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Now that the next USB4 specification promises to "adopt the Thunderbolt 3 protocol," some hope this will end our international confusion nightmare about USB. You know, the one where there is:
- Two different connectors: USB-A or USB-C
- Four different active specifications: USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 and Gen 2
- Rare support for Thunderbolt 3, despite using the same form factor as USB-C
- An upcoming USB 3.2 specification that precedes USB4 and introduces even more confusion through an awkward branding change
Yeah. This nightmare.
More likely, even when the USB4 will be fully implemented by 2021, confusion will continue. You can not blame the USB Developer Forum (USB-IF) and the USB Promoter Group (USB-PG), as tempting as it is. They organize groups that ratify standards and help certify equipment. With tens of thousands of vendors making USB devices, it looks like a cat farm. And since the USB key is used in all types of keys, from 5-cent USB sticks to $ 50,000 servers, the group says it must leave it up to suppliers to choose what is best for the product.
On the other hand, sellers do not always make decisions that make sense to consumers. Take the blue USB Type A ports, which should have easily designated the new 5 Gbps SuperSpeed USB, rather than the old black USB 2.0 ports. While most PC vendors have adopted blue as they were "encouraged" to do so, some vendors kept the black because – we beg you – it looked better. In the end, we had a rainbow of USB Type-A ports that did not say anything.
We will help you decipher the current USB landscape and its orientation towards USB4. We'll start with a few quick answers to what you need to know, then follow in more detail if you want to go deeper.
What is a specification ?: A specification, such as the USB4 specification, is a document describing a technology and its implementation. It is a document approved by a standards group or a professional group. All manufacturers of the product are required to meet the specifications, although they may choose to follow only certain parts (this is where the confusion starts with USB).
What is a protocol ?: A protocol, in the context of USB connectivity (and networking in general), is a term that describes how two devices communicate. The protocol can describe the nature of the data and the way it is sent, as well as the physical delivery system (usually a cable). A protocol can be published as a complete specification or as part of a specification. When we say below that USB4 will incorporate the Thunderbolt 3 protocol, this means that the products connected by Thunderbolt 3 will be able to operate via USB4 ports, provided that the provider implements the support and that an appropriate cable is used. . Oh sorry, was it confusing?
What is USB4? This is a new specification for a future generation of USB connectivity (think about 2021 and beyond). USB4 promises to simplify for one type of connection (USB-C) and to be capable of a transfer speed of up to 40 Gbps. This is the next step after USB 3.2, which will arrive soon.
You may be wondering why it's called USB4 rather than USB 4.0. The USB developer group (USB-PG) uses this spelling, at least for now. The belief is that the public and the press have become too focused on this decimal point in USB 3.1 and USB 3.0, instead of focusing on the capacity and purpose of the specification.
IntelThunderbolt 3 and USB4 are not identical, but closely related.
What is Thunderbolt ?: Thunderbolt (TB) is an Intel technology designed to be "one cable to control everything," whether you want to connect an external drive, connect a screen, or charge a smartphone. The reason it has not yet decided everything is that Intel has kept the strict control of the technology, which makes the installation expensive and therefore undesirable for many PC manufacturers.
The current iteration, Thunderbolt 3, has a data transfer rate of up to 40 Gbps. It combines PCIe, USB and DisplayPort data, as well as the ability to send up to 100 watts of power to charge a small device, such as a smartphone. Its connector uses the same format as USB-C, but if your USB-C port is not also a Thunderbolt port, Thunderbolt devices will not work with this port.
Is the USB4 specification identical to the Thunderbolt 3 specification? Not really. USB4 provides support for Thunderbolt 3, but the choice of a given USB4 implementation will be the responsibility of each manufacturer.
Is the USB protocol identical to the Thunderbolt protocol? Currently no. USB signaling protocols have been on their way since USB was introduced for the first time in 1996. Intel and Apple introduced Thunderbolt in 2011 and essentially use PCIe signaling for most of its data transfer goals.
