Usb type c port what. Xiaomi Mi USB Type-C Noise Canceling Headphones. USB Power Delivery Standard
The era of awkward connectors has come to an end. Some users won't recognize the old 30-pin Apple cable, and microUSB is rarely seen even in budget phones. USB Type-C became the standard in 2016, which is used in most of the announced devices. Even Apple made the decision, following the 2015 Macbook, to deprive the new Pro models of the conventional USB connector. Does this mean the company will soon be phasing out Lightning?
A few years ago, the then new Lightning connector was perceived as "amazing" replacement of the old and inconvenient analogue. No more anguish with getting into the charging port, and the smaller size of the new item has contributed to the "weight loss" of the new iPhone models.
But time passes, the industry does not stand still, and once a revolutionary connector has become commonplace. And the outdated microUSB was replaced by a competitive Type-C, which could compete with Lightning in terms of capabilities.
Gradual transition to new standard was very "painful". Apple users tolerated the change of connectors more calmly, because they are accustomed to the rather high prices of cables, unlike the owners of Android devices who are not ready to pay $ 10-20 for a piece of wire.
But the price was not the only problem. The first USB Type-C devices offered nothing new, just inconvenience. After all, they used not a high-speed USB 3.1, but a regular USB 2.0. This slowed down the spread of the connector a bit. But now there are phones and laptops that take full advantage of the potential available.
One of the main advantages of USB Type-C is the ability to simultaneously charge and exchange large amounts of data. With the help of the new connector, voltage can be transmitted with a power of up to 100 W, which is about 20 V and 5 A. Such values \u200b\u200bare enough to charge almost any device, be it a tablet or a laptop. So there is a reserve for the future.
It's not even worth talking about ease of use, the symmetry has eliminated the need to constantly check which side is connecting. But here it is worth noting that Lightning will be slightly better in terms of design reliability. After all, inside the USB connector, as before, there is a thin contact tab that can be easily broken if foreign particles enter. In this case, the owner will have to repair the USB input. But if the Lightning breaks down, even breaking off the plug, you just need to change the cable.
Another drawback was the presence of a large number of cheap Chinese USB Type-C cables and the problem of quality control. This wire, purchased for $ 1, could damage the battery or even fire the device. The problem lies in the voltage passing through the cable, because in the Chinese versions there was often no limitation, which was the reason for the breakdowns of many phones.
But the fate of Lightning no longer seems so rosy. Devices using it still haven't received support fast charging, the data transfer rate is inferior to the competitor, and the versatility of such a connector is questionable. Even Apple computers don't have it. To connect your phone to a new Macbook, you need to purchase adapters.
Cupertinos have invested a lot of money in the development of Lightning, and he himself brings in good licensing revenues, but it seems his time is running out. Switching to USB Type-C will allow you to charge all devices in the house with just one wire.
But don't expect Lightning to "die" anytime soon. A huge number of accessories are available for it, and the recent abandonment of the 3.5 mm miniJack extended its life for several years to come. After all, the output of headphones using Lightning will bring considerable profit to Apple. And, perhaps, it will modify the characteristics of the connector to match them with the competitor.
Now USB Type-C is endowed with great opportunities and looks more promising. So at the moment it is he who wins in the fight for the title of "the most technologically advanced connector of 2016".
The first version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) was introduced in 1995. It is USB that has become the most successful interface in the history of computing systems. Tens of billions of devices communicate with each other via USB, so the importance of this data transmission channel can hardly be overestimated. It looks like with the advent of the connector USB Type-C, our understanding of the capabilities and role of the universal tire may change dramatically. Before talking about the prospects, let's see what the new format universal connector offers.
The advantages and disadvantages of the new format interface connector have been discussed on the net for some time. The USB Type-C specification was finally approved at the end of last summer, but the topic of the universal connector has attracted great interest after the recent announcement of a laptop, as well as a new version equipped with USB Type-C.
The USB Type-C connector is slightly larger than the usual USB 2.0 Micro-B, but noticeably more compact than the dual USB 3.0 Micro-B, not to mention the classic USB Type-A.
The dimensions of the connector (8.34 × 2.56 mm) make it easy to use for devices of any class, including smartphones / tablets with a minimum reasonable thickness of the case.
