11 myths about USB Type-C
Because of the popularity of the USB standard, several myths have come up with it - in particular regarding its latest version, powered USB-C (PD).
The USB interface has become almost universal - a remarkable achievement, which was helped by the fact that the interface allows you to transfer both data and power over a single cable. The USB protocol has evolved over the years, catching up with the requirements of products for watts and bits. Now we have reached a state in which the latest version of the interface - USB Power Delivery - is capable of transmitting up to 100 watts of power to provide the fast charging that consumers require for their devices. In addition, it supports the requirements for fast data exchange, typical of an increasingly wide and diverse range of applications and market sectors.
A universal connector that can be plugged into a power source or into a device seems to make it unnecessary for developers and consumers to discuss which device is powered by another. However, products can be more - or less - complex, depending on the needs of the developers.
For devices with a Type-C connector only, you can use a single integrated circuit to control all communication setup procedures. For more complex needs, the Power Delivery (PD) protocol can be implemented. There are strict guidelines that you must follow to implement the USB-C PD. Products are approved by the USB-IF Engineering Committee before being certified. Using firmware from certified integrated circuit suppliers can simplify solution development.
It might seem that switching from USB 2.0 to USB-C would be expensive. But to implement the basic functionality of USB-C, you can use a simple controller on a state machine. Controllers on the market cost less than $ 0.2, and require little in terms of finance, energy consumption and board space. Moreover, with the widespread adoption of USB-C, the cost of controllers will fall, and efficiency will increase. Prices for the implementation of the standard fall with its distribution. You can integrate a controller and a USB-C connector into the system for less than $ 0.2.
Despite the common connector, the USB-C port feature sets can vary greatly. Ports on wall adapters only charge devices. Ports on wearable devices are usually used only for charging. Ports on devices that can both charge and charge, for example, laptops, can have different properties. The load of the standard Type-C port is limited to 15 watts, and for ports with PD it rises to 100 watts. In addition, some ports can exchange data up to USB SS Gen 2 at a speed of 10 Gb / s. Other features include DisplayPort or Thunderbolt support.
All USB-C cables have the same connectors, suitable for any USB-C port, but this does not mean that they will have the same electrical characteristics and capabilities. Standard cables support currents up to 3A and lengths up to 4 m. Cables shorter than 2 m must support from 3 to 5 A and have a special integrated marker chip (e-marker).
USB-C is much smaller than HDMI and USB 3. And although its size is comparable to Lightning, USB-C will become universal, and at the same time the connectors will be the same at both ends
Cables can also have a “complete set of properties”, supporting, for example, video transmission in 4K quality. As mentioned earlier, a cable with a full set can have more wires, which will increase its throughput. Type-C specifications allow developers to use only the features that are needed for a particular port, reducing complexity and cost of production. With the development of the market, more and more solutions are being optimized to meet demands.
Although the USB-C cable is unique, adoption of this format is quite active, and there are more and more USB-C cables. It is assumed that in the end, consumers will only need such a cable. If the same cable can be used to power a PC from any charger, to charge the phone and any wearable electronics, in the future the number of cables needed by consumers will decrease.
Type-C with PD is superior in all respects to Type-A & B - both in power and data transfer rate. Type-A & B BC 1.2 brought power to 7.5 watts, and USB-C PD can provide up to 100 watts. USB SS Gen 1 has a maximum data transfer rate of 5 Gb / s, while Gen 2 supports speeds of up to 10 Gb / s. More recent updates allow the use of both sets of Tx and Rx lines, again doubling the effective data rate.
USB-C is truly universal. It can charge not only the phone and wearable devices, but also PCs, home appliances and even industrial equipment with a consumption of up to 100 watts.
USB-C allows you to transfer audio. The USB-C cable has dedicated D + / D- pins that support audio signals. SBU contacts can be used for microphone and ground. Some headphone manufacturers make products with a USB-C connector, while others make dongle converters. The dongle is a small adapter with a 3.5 mm jack on one side and USB-C on the other, allowing the consumer to still use their favorite headphones with a 3.5 mm pin. Although audio quality may suffer due to the adapter, many users prefer these cheap options to completely replace the headphones.
Many people think that USB-C audio should be digital. This is not true. Although many developers of electronic platforms want to continue to use analog audio, the USB-C specification states that when using analog audio, the system must also support digital audio.
Although the USB-C connector is universal, and supports charging, data transfer and listening to audio, some consumers are disappointed that their devices have only one port left. They suggest that the USB-C port can only support one function at a time. However, the USB-C specification is designed so that one port is capable of several functions, which allows the use of accessories. Consumers can buy a dongle with a USB-C input and multiple outputs to be able to simultaneously charge the device, transfer data and use audio.
This is not true. The USB-C feature set is superior to USB 2.0. The USB-C specification lists “alternate modes.” These are functional extensions that allow you to use non-standard USB protocols, such as DisplayPort and Thunderbolt, with the USB-C connector. USB-C supports video resolutions up to 4K on ultra-fast contacts. The USB-C connector truly combines all the leading protocols for power, data, video and audio in a slim and flexible form factor.
