What is USB Type-C: history, advantages and disadvantages. Everything you wanted to know about USB Type-C, but were afraid to ask

Have you ever met a person who enthusiastically said: “My smartphone has Type-C”?

The debate about the modernity and usefulness of the new interface has been going on for a long time. Some consider it the future, others - a utopia. The trouble is that both sides have strong evidence of their innocence. To understand the situation, it is necessary to study the issue comprehensively.

Development

Not everyone remembers the first USB Type-A connector, which is still used in latest computers, laptops and tablets. In the distant 90s, it had the same physical form, but a different standard - USB 1.1. In more detail, there were restrictions on the data transfer rate.

In 2001, the 2.0 standard was developed, which is the most common today. It provided data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps. At this moment, the era of creating a universal and high-speed connector for connection began.

The first common connector that gained great popularity and distribution was Type-B Mini. It is successfully used in phones, cameras, camcorders and allows you to connect devices to your computer. However, this should not be considered a big breakthrough, only the form has changed, the standard has remained the same - USB 2.0. In other words, the transmission speed has not increased.

The desire to minimize the size of gadgets led to the creation of a new Type-B Micro. It continues to be the main protagonist of the vast majority of modern technology, but cannot offer users great benefits.

The real breakthrough was the USB 3.0 specification, which radically changed the outlook on many things. New interface allowed to increase the data transfer rate up to 5 Gbps. Changes also affected the internal structure. The new 3.0 introduces a 9-pin group (in 2.0 there were only 4 pins).

The last step on the path to Type-C was the adoption of the 3.1 standard, which remains the fastest and most efficient today. Users were able to transfer data at speeds up to 10 Gbps. The new standard also allows for 100W of charge transfer.

The standard consists of 24 pins: two rows of 12 pins. 8 pins of the USB 3.1 interface are used for high-speed data exchange. Pins B8 and A8 (SUB1 and 2) are used to transmit analog signals to the headphones (right and left), A5 and B5 (CC1 and 2) are needed to select the power mode. There are also ground (GND) and power (V+) pins.

Benefits of Type-C

It is not so necessary, but simply another physical modification that has received support for USB 3.1. But do not rush to conclusions, as there are a number of advantages that the new connector offers:

• Safety. The connector is reversible, i.e. you can connect the cable in any position. This provides complete security and the safety of the gadget from breakdowns, which are accompanied by bent or broken contacts.
• Versatility. Fully compatible with all older generation standards, starting with USB 1.1.
• Independence. Type-C, which supports USB 3.1, can power connected devices up to 100W. Simply put, when connected, there is not only a full-fledged power supply, but also recharging the batteries of other gadgets, as from "".
• compactness. The connector has very small dimensions, therefore it is actively used in the production of modern and tablets.

Flaws

From a technical point of view USB Type-C practically perfect. So why hasn't it become the most popular yet? Why are manufacturers not in a hurry to equip their equipment with it? There are no obstacles for technical equipment, but there are weighty reasons that slow down this process.

First of all, it has a unique physical structure, so to connect most gadgets you need adapter cables, all kinds of splitters and adapters. If the connected device does not support USB 3.1, such a connection simply does not make sense, since the maximum data transfer rate and power support will not be provided.

Most released computer, mobile, audio and video equipment is equipped with Type-A, Type-B Mini / Micro, which do not support USB 3.1 or even 3.0. Mass transition to USB Type-C will reduce the demand for existing products that do not have it. Regardless of the desires and hopes of users, manufacturers deliberately push back effective technology and slow down its distribution.

Secondly, even if two connected devices have Type-C, getting all the benefits may not be available. This is due to the imperfect technology of processing and transmitting information of certain categories of devices. For example, you can synchronize a smartphone and a personal computer / laptop via Type-C. However, data transfer in both directions will be limited, since the hard drive will not be able to provide the maximum speed.

Yes, new technology is available, it is being used, but it is still a long way from a complete transition. You need to understand that in the event of a complete transition to USB Type-C, you will have to send all outdated equipment for recycling.

Lately, surprising people is even easier than it seems. When we were shown USB connector Type-C everyone just gasped, because it's so cool, now you can even put your device on charge the first time even at night. But is it worth it? Maybe USB Type-C is not as good as it seems? Maybe he doesn't need it at all? Yes maybe…

Lately, surprising people is even easier than it seems. When they showed us the USB Type-C connector, everyone just gasped, because it's so cool, now you can even charge your device at night the first time. But is it worth it? Maybe USB Type-C is not as good as it seems? Maybe he doesn't need it at all?

