The standard and name of the USB interface will cause headaches for many users. In addition, the USB Alliance will change the name of the protocol every few years, which makes it easier for users to confuse. The current USB protocol and interface type are getting more and more correct. Next, I will teach you how to distinguish each USB interface clearly.

USB interface standard:

To understand USB first, you must first know the standard of the USB interface. The current USB interface standards are mainly divided into three types: USB Type A, USB Type B, and USB Type-C.

USB interface standard

Among them, USB Type A and USB Type-C are the most common. Type A is currently the most classic USB interface. USB Type A can be seen in various computers, USB flash drives and other devices.

Many people have never seen the USB Type B native interface. The application scenario is very small, and it can be seen mainly in some large output devices such as printers. However, we have seen a lot of USB Type B branch standard Micro B in previous Android phones, such as the Samsung S5 I used to use Micro B as the charging port.

Micro B

Finally, there is USB Type-C, a new interface standard that has been popularized over the years. At present, most mainstream Android phones use USB Type-C, which is what we often call USB C port, which is characterized by double insertion.

USB Type-C

USB protocol:

Having said the interface standards, let us take a look at the USB protocol next. Why the same USB Type A interface, some can transfer a file in a few seconds, and some take a few minutes? This is the impact of the interface protocol.

At present, there are four main USB interface protocols, namely USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. These protocols have different speeds. The fastest is USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. The most common and slowest are USB 2.0, the specific rate is as follows.

USB 2.0=480Mbps, USB 3.2 Gen 1=USB 3.0=5Gbps

USB 3.2 Gen 2=USB 3.1=10Gbps, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2=USB 3.2=20Gbps

The combination of these interface protocols and interface standards will become a complete USB interface. USB Type A can be USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 1 protocol, or USB 3.2 Gen 2, but USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 USB only uses Type-C standard, there is no USB Type A standard.

If DC’s biggest rival is Warner, then USB’s biggest rival is USB-IF, because the USB-IF alliance that formulated the USB interface protocol is too idle. If you don’t have anything to do, you can change the name of USB. USB 3.0, USB 3.1, and other interfaces have become USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and many people have been confused all at once. Who would have nothing to remember such a complicated name?

Raiden Agreement:

After talking about the USB protocol, let's finally talk about the Thunderbolt protocol. Everyone is familiar with the Thunderbolt 3/4 interfaces. These interfaces use the Thunderbolt protocol. Unlike the USB protocol, the Thunderbolt protocol is not customized by USB-IF, but made by Intel. It is now free and open, and its transmission rate is even higher. It can reach 40Gbps as soon as possible.

However, in terms of the interface standard, Intel did not make a new job, but used Type-C to be compatible with the Thunderbolt 3/4 interface, so the Thunderbolt 3/4 can be a Type-C interface, but it cannot be said that Type-C is all the other way around. It is the Raiden 3/4 protocol, because Type-C can also use USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2.

Thunderbolt interface

Thunderbolt 3/4 ports are now more particular, and a small Thunderbolt logo will be printed next to the port. As long as you see the Type-C port with a Thunderbolt symbol, then this port is a Thunderbolt port.