The USB interface has become almost universal - a remarkable achievement, which was helped by the fact that the interface allows you to transfer both data and power over a single cable. The USB protocol has evolved over the years, catching up with the requirements of products for watts and bits. Now we have reached a state in which the latest version of the interface - USB Power Delivery - is capable of transmitting up to 100 watts of power to provide the fast charging that consumers require for their devices. In addition, it supports the requirements for fast data exchange, typical of an increasingly wide and diverse range of applications and market sectors.
1. USB Type-C and PD - a complicated thing
A universal connector that can be plugged into a power source or into a device seems to make it unnecessary for developers and consumers to discuss which device is powered by another. However, products can be more - or less - complex, depending on the needs of the developers.
For devices with a Type-C connector only, you can use a single integrated circuit to control all communication setup procedures. For more complex needs, the Power Delivery (PD) protocol can be implemented. There are strict guidelines that you must follow to implement the USB-C PD. Products are approved by the USB-IF Engineering Committee before being certified. Using firmware from certified integrated circuit suppliers can simplify solution development.
2. USB Type-C and PD - expensive thing
It might seem that switching from USB 2.0 to USB-C would be expensive. But to implement the basic functionality of USB-C, you can use a simple controller on a state machine. Controllers on the market cost less than $ 0.2, and require little in terms of finance, energy consumption and board space. Moreover, with the widespread adoption of USB-C, the cost of controllers will fall, and efficiency will increase. Prices for the implementation of the standard fall with its distribution. You can integrate a controller and a USB-C connector into the system for less than $ 0.2.
3. All Type-C ports have the same functionality
Despite the common connector, the USB-C port feature sets can vary greatly. Ports on wall adapters only charge devices. Ports on wearable devices are usually used only for charging. Ports on devices that can both charge and charge, for example, laptops, can have different properties. The load of the standard Type-C port is limited to 15 watts, and for ports with PD it rises to 100 watts. In addition, some ports can exchange data up to USB SS Gen 2 at a speed of 10 Gb / s. Other features include DisplayPort or Thunderbolt support.
4. All Type-C cables are the same
All USB-C cables have the same connectors, suitable for any USB-C port, but this does not mean that they will have the same electrical characteristics and capabilities. Standard cables support currents up to 3A and lengths up to 4 m. Cables shorter than 2 m must support from 3 to 5 A and have a special integrated marker chip (e-marker).
USB-C is much smaller than HDMI and USB 3. And although its size is comparable to Lightning, USB-C will become universal, and at the same time the connectors will be the same at both ends
Cables can also have a “complete set of properties”, supporting, for example, video transmission in 4K quality. As mentioned earlier, a cable with a full set can have more wires, which will increase its throughput. Type-C specifications allow developers to use only the features that are needed for a particular port, reducing complexity and cost of production. With the development of the market, more and more solutions are being optimized to meet demands.
5. USB Type-C is another cable I have to buy
Although the USB-C cable is unique, adoption of this format is quite active, and there are more and more USB-C cables. It is assumed that in the end, consumers will only need such a cable. If the same cable can be used to power a PC from any charger, to charge the phone and any wearable electronics, in the future the number of cables needed by consumers will decrease.
6. Type-C cable is just a different interface than Type-A & B
Type-C with PD is superior in all respects to Type-A & B - both in power and data transfer rate. Type-A & B BC 1.2 brought power to 7.5 watts, and USB-C PD can provide up to 100 watts. USB SS Gen 1 has a maximum data transfer rate of 5 Gb / s, while Gen 2 supports speeds of up to 10 Gb / s. More recent updates allow the use of both sets of Tx and Rx lines, again doubling the effective data rate.
7. Type-C cables are only suitable for transferring data and charging small gadgets.
USB-C is truly universal. It can charge not only the phone and wearable devices, but also PCs, home appliances and even industrial equipment with a consumption of up to 100 watts.
8. I still need a 3.5-mm jack for music
USB-C allows you to transfer audio. The USB-C cable has dedicated D + / D- pins that support audio signals. SBU contacts can be used for microphone and ground. Some headphone manufacturers make products with a USB-C connector, while others make dongle converters. The dongle is a small adapter with a 3.5 mm jack on one side and USB-C on the other, allowing the consumer to still use their favorite headphones with a 3.5 mm pin. Although audio quality may suffer due to the adapter, many users prefer these cheap options to completely replace the headphones.
9. USB Type-C will no longer support audio
Many people think that USB-C audio should be digital. This is not true. Although many developers of electronic platforms want to continue to use analog audio, the USB-C specification states that when using analog audio, the system must also support digital audio.
10. I will not be able to charge the device and listen to music at the same time
Although the USB-C connector is universal, and supports charging, data transfer and listening to audio, some consumers are disappointed that their devices have only one port left. They suggest that the USB-C port can only support one function at a time. However, the USB-C specification is designed so that one port is capable of several functions, which allows the use of accessories. Consumers can buy a dongle with a USB-C input and multiple outputs to be able to simultaneously charge the device, transfer data and use audio.
11. Video transmitted via USB-C port is of poor quality
This is not true. The USB-C feature set is superior to USB 2.0. The USB-C specification lists “alternate modes.” These are functional extensions that allow you to use non-standard USB protocols, such as DisplayPort and Thunderbolt, with the USB-C connector. USB-C supports video resolutions up to 4K on ultra-fast contacts. The USB-C connector truly combines all the leading protocols for power, data, video and audio in a slim and flexible form factor.
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