Buzz
Since the release of the first USB version in 1994, the USB protocol has undergone four major upgrades. USB4 is now the latest connection standard and is gradually making its way onto newly launched devices such as laptops, tablets, etc. Curious about USB4? Discover its innovations and uses in the following article.
Note: This article is translated and referenced from sources such as Tom Hardware and iMore.
Further reading: Apple to introduce Mac machines with ARM processors in 2021
Understanding USB4
USB4, also known as USB 4, is the next-generation version of the USB 3 connection protocol, introduced in 2019. It represents a significant advancement over USB 3.2, leveraging the Thunderbolt protocol with numerous enhancements to deliver faster transfer speeds and improved compatibility.
USB4 is the evolution of the USB 3 connection protocol, unveiled in 2019. Source: Kshitij Kumar.With the utilization of dual channels, USB4 data transmission can achieve speeds of up to 40 GB/s. Additionally, this standard is compatible with DisplayPort 2.0, backward compatible with USB 2.0 and above, and some USB4 ports can even operate with Thunderbolt 3.
Advantages of USB4
- Significantly Faster Transfer Speeds
USB4 boasts a maximum transfer speed of 40 Gbps, doubling that of USB 3.2 with its maximum speed of 20 Gbps and eight times faster than USB 3.0 – a common feature in laptops with a maximum transfer speed of 5 Gbps.
USB4, with a maximum transfer speed of 40 Gbps, offers a considerable speed boost compared to older versions. Source: Satechi.In my assessment, the speed of USB4 is truly remarkable and significantly superior to previous generations. With this speed, data transmission will become faster and more effortless, allowing you to complete tasks quickly and efficiently.
- Enhanced Compatibility
USB4 will be backward compatible with USB standards from version 2.0 onwards. This means that if you own peripheral devices using USB 2.0 or later standards, you can still connect and transfer data from USB4 ports. However, the data transfer speed will depend on the version of the peripheral device you connect, not the USB4 port itself.
USB4 will be backward compatible with USB standards from version 2.0 onwards. Source: Pocket line.Additionally, USB4 may have the option to be Thunderbolt 3 compatible thanks to Intel sharing Thunderbolt protocol specifications with the USB Promoter Group. I believe this will be good news for those who want to connect external GPUs for gaming on their computers.
- Optimized Bandwidth Sharing between Video Signals and Data Transfer
A standout feature of USB4 is the tunneling protocol with the ability to dynamically adjust available resources when transmitting data and video signals over the same connection. While in previous versions, data and video were segregated into two separate lanes, the dual lanes on USB4 will allow you to send video and data together by sharing resources.
USB4 has the capability to optimize bandwidth sharing between video signals and data transfer. Source: Embedded Geeks.For example, when you connect an external storage device and a monitor via a USB port on a computer, in previous USB versions, the bandwidth would be evenly split between the monitor and the storage device even if you're not using all the monitor bandwidth, affecting data transfer speed. However, with USB4, unused bandwidth cannot be allocated for data transfer and vice versa, leading to more efficient utilization.
- Support for USB Power Delivery
As many devices now come with USB Type-C ports supporting USB Power Delivery (USB PD), devices and computers equipped with USB4 must support the Power Delivery charging standard. This enables automatic adjustment of output current to match the device's charging power, allowing for higher power delivery and better energy management.
Devices and computers equipped with USB4 must support the Power Delivery charging standard. Source: Techpp.Some Information Regarding USB4
- Why is the official name USB4 instead of USB 4?
Unlike other USB versions, the official name of the latest USB version will not have a space before the version number. Instead of USB 4, the official name is USB4. According to Brad Saunders, Executive Director of the USB Promoter Group, removing the space aims to focus users more on the USB brand.
The name USB4 aims to focus users more on the USB brand. Source: Altium.He also added that in the future, there will be no USB4.1, 4.2 variants; instead, it will be USB followed by the indicated speed, such as USB4 100 Gbps.
- How many speed types will USB4 have?
USB4 will come in two speed types: USB 20 Gbps and USB 40 Gbps. These speed types will be distinguished by the accompanying number on the logo.
USB4 will come in two speed types: USB 20 Gbps and USB 40 Gbps. Source: PC Mag.- Which products are equipped with USB4?
Despite being launched for a while and having many advantages, devices with USB4 protocol are still quite limited. As of now, I have only compiled a few products:
- Apple MacBook Air M1.
- Apple MacBook Pro M1.
- Dell XPS 13 9310.
- iPad Pro M1.
- ...
Conclusion
Above are some insights that I've gathered about USB4 to share with you. Hopefully, through this article, you've gained a comprehensive understanding of this advanced data transmission protocol and will leverage the potential when owning USB4-enabled devices. Thank you for reading through my article.
Read more: USB4 Specifications Revealed: Similar to Thunderbolt, 40Gbps Transfer Speed