Yes, it can be good to be able to charge your smartphone when you are drunk. Or maybe it's just another marketing ploy of big companies so that you once again buy yourself a new tablet or smartphone? In this article, we have described five reasons why you do not need USB Type-C now.

1. USB Type-C does not mean "fast charging"

One of the most common myths about this connector is that it will charge your devices faster. This is wrong. This is just a new version of the connector. Type-C is the same as previous standards, fast charging has nothing to do with it. Despite the fact that it supports the USB 3.1 standard, which brings a number of improvements, you should not think that this will be the case on all smartphones.

OnePlus 2 is the most striking example of this. It has a USB Type-C connector, but the USB 2.0 standard, which does not give it any advantages other than a "universal" cable over older smartphones. In addition, there is not yet a single smartphone that supports new type connector and mode fast charging batteries.

2. There will not be a huge data transfer rate either

The second myth is the assumption that with it you will be able to transfer data at the speed of light, compared to older solutions. Here, too, everything depends on such industry standards as USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1. It is from these standards that the data transfer rate depends, but not from the shape of the cable.

3. You will have to keep it as the “apple of an eye”

If you are going to go somewhere on vacation and forgot the MicroUSB cable at home, then there is nothing to worry about, because you can charge your smartphone with a charger from a tablet, or even use someone else’s cable to charge, because this standard distributed throughout the world.

But the owners of the same OnePlus 2 will still have to endure who knows how long and carry the cable all the time in their pocket or backpack. After all, if the battery of your smartphone “dies”, then there will simply be nowhere to charge it. That is why, devices with such connectors need to be bought at least a year later, when there are already a sufficient number of smartphones / tablets with this type on the market. charger. So do not chase the desire to get into the connector even at night, because to this you will have another significant problem that I described above.

4. The cable is rare and expensive

If you suddenly lose your cable, then you will have a hard time. First, in short time it is almost impossible to find it. Secondly, if you find it, then its value is much higher than you think. And all because now the demand for this product is minimal.

5. Old accessories will become useless

Surely, you, like me, have a huge box of various trinkets and accessories for your smartphone. After buying the main device with a USB Type-C connector, all of them will become useless in an instant. Since the "old" Type-A connectors are physically incompatible with the new type of cable. Of course, special adapters will help you, but think about it, is it worth it?

The new USB Type-C standard is still not widely developed in the market, but manufacturers are gradually adopting fresh technology. In smartphones, USB-C is already a new trend, because it is not only an improved charging connector, but also a means to do away with the traditional 3.5mm headphone port. Today we will talk in more detail about USB Type-C, and this article will tell you what it is.

Today, almost all electronic devices are equipped with a USB connector. From desktop computers to smartphones and a variety of drives with laptops. USB is the ubiquitous standard when it comes to connecting peripherals or transferring data between devices. The last major update to USB came in 2013 with the release of USB 3.1, accompanied by the release of the new Type-C connector. As you can see, almost 4 years have passed since then, and Type-C has not taken root.

Currently on the market, you can count on the fingers of devices using USB Type-C technology. Among computers, these are the latest laptops from Apple, from Google, a line from Samsung and several other hybrid devices. Among smartphones - mainly the flagships of the outgoing year:, and.

So why is USB Type-C better than its predecessors? Let's find out.

What is USB Type-C

USB Type-C is a new and rapidly evolving industry standard for data transfer for computers and mobile devices. The main and most significant innovation of Type-C is a modified connector - universal, symmetrical, capable of working with either side. The USB-C connector was invented by the USB Implementers Forum, a group of companies that developed and certified the new USB standard. It also includes the largest technology companies, namely Apple, Samsung, Dell, HP, Intel and Microsoft. By the way, this is important to know because USB Type-C has been easily adopted by most PC manufacturers.

USB-C is the new standard

Main characteristics:

• 24 signal outputs
• USB 3.1 support
• Alternate mode for implementing third party interfaces
• Speed ​​up to 10 Gbps
• Power transmission up to 100 W
• Dimensions: 8.34x2.56 mm

USB Type-C and USB 3.1

USB versions

USB versions belong to a common standard, but they differ in top speed data transfer and work power. Of course, there are many other factors as well.

USB 2.0
The second version of USB was introduced in April 2000. It provided the standard with a significant increase in the maximum data transfer rate - up to 480 Mbps. Also, USB 2.0 has become more powerful, consuming 1.8A at 2.5V.