Structurally, the connector has an oval shape. Signal and power outputs are located on a plastic stand in the central part. The USB Type-C pin group includes 24 pins. This is much more than that uSB connectors previous generation... Only 4 pins were allocated for the needs of USB 1.0 / 2.0, and USB 3.0 connectors have 9 pins.
The first obvious benefit of USB Type-C is the symmetrical connector, so you don't have to worry about which side to connect the plug to the outlet. The age-old problem of devices with USB connectors of any format is now finally solved. In this case, the solution to the problem is achieved by not trivial duplication of all contact groups... It uses some kind of autonegotiation and switching logic.
Another nice thing is that identical connectors are located on both sides of the interface cable. Therefore, using USB Type-C, you do not need to choose which side of the conductor to connect the master and slave devices.
The outer shell of the connector does not have any holes or cutouts. Internal side latches are used to secure it in the connector. The plug must be sufficiently secure in the connector. There shouldn't be any backlashes similar to those seen in USB 3.0 Micro-B.
Many are probably worried about the physical reliability of the new connector. According to the declared characteristics, the mechanical life of the USB Type-C connector is about 10,000 connections. The same indicator is typical for the USB 2.0 Micro-B port.
Separately, we note that USB Type-C is not a data transfer interface. This is a type of connector that allows you to link together various signal and power lines. As you can see, the connector is elegant from an engineering point of view, and most importantly, it should be easy to use.
Data transfer rate. 10 Gb / s is not for everyone?
One of the advantages of USB Type-C is the ability to use the USB 3.1 interface for data transfer, which promises an increase in bandwidth up to 10 Gb / s. However, USB Type-C and USB 3.1 are not equivalent terms and are definitely not synonyms. In the USB Type-C format, the capabilities of both USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 and even USB 2.0 can be realized. An integrated controller determines the support of a particular specification. Of course, USB Type-C ports are more likely to appear on devices that support high data transfer rates, but this is not a dogma.
Let us recall that even with the implementation of USB 3.1 capabilities, differences in the maximum data transfer rate are possible. For USB 3.1 Gen 1 is 5 Gb / s, USB 3.1 Gen 2 is 10 Gb / s. By the way, the presented Apple Macbook and Chromebook Pixel have USB Type-C ports with a bandwidth of 5 Gb / s. Well, and a clear example of the fact that the new interface connector is very variable is the Nokia N1 tablet. It also has a USB Type-C connector, but its capabilities are limited to USB 2.0 with 480 Mb / s bandwidth.
The USB 3.1 Gen 1 designation can be called a marketing gimmick. Nominally, such a port has the same capabilities as USB 3.0. Moreover, for this version of "USB 3.1" the same controllers can be used as for the implementation of the bus of the previous generation. At the initial stage, manufacturers will most likely actively use this technique, releasing new devices with USB Type-C for which maximum bandwidth is not required. When proposing a device with a new type of connector, many will want to present it in a favorable light, declaring the presence of not only a new connector, but also uSB support 3.1, even if it is conditional.
It is important to understand that nominally uSB port Type-C can be used for maximum performance at speeds up to 10 Gb / s, but to get that kind of bandwidth, the connected devices must provide it. The presence of USB Type-C is not an indication of the actual speed capabilities of the port. They should be clarified in advance in the specifications of specific products.
Some restrictions also have cables for connecting devices. When using the USB 3.1 interface, for lossless data transfer at speeds up to 10 Gb / s (Gen 2), the cable length with USB Type-C connectors should not exceed 1 meter, for a connection at speeds up to 5 Gb / s (Gen 1) - 2 meters.
Energy transfer. Unit for 100 W
Another important feature that USB Type-C brings is the ability to transfer power up to 100W. This is enough not only for power / charging mobile devices, but also for the trouble-free operation of laptops, monitors or, for example, "large" external drives of 3.5 ”format.
In the original development of the USB bus, power transmission was a secondary function. The USB 1.0 port provided just 0.75W (0.15A, 5V). Enough for mouse / keyboard operation, but nothing more. For USB 2.0, the nominal current was increased to 0.5 A, which made it possible to get already 2.5 W. This was often enough to power, for example, external hard drives format 2.5 ". For USB 3.0, a current of 0.9 A is nominally provided, which, with a constant supply voltage of 5V, already guarantees a power of 4.5 W. Special reinforced connectors on motherboards or laptops were capable of delivering up to 1.5A to speed up charging of connected mobile devices, but that's still 7.5W. Against the background of these numbers, the ability to transmit 100 watts looks like something fantastic. However, for the USB Type-C port to be filled with the necessary power, support for the USB Power Delivery 2.0 (USB PD) specification is required. If there is none, the USB Type-C port will normally be able to deliver 7.5 W (1.5 A, 5 V) or 15 W (3A, 5 V) to the mountain, depending on the configuration.
