USB is used everywhere today. Its main applications are charging and data transfer (MSD, MTP, A&V). It started with flash drives, then mice and keyboards, to smartphones and these days also screens.
Standards
| Year | Name | Volt. (DC) |
Current (max) | Power (max) | Data rate (max) | Marketing name | Con-nectors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | USB 1.0 | 5 V | 0.1 A | 0.5 W | 12 Mb/s | FS | A1,2, B1,2, C |
| 1998 | USB 1.1 | ||||||
| 2000 | USB 2.0 | 5 V | 0.5 A | 2.5 W | 480 Mb/s | HS | A1,2, B1,2, C |
| 2008 | USB 3.0 USB 3.1 Gen 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1×1 |
5 V | 0.9 A | 4.5 W | 5 Gb/s | SS 5Gbps | A2, B2, C |
| 2013 | USB 3.1 USB 3.1 Gen 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 |
5 V | 0.9 A | 4.5 W | 10 Gb/s | SS 10Gbps | A2, B2, C |
| 2017 | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 | 5 V | 0.9 A | 4.5 W | 20 Gb/s | SS 20Gbps | C |
| 2019 | USB4 Gen 2×2 | Based on USB-PD | 20 Gb/s | USB 20Gbps | |||
| USB4 Gen 3×2 USB4 v1.0 |
40 Gb/s | USB 40Gbps | 2022 | USB4 v2.0 | 80 Gb/s | USB 80Gbps | |
1 A/B (4 pins), Mini-A/B (5 pins), Micro-A/B (5 pins)
2 A/B SS (9 pins), Micro-A/B SS (10 pins)
Abbreviations
– FS … Full Speed
– HS … High Speed
– SS … Super Speed
Additional info
– ‘Thunderbolt’ developed by Intel isn’t a USB standard.
Power-related standards
| Name | Year / Revision | Voltage (DC) | Current (max) | Power (max) | Con-nectors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB-BC (Battery Charging) |
2007 / 1.0 2009 / 1.1 2010 / 1.2 |
5 V | 1.5 A | 7.5 W | A, B, C |
| USB Type-C | 2014 / 1.0 2019 / 2.0 |
5 V | 3 A | 15 W | C |
| USB-PD (Power Delivery) |
2012 / 1.0 2014 / 2.0 2017 / 3.0 |
5 – 20 V | 5 A | 25 – 100 W | A3, B3, C3,4 |
| 2021 / 3.1 | 5 – 48 V | 25 – 240 W |
3 Using the FSK protocol (over VBUS) introduces with USB-PD Rev. 1.0.
4 Using the BMC protocol (over CC) introduces with USB-PD Rev. 2.0.
Additional info
– ‘Quick Charge’ developed by Qualcomm isn’t a USB standard.