New USB stickers have been introduced to make it easier for customers to choose

The USB Implementers Forum, which maintains the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, has provided new guidelines for classifying this technology. Here are the simplifications and filters for a given name.

A bit of a twisted story

One of the changes is getting rid of the SuperSpeed ​​iconWhich since 2007 means, inter alia, the USB 3.0 standard with a speed of 5 Gbit / s. However, later in 2013, a successor to USB 3.1 with a performance of up to 10 Gbit / s appeared, so modifications were made. USB 3.0 has been renamed USB 3.1 Gen 1 (still 5 Gbit/s), and USB 3.1 (10 Gbit/s) to USB 3.1 Gen 2. Then USB 3.2 debuted with a bandwidth of up to 20 Gbit / s in 2017 and there was a need to “simplify” the matter. Subsequently:

• USB 3.0 (later renamed USB 3.1 Gen 1) to USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gb/s),
• USB 3.1 (changed to USB 3.1 Gen 2 in the future) to USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gb/s),
• USB 3.2 is USB Gen 3.2 2×2 (20 Gbit/s).

The history of the USB standard is complex. Source: Unsplash / Solen Feyissa.

The name SuperSpeed ​​itself has lost its meaning, so it was decided to create a “human” naming scheme for the USB standard, where what matters is the “most important” for the average customer, i.e. … performance.

change tags

USB-IF again they change Standard names so that they are easy for consumers to read. For example (see list above) USB 3.2 Gen 1 will be replaced by USB 5Gbps. USB 3.2 Gen 2 will become 10Gbps USB, and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 is simply 20Gbps USB. The modification will also include USB 4.0 (Maximum bandwidth 40Gbps), which will become USB 40Gbps, USB 4.1 is now USB 80Gbps (80Gbps speed).

This is what the new tags will look like.Source: USB-IF.

This is not the end of facilitation. producers According to USB-IF, they should not use the SuperSpeed, SuperSpeed+, Enhanced SuperSpeed, SuperSpeed ​​Plus, USB 2.0 and USB4 version 1.0 tags. In the case of product names, packaging or advertisements, although they will still be included in the official specifications.

We will say goodbye to this slogan. Source: public domain.

However, USB 2.0 and USB 1.0 remained unchanged. It was decided to keep the letter names (USB-A, USB-B, USB-C) in the case of USB 2.0 (such as Hi-Speed ​​USB), with no indication of performance. According to USB-IF President, Jeff Ravencraft (via Ars Technica)The “two” does not need this information as it mainly applies to the operation of peripherals. Well, USB-B is often used for printers and USB-A for mice or computer keyboards. In addition, it may mislead inexperienced customers that USB 480Mbps can be considered faster than USB 5Gbps due to suggesting more number without paying attention to the unit.

USB-C labels will include maximum bandwidth and power.Source: USB-IF.

Donate by Jeff Ravencraft (via the edge), which – which The organization has conducted a study and often guides buyers by the performance of the productFor example, the generation is not at the center of their attention.

These are the signs of chargers.Source: USB-IF.

The new standard will enter into force by the end of the year, but this does not mean that it will be universal. This issue may relate to products that were released prior to their introduction, as well as products that have not been officially distributed or are not approved.