In order to streamline the power capabilities of the USB PD ports, a system of power profiles has been developed, allowing for possible combinations of voltages and currents. Compliance with Profile 1 guarantees the ability to transfer 10 W of energy, Profile 2 - 18 W, Profile 3 - 36 W, Profile 4 - 60 W, Profile 5 - 100 W. The port corresponding to the higher profile maintains all the states of the previous downstream. 5V, 12V and 20V are chosen as reference voltages. The use of 5V is essential for compatibility with the huge fleet of USB peripherals available. 12V is the standard supply voltage for various system components. 20V was proposed taking into account the fact that external power supply units for 19-20V are used to charge the batteries of most laptops.
Of course, it's good when the device is equipped with USB Type-C supporting the maximum USB PD energy profile. It is this connector that allows you to transfer up to 100 watts of energy. Obviously, ports with similar potential may appear on some powerful laptops, special docking stations or motherboards, where separate phases of the internal power supply will be allocated for the needs of USB Type-C. The point is that the required power must somehow be generated and brought to the USB Type-C contacts. And to transfer energy of such power, active cables will be required.
It is important to understand here that not every port of the new format will be able to provide the declared power of 100 watts. There is a potential for this, but this issue must necessarily be resolved by the manufacturer at the circuitry level. Also, do not entertain any illusions that the above 100 W can be obtained, say, from a power supply the size of a matchbox and now you can power your own by charging from a smartphone gaming laptop and a 27-inch monitor connected to it. Nevertheless, the law of conservation of energy continues to work, and therefore an external 100 W PSU with a USB Type-C port will still be the same weighty bar as before. In general, the very possibility of transmitting energy of such power using a universal compact connector is, of course, a plus. At the very least, it's a great opportunity to get rid of the inconsistencies in the original power connectors, which laptop manufacturers often sin.
Another useful uSB feature Type-C - the ability to change the direction of power transmission. If the circuitry of the devices allows, the consumer can, for example, temporarily become a source of charge. Moreover, for the reverse energy exchange, even reconnecting the connectors is not required.
Alternative mode. Not USB single
The USB Type-C port was originally designed as a universal solution. Besides direct USB data transfer, it can also be used in Alternate Mode to implement third party interfaces. This flexibility of USB Type-C has been leveraged by the VESA by introducing the ability to stream video through DisplayPort Alt Mode.
USB Type-C has four Super Speed \u200b\u200bUSB lines (pairs). If two of these are dedicated to DisplayPort, that's enough to get a 4K (3840x2160) picture. This does not affect the USB data transfer rate. At its peak, this is still the same 10 Gb / s (for USB 3.1 Gen2). Also, the transmission of the video stream does not in any way affect the energy capacity of the port. Even high-speed 4 lines can be allocated for DisplayPort needs. In this case, modes up to 5K (5120 × 2880) will be available. In this mode, USB 2.0 lines are not involved, so USB Type-C can still transfer data in parallel, albeit at a limited speed.
In the alternative mode, the SBU1 / SBU2 pins are used to transmit the audio stream, which are converted to AUX + / AUX- channels. They are not used for the USB protocol, so there are no additional functional losses here either.
With the DisplayPort interface, the USB Type-C connector can still be connected either way. The necessary signal matching is provided initially.
Connecting devices using HDMI, DVI and even D-Sub (VGA) is also possible, but this will require separate adapters, however, these must be active adapters, since for DisplayPort Alt Mode, Dual-Mode Display Port (DP ++) is not supported ...
Alternative uSB mode Type-C can be used for more than just DisplayPort. Perhaps soon we will learn that this port has learned, for example, to transfer data using PCI Express or Ethernet.
Compatibility. Difficulties of the "transition" period
If we talk about the compatibility of USB Type-C with devices equipped with USB ports of the previous generation, then it is not possible to connect them directly due to the fundamental differences in the design of the connectors. To do this, you need to use adapters. Their assortment promises to be very wide. Of course, it's not just about converting USB Type-C to other USB types. Display adapters for displays with traditional DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI and VGA ports will also be available.