In real terms, it's about having the right cables and the right ports for the job. If your USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.2, or USB4 port supports Thunderbolt 3, you can connect a Thunderbolt 3 device to it, as long as the cable also supports Thunderbolt 3. Cables that support USB data transfer, but not the TB data transfer, are earned. t works.
What is the short version of what I need to know about USB4 and Thunderbolt 3? The hug of Thunderbolt 3 by USB4 can means less confusion about what works with which. However, it is still the responsibility of the vendors to implement the specifications, and some Thunderbolt 3 devices may remain unused.
For more details, keep reading.
How Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 relate (sometimes)
To understand how Thunderbolt and USB work together (or not), we first need to explain how different generations of USB specifications work together. Backward compatibility is one of the benefits of USB, but also one of its challenges because, by definition, it differs from the lowest common denominator. This USB graphic will show you each specification version, its maximum data transfer rate and the type of connector supported, Boxy USB-A or Curvy USB-C.
IDGThe latest and fastest USB devices will work with the older and slower ports, but only at the oldest speed. Similarly, older, slower USB devices will work in new ports, but only at the old speed. The same goes for cables that connect devices to ports: the cables can support a certain speed, but ultimately the speed rules of the port.
All Thunderbolt 3 ports on a PC support SuperSpeed 10Gbps (USB 3.1 Gen 2) speeds. They should do the same for the next USB 3.2 release.
Thunderbolt 3 disks are particularly messy. Connect a Thunderbolt 3 disk enclosure to a Thunderbolt 3 port with a Thunderbolt 3 cable at 40 Gbps and, in theory, you have your 40Gbps (about 40 Gbps in each direction, shared between PCIe and DisplayPort). But take the same drive and plug it into a USB port that does not support Thunderbolt 3, and you will not get anything. Most chip controllers in drive enclosures do not support USB over Thunderbolt 3, even if the PC does.
AkitioLike most players, the Akitio Thunder 3 Duo Pro has Thunderbolt 3 ports. Its USB mode must use a separate USB cable.
To solve this problem, most players (like the Akitio Thunder 3 Duo, above) add backward compatibility to USB-only computers by including a separate 5Gbps SuperSpeed USB port on the drive with its own controller .
Intel's new Titan Ridge Thunderbolt 3 controller adds the native 10Gbps SuperSpeed USB port to the actual USB-C port on the drive's case. You should be able to plug a USB-C connector cable into any Titan Ridge enclosure, then simply plug it into a Thunderbolt 3 port on a PC or any other USB-C port on a PC.
With USB4, you get a fusion of both in a single USB protocol carrying USB packets, PCIe Thunderbolt 3 packets and DisplayPort packets. In theory, this is probably the ultimate vision of a "single port to govern them all".
Unfortunately, this does not mean that all USB4 ports will support Thunderbolt 3. Keep in mind that USB-IF can "encourage" only politely providers, in the same way that you encourage a guest to remove his shoes when he returns home, or wash his hands after using the bathroom.
The USB-IF and USB-PG interfaces estimate that most manufacturers will apply all specifications, as any device requiring USB4's high-speed modes would likely be compatible with the old Thunderbolt 3. Nevertheless, compliance will likely depend on the # 39; s device. A $ 250 laptop or smartphone could be risky. A $ 1,900 pink-gold notebook will probably be, as the notebook manufacturer knows that high-end buyers are looking for high-end features, such as eGPU support.
Adam Patrick Murray / IDGDevices such as Google Pixel 3XL and future iterations really do not need USB4's broadband capability; therefore, they will probably not carry data rates of 40 Gbps.
How will the USB4 and Thunderbolt cables work (or not)?
We have to wait for the final USB4 specification to know how the cable situation will resolve, but we think that will happen.
Thunderbolt 3 passive cables (those without controller) have a maximum length of 18 inches and can transfer up to 40 Gbps. Most will also work with USB signaling once connected to a laptop or phone without Thunderbolt 3. You can push the length of a passive cable to two meters, but the maximum speed drops to 20 Gbps.
Gordon Mah UngThe cable in the center is a Thunderbolt 3 cable. One of the other cables is also compatible Thunderbolt 3, while the other is a USB only cable. Clear as mud, yes?
