What exactly is USB?
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus and is a connectivity standard that transfers large amounts of data between devices. While it is far from the first standard designed for this purpose, the need for an effective method to transfer data between devices has become enormous due to the increase in portable and mobile devices.
The USB standard does just this, providing a universal method across different products and manufacturers. Other, "proprietary" standards exist, but they are often derivatives of USB with slight changes to the wiring or physical connector type.
Types of USB Cables and Connectors
In the years since USB was first implemented, there have been three dominant versions, each providing faster data throughput than the last. USB 1.1, sometimes called "full-speed", can transfer data at about 12 Mbps. USB 2.0, which is currently the most common, operates at 480 Mbps. The latest standard, USB 3.1, operates up to 10 Gbps (double that of USB 3.0).
The most common USB connector types, Type A and Type B, are the same throughout the different versions. What is USB-A? If you want to find out more about USB A, then check out our USB A pinout info. Though, other connector types such as the Mini B4, Mini B5, and Micro B are gaining popularity for their small size, which is preferred in smaller portable electronics such as mobile phones and tablets.
However, even if the connectors are similar, the cable itself must be constructed to the standard. For example, a USB 2.0 compliant cable could not pass 4.8 Gbps of data even if it were plugged into a USB 3.0 compliant device.
Why is USB so popular?
USB has several advantages over other standards that are used for the same purpose. First, it is a "hot connection", or has the ability to plug and unplug into a computer without causing it to freeze or causing programs to crash. USB is also uniquely designed to carry some low-voltage power which makes it capable of powering or charging devices that it is plugged into.
Also, though most applications only need standard USB cables, another advantage of USB is that it has the capability of specialization. Today we are seeing a rapid expansion of USB applications which require more specialized cabling- outdoor, wet or dusty environments, high-vibration situations, and places where special flame ratings, armor, or angled connectors are required.
Check out our detailed USB tutorial here. Or, if you find yourself in this kind of special situation, try browsing L-com's USB product center for innovative solutions.