Apple simultaneously with the announcement of the new MacBook offered several adapter options. A single USB Type-C to USB Type-A is priced at $ 19.
Given the presence of only one USB Type-C, the owner of a MacBook probably cannot do without a universal, more functional converter. Apple introduced two of these adapters. One on the output has a pass-through port USB Type-C, VGA and USB Type-A, the second option is equipped with HDMI instead of VGA. The cost of these boxes is $ 79. A 29W power supply with native USB Type-C costs $ 49.
Google for new system The Chromebook Pixel offers single USB Type-C to Type-A (male / female) adapters for $ 13, while a DisplayPort / HDMI converter costs $ 40. The 60W PSU is priced at $ 60.
Traditionally, one should not expect humane price tags for additional accessories from equipment manufacturers. Adapter manufacturers are anticipating the demand for their new products. Belkin is already ready to ship kilometers of conductors, but their cost cannot be called low either ($ 20-30). The company also announced, but has yet to provide a USB Type-C to Gigabit Ethernet adapter. The cost has not yet been announced, there is information only that it will be available in early summer. It's funny, but it seems that up to this point, to connect to a wired network, you will need to use two adapters at once. It is possible that someone will be quicker than Belkin by offering an appropriate adapter earlier.
It will be possible to speak about a noticeable price reduction only after much less well-known companies from the "Celestial Empire" are closely engaged in accessories with USB Type-C. Considering what prospects are opening up, we believe that the matter will not be behind them.
USB Type-C devices. Someone must be first
The tablet was nominally the first device equipped with a USB Type-C port. At least, it was this device that became a harbinger of the fact that the ports of the new format left the development laboratories and "go to the people".
An interesting device, but, unfortunately, it is still offered in a fairly limited edition. The tablet has a native USB Type-C port, although the USB 2.0 protocol is used for data transfer.
Perhaps the most iconic product to help boost the popularity of USB Type-C is its recent release. The 12-inch laptop is equipped with a single interface connector, so its owners will somehow be pioneers who will adapt to life with USB Type-C.
On the one hand, Apple obviously supported the development of the new standard, moreover, the company's engineers were directly involved in the development of USB Type-C. On the other hand, updated versions Macbook air and the MacBook Pro did not receive this connector. Does this mean that USB Type-C will not be registered in the "heavier" category of devices of the manufacturer in the coming year? Controversial. After all, surely Apple will not be able to resist updating the line of laptops after the autumn announcement of Intel's new mobile platform with Skylake processors. Perhaps that's when the Cupertines will allocate space on the interface panel for USB Type-C.
The situation with tablets and smartphones is even more controversial. Will Apple use USB Type-C instead of Lightning for them? The proprietary connector is noticeably inferior to the new universal port in terms of capabilities, but what about the original peripherals that have accumulated among users of Apple mobile products since 2012? We will find out the answers to these questions with the update or expansion of the iPhone / iPad lines.
Google has unveiled the second generation of stylish Chromebook Pixel laptops. Chrome OS systems are still quite niche solutions, but the quality of Google's systems captivates, moreover, this time they are at the forefront of devices offering to join USB Type-C. Laptops are equipped with a pair of matching connectors. However, as a safety net, the Chromebook Pixel also has two classic USB 3.0 ports.
In general, Google representatives are very encouraged by the capabilities of the new connector, counting on the appearance of Android mobile devices with a USB Type-C connector in the near future. Uncompromising support of the largest platform holder is a powerful argument for other market players.
Motherboard manufacturers have been slow to add a USB Type-C port to their devices yet. MSI recently introduced the MSI Z97A GAMING 6, which is equipped with this connector with data transfer rates up to 10Gb / s.
ASUS offers external uSB controller 3.1 with a USB Type-C port, which can be installed on any card with an empty PCI Express (x4) slot.
Peripheral devices with native USB Type-C are still not enough. Surely, many manufacturers were in no hurry with the announcement, waiting for the appearance of systems with which products with USB Type-C could be used. In general, this is a typical situation when implementing the next industry standard.
Immediately after the announcement Apple MacBookLaCie introduced a series of USB Type-C external portable hard drives.