USB 3.0
USB output 3.0 brought with it not only the expected improvements in data transfer speed and power, but also new types of connectors. Moreover, USB 3.0 even got its own color - the new version of the standard was designated blue to valiantly distinguish it from older generations of USB. USB 3.0 can operate at speeds up to 5 Gbps, taking 5V at 1.8A for its operation. By the way, this version was presented in November 2008.

Type A
Type-A is the classic USB interface. The short and rectangular plug became the original design for USB and remains the standard connector for use at the host end of a USB cable to this day. There are also some variations of Type-A - Mini Type-A and Micro Type-A - but they have never been widely accepted by the public due to the complex nest. Both of these Type-A variants are now obsolete.

Type C
Thus, after Type-A and Type-B, we obviously came to the latest Type-C. The Type-A and Type-B versions were supposed to work together with each other through backwards compatibility, but the arrival of Type-C completely ruined these plans, since USB-C implies a complete replacement for obsolete USB connection technologies. Also, Type-C was designed in a special way so that additional variants such as Mini or Micro would not need to be released at all. This, again, is due to the intentions to replace all current connectors with USB Type-C.

The main feature of the Type-C standard is the versatility or symmetry of the connector. USB-C can be used on both sides, similar to Apple's Lightning technology - no more special sides for connection, which, moreover, are also difficult to find in the dark. Also, the Type-C version is based on USB 3.1, which means it supports all the benefits latest version including top speed.

USB-C is still backward compatible with existing USB options, but for such a use case, of course, adapters are needed.

Disadvantages of USB Type-C

An even more recent and significant problem with USB Type-C is the unregulated operation of the connector, which has resulted in a number of dangerous accessories being sold. Some of these accessories, through the use of unsupported voltage levels, can "fry" the connected device. For example, this was the case with the flagship that was great at the start, which subsequently began to ignite first, and then completely explode in the hands, trousers, cars and apartments of its owners.

This problem led to the obvious and only solution - a massive ban on the production and sale of non-original USB Type-C accessories. So, if the accessory does not meet the standard specifications of the USB Implementers Forum Inc., then the product will not be allowed to be sold. Also, to check the working status and authenticity of various third-party accessories, USB-IF has introduced 128-bit encrypted software that will allow devices with this connector to automatically check the connected device or accessory with USB-C.

Minuses:

• Design. The design of USB Type-C is good, but the design has suffered - it is quite fragile. Apple uses an all-metal plug in its Lightning, while Type-C uses an oval shape with signal pins in the center.
• Connector work. Allowing USB Type-C to operate at unsupported voltage levels is likely to result in a fire hazard to the cable and/or device.
• Compatibility. USB Type-C is an innovation in the USB world, but newest generation leaves old devices in the past, because it does not support working with them.
• Adapters. To fully work with USB Type-C on older devices, you will have to buy adapters. This is an additional waste of money.

Benefits of USB Type-C

Despite all of the above, USB Type-C can be confidently called a step forward for the industry. Installing this connector will allow manufacturers to make thinner computers and mobile devices with fewer ports, higher data transfer rates and headphones. In the future, if USB Type-C becomes popular, the connector will be able to replace not only the 3.5 mm headphone port, but also HDMI, the interface used to transmit video. So USB Type-C will replace the connectors familiar today and become the universal standard in any situation.

Pros:

• Symmetry. USB Type-C allows you to forget about situations when you have to remember which side to insert the cable into the connector. Also, from now on, you can not be afraid not to find the right side of USB in the dark.
• Compactness. USB Type-C dimensions are 8.4x2.6 mm - this allows manufacturers to make computers and mobile devices much thinner.
• Versatility. Thanks to the integration of a single connector, it will be possible to charge both a laptop and a tablet or smartphone with a single cable.

Advantages of the USB 3.1 port:
★ fast
★ powerful
★ universal

Advantages of the Type-C connector:
★ durable
★ symmetrical

Now you can definitely connect USB cable to the device the first time.

⚠ It is necessary to distinguish between the concepts " port" And " connector». connector(socket) Type-C can be soldered even to an old phone (instead of micro-USB), but port and it will remain the old USB 2.0 - it will not increase the speed of charge and data transfer. Of the amenities, only the symmetry and reliability of the connector will appear.

⚠ Thus, the presence of Type-C does not mean anything yet. Smartphone models with a new connector are on sale, but with old port. The advantages listed in this article do not apply to such smartphones.

