards, USB sticks or players. Also the rear and lateral USB connections On computers or notebooks I am by default A.
USB Tip B The thorns of this type are rarely found today, only a few Older or fax printer still have a USB B connection, however, only very few modern computers have The connections of the right counterThat's why in such cases a type B is mainly used on the type A cable
USB Mini B The type B mini USB is one The reduction version of a conventional USB connector With smaller dimensions that are not mainly MP3 players or digital cameras Discoveries.
USB micro a und micro b USB micro a and micro b (only type B can be seen in the photo) they differ mainly in their shape: A plug micro is rectangularThe micro b connector ends trapezoidal. The micro USB type can be rarely found in some external rigid discs or in other small peripheral devices. The type B, on the other hand, is the common standard for current smartphones. Micro-USB connections can work in both directionsThis allows data transfer, for example, while the mobile phone is loaded.
USB 3.0 micro b This form of thorn can be found mainly for mobile devices (e.g. external hard drives or cards readers) with USB 3.0. Visually, the Micro B USB 3.0 reminds you of one 4 micro stecker USBWhat is basically.
USB Dipi C. The USB type C is Compatible with all USB specifications And will replace previous USB-A and USB-B connections at some point. The special thing of this connector: he It can be inserted in any direction. USB C is currently standard for all USB 3.1. Applications. This form of plug is currently mainly in new smartphones, but in the future it will also be used to connect the displays.

3. And how was it again with the colors?

As if the different types were not already confused enough, the USB thorns have not only different shapes, but also different colors regarding connections:

• Black and white It marks a standard USB 1.0 or USB 2.0 connection.
• Black It stands for a new USB 3.0 port with particularly quick transmission speeds
• Gelb stands for connections with permanent power supply (even when the computer is off)

Good to know: The color assignments are not part of the USB specifications, which means that they are not always strictly observed. So you can also meet some mainboard from time to time Red USB connectionsWith what it is From a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port It can act. In case of doubt, consult the manual as a precaution.

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