SanDisk is already offering a USB 3.0 Type-A and USB Type-C flash drive for trial. A similar product is offered by the lesser known Microdia.
We will surely see a significant expansion of the range of USB Type-C devices soon. The flywheel of change will slowly but surely unfold. The support of “big” companies can influence the situation and speed up this process.
Outcome
The need for a universal compact connector that could be used to transfer data, video-audio streams and electricity has been long overdue. Considering the mutual interest of both users and equipment manufacturers, there are all the prerequisites for USB Type-C to "shoot".
Compact size, simplicity and ease of connection along with ample opportunities promise the connector to repeat the success of its predecessor. The familiar USB port has been upgraded several times, but the time has come for fundamental changes. 10 Gb / s with the possibility of further scalability, power transmission up to 100 W and a picture with a resolution of up to 5K. Not a bad start? Another argument for USB Type-C is an open standard that does not require royalties from manufacturers. There is still much work to be done, but the result is visible ahead, for the sake of which it is worth walking this path.
Advantages of the USB 3.1 port:
★ fast
★ powerful
★ universal
Advantages of the Type-C connector:
★ durable
★ symmetrical
Now it is guaranteed that you can connect the USB cable to the device the first time.
⚠ It is necessary to distinguish between the concepts " port"And" connector». Connector (socket) Type-C can be soldered even on an old phone (instead of micro-USB), but port it will remain the old USB 2.0 - it will not add charging and data transfer speeds. Of the convenience, only the symmetry and reliability of the connector will appear.
⚠ Thus, the presence of Type-C does not mean anything yet. Smartphone models are on sale with a new connector, but with old port... The advantages listed in this article do not apply to such smartphones.
Pin assignment
The contacts of the connectors in the diagrams are shown from the outer (working) side, unless otherwise specified.
The port contains 24 pins (12 pins on each side). The "upper" ruler is numbered A1 ... A12, the "lower" one - B1 ... B12. For the most part, the lines are identical to each other, which makes this port indifferent to the orientation of the plug. The contacts of each line can be divided into 6 groups: USB 2.0, USB 3.1, Power, Ground, Matching channel and Additional channel... Now let's take a closer look.
Actually, USB 3.1. High-speed data lines: TX +, TX-, RX +, RX- ( pins 2, 3, 10, 11). Speed \u200b\u200bup to 10 Gb / s. In the cable, these pairs are crossed, and what is RX for one device is represented as TX to another. And vice versa. By special order, these pairs can be retrained for other tasks, for example, for video transmission.
Good old . Low speed data lines: D + / D- ( pins 6, 7). This rarity was included in the port for the sake of compatibility with old low-speed devices up to 480 Mb / s.
Power Plus - Vbus(pins 4, 9). The standard voltage is 5 volts. The current is set depending on the needs of the periphery: 0.5A; 0.9A; 1.5A; 3A. In general, the specification of the port implies a transmitted power of up to 100W, and in the event of a war, the port is able to power a monitor or charge a laptop with a voltage of 20V!
GND - "Ground" - mother (pins 1, 12). Minus everything and everything.
Matching channel (or configuring) - SS ( pin 5). This is the main feature of USB type-C! Thanks to this channel, the system can determine:
- The fact of connection / disconnection peripheral device;
- The orientation of the connected plug. Oddly enough, but the connector is not absolutely symmetrical, and in some cases the device wants to know its orientation;
- The current and voltage that should be provided to the peripheral for power supply or charge;
- The need to work in an alternative mode, for example, to transmit an audio-video stream.
- In addition to monitoring functions, this channel supplies power to the active cable if necessary.
Additional channel - SBU (pin 8). The additional channel is usually not used and is provided only for some exotic cases. For example, when transmitting video over cable, an audio channel is sent over the SBU.
USB 3.1 Type-C pinout
The "striped color" here depicts the contacts of a bare wire.
A strange solution was to mark the D + and D- wires not as in USB 2.0, but on the contrary: D + white, D- green.
The gray outline marks the wires whose color, according to Wikipedia, is not regulated by the standard. The author did not find any indications at all on the colors of the wires in official documentation.
Wiring connectors Type-C ▼ 
Diagram of a typical USB-C male-to-male cable ▼ 
Power / Charge Technology USB PD Rev.2 (USB Power Delivery)
The USB-C cable does not have such concepts as "Connector-A" or "Connector-B" - the connectors are now the same in all cases.
