USB4 has just had its speeds doubled
Published: 2nd September 2022 | Source: USB Promoter Group | Author: Mark Campbell
USB4 Version 2.0 promises speeds of up to 80Gbps per cable
The USB Promoter Group has just revealed USB4 Version 2.0, a huge update to the USB4 standard that will offer users doubled data rates over existing USB4 cables. This standard will allow USB4 cables to deliver 80Gbps speeds, making USB4 cables capable of delivering higher data transfer rates and increased versatility.
Full specifications for USB4 Version 2 are expected to be published later this year, paving the way towards faster USB Type-C devices. USB4 Version 2.0 is also designed to be backwards compatible with USB4, USB 3.2, USB 2.0, and Thunderbolt 3.
To put the speeds of USB4 Version 2.0 into perspective, 80Gbps is more the bandwidth than what's offered by a x4 wide PCIe 4.0 M.2 interface (which is 64Gbps). In theory, USB4 Version 2 can be used to connect 10 GB/s storage devices to PCs. That's faster than any currently available consumer SSD.
More information about USB4 Version 2.0 is available in the press release below.
Press Release - USB Promoter Group Announces USB4 Version 2.0 Specification: 80 Gbps Over Type-C
The USB Promoter Group today announced the pending release of the USB4 Version 2.0 specification, a major update to enable up to 80 Gbps of data performance over the USB Type-C cable and connector. The USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery (USB PD) specifications will also be updated to enable this higher level of data performance. All of these specification updates are expected to be published in advance of this year's series of USB DevDays developer events planned for November.
Protocol updates are also being made to enable higher performance USB 3.2, DisplayPort and PCI Express (PCIe) data tunneling to best use the higher available bandwidth. "Once again following USB tradition, this updated USB4 specification doubles data performance to deliver higher levels of functionality to the USB Type-C ecosystem," said Brad Saunders, USB Promoter Group Chairman. "Solutions seeing the most benefit from this speed enhancement include higher-performance displays, storage, and USB-based hubs and docks."
Key characteristics of the updated USB4 solution include:
- Up to 80 Gbps operation, based on a new physical layer architecture, using existing 40 Gbps USB Type-C passive cables and newly-defined 80 Gbps 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 20 Gbps.
- 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.
USB Developer Days 2022 will include detailed technical training covering the latest updates to the USB4, USB Type-C, and USB PD specifications. Registration for the two scheduled events, November 1-2 in Seattle, WA and November 15-16 in Seoul, South Korea, will open shortly on the USB-IF website.
This update is specifically targeted to developers at this time. Branding and marketing guidelines will be updated in the future to include USB 80 Gbps both for identifying certified products and certified cables.
You can join the discussion on the USB promoter group's USB4 Version 2.0 specification on the OC3D Forums .