USB Throughput Hits 80Gbps with the Release of USB4 Version 2.0
Backwards-compatible through to USB 2.0, USB4 Version 2.0 doubles the maximum possible data rate from 40Gbps to 80Gbps.
The USB Promoter Group has announced a new variant of the ubiquitous Universal Serial Bus (USB) interconnection standard, now offering data rates of up to 80Gbps — and it's called USB4 Version 2.0.
"Once again following USB tradition, this updated USB4 specification doubles data performance to deliver higher levels of functionality to the USB Type-C ecosystem," claims Brad Saunders, USB Promoter Group chair, of the revised specification. "Solutions seeing the most benefit from this speed enhancement include higher-performance displays, storage, and USB-based hubs and docks."
The USB4 Version 2.0 specification promises full backwards compatibility with the previous USB4 specification as well as USB 3.2, USB 2.0, and Thunderbolt 3, but not earlier USB versions, with the potential to deliver up to 80Gbps throughput on supported devices — but while the USB Promoter Group suggests this may be achievable using existing passive USB cables originally rated for 40Gbps, the specification also includes a new active cable specifically designed for 80Gbps devices.
Elsewhere in the new standard are updated data and display protocols, designed to make it easier to actually use the newly-increased bandwidth, and an update to the data architecture, which allows tunneled USB 3.2 data to exceed 20Gbps. The standard also aligns with the latest DisplayPort and PCI Express specifications.
It comes, however, as yet another set of variables in what is becoming an increasingly messy list of potential USB types: With the introduction of USB4 Version 2 a device may be USB4 80Gbps, USB 4 Gen 3×2, USB4 Gen 2×2, USB 3.x over USB4, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, USB 3.2 Gen 1×2, USB 3.2 Gen 1×1, which is actually USB 3.1 Gen 1 that, in turn, is actually USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 2×1, or USB 2.0, even before you consider whether a device supports alternate modes, DisplayPort, PCI Express, Thunderbolt 3 features, or USB Power Delivery (PD).
The USB Promoter Group has announced that it will be offering "detailed technical training" on the new specification this November in Seattle and Seoul during the USB Developer Days events; it has also pledged to release updated USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery specifications in the near future. All specifications are published on USB.org.