Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a standard that describes how cables and connectors can communicate, exchange data or transfer power between electronic devices. It was originally designed to improve the medium between personal computers and other accessorial devices. It has become the most popular of all connection standards and almost every electronic device supports it. You would find it on your phones, computers, games, flash drive etc.
Generally, we could group USBs into types and standard specifications. The specifications describe the functionalities and capabilities, while types describe the design of the plugs (the end or part of the USB device that is put into another device) and ports (the part of a device that receives the plug, this is also called the receptacle).
Generations of USB specifications
USB 1.0
You would hardly find this standard as it has been replaced by the newer USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 or their variations. It supports two different data transfer rates; the low speed at 1.5 Mbs and full speed at 12 Mbps. It could only work on USB-A and USB-B connectors (hang on, you would soon see what those mean in a bit). USB 1.1, the first variation to the original USB 1.0, became more widely accepted than the original 1.0.
USB 2.0
This standard supports up to a maximum theoretical transfer data rate of 480 Mbps. This version of standard introduced the support for direct communication between two USB devices without the need for a separate dedicated USB host. This is termed USB OTG (On-The-Go). With a USB OTG cable, you can directly connect your smartphone or tablet to other accessories.
USB 3.0
This standard of the USB, also called the SuperSpeed USB, can support a theoretical maximum data rate of 5 Gbps for transmission. The newer variations are USB 3.1 and USB 3.2 with improved data rate and performances.
USB 3.0 and its variations are also backwards compatible with the previous versions of the USB standards.
USB 4.0
This specification was released in 2019. It supports a maximum data rate of 40 Gbps and is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.2
USB Connector Types
USB Type A (USB-A)
USB-A is arguably the commonest used USB type. It is usually found at either end of a cable. One limitation with the USB-A is that it only works when the cable is inserted the right way. USB-A is supported in versions: USB 1.1, USB 2.0, USB 3.0.
USB Type B (USB-B)
They are supported in versions USB 3.0. USB 2.0 and USB 1.1.
They are usually found at one end of a USB-A or USB-B cable, like in the picture shown above, and are found being plugged into devices like printers.
USB Type C (USB-C)
USB-C supports a number of standards and protocols like USB 3.1 and USB 3.0. It can support a fast data rate of up to 10 Gbps, a power of 100W and 20-volt. It is also bi-directional, i.e when connected with other devices, it can concurrently transfer power in both ways. Unlike USB-A, it does not follow a specific order of attachment. It would work no matter the orientation you adopt to plug it. You do not worry whether it is upside down or not.
Often times, you realize that devices with USB C do not have other types of ports. This is because USB-C supports the use of adapters that could produce as outputs, different types of connections from the USB-C port. You could have your VGA, HDMA or even headphone compacted into a single type of port. The more unique advantage about USB-C is that it has been widely accepted by many electronic and technological companies because they had collaborated to make the design and the features. Therefore, it ensures more operability compared to the other types. Its small size and sleek design also make it a darling of newer and portable designs.
Do you have to throw away your older devices with older types?
No. USB type C has been designed to, in a way, work with the older type of connectors, with the addition of an adaptor. The newer standards are backward compatible with the older ones.
REFERENCES
https://www.lifewire.com/usb-type-a-connector-2626032
https://web.archive.org/web/20180130144424/https://fl.hw.cz/docs/usb/usb10doc.pdf
https://www.cnet.com/news/usb4-marries-thunderbolt-3-for-faster-speeds-and-smarter-transfers/
https://www.scienceabc.com/innovation/usb-type-c-different-usb-type-type-b.html
