On September 1 this year, the USB publicity organization previewed the new USB 4.0 Version 2.0 (USB 4.0 Second Edition) specification. The new version of USB 4.0 will increase the USB Type-C cable and connector speed to 80Gbps. The specific specification information will not be announced until the USB developer conference in Seattle and Seoul in November this year, but a lot of expected information has been revealed in this announcement.
jumped from 40Gbps to 80Gbps
USB 4.0 The second version will become one of the fastest interface standards on the market, even surpassing the maximum speed of Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4.0 to reach a terrible 80Gbps. In terms of protocol tunnel support, USB-IF indicates that the new version of USB 4.0 will support higher performance USB 3.2 and the new version of DisplayPort and PCIe. In the first version, USB 4.0 has already supported USB 3.2 at 20Gbps (optional speed). It seems that this version of the specification will set a new high in USB 3.2. The second version of
USB 4.0 is the same as all USB standards previously launched, and it is as excellent in backward compatibility as ever. The second version of USB 4.0 will be compatible with the existing first version of USB 4.0, as well as the previous USB 3.2 and USB 2.0. As for compatibility with Thunderbolt, USB 4.0 second version did not introduce compatibility with Thunderbolt 4, but was still just compatible with Thunderbolt 3 like the first version. Considering that in the specifications of the first version of USB 4.0, compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 is only an option for the host and peripherals, only the hub must be compatible, and the second version of USB 4.0 may also use this design. Backward compatibility like
is expected, but the second version of USB 4.0 seems to have left a surprise, that is, the existing USB 4.0 40Gbps cable can be upgraded to 80Gbps speed in the future, which was also confirmed by USB-IF spokesperson Joe Balich. USB-IF does not explain the technical principles of how to achieve this, but it is obvious that the wire is not a limiting factor, and the biggest upgrade is still on the protocol of the USB 4.0 controller.
But this compatibility is not for all USB 4.0 40Gbps Type-C cables, but only for passive USB cables. If you want to enjoy 80Gbps on an active USB cable with a sufficient length, you still have to buy a new USB cable. So those who want to experience greater bandwidth on VR devices and cameras may have to spend money again.
Another confusing naming?
Starting from USB 3.0, the new USB standard has always maintained a relatively chaotic state in naming. For example, USB 3.2 Gen 1 (the original USB 3.0), USB 3.2 Gen 2 (the original USB 3.1), and later USB 3.2 (the original USB 3.2 Gen 1x2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2). In addition, the marketing terms recommended by USB-IF, which have never been popular, such as full speed, high speed, overspeed, etc., are supplemented by terminal manufacturers' ambiguity about these concepts, and consumers often confuse them when purchasing USB cables and devices.
However, this is the name of USB 4.0 second version, which seems to be just for developers to see, and it would be too tactile to use this name after it is put on the product. For example, Gen 1 in USB 3.2Gen 1x2 refers to the clock speed of each channel. Here, Gen 1 corresponds to 5Gbps, while x2 corresponds to the number of channels. Consumers do not need to know these, as long as they know their performance.
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 So no matter what the name is determined by the second version of USB 4.0, the product trademark diagram should be written with Certified USB 80Gbps. Not to mention that after the PD standard is updated, you must be careful when selecting cables to avoid using a low charging power USB cable. Therefore, it is the most intuitive to distinguish using trademarks, just like the picture above. Which manufacturers will follow up as soon as possible?
As a member of the USB promotion organization and a supporter of Thunderbolt interfaces, Apple and Intel will definitely be the first to follow up on this standard. In addition to cables, the first batch of USB 4.0 second version products we see are likely to come from these two terminal products, as well as Intel's own USB/Thunderbolt chips.But we all know that even with the support of current USB 4.0, these two companies will first use Thunderbolt 4 to be compatible with USB 4.0. As for other products under the USB 4.0 ecosystem, such as laptops, USB 4.0 docks, hubs, etc. on the AMD platform, it will take a while before it will be launched. Perhaps it is very likely that the terminal products of Thunderbolt 5 will be released first.
. In terms of control chips and Retimer chips, in addition to Intel and Infineon, most manufacturers, especially several Taiwanese manufacturers, Xiangshuo Technology, Purui Technology, Weifeng Electronics, etc., did not launch related USB 4.0 products until last year and this year, it will inevitably take a certain amount of time to follow up on the second version of USB 4.0.