Pin assignment

Connector contacts in the diagrams are shown from the outer (working) side, unless otherwise specified.

The port contains 24 pins (12 pins on each side). The "upper" ruler is numbered A1 ... A12, the "lower" - B1 ... B12. For the most part, the rulers are identical to each other, which makes this port indifferent to the orientation of the plug. The contacts of each line can be divided into 6 groups: USB 2.0, USB 3.1, Power, Ground, Matching channel And Additional channel. Now let's take a closer look.

Actually, USB 3.1. High speed data lines: TX+, TX-, RX+, RX- ( pins 2, 3, 10, 11). Speed ​​up to 10 Gb/s. In the cable, these pairs are crossed, and what is RX for one device is presented as TX to another. And vice versa. By special order, these pairs can be retrained for other tasks, for example, for video transmission.

Good old . Low speed data lines: D+/D- ( pins 6, 7). This rarity was included in the port for the sake of compatibility with old low-speed devices up to 480 Mb / s.

Power Plus - Vbus(pins 4, 9). The standard voltage is 5 volts. The current is set depending on the needs of the periphery: 0.5A; 0.9A; 1.5A; 3A. In general, the specification of the port implies a transmitted power of up to 100W, and in case of war, the port is able to power a monitor or charge a laptop with 20 volts!

GND - Mother Earth (pins 1, 12). Minus everything and everything.

Matching channel(or configuring) - SS ( pin 5). This is the main feature of USB type-C! Through this channel, the system can determine:

- The fact of connection / disconnection peripheral device;
— Orientation of the connected plug. Oddly enough, but the connector is not absolutely symmetrical, and in some cases the device wants to know its orientation;
- Current and voltage that should be provided to the periphery for power or charge;
- The need to work in an alternative mode, for example, to transmit an audio-video stream.
- In addition to monitoring functions, this channel, if necessary, supplies power to the active cable.

Additional channel - SBU (pin 8). The additional channel is not normally used and is only provided for some exotic cases. For example, when transmitting video over a cable, an audio channel goes through SBU.

USB 3.1 Type-C pinout

The "striped color" here shows the contacts of an uninsulated wire.

A strange decision was to mark the D+ and D- wires not as in USB 2.0, but vice versa: D+ is white, D- is green.

Wires are marked with a gray stroke, whose color, according to Wikipedia, is not regulated by the standard. The author did not find any indication of the colors of the wires in official documentation.

Pinout of Type-C connectors ▼

Diagram of a typical USB-C male-to-male cable▼

Power/Charge Technology USB PD Rev.2 (USB Power Delivery)

The USB-C cable does not have such concepts as "connector-A" or "connector-B" - the connectors are now the same in all cases.

Device roles are denoted by new terms:

DFP- active, feeding device (as if USB port-A)
UFP- passive, receiving device (like a USB port) B)
DRP- "two-faced", dynamically changing its status device.
In addition, the charger is called power provider, rechargeable - power consumer.

The distribution of roles is carried out by setting a certain potential on the CC contact using one or another resistor:

Active device ( DFP V bus.
The value of the resistor tells the consumer what current he can count on:
56 ±20% kΩ - 500 or 900 mA
22 ±5% kΩ - 1.5 A
10 ±5% kΩ - 3 A

Adapters from USB 2.0 (3.0) to USB-C, which are used to connect new smartphones to old PCs or storage devices, are soldered according to the DFP scheme, that is, they show themselves to the smartphone as an active device▼

passive device ( UFP) is determined by the resistor between the contacts CC and GND.
Resistor rating: 5,1 kOhm

Adapters from USB-C to USB-OTG are soldered exactly according to the UFP scheme, that is, they imitate a consuming device▼

⚠ USB PD Rev2 technology in which by contact CC agree current And voltage charge should not be confused with Quick Charge (QC) technology, where the contacts D− And D+ only agrees voltage charge. USB PD Rev2 is only supported in USB 3.1.
QC is supported without reference to the port version.

USB-to-micro-USB-C adapter

Unsoldering the Type-C to USB 3.0 OTG adapter board from different sides ▼

Analog audio via Type-C

The standard provides for the possibility of transmitting analog audio through a digital port. This feature has been implemented in HTC smartphones U series, HTC 10 Evo, Xiaomi Mi, LeTV. The author will be grateful if the reader adds to this list.

