With the release of Apple’s new computers, the familiar HDMI and SD card interfaces have returned again, while the previous USB-C interface has remained the same. In addition to the field of computer tablets, more and more mobile devices are beginning to use USB-C ports. It can be said that it has become the top 1 in the data transmission industry. Why can it replace USB Type-A and become the first?
To understand Port C, we need to carefully disassemble it step by step from its development. For so many years, it has been the world of port A. How did the USB-C port be born and gradually improved to become the most popular interface at the moment?
The current electronic equipment is completely different from the previous ones, thinner, lighter, and denser in internal structure, which requires the interface to be designed in a smaller direction. So USB has Mini-USB and Micro-USB, but for USB, these two are not convenient, especially with the further upgrade of USB, after the change, it has nothing to do with portability, or even less use.
Because USB needs to be constantly updated to adapt to the environment, the “small interface” Mini and Micro-USB can no longer be satisfied, so Type-C has appeared. Compared with the traditional USB-Type A, the shape is consistent from 2.0 to 3.0. And Type-C does not have the need to be compatible with the old interface, it is already USB 3.1 as soon as it appears.
→ Speaking of Type-C, we can start directly from USB 3.1:
*1. The ideal bandwidth is 10Gbps (Gen 2), and the transmission speed is increased;
*2. The coding standard is changed from 8b/10b to 128b/132b, which greatly reduces the coding loss rate;
*3. The bandwidth of audio and video transmission (USB AV) is increased to match HDMI1.4;
*4. The power output can reach 100W. The voltage can be 12V and 20V, and the maximum current can reach 5A;
*5. Support alternative mode. That is, it can directly support Thunderbolt interface, HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.
It has been more than 7 years since the birth of Type-C interface. You can see it on most mainstream devices.
As the size of electronic products becomes smaller and the number of interfaces becomes smaller, manufacturers urgently need to have an interface that “dominates the rivers and lakes” to facilitate market promotion. So Type-C this small interface has almost become the best pronoun.
Size: only 8.3*2.5 mm
Plug-in: It can be plugged in both front and back, which greatly improves the ease of use
Application: Mobile phones, tablets, computers, TVs, game consoles, video cameras, and even cars can all be interconnected through the multiple internal modes of Type-C.
→ Therefore, the rapid development of Type-C also witnessed the decline and decline of Type-A interface.
By 2021, Type-C has become the only supported interface in the USB4 standard. This also fully shows that Type-C will dominate the arena sooner or later.
More importantly, USB 4 uses dual-channel transmission, while previous connectors such as USB Type-A or Micro-B only support single-channel transmission, which also indicates that Type-A will end sooner or later.
The transmission rate of USB 4 is increased to 40 Gbps, and bandwidth can be dynamically shared. It will continue to play to the advantages of Type-C and consolidate its position as an indestructible data transmission interface.
But wait, since Type-C is so good,
Why are there so many Type-C devices around,
Need to give so many threads?
Although they are all Type-C interfaces, you still have to buy a lot of lines to adapt. This reason should be explored from its initial legacy. We have to invite an organization: USB-IF Association (USB Implementers Forum), which is now the USB standardization organization.
In order to further unify other interfaces, this organization had to integrate the advantages of these old interfaces, so USB-IF introduced an alternate mode of Alternate Mode, which supports the use of USB Type-C interfaces for other purposes.
Introduction of each pin of USB-C interface
In layman’s terms, a Type-C interface can not only act as a power port, but also plug a U disk headset, an external keyboard or a monitor.
With so many functions, what are the prerequisites for realization?The transmission protocol of the interface, the interface protocol that comes with different devices, may be very different, which also brings about the difference in use.
More importantly, manufacturers will cut interface functions, such as only supporting low speeds, or reducing effective pins to reduce interface costs.