Device roles are denoted with new terms:
DFP - active, power supply device (like a USB port A)
UFP - passive, receiving device (like a USB port B)
DRP - "two-faced" device dynamically changing its status.
In addition, the charger is called Power Provider, charged - Power Consumer.
The distribution of roles is carried out by setting a certain potential on the CC contact using one or another resistor:
Active device ( DFP V bus.
The resistor value tells the consumer what current he can count on:
56
± 20% kOhm - 500 or 900 mA
22
± 5% kOhm - 1.5 A
10
± 5% kOhm - 3 A
▲ Adapters from USB 2.0 (3.0) to USB-C, used to connect new smartphones to old PCs or memory devices, are soldered according to the DFP scheme, that is, they show themselves to the smartphone as an active device
Passive device ( UFP) is determined by the resistor between CC and GND.
Resistor value: 5,1
kOhm
▲ Adapters from USB-C to USB-OTG are wired according to the UFP scheme, that is, they imitate a consuming device.
⚠ USB PD Rev2 technology in which by contact CC agree current and voltage charge should not be confused with Quick Charge (QC) technology, where the contacts D− and D +only agrees voltage charge. USB PD Rev2 is only supported in USB 3.1.
QC is supported without reference to the port version.
USB-micro-USB-C adapter
Pinout of the Type-C to USB 3.0 OTG adapter board from different sides ▼
Analog audio via Type-C
The standard provides for the ability to transmit analog audio through a digital port. This feature is implemented in hTC smartphones U series, HTC 10 Evo, Xiaomi Mi, LeTV. The author would be grateful if the reader would add to this list.
For operation in this mode, analog headsets with a Type-C plug are used. To connect the classic, adapters are provided.
Analog audio is transmitted on Data−, Data +, SBU1 and SBU2 channels. The smartphone enters this mode if the plug of the headset or adapter resistance between contacts A1-A5 and B1-B5 is less than0.8 ... 1.2 kOhm... Instead of a resistor, I just saw a jumper.
Video over USB-C
For video transmission via USB 3.1, the "DisplayPort Alternate Mode" has been developed.
See the list of devices that support this mode. I think it will be very useful to many. I do not know what kind of cord you had and whether it worked with QC3.0 before? How long did you live in it? What is "normal USB"?
The USB Type-C port is the successor to the original micro USB port and can be found in 2017 smartphones today, as well as external batteries, headphones and other devices. Galagram tells why the new Type-C is better than the usual micro USB, as well as what bonuses the owners of technology with the new port standard get.
3 key benefits of USB Type-C
It charges gadgets faster
The USB Implementers Forum, which is the industry association behind port development, has worked around bugs in its micro USB creation and created a USB Type-C with better specifications. Chargers with the new port are faster and typically charge smartphones with 15W of power. That's five times faster than most chargers using the old port. And most importantly, it does not put unnecessary strain on your battery.
Charging in both directions
Both ends of the cable not only look the same, they can also perform the same actions on both sides, which means you can determine which direction the current is flowing in. In some cases, this leads to funny results when your smartphone starts charging the power bank.
If you have a lot of battery power left, you can help a friend by charging his smartphone using just a Type-C cable. To do this, connect both smartphones with such a cable and direct the current in the right direction, that's all!
Transferring data from smartphone to smartphone
You just need to open the file explorer on the device where you want to receive the files. This is a pre-installed app on smartphones from many manufacturers, but otherwise it can simply be found in the settings.
How USB Type-C works
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a standard that defines cable, connectors and digital communication. Its first version appeared in 1998 and replaced the PC interfaces that were popular at the time. The USB Type-C connector appeared in 2014. It has more pins than its predecessor and they are symmetrically arranged. As a result, it doesn't matter which side you insert the cable - it's two-way and works the same.
This is a 24-pin 2-way port
There are many differences between connectors and USB versions. They have different electrical characteristics, indicators of power and data transfer rate. USB A and B connectors only have 4 pins, while USB 3.1 Type-C has 24 pins (standard pinout), which are needed to support higher currents and faster data transfer. Besides, uSB standard 3.1 increases data transfer speeds up to 10 Gb / s, and also has innovative ways to charge devices.
