USB: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 18:52, 23 March 2025

Universal Serial Bus (USB)[edit]

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors, and protocols for connection, communication, and power supply between computers, peripherals, and other computers. USB was designed to standardize the connection of computer peripherals to personal computers, both to communicate and to supply electric power. It has largely replaced interfaces such as serial ports and parallel ports, and has become commonplace on a wide range of devices.

History[edit]

The development of USB began in 1994, with the goal of simplifying the connection of peripheral devices to a computer. The first USB standard, USB 1.0, was released in 1996. It provided a data transfer rate of 1.5 Mbit/s ("Low Speed") and 12 Mbit/s ("Full Speed").

Subsequent versions of USB have increased the data transfer rate and added new features. USB 2.0, released in 2000, increased the maximum data transfer rate to 480 Mbit/s ("High Speed"). USB 3.0, released in 2008, introduced a new transfer mode called "SuperSpeed" with a data transfer rate of up to 5 Gbit/s.

USB Connectors[edit]

USB connectors have evolved over time, with several types being used for different purposes.

USB Type-A[edit]

The USB Type-A connector is the original design for the USB standard. It is a flat, rectangular interface that is commonly found on computers and other host devices. Type-A connectors are used for connecting peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and flash drives.

USB 3.0 introduced a new version of the Type-A connector, which is backward compatible with USB 2.0. The USB 3.0 Type-A connector is distinguished by its blue color.

USB Type-B[edit]

The USB Type-B connector is typically used on peripheral devices such as printers and external hard drives. It is a square-shaped connector with slightly beveled corners.

USB 3.0 also introduced a new version of the Type-B connector, which is backward compatible with USB 2.0. The USB 3.0 Type-B connector is also blue.

USB Type-C[edit]

The USB Type-C connector is a newer design that is reversible, meaning it can be plugged in either way up. It is designed to replace both Type-A and Type-B connectors, and it supports USB 3.1 and USB 3.2 standards, which offer higher data transfer rates and power delivery capabilities.

USB Mini and Micro[edit]

USB Mini and Micro connectors are smaller versions of the standard USB connectors, designed for use in portable devices such as smartphones, tablets, and digital cameras. The USB Mini-A connector is less common today, having been largely replaced by the USB Micro-B connector.

USB Power Delivery[edit]

USB has evolved to support power delivery, allowing devices to be charged over USB connections. The USB Power Delivery (USB PD) specification allows for higher power levels, enabling faster charging and the ability to power larger devices such as laptops.

Related Pages[edit]