To work in this mode, analog headsets with a Type-C plug are used. Adapters are provided for connecting the classic.

Analog audio is transmitted on the Data−, Data+, SBU1 and SBU2 channels. The smartphone enters this mode if the headset plug or adapter between contacts A1-A5 and B1-B5 resistance less than0.8…1.2 kOhm. Instead of a resistor, I could see just a jumper.

Video via USB-C

To transfer video via USB 3.1, the "DisplayPort Alternate Mode" has been developed.
See the list of devices that support this mode.
In mode "Display port" port pin assignment changes - two TX2/RX2 pairs turn into a video channel, and SBU1/2 takes care of the sound ▼

Discussion: 270 comments

Good afternoon. I'm trying to connect like this Thanks for the full answer!
just give 5 volts by disconnecting them from the radio and see the result
I hope the current will be sufficient so that in the mirror mode the Akum TF does not sit down.

Answer

Samsung 8 version of android latest accelerated charging supports when working miracast with a car radio, either the wi-fi + bluetooth option or a wire for network video and control and bluetooth for sound is used
As I understand it, since the signal ones in the network are busy, the only thing that can be done is to supply power to the supply contacts of the connector in the lace 10 kΩ already. battery temperature dangerous
I thought I could use a usb hub if it is connected to the phone, then maybe it will decide and be able to give information to one and the other device?

Answer

1. If high-voltage charging is supported, then most likely the smartphone has an old USB 2.0 port (despite the fact that the connector is new - Type-C). This means that the 10 kΩ resistor is ignored by the port. Only the USB 3.1 port responds to this resistor.

   without increasing the voltage, more current cannot be achieved

   Even with a fixed voltage of 5 volts, the current can be at least 1, at least 2, at least 3 amperes. It all depends on the power of the charger and the readiness of the gadget to accept this or that current.

   can use a usb hub if you connect it to the phone, then he can decide and be able to give information to one and the other device?

   A USB hub will not help with the organization of charging. Figuratively speaking, you are going to plug in an anti-wool concentrator. In addition, we must remember that the increased voltage from the QC charger will get not only into the smartphone, but also into the radio, which is dangerous.

   I recommend looking for information on the topic "QC charge with simultaneous data transfer." Perhaps there are solutions, but I could not find it - a lot of extraneous information comes across in the search engine. I can’t investigate the issue in detail now - I’m overloaded with tasks.

   Answer

Thanks, such a resistor is already in the cord connector. The question is how to ensure
Boost charge if digital bus is busy?
Can't you parallel it? (In the sense of the USB bus) with other devices? Is it possible digital signal to control the current and voltage of the charge from the accelerated charging of the TF to parallel with the USB bus through which the data goes to the radio specifically control and video (digital miracast)

Answer

1. I'm afraid that the accelerated charge will not be possible to provide. You cannot branch the data bus - data transfer will not work.

   The question is, what port version does your smartphone have - USB 2.0 or USB 3.1? And does the smartphone support QC fast charging technology. If so, what version of QC is supported?
   Frankly, I did not understand how you are going to charge your smartphone with an external source and simultaneously work with the radio?

   Answer

The first version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) was introduced in 1995. It was USB that became the most successful interface in history. computing systems. Tens of billions of devices communicate with each other via USB, so the importance of this data transfer channel can hardly be overestimated. It looks like with the advent of the connector USB Type-C, our understanding of the capabilities and role of the universal bus may change dramatically. Before talking about the prospects, let's see what the new format universal connector offers.

The advantages and disadvantages of the new format interface connector have been discussed on the net for some time. The USB Type-C specification was finally approved at the end of last summer, however, the topic of the universal connector aroused active interest after the recent announcement of the laptop, as well as new version equipped with USB Type-C.

Design. Convenient connection

The USB Type-C connector is slightly larger than the usual USB 2.0 Micro-B, but noticeably smaller than the 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 possible to use it without much difficulty for devices of any class, including smartphones/tablets with the minimum reasonable case thickness.

Structurally, the connector has an oval shape. Signal and power outputs are placed on a plastic stand in the central part. The USB Type-C contact group includes 24 pins. This is much more than the previous generation of USB connectors. Only 4 pins were allocated for the needs of USB 1.0 / 2.0, and USB 3.0 connectors have 9 pins.

The first obvious benefit of USB Type-C is a symmetrical connector that allows you not to think about which side to connect the plug to the outlet. The age-old problem of devices with USB connectors of any format is now finally solved. In this case, the solution of the problem is achieved not by a banal duplication of all contact groups. It uses a certain logic of automatic negotiation and switching.

