The hidden advantages of USB 3.1 type C connectors

USB 3.1 Type C is the latest technology of USB connectors that combines in a single package data transfer, video output and charging capabilities, and other benefits yet. We have created this comparison table to show exactly the advantages of a USB 3.1 type C connector.

USB 3.1 Type C is the latest technology of USB connectors that combines in a single package data transfer, video output and charging capabilities, and other benefits yet. We have created this comparison table to show exactly the advantages of a USB 3.1 type C connector.

USB 3.1 Type C already benefits from fast support on the latest laptops, mobiles and tablets, as well as the Ultra Fast Thunderbolt ™ 3 cable. As a successor to USB 3.0, the new standard offers several interesting improvements, including the double-speed data transfer in a reversible and smaller form factor. Note that although many people shorten "USB 3.1 type C" in "USB-C", the "Type C" part of the name refers only to the updated physical port connection and not necessarily to all the updated specifications affected by the transition from USB 3.0 to USB 3.1. The following are the highlights of the intelligent project and the additional features of the USB 3.1 type C connector.

Features and benefits of USB 3.1 type C

• Smaller form factor – measuring a thin height of 2.6 mm, the new small size allows more space with the inevitable miniaturization of industrial and consumer electronics. No longer need a "mini" USB.

• Reversible – No need to guess the exact orientation to connect the USB connector.

• Twice as fast data rate – with a data transfer rate of up to 10 Gbps, USB 3.1 has almost twice the speed compared to USB 3.0. It also provides higher processing speed and improved I/O energy efficiency compared to USB 3.0.

• Up to 100 W of power supply with a maximum of 20 V and 5 A – USB Power Deliver 2.0 compliant with two-way power. This amount of power could fully charge a laptop, compared to USB 2.0, which provided a maximum of 2.5 W, just enough to load a mobile phone or tablet.

• Alternative modes – Integrated support for DisplayPort video and 4-channel audio (microphone and speaker). Simplifies to a single port type because a USB port can now use adapters and supports HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, or other power ports.

• Improvement of EMI and RFI mitigation characteristics.

USB 3.1 is backward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 (note that the physical connectors are not compatible and require an adapter).