First introduced final month, USB4 Model 2.0 now has official specification paperwork for builders to observe. The USB-IF (USB Implementer’s Discussion board), the governing physique for USB, revealed the new documentation (opens in new tab) on its web site, on the identical time releasing new “USB 80 Gbps” certification logos that can be utilized on USB cables and units that attain the 80 Gbps velocity.
USB 4 (technically USB4 however generally spelled with an area) was introduced in 2019 and helps as much as 40 Gbps connections whereas providing cross-compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 and 4. USB 4 model 2.0 doubles the utmost velocity to 80 Gbps however can go even larger, as much as 120 Gbps in a single path (with 40 Gbps downlink) to energy high-resolution displays.
Utilizing USB4 v2.0’s bandwidth, the usual is totally appropriate DisplayPort 2.1 and may energy a 4K show at as much as 240 Hz, or as much as a 10K show at 60 Hz, with out the necessity for compression.
“This up to date technical specification extends USB4 velocity and knowledge protocol efficiency, enabling producers to develop merchandise that may ship USB 80 Gbps along with present USB 40 Gbps and USB 20 Gbps to finish customers,” USB-IF CEO Brad Saunders stated in an official assertion.
USB4 model 2.0 will work over each present USB4 40 Gbps passive cables and new, energetic 80 Gbps cables. Along with being appropriate with DisplayPort 2.1, it will likely be, in response to USB-IF, “carefully aligned” with PCIe 4.0.
Contemplating that the unique USB 4 spec was introduced in 2019 and we have simply began seeing USB 4-branded merchandise up to now few months, we do not anticipate any USB4 v2.0 units to hit the marketplace for a 12 months or two. Nevertheless, when USB4 v2.0 units go on sale, you may even see the brand new USB 80 Gbps emblem on their packaging and even on their ports.
USB-IF has informed Tom’s {Hardware} on a number of events that it does not need customers to have to consider model numbers once they’re looking for merchandise. As a substitute, the group needs producers to advertise the utmost velocity of all USB merchandise, utilizing monikers and logos equivalent to USB 5 Gbps, USB 10 Gbps, USB 20 Gbps, USB 40 Gbps, and now USB 80 Gbps.
Merchandise that undergo the group’s official certification course of will have the ability to use a “Licensed 80 Gbps” emblem on packages.
Different units and even computer systems that help 80 Gbps connections will have the ability to use the 80 Gbps port emblem if they’re licensed.
Cables which are licensed will carry an 80 Gbps, 240W emblem if they’ll output 240 watts, or an 80 Gbps, 60W emblem for 60 watts.
It is necessary to notice that the majority USB merchandise should not licensed so, even when 80 Gbps units and cables come out, you could not see these logos. And although the USB-IF would love producers to speak about speeds and energy output of their advertising supplies, you’ll nonetheless see product listings that solely point out USB 4 v2.0, USB 4, or USB 3.2, with out itemizing the Gbps.
That can assist you make sense of all of the model numbers, we have now an in depth USB explainer and a particular deep dive on USB 3.2 and USB 3.1