Another nice thing is that there are identical connectors on both sides of the interface cable. Therefore, using USB Type-C, you do not need to choose which side of the conductor to connect the master and slave devices.

The outer shell of the connector does not have any holes or cutouts. To fix it in the connector, internal side latches are used. The plug must be securely held in the socket. Backlash, like those that could be observed with USB 3.0 Micro-B, should not be here.

Many people are probably worried about the physical reliability of the new connector. According to the declared characteristics, the mechanical resource of the USB Type-C connector is about 10,000 connections. Exactly the same indicator is typical for the USB 2.0 Micro-B port.

Separately, we note that USB Type-C is not a data transfer interface. This is a type of connector that allows different signal and power lines to be connected together. As you can see, the connector is elegant from an engineering point of view, and most importantly, it should be easy to use.

Transfer rate. 10 Gb / s is not for everyone?

One of the advantages of USB Type-C is the ability to use the USB 3.1 interface for data transfer, promising an increase in bandwidth up to 10 Gb / s. However, USB Type-C and USB 3.1 are not equivalent terms and are definitely not synonymous. The USB Type-C format can implement the capabilities of both USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 and even USB 2.0. Support for a particular specification is determined by the integrated controller. Of course, USB Type-C ports are more likely to appear on devices that support high speed data transmission, but this is not a dogma.

Recall that even with the implementation of USB 3.1 capabilities, there may be differences in the maximum data transfer rate. For USB 3.1 Gen 1, this is 5 Gb / s, USB 3.1 Gen 2 - 10 Gb / s. By the way, the presented Apple Macbook and Chromebook Pixel have USB Type-C ports with a bandwidth of 5 Gb / s. Well, a clear example of the fact that the new interface connector is very versatile is the Nokia N1 tablet. It also has a USB Type-C connector but is limited to USB 2.0 with a bandwidth of 480 Mb/s.

The designation "USB 3.1 Gen 1" can be called a kind of marketing ploy. A nominally similar port has the same capabilities as USB 3.0. Moreover, the same controllers can be used for this version of "USB 3.1" as for the implementation of the previous generation bus. At the initial stage, manufacturers will probably actively use this technique, releasing new USB Type-C devices that do not need maximum bandwidth. When offering a device with a new type of connector, many will want to present it in a favorable light, declaring the presence of not only a new connector, but also USB support 3.1, even if conditional.

It is important to understand that the USB Type-C port can nominally be used for maximum performance connections at speeds up to 10 Gb / s, but in order to get this throughput, the connected devices must provide it. The presence of USB Type-C is not an indicator of real speed capabilities port. They should be specified in advance in the specifications of specific products.

Some restrictions also have cables for connecting devices. When using the USB 3.1 interface, for lossless data transfer at speeds up to 10 Gb / s (Gen 2), the cable length with USB Type-C connectors should not exceed 1 meter, for connection at speeds up to 5 Gb / s (Gen 1) - 2 meters.

Energy transfer. 100 W unit

Another important feature that USB Type-C brings is the ability to transfer power up to 100W. This is enough not only to power / charge mobile devices, but also for the smooth operation of laptops, monitors, or, for example, "large" external drives 3.5" format.

When the USB bus was originally developed, power transfer was a secondary function. The USB 1.0 port provided only 0.75W (0.15A, 5V). Enough for the mouse / keyboard, but no more. For USB 2.0, the nominal current was increased to 0.5 A, which made it possible to obtain 2.5 W. This was often enough to power, for example, external hard drives 2.5" format. For USB 3.0, a nominal current of 0.9 A is provided, which, with a constant supply voltage of 5V, already guarantees a power of 4.5 watts. Special reinforced connectors on motherboards Ax or laptops were capable of delivering up to 1.5A to speed up the charging of connected mobile devices, but it's still 7.5W. Against the background of these numbers, the ability to transmit 100 watts looks like something fantastic. However, in order for the USB Type-C port to be filled with the necessary power, support for the specification is required. USB power Delivery 2.0 (USBPD). If there is none, the USB Type-C port will normally be able to deliver 7.5 W (1.5 A, 5 V) or 15 W (3A, 5 V) to the mountain, depending on the configuration.