If you need a longer Thunderbolt 3 cable without losing more speed, you need an active Thunderbolt 3 cable (with its own controller). Active Thunderbolt 3 cables cost approximately three to four times more than USB cables of the same length and are limited to 480 Mbps (USB 2.0) for USB transfers.
When USB4 arrives, a Thunderbolt 3 passive cable, which is essentially a super-high-quality SuperSpeed USB-C cable, should (we say 'should', because the specifications are not finalized) reach SuperSpeed speeds of 10 Gbps or SuperSpeed 20 Gbps in USB4. Do you want to reach 40 Gbps? This is unknown.
As for the long-running Thunderbolt 3 cables, they will work on connecting Thunderbolt 3 drives to the Thunderbolt 3 port of a computer, including USB4 ports that support Thunderbolt 3. But they will not work with other USB devices.
Still confused by the USB-C cables and how fast will they work? Maybe this chart will help a little bit.
IDGWe will not even enter the "Full Featured USB-C" cables as opposed to non-Full Full USB-C cables.
What will happen if I connect my USB-C cable to a new USB4 port?
Any random collection of USB-C cables will operate at rated speed in a USB4 port. A cable rated by SuperSpeed 10 Gbps will run at least 10 Gbps and may well become the occasion for the new USB 3.2 bit rate at 20 Gbps.
However, if you want to use the fastest and most recent 40Gbps USB4 speed, you will need new wiring. Check the labeling carefully, as USB-C cables span the gamut from the fastest "full" to the least expensive USB 2.0-speed.
Why go out with USB4 right after USB3.2 ?!
Gearheads collectively slapped the fronts when USB4 was apparently announced directly on USB 3.2. The confusion lies in what is announced. The USB 3.2 specification was announced in July 2017 and the specification released in September 2017. Since then, manufacturers are using to implement the specification in the actual products. The most recent USB-IF announcement promised that the first hardware using the USB 3.2 specification, also called SuperSpeed USB 20 Gbps, would go on sale this year.
The new USB4 is that we are working on the specifications. Although the USB4 specification will be released this summer, we will probably not see the actual hardware until at least 2021.
Will USB4 be available for USB-A ports?
No. Technically, USB4 is intended to be available only for USB-C ports. However, USB has always been about respecting inheritance, so you can plug a USB4 device into a USB-A port using a dongle. It will not work at USB4 speeds, but it should run at the speed of this port.
Christopher Hebert / IDGThis USB-C port is clearly identified as a SuperSpeed port, which means that its maximum speed is 5 Gbps.
Will USB4 make it easier to understand what the USB-C port on my new laptop is doing?
Probably not. If history provides a precedent, laptops will continue their slow evolution from physical USB-A ports to physical USB-C ports. At present, many have a mix of ports. USB-C ports will continue to evolve slowly from USB 3.1 Gen 1 / Gen 2 to USB 3.2 to USB4. Many laptops already combine USB port types and USB specifications. It will take years to clear.
Does USB4 mark the end of Thunderbolt 3?
The future of Thunderbolt is a little dark. The incorporation of the specification by USB4 suggests redundancy. However, the USB-IF and USB-PG interfaces would not comment, and the Intel executives questioned remained mysterious about the future of Thunderbolt.
The most telling clue may be the one who keeps control. When Intel helped create the USB, PCI, SATA, PCIe and NVMe technologies, it relinquished technology control to various third-party committees. While Intel has opened Thunderbolt 3 for wider use, the company still retains control. Intel also continues to integrate TB directly into its processors. This tells us, at least, that Intel will probably continue to develop it.
I am always confused about the USB. Could you give me a chart to make me feel better?
IDGThe various USB specifications and terminologies that have been used correctly and incorrectly could be the largest card game or company in the world.
Sure. Although, to be honest, the multiple specifications and changing nomenclatures may just as well make you worse. Brad Saunders, head of the USB-PG division, said the protocols did not matter to him as long as the protocol worked. It's the dream, if not the reality.
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