USB 4 Gen 3 Type C

USB4 Connectors

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is one of the most popular interconnect standards. The ease in usability along with its rapid evolution to meet the ever-increasing data, speed and power delivery requirements are the reasons that created an undeniable position for USBs among other input output connectors. From a pen drive you plug into your laptop to sophisticated data center requirements, to high-speed devices that support modern infotainment in a smart car to rugged USBs that can withstand the harshest of conditions on an industrial floor, USB connectors are used everywhere. With the advent of compact reversible USB Type-C connectors, its popularity gained further momentum. It is today widely used in sleek tablets, smartphones and other advanced portable devices. To meet the most advanced application requirements that demand exceptional data and speed performance, USB has released a new protocol that meets enhanced data transmission rates at shorter intervals - the USB4. This new technology combines Thunderbolt™ protocol specifications with the earlier architectures like USB 3.2 and 2.0 marking the next generation performance of USB devices.

Evolution of USB4

USB connectors were first introduced with a maximum transmission speed of 12Mb/s. Few years later USB 2.0 was introduced with a forty times faster transmission speed of 480 Mbit/s, followed by USB 3.0 with 5 Gb/s data transmission rates. Gen1 was much similar to USB 3.0 with SuperSpeed, whereas Gen 2 doubled the speeds to 10Gb/s and was known as SuperSpeed+. USB3.1 Gen 2 Type-C connectors are ideal for factory automation equipment and automotive infotainment applications and Amphenol is one the earliest adopters of this technology.

Amphenol also offers USB 3.1 Gen 2 connectors in Type A, Type B, and Type Micro-B interfaces as well as the later USB 3.2 specification, with transfer rates of USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 at 20Gb/s combined with the reversible features of Type-C. Amphenol also provides ruggedized USBs with gold-plated leaf contact design that improves contact resistance and prevents corrosion. With full metal shielding, the connectors are fully protected against damage from Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), Radio-Frequency Interference (RFI), and Electromagnetic Discharge (ESD). USB4 protocol was announced in 2019 with specifications of 40Gb/s performance with USB Type-C interface, this is so far the USB interface with the highest rated transfer speed.

Key Features of USB4 Connectors

USB4 supports multiple data and display protocols while simultaneously doubling the maximum aggregate bandwidth. This new architecture allows optimal data transfer by dynamically differentiating multiple end devices. USB4 leverages on the Type-C interface, which is already in use as the external display port in many devices, so as to allow the host to scale up on display related data allocations.

This new protocol is also backward compatible with its predecessors like USB 3.2, USB 2.0, and Thunderbolt 3, helping each other to make use of the maximum capacity of both the connected devices. This new specification supports two-lane operation and doubles the bandwidth to improve performance over USB Type-C cable and is offered in both 20Gb/s and 40Gb/s transfer speeds.

Amphenol USB4 Connector Range

Meeting all the USB4 specifications, Amphenol's USB4 Gen3 Type-C connectors are compatible with Thunderbolt 4 and have a high-speed data transmission rate of up to 40Gb/s. Designed with excellent copper alloy, the terminals provide high power delivery of up to 100W and an extended 5A current rating. The USB4 Type-C connectors feature power charging, tunneling USB, PCIe® data transfer, and DP video and audio capability in a single Type-C connector. The USB Type-C interface is retained for enhanced user experience with reversible plug and cable orientation making it an ideal choice for emerging applications.

USB4 Gen 3 Type-C connector supports DisplayPort protocol to drive multiple 4K UHD at 60Hz. They are also backward compatible with USB 3.2, USB 2.0, and Thunderbolt 3 which means all-in-one simplicity between device connections.

Amphenol's USB4 Type-C is structurally efficient and features a middle plate with an enhanced wiggle-free sidewall, which maximizes the contact area and stabilizes contact performance, as well as minimizes the possibility of signal intermittence and that of wear and tear. The extended side-wall plate at the corner of the tongue protects the tongue from damage caused by inserting a non-Type-C plug like a Micro USB. The grounding sidewall provides better EMI protection and the added dimple at the inner shield ensures a perfect plug-in position.

These high-speed USB connectors are ideal for applications in Storage, Notebook (Laptops), Tablet, Docking, Peripherals (Monitor/Display, Projector), Automotive Infotainment, and Home Entertainment.