To streamline the power capabilities of USB PD ports, a system of power profiles has been developed that provides for possible combinations of voltages and currents. Compliance with Profile 1 guarantees the ability to transmit 10W of energy, Profile 2 - 18W, Profile 3 - 36W, Profile 4 - 60W, Profile 5 - 100W. A port corresponding to a higher level profile maintains all the states of the previous ones downstream. 5V, 12V and 20V are selected as reference voltages. The use of 5V is necessary for compatibility with the huge fleet of USB peripherals available. 12V is the standard supply voltage for various system components. 20V is proposed taking into account the fact that external 19-20V PSUs are used to charge the batteries of most laptops.

Of course, it's good when the device is equipped with USB Type-C, which supports the maximum energy profile of USB PD. It is this connector that allows you to transfer up to 100 watts of energy. Obviously, ports with similar potential may appear on some powerful laptops, special docking stations or motherboards, where separate phases of the internal power supply will be allocated for USB Type-C needs. The point is that the required power must be somehow generated and brought to the USB Type-C contacts. Yes, and for the transmission of energy of such power, active cables will be required.

It is important to understand here that not any port of the new format will be able to provide the declared power of 100 watts. There is a potential opportunity for this, however, this issue must be resolved by the manufacturer at the level of circuitry. Also, do not have illusions that the above 100 watts can be obtained, say, from a matchbox-sized power supply and now you can power your smartphone with charging from a smartphone. gaming laptop and a 27-inch monitor connected to it. Nevertheless, the law of conservation of energy continues to work, and therefore an external 100 W PSU with a USB Type-C port will still be the same weighty bar as before. In general, the very possibility of transferring energy of such power using a universal compact connector is, of course, a plus. At a minimum, a great opportunity to get rid of the inconsistency of the original power connectors, which laptop manufacturers often sin with.

Another useful USB feature Type-C - the ability to change the direction of energy transfer. If the device circuitry allows, the consumer can, for example, temporarily become a source of charge. Moreover, for the reverse energy exchange, even reconnecting the connectors is not required.

Alternate mode. Not USB single

The USB Type-C port was originally designed as a universal solution. In addition to directly transferring data via USB, it can also be used in Alternate Mode to implement third-party interfaces. This flexibility of USB Type-C was used by the VESA association, introducing the possibility of transmitting a video stream via DisplayPort Alt Mode.

USB Type-C has four Super Speed ​​USB high-speed lines (pairs). If two of them are allocated to the needs of DisplayPort, this is enough to get a picture with a resolution of 4K (3840 × 2160). At the same time, the data transfer speed via USB is not affected. At the peak, this is still the same 10 Gb / s (for USB 3.1 Gen2). Also, the transmission of the video stream does not affect the power capacity of the port in any way. For the needs of DisplayPort, even high-speed 4 lines can be allocated. In this case, modes up to 5K (5120×2880) will be available. In this mode, the USB 2.0 lines remain unused, because USB Type-C will still be able to transfer data in parallel, although at a limited speed.

In alternative mode, the SBU1/SBU2 pins are used to transmit the audio stream, which are converted to AUX+/AUX- channels. For the USB protocol, they are not used, so there are no additional functional losses here either.

When using the DisplayPort interface, the USB Type-C connector can still be connected in either direction. The necessary 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 Dual-Mode Display Port (DP ++) is not supported for DisplayPort Alt Mode .

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 transmit data using PCI Express or Ethernet.

Compatibility. Difficulties of the "transitional" period

When it comes to USB Type-C compatibility with devices equipped with USB ports of the previous generation, it is not possible to connect them directly due to the fundamental differences in the design of the connectors. To do this, you need to use adapters. Their range promises to be very wide. Of course, it's not just about converting USB Type-C to other USB types. Adapters for outputting images to screens with traditional DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI and VGA ports will also be available.

Apple at the same time as the announcement new MacBook offered several alternatives. A single USB Type-C to USB Type-A is priced at $19.

Given the presence of only one USB Type-C, the owner of a MacBook probably cannot do without a universal, more functional converter. Apple introduced two such adapters. One output has a pass-through USB Type-C, VGA and USB Type-A port, the second option is equipped with HDMI instead of VGA. The cost of these boxes is $79. A 29 W power supply with native USB Type-C cost $49.

Google for new system The Chromebook Pixel offers single USB Type-C to Type-A (plug/female) adapters for $13, and a $40 DisplayPort to HDMI converter. The 60W power supply is priced at $60.

