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USB4 finally coming with 40Gbps
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    March 4, 2019 – The USB Promoter Group today announced the pending release of the USB4 specification, a major update to deliver the next generation USB architecture that compliments and builds on the existing USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 architectures. The USB4 architecture is based on the Thunderbolt™ protocol specification recently contributed by Intel Corporation. It doubles the bandwidth of USB and enables multiple simultaneous data and display protocols.

    The new USB4 architecture defines a method to share a single high-speed link with multiple end device types dynamically that best serves the transfer of data by type and application. As the USB Type-C™ connector has evolved into the role as the external display port of many host products, the USB4 specification provides the host the ability to optimally scale allocations for display data flow. Even as the USB4 specification introduces a new underlying protocol, compatibility with existing USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3 hosts and devices is supported; the resulting connection scales to the best mutual capability of the devices being connected.

    “The primary goal of USB is to deliver the best user experience combining data, display and power delivery over a user-friendly and robust cable and connector solution,” said Brad Saunders, USB Promoter Group Chairman. “The USB4 solution specifically tailors bus operation to further enhance this experience by optimizing the blend of data and display over a single connection and enabling the further doubling of performance.”

    Key characteristics of the USB4 solution include:

    • Two-lane operation using existing USB Type-C cables and up to 40 Gbps operation over 40 Gbps certified cables
    • Multiple data and display protocols to efficiently share the total available bandwidth over the bus
    • Backward compatibility with USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3

    With over 50 companies actively participating in the final stages of review of the draft specification, the USB4 specification is on track to be published around the middle of 2019. Coincident with the release of the USB4 specification, the release of an updated USB Type-C Specification will be made to comprehend USB4 bus discovery, configuration and performance requirements.

    USB Developer Days 2019, in the second half of this year, will include detailed technical training covering the USB4 specification and the latest for USB Type-C, USB Power Delivery, and other exciting topics.

  • 6 Replies sorted by
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    It is utter failure as Thunderbolt has multitude of issues. It has lot of restrictions on cables and is generally not useful in the are where USB 3.0 is being used and even USB 3.2 is much better in this regard.

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    "Releasing the Thunderbolt protocol specification is a significant milestone for making today's simplest and most versatile port available to everyone. This, in combination with the integration of Thunderbolt 3 into upcoming Intel processors is a win-win for the industry and consumers," Jason Ziller, general manager, Client Connectivity Division at Intel, was cited as saying in a company statement.

    Previously, Intel shared plans to integrate Thunderbolt 3 into future Intel CPUs and to release the Thunderbolt protocol specification to the industry. As detailed at CES 2019, Intel's upcoming 10nm processor code-named Ice Lake will be the first to integrate Thunderbolt 3, said the company. Processor integration, combined with the latest announcement, is expected to drive large-scale, mainstream adoption of Thunderbolt.

    Industry adoption of Thunderbolt 3 is accelerating, according to Intel. Thunderbolt 3 is fully supported in Windows 10, macOS and Linux; volumes of PCs with these ports continue to double every year into the tens of millions; and all the latest Macs have Thunderbolt 3 ports. More than 400 PC designs have been enabled with Thunderbolt 3. Peripheral device volumes also continue to double annually with more than 450 certified devices from a wide number of product categories, including docks, displays, storage and external graphics.

    Choosing proprietary tech as new standard that is of completely different architecture from existing USB 3.0 is stupid move. Totally stupid.

    Main idea here can be put all industry into situation that happened to HEVC where US and EU companies use fake and strange patents on algorithms and protocols to prevent competition and demand money.

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    image

    New protocol is expected to manifest in physical, consumer products by the end of 2020. The specification for the next-generation bus is currently on version 0.7, with the USB Promoter Group expecting it to be finalized by this Summer. Then it's just a matter of manufacturers developing new products powered by the latest protocol.

    USB 4.0 will make use of USB Type-C's interface, ensuring backwards compatibility not only with it, but also USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3.

    And we again will have USB 4.0 Gen1 aka USB 3.0 :-)

    One thing to note - already Thunderbolt had huge issues with cable length and here it will be only worse. Idea to somehow push PCIe interface to everything will fail miserably. As USB like connections must use proper physical layer that comes from wired networks.

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  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    Specifications published

    https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb4tm-specification

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    It'll be even bigger mess now

    USB4 won’t be just one single standard that you can expect to work the same across all devices. Instead, it will come in two different speeds. In addition to the potential for a maximum 40Gbps speed, there’s also a 20Gbps speed. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a third option of 10Gbps in the USB4 spec. However, the USB-IF told us that this is simply a fallback speed to support backward compatibility. In other words, don’t expect to see USB4 devices limited to that lowest speed.

    It’s currently unclear what the two major USB4 speeds will be called when they hit store shelves. Behind the scenes, the 40 Gbps USB4 speed is called Gen 3×2, and the 20 Gbps speed is Gen 2×2.

    Note how they all are keeping mum about cable lengths :-)

    Their cables already are 50cm limited to 2x2 20Gbit.
    Maybe they'll manage 40-50cm with much thinker cable for 40Gbit (Thunderbolt has same limits).
    But it is total idiocy.
    As instead we need long flexible cable with two wires responsible for power delivery and optic core for all information transfers.

    The USB-IF says that USB4 can be backward compatible with Intel’s Thunderbolt 3, which also uses Type-C connectors. That makes sense since USB4 incorporates Thunderbolt 3’s specifications. But Thunderbolt 3 support is not mandatory for USB4.

    Trash. And this happens as Intel actually want big payment for any mentioning or certification of compatibility, so Intel providing specs to USB had been blatant attempt to promote TB and ripoff manufacturers.

    All USB 4 devices will include USB Power Delivery technology (USB PD), which can deliver up to 100 watts of power through a USB port.

    And this will be total lie, as implementing PD properly is costly. So, we'll see around 90% of devices, even budget notebooks without such support.

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    Important thingy

    Notebook manufacturers request had been to be able to ditch USB A ports in their notes with transfer to USB 4.0 (similar to Apple), as average USB-C USB 4.0 port is much more fragile, according to service centers have life around 1/3-1/4 of good USB-A port and also like to cause burnouts and short circuits on board, especially with PD power supplies.

    One of the service guys told me how happy they are with recent developments, as replacing connector on motherboard is expensive and yet fast to do. Replacing port or Thunderbolt controller is very expensive and also quite easy. They are happy and already see big stream of new notebooks that are out of warranty.

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