The Type-C port specification requires the connector to withstand 100,000 connections per connector, with no signs of wear and tear. If you plug the port for example two to three times a day, the cable should last over 12 years. To meet these requirements and handle increased power flow, USB-C cables are usually thicker than the classic micro USB cable.
What is Type-C for?
Lots of Android smartphones still have a micro USB port. In most cases, devices are charged through it from 5V voltage and 2A current. Faster charging speeds can only be achieved outside of the USB specification: Qualcomm Quick Charge, OnePlus Dash Charge, Oppo Vooc and Samsung Adaptive Fast Charge are manufacturer standards that only work on certain brand devices.
Transmits more power than micro USB
The Type-C port delivers up to 100W of power using an open, free, conventional power system limited to only cable, power supply, or target charging device. To minimize heat build-up and wear on electronic components, Type-C compatible devices constantly match voltage and current with each other. Look for the USB logo on the chargerwhich was adopted in August 2016.
Can transmit HDMI and audio signals
Type-C connectors can replace many other cables. The certification process for many signals and protocols has been completed. These include VGA, DVI, or HDMI, where the Type-C port mimics a display port, including protocol conversion. Of course, this requires appropriate hardware and software on the device, but this is already the business of the equipment manufacturers.
Xiaomi and LeEco get rid of 3.5 mm port in favor of Type-C
In 2015, Apple released its first gadget equipped with a new and surprisingly single USB Type-C port. , which has only one port, caused a flurry of discontent among the fans of the company.
And then it endured, fell in love, and Apple to this day not only very successfully sells 12-inch line of ultrabooks, but also equipped the USB Type-C MacBook Pro series, completely abandoning the classic USB 2.0 / 3.0, and indeed any additional ports ...
Almost three years have passed since the MacBook was released, but users still have questions about the operation of the newfangled USB Type-C port. I am especially concerned about the selection of cables and accessories.
In this article we will deal with all the nuances of the new standard. I will try to present the material in such a way that after reading it there are no more questions, and everything becomes known about the USB Type-C ports in MacBook and MacBook Pro.
Where USB-C came from and where the problem crept in
The USB standard itself appeared back in 1994. USB 1.0 was conceived as a universal port for connecting all kinds of equipment to a PC. It began to be actively used only in the 2000s.
USB 2.0... Then it was time for USB 2.0. USB 2.0 cables are strictly oriented and come in two types of connectors: USB Type-A and USB Type-B... With the growing popularity of mobile devices, two more types of connectors will later appear: USB Micro-B and USB Mini-B.
Data was transmitted over two cables, usually green and white, while black and red were responsible for power supply.
The maximum data transfer rate for USB 2.0 is 480 Mbps... The main drawback of the standard is too low currents ( no more than 500 mA), which often caused problems when connecting external drives.
USB 3.0... Determined to eliminate the shortcomings of USB 2.0, engineers are developing a new standard - USB 3.0. Blue USB was significantly faster and was able to transfer data at speeds up to 5 Gbps.
Perhaps this was due to the appearance of four additional communication lines, and, as a result, an increase in the maximum current up to 900 mA.
In the fall of 2013, the specifications for the updated USB 3.1 Type-C standard were approved. Since then, life has ceased to be the same.
What is USB Type-C?
Despite the fact that engineers had already released three iterations of the USB standard, the main question remained open to them. It was necessary to provide normal food.
The pitiful current of 900 mA to feed the same laptop battery of 8-10 thousand mAh is clearly not enough. In addition, more demanding power accessories began to appear on the market, and the tendency of manufacturers to make devices thinner and more compact forced them to abandon ports such as HDMI, Thunderbolt, classic USB, Ethernet.
Instead of 8-pin USB 3.0, there is 24-pin USB 3.1 Type C. Why are there so many? Judge for yourself:
The new USB Type-C specification opened up a number of new possibilities for users at once.
Firstly, USB Type-C has a new USB PD standard, according to which this port and the corresponding cables must be capable of transmitting current and power up to 100 W in both directions.
Secondly, the impressive data transfer rates. Thunderbolt 3 Alternate Mode can transfer data at speeds up to 40Gbps. Of course, with certain "if", but more on that below.
Thirdly, it can transmit video with a resolution up to 5K. Speed \u200b\u200bhere with a margin and the need for HDMI simply disappears.