Traditionally, you should not expect humane price tags for additional accessories from equipment manufacturers. Adapter manufacturers are anticipating demand for their new products. Belkin is already ready to ship kilometers of conductors, but their cost cannot be called low either ($20–30). The company also announced, but has not yet unveiled, a USB Type-C to Gigabit Ethernet adapter. The cost has not yet been announced, there is only information that it will be available in early summer. It's funny, but it seems that up to this point, in order to connect to a wired network, you will need to use two adapters at once. It is quite possible that someone will be quicker than Belkin by offering an appropriate adapter earlier.

It will be possible to talk about a noticeable price reduction only after much less well-known companies from the “Celestial Empire” are tightly engaged in accessories with USB Type-C. Considering what prospects are opening up, we believe that they will not be the case.

Devices with USB Type-C. Someone has to be first

Nominally, the tablet became the first device equipped with a USB Type-C port. At least, it was this device that became a harbinger of the fact that the ports of the new format left the developer laboratories and "go to the people."

An interesting device, but, unfortunately, while it is offered in a fairly limited edition. The tablet has a native USB Type-C port, although the USB 2.0 protocol is used for data transfer.

Perhaps the most iconic product that will help boost the popularity of USB Type-C is the recently introduced . The 12-inch laptop is equipped with a single interface connector, so its owners will one way or another become pioneers who will adapt to life with USB Type-C.

On the one hand, Apple obviously supported the development of the new standard; moreover, the company's engineers were directly involved in the development of USB Type-C. On the other hand, updated versions of the Macbook Air and Macbook Pro did not receive this connector. Does this mean that USB Type-C will not be registered in the more “heavy” category of USB Type-C devices in the coming year? Debatable. After all, for sure, Apple will not be able to resist updating the line of laptops after the autumn announcement of a new mobile phone. Intel platforms with Skylake processors. Perhaps that's when the Cupertians will allocate space on the interface panel for USB Type-C.

The situation with tablets and smartphones is even more ambiguous. Will Apple use USB Type-C instead of Lightning for them? The proprietary connector is noticeably inferior in terms of capabilities to the new universal port, but what about the original peripherals that have been accumulated by users of Apple mobile products since 2012? We will find out the answers to these questions with the update or expansion of the iPhone / iPad lines.

Google has unveiled the second generation of stylish Chromebook Pixel laptops. Chrome OS systems are still quite niche solutions, but the quality Google systems captivates, besides this time they are at the forefront of devices offering to join USB Type-C. Laptops are equipped with a pair of appropriate connectors. However, for safety reasons, Chromebook Pixels also have two classic USB 3.0 connectors.

In general, Google representatives are very excited about the capabilities of the new connector, counting on the appearance of Android mobile devices with a USB Type-C connector in the near future. The uncompromising support of the largest platform holder is a powerful argument for other market players.

Motherboard manufacturers are in no hurry to add a USB Type-C port to their devices. Recently, MSI introduced the MSI Z97A GAMING 6, which is equipped with such a connector with a data transfer rate of up to 10Gb/s.

ASUS offers an external USB controller 3.1 with a USB Type-C port, which is installed on any board with a free PCI Express (x4) slot.

Peripherals with native USB Type-C are still frankly not enough. Surely, many manufacturers were in no hurry with the announcement, waiting for the appearance of systems with which it will be possible to use products with USB Type-C. In general, this is a typical situation when introducing the next industry standard.

Right after Apple announcement MacBook, LaCie introduced a series of portable external hard drives with USB Type-C.

SanDisk already offers a flash drive with two connectors - USB 3.0 Type-A and USB Type-C. A similar product is offered by the lesser-known Microdia.

Surely soon we will see a significant expansion of the range of devices with USB Type-C. The flywheel of change will slowly but surely unwind. The support of "big" companies can influence the situation and speed up this process.

Results

The need for a universal compact connector that could be used to transfer data, video-audio streams and electricity has been long overdue. Given the mutual interest, both from users and equipment manufacturers, there are all prerequisites for USB Type-C to “shoot”.

Compact dimensions, ease and convenience of connection along with wide possibilities promise the connector the prospects to repeat the success of its predecessor. The familiar USB port has been upgraded several times, but it's time for a radical change. 10 Gb / s with the possibility of further scaling, power transmission up to 100 W and a picture with a resolution of up to 5K. Good for a start? Another argument in the piggy bank of USB Type-C is an open standard that does not require licensing fees from manufacturers. There is still a lot of work to be done, but the result is visible ahead, for the sake of which it is worth going this way.