USB-C to hit 80Gbps under updated USB4 v. 2.0 spec
(2022/09/02)
- Reference: 1662086708
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2022/09/02/usb4_v2_80gpbs/
- Source link:
The USB Promoter Group has announced version 2.0 of the USB4 spec and promises it can carry data at 80Gbps.
The Group’s [1]announcement [PDF] of the spec is a little light on detail because the nitty gritty stuff will debut in time for developer events scheduled for November.
For now, we’ve been told that the spec will offer the following characteristics:
Up to 80Gbps operation, based on a new physical layer architecture, using existing 40Gbps USB Type-C passive cables and newly-defined 80Gbps USB Type-C active cables.
Updates to data and display protocols to better use the increase in available bandwidth.
USB data architecture updates now enable USB 3.2 data tunneling to exceed 20Gbps.
Updated to align with the latest versions of the DisplayPort and PCIe specifications.
Backward compatibility with USB4 Version 1.0, USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3.
80Gbps is plenty of capacity, but the spec isn’t designed to devote it all to a single connection. Instead the plan is to share out the 80Gbps among different devices connected to a hub or dock. Which is a worthy outcome, given that system builders are increasingly offering PCs with just a couple of USB-C connectors that are suggested as the way to handle video and external storage, a decision that all-but-necessitates the acquisition of a dock or hub.
[2]USB-C levels up and powers up to deliver 240W in upgraded power delivery spec
[3]USB4: Based on Thunderbolt 3. Two times the data rate, at 40Gbps. One fewer space. Zero confusing versions
[4]USB-C adds authentication protocol
Further work on the spec will see protocol updates developed to enable higher performance USB 3.2, DisplayPort and PCI Express data tunnelling to best use the higher available bandwidth.
It may be some time before USB4 v2.0 lands in a device you can fondle: the Promoter Group says the spec and activity around its debut is intended for developers.
[5]
“Branding and marketing guidelines will be updated in the future to include USB 80Gbps both for identifying certified products and certified cables,” the Group’s announcement states.
[6]
Which means, yet again, that punters will need to be careful when buying USB-C cables.
The standard has earned plenty of criticism for requiring specific cables to take advantage of its features, and retailers know to price the good ones at a premium.
[7]
But on some far-off day those cables will be cheap, and USB-C will be able to carry both 80Gbps and 240 volts. At that point it will be a contender for One Cable To Rule Them All, and allow all manner of appliances to be powered and wired with a single connector. ®
Get our [8]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.usb.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/USB%20PG%20USB4%20Version%202.0%2080Gbps%20Announcement_FINAL.pdf
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/27/usb_pd_240w_upgrade/
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2019/03/05/usb_4_incoming/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2016/04/13/usbc_adds_authentication_protocol/
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YxF-2CFVzkctuCeyAheekQAAAMc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YxF-2CFVzkctuCeyAheekQAAAMc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YxF-2CFVzkctuCeyAheekQAAAMc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[8] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
The Group’s [1]announcement [PDF] of the spec is a little light on detail because the nitty gritty stuff will debut in time for developer events scheduled for November.
For now, we’ve been told that the spec will offer the following characteristics:
Up to 80Gbps operation, based on a new physical layer architecture, using existing 40Gbps USB Type-C passive cables and newly-defined 80Gbps USB Type-C active cables.
Updates to data and display protocols to better use the increase in available bandwidth.
USB data architecture updates now enable USB 3.2 data tunneling to exceed 20Gbps.
Updated to align with the latest versions of the DisplayPort and PCIe specifications.
Backward compatibility with USB4 Version 1.0, USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3.
80Gbps is plenty of capacity, but the spec isn’t designed to devote it all to a single connection. Instead the plan is to share out the 80Gbps among different devices connected to a hub or dock. Which is a worthy outcome, given that system builders are increasingly offering PCs with just a couple of USB-C connectors that are suggested as the way to handle video and external storage, a decision that all-but-necessitates the acquisition of a dock or hub.
[2]USB-C levels up and powers up to deliver 240W in upgraded power delivery spec
[3]USB4: Based on Thunderbolt 3. Two times the data rate, at 40Gbps. One fewer space. Zero confusing versions
[4]USB-C adds authentication protocol
Further work on the spec will see protocol updates developed to enable higher performance USB 3.2, DisplayPort and PCI Express data tunnelling to best use the higher available bandwidth.
It may be some time before USB4 v2.0 lands in a device you can fondle: the Promoter Group says the spec and activity around its debut is intended for developers.
[5]
“Branding and marketing guidelines will be updated in the future to include USB 80Gbps both for identifying certified products and certified cables,” the Group’s announcement states.
[6]
Which means, yet again, that punters will need to be careful when buying USB-C cables.
The standard has earned plenty of criticism for requiring specific cables to take advantage of its features, and retailers know to price the good ones at a premium.
[7]
But on some far-off day those cables will be cheap, and USB-C will be able to carry both 80Gbps and 240 volts. At that point it will be a contender for One Cable To Rule Them All, and allow all manner of appliances to be powered and wired with a single connector. ®
Get our [8]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.usb.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/USB%20PG%20USB4%20Version%202.0%2080Gbps%20Announcement_FINAL.pdf
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/27/usb_pd_240w_upgrade/
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2019/03/05/usb_4_incoming/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2016/04/13/usbc_adds_authentication_protocol/
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YxF-2CFVzkctuCeyAheekQAAAMc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YxF-2CFVzkctuCeyAheekQAAAMc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YxF-2CFVzkctuCeyAheekQAAAMc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[8] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
"Up to 80Gbps"
An_Old_Dog
Is that like the "up to xxMb/S" speeds claimed by major ISPs?
Note the protocol speed is different from the effective data transfer rate . In my experience, USB effective data transfer rates are woefully-less than the "speed" listed in the relevant spec version. Perhaps other peoples' experiences are better (... or not?)
Sampler
If you need a new cable, what's the benefit of keeping the same connector, that just seems asking for confusion with people plugging 3.2 cables in to 4.0 slots and not getting enough power / starting fires..
(before people think I'm being literal with starting fires, I appreciate the systems tests for ability and does not proceed where it can't)
For the handful of occasions where you have your old cable and you don't need to worry about the bandwidth it seems odd to retain the socket given the trouble it can bring.
EU will love this
New round of cable purchases sends the old stuff to the landfills. New hubs/docks obsoleting gear...