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== Universal Serial Bus (USB) ==
== Universal Serial Bus (USB) ==


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 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.
[[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 ==
== History ==


USB was developed in the mid-1990s by a group of seven companies: [[Compaq]], [[DEC]], [[IBM]], [[Intel]], [[Microsoft]], [[NEC]], and [[Nortel]]. The goal was to simplify the connection of external devices to computers by replacing the multitude of connectors at the back of PCs, addressing usability issues, and simplifying software configuration of all devices connected to USB, as well as permitting greater data transfer rates for external 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]]


== Versions ==
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 has evolved through several versions:
[[File:USB_3.0_Type-A_receptacle_blue.svg|USB 3.0 Type-A Receptacle Blue|thumb|right]]


* '''USB 1.0''': Released in January 1996, it had a data transfer rate of 1.5 Mbit/s (Low Speed) and 12 Mbit/s (Full Speed).
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 2.0''': Released in April 2000, it increased the data transfer rate to 480 Mbit/s (High Speed).
* '''USB 3.0''': Released in November 2008, it introduced a new transfer rate called SuperSpeed USB (5 Gbit/s).
* '''USB 3.1''': Released in July 2013, it introduced SuperSpeed+ (10 Gbit/s).
* '''USB 3.2''': Released in September 2017, it further increased the data transfer rate to 20 Gbit/s.
* '''USB4''': Announced in August 2019, it supports data transfer rates up to 40 Gbit/s.


== Connectors ==
=== USB Type-B ===


USB connectors have evolved over time, with several types being used:
[[File:USB_Type-B_receptacle.svg|USB Type-B Receptacle|thumb|left]]


* '''USB Type-A''': The original USB connector, widely used in computers and other devices.
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 Type-B''': Commonly used for printers and other powered devices.
* '''USB Mini and Micro''': Smaller connectors used for mobile devices.
* '''USB Type-C''': A reversible connector that supports higher power and data transfer rates.


== Power and Charging ==
[[File:USB_3.0_Type-B_receptacle_blue.svg|USB 3.0 Type-B Receptacle Blue|thumb|right]]


USB was designed to allow many peripherals to be connected using a single standardized interface socket and to improve plug-and-play capabilities by allowing hot swapping. USB can supply power to low-consumption devices, eliminating the need for a separate power supply cable.
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.


== Applications ==
=== USB Type-C ===


USB is used in a wide variety of applications, including:
[[File:USB_Type-C_macbook.png|USB Type-C MacBook|thumb|right]]


* Connecting peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers to computers.
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.
* Charging and data transfer for mobile devices.
* External storage devices such as USB flash drives and external hard drives.
* Audio and video devices, including webcams and microphones.


== Related pages ==
=== USB Mini and Micro ===


* [[USB hub]]
[[File:USB_Mini-A_receptacle.svg|USB Mini-A Receptacle|thumb|left]]
* [[USB On-The-Go]]
 
* [[USB flash drive]]
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.
* [[Thunderbolt (interface)]]
 
== USB Power Delivery ==


== References ==
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.


* "Universal Serial Bus (USB) Information." USB.org. Accessed October 2023.
== Related Pages ==
* "USB Implementers Forum." USB-IF. Accessed October 2023.


== Gallery ==
* [[Serial port]]
* [[Parallel port]]
* [[FireWire]]
* [[Thunderbolt (interface)]]


<gallery>
{{USB}}
USB_Type-C_macbook.png|USB Type-C on a MacBook
Certified_USB.svg|Certified USB logo
USB_Type-A_receptacle_White.svg|USB Type-A receptacle (white)
USB_3.0_Type-A_receptacle_blue.svg|USB 3.0 Type-A receptacle (blue)
USB_Type-B_receptacle.svg|USB Type-B receptacle
USB_3.0_Type-B_receptacle_blue.svg|USB 3.0 Type-B receptacle (blue)
USB_Mini-A_receptacle.svg|USB Mini-A receptacle
USB_Micro-A.svg|USB Micro-A receptacle
USB_Type-C_Receptacle_Pinout.svg|USB Type-C receptacle pinout
USB_Icon.svg|USB icon
SanDisk-Cruzer-USB-4GB-ThumbDrive.jpg|SanDisk Cruzer USB thumb drive
M.2_2242_SSD_connected_into_USB_3.0_adapter.jpg|M.2 SSD connected to USB 3.0 adapter
Cables_in_Hong_Kong.JPG|Various USB cables
USB_5Gbps_logo.svg|USB 5Gbps logo
USB_10Gbps_logo.svg|USB 10Gbps logo
USB_20Gbps_logo.svg|USB 20Gbps logo
USB_40Gbps_logo_01.svg|USB 40Gbps logo
USB_80Gbps_logo.svg|USB 80Gbps logo
USB_Wireless_certified_Logo.svg|USB Wireless certified logo
</gallery>


[[Category:Computer buses]]
[[Category:Computer buses]]
[[Category:Computer connectors]]
[[Category:Computer connectors]]
[[Category:USB]]
[[Category:Power plugs and sockets]]
<gallery>
File:USB_Type-C_macbook.png|USB Type-C MacBook
File:Certified_USB.svg|Certified USB
File:USB_Type-A_receptacle_White.svg|USB Type-A Receptacle White
File:USB_Type-A_receptacle_Black.svg|USB Type-A Receptacle Black
File:USB_3.0_Type-A_receptacle_blue.svg|USB 3.0 Type-A Receptacle Blue
File:USB_Type-B_receptacle.svg|USB Type-B Receptacle
File:USB_3.0_Type-B_receptacle_blue.svg|USB 3.0 Type-B Receptacle Blue
File:USB_Mini-A_receptacle.svg|USB Mini-A Receptacle
File:USB_Mini-AB_receptacle.svg|USB Mini-AB Receptacle
File:USB_Mini-B_receptacle.svg|USB Mini-B Receptacle
File:USB_Micro-A.svg|USB Micro-A
File:USB_3.0_Micro-A.svg|USB 3.0 Micro-A
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 18:52, 23 March 2025

Universal Serial Bus (USB)[edit]

Certified USB logo

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]

USB Type-A Receptacle White

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 Type-A Receptacle Blue

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]

USB Type-B Receptacle

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 Type-B Receptacle Blue

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]

USB Type-C MacBook

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-A Receptacle

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]