Finally, USB Type-C is convenient in that “no matter how you plug it in,” it will work. It is bilateral. A logical continuation of the Lightning cable, but now not only for Apple devices.
What then is installed in MacBook and MacBook Pro?
Before we figure out the choice of cables and USB Type-C accessories, you need to understand those USB Type-C ports that are installed in MacBooks.
Alas, USB Promoter Group chopped a lot of USB 3.1 firewood, spawning several generations of ports and finally confusing users.
Unraveling this Gordian knot.
So here are all the generations of MacBooks and the corresponding USB Type-C ports installed in them.
That is, you should immediately understand that if you have a 12-inch MacBook, you can forget about Thunderbolt 3 support, which means it is stupid to overpay for support of this specification when choosing a cable.
MacBook 12 ″ supports video transmission via HDMI, VGA and DisplayPort (with appropriate adapters), but it will not work with Thunderbolt devices.
MacBook Pro 2016 and newer are much more interesting. Until the recent update, the 13-inch MacBook Pro models only had Thunderbolt 3 support (the ones on the left).
As of 2018, all four ports on TouchBar models are fully full-speed capable. For 12-inch MacBooks, everything remains unchanged.
Choosing the right cable for specific tasks
The choice of USB Type-C cable directly depends on the task you are pursuing. This specification is very extensive, and it has certain limitations.
1. For charging
USB Type-C supports charging power up to 100W. The set with MacBooks comes with a corresponding charging cable with a built-in controller that limits the maximum charging power.
The 12-inch MacBook comes with a cable with a maximum charging power of 61W. With MacBook Pro 13 and 15 inches 87W respectively.
This means only one thing: if you connect a 61-watt cable to an 87-watt charger and try to charge a MacBook Pro 15 "", say, 2018 release, then charging will take place at a power of 61 watts. That is, one and a half times slower.
This is true for other certified charging cable manufacturers as well.
Is it possible connect your MacBook to a charging with increased power? Can. Instead of the included 29W power supply, you can power it with a 15-inch 87W MacBook Pro charger. It's okay, but there won't be a miracle and the MacBook won't charge faster.
And yes, it is not harmful. The MacBook will only take as much as it can. By the way, the story is the same with the iPad.
To finally solve the problems with charging and get a cable "for all occasions", you can opt for the original 2-meter USB-C cable for 1,490 rubles.
2. To transfer video signal like HDMI
You've decided to connect an external monitor or TV to your MacBook or MacBook Pro. Let's figure out what to use to transfer a video stream in conjunction with USB Type-C.
First and foremost, determine which input port your external monitor or TV is equipped with.
For HDMI... There is a universal option that will not only add a standard USB 2.0 / 3.0 port and HDMI to MacBooks, but also duplicate USB Type-C. Costs 5,490 rubles.
For VGA... A similar, but more archaic solution for VGA for the same 5 490 rubles.
For Thunderbolt 3... There are already several Thunderbolt 3 display models on the market (12-inch MacBooks pass by). 0.8 meters of such a cable will cost 3,190 rubles.
The same option can be used for charging (up to 100W). Having overpaid 2 thousand rubles and buying this cable instead of a USB Type-C charging cable, you will get a truly universal cord that supports data transfer at speeds up to 40 Gb / s.
Important... Don't chase length. Thunderbolt 3-capable 2-meter and half-meter cables are two different things.
But here it is worth making some clarity.
3. For connecting USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 devices
Perhaps the only case when there are no problems with adapters. The same standard USB Type-C -\u003e USB adapter for 1,490 rubles. capable of delivering up to 5 Gbps.
This is exactly what the USB Type-C port is designed for in the 12-inch MacBook family.
4. For maximum data rate (5K and 4K 60Hz)
40 Gbps is the maximum capacity of USB Type-C gen 2 with Thunderbolt 3 support. But this is under ideal conditions.
To achieve this speed, the cable length must not exceed 18 inches or 45 centimeters... Otherwise, the speed drops sharply.
But even here everything is not so simple. Thunderbolt 3 cords fall into two categories: passive and active... And you should pay attention to this if speed is important to you.
The former, with a length of two meters, transmit data at half the speed, that is, at the level of 20 Gbit / s, or even less.
The active ones have a special transmitter that controls the transmission rate along the entire length of the cable. Such laces maintain speed.