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-USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a widely used technology that allows for the connection of various devices to a computer system. It provides a standardized interface for the transfer of data and power between devices, making it a convenient and versatile solution for connecting peripherals.
+== Universal Serial Bus (USB) ==
+[[File:Certified_USB.svg|Certified USB logo|thumb|right]]
+The '''Universal Serial Bus (USB)''' is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors, and protocols for connection, communication, and power supply between computers, peripherals, and other computers. USB was designed to standardize the connection of computer peripherals to personal computers, both to communicate and to supply electric power. It has largely replaced interfaces such as serial ports and parallel ports, and has become commonplace on a wide range of devices.
 == History ==
-The development of USB began in the early 1990s as a collaborative effort between several technology companies, including Intel, Microsoft, and Compaq. The goal was to create a universal connection standard that would replace the multitude of proprietary interfaces used at the time.
-USB 1.0, the first version of the standard, was introduced in 1996. It offered a data transfer rate of 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second) and supported up to 127 devices through a daisy-chain topology. USB 2.0, released in 2000, significantly improved the data transfer speed to 480 Mbps and introduced the concept of high-speed devices.
+The development of USB began in 1994, with the goal of simplifying the connection of peripheral devices to a computer. The first USB standard, USB 1.0, was released in 1996. It provided a data transfer rate of 1.5 Mbit/s ("Low Speed") and 12 Mbit/s ("Full Speed").
+Subsequent versions of USB have increased the data transfer rate and added new features. USB 2.0, released in 2000, increased the maximum data transfer rate to 480 Mbit/s ("High Speed"). USB 3.0, released in 2008, introduced a new transfer mode called "SuperSpeed" with a data transfer rate of up to 5 Gbit/s.
+== USB Connectors ==
+USB connectors have evolved over time, with several types being used for different purposes.
+=== USB Type-A ===
+[[File:USB_Type-A_receptacle_White.svg|USB Type-A Receptacle White|thumb|left]]
+The USB Type-A connector is the original design for the USB standard. It is a flat, rectangular interface that is commonly found on computers and other host devices. Type-A connectors are used for connecting peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and flash drives.
+[[File:USB_3.0_Type-A_receptacle_blue.svg|USB 3.0 Type-A Receptacle Blue|thumb|right]]
+USB 3.0 introduced a new version of the Type-A connector, which is backward compatible with USB 2.0. The USB 3.0 Type-A connector is distinguished by its blue color.
+=== USB Type-B ===
+[[File:USB_Type-B_receptacle.svg|USB Type-B Receptacle|thumb|left]]
-In 2008, USB 3.0 was introduced, providing a major leap in performance with a data transfer rate of up to 5 Gbps (gigabits per second). USB 3.0 also introduced backward compatibility with USB 2.0 devices, allowing users to connect older peripherals to newer USB 3.0 ports.
+The USB Type-B connector is typically used on peripheral devices such as printers and external hard drives. It is a square-shaped connector with slightly beveled corners.
-== Technical Details ==
+[[File:USB_3.0_Type-B_receptacle_blue.svg|USB 3.0 Type-B Receptacle Blue|thumb|right]]
-USB utilizes a host-controller architecture, where a host device (typically a computer) acts as the central hub and controls the communication with connected devices. The host device provides power and manages the data transfer between devices.
-USB connectors come in various shapes and sizes, with the most common being the Type-A and Type-B connectors. Type-A connectors are typically found on computers and chargers, while Type-B connectors are commonly used on devices such as printers and external hard drives.
+USB 3.0 also introduced a new version of the Type-B connector, which is backward compatible with USB 2.0. The USB 3.0 Type-B connector is also blue.
-USB cables consist of four wires: two for data transfer (D+ and D-) and two for power (VCC and GND). The data transfer wires carry differential signals, which help reduce noise and improve signal integrity.
+=== USB Type-C ===
-== Applications ==
+[[File:USB_Type-C_macbook.png|USB Type-C MacBook|thumb|right]]
-USB has become the de facto standard for connecting a wide range of devices to computers. Some of the most common applications include:
-[[Computer peripherals]]: USB allows for easy connection of devices such as keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, and external storage devices.
+The USB Type-C connector is a newer design that is reversible, meaning it can be plugged in either way up. It is designed to replace both Type-A and Type-B connectors, and it supports USB 3.1 and USB 3.2 standards, which offer higher data transfer rates and power delivery capabilities.
-[[Mobile devices]]: USB is used for charging and data transfer between smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices.
+=== USB Mini and Micro ===
-[[Audio devices]]: USB is increasingly used for connecting headphones, speakers, and audio interfaces, providing high-quality digital audio transmission.
+[[File:USB_Mini-A_receptacle.svg|USB Mini-A Receptacle|thumb|left]]
-[[Gaming consoles]]: USB ports on gaming consoles enable the connection of controllers, headsets, and other gaming accessories.
+USB Mini and Micro connectors are smaller versions of the standard USB connectors, designed for use in portable devices such as smartphones, tablets, and digital cameras. The USB Mini-A connector is less common today, having been largely replaced by the USB Micro-B connector.
-[[Industrial automation]]: USB is utilized in various industrial applications, including machine control, data acquisition, and programming interfaces.
+== USB Power Delivery ==
-== Limitations ==
+USB has evolved to support power delivery, allowing devices to be charged over USB connections. The USB Power Delivery (USB PD) specification allows for higher power levels, enabling faster charging and the ability to power larger devices such as laptops.
-While USB offers many advantages, it also has some limitations:
-[[Data transfer speed]]: Although USB 3.0 provides fast data transfer rates, it may not be sufficient for certain high-bandwidth applications, such as video editing or transferring large files.
+== Related Pages ==
-[[Power limitations]]: USB ports have limited power output, which may not be enough to charge power-hungry devices or operate high-power peripherals.
+* [[Serial port]]
+* [[Parallel port]]
+* [[FireWire]]
+* [[Thunderbolt (interface)]]
-[[Cable length]]: USB cables have a maximum length of 5 meters for USB 2.0 and 3 meters for USB 3.0, which can be a limitation in certain scenarios.
+{{USB}}
-== Conclusion ==
+[[Category:Computer buses]]
-USB has revolutionized the way we connect devices to computers, providing a standardized and versatile interface. Its widespread adoption and compatibility have made it an essential technology in various industries and everyday life. With ongoing advancements, such as USB 4.0 and USB-C connectors, USB continues to evolve, offering even faster data transfer speeds and improved functionality.
+[[Category:Computer connectors]]
-{{dictionary-stub1}}
+[[Category:Power plugs and sockets]]