What Is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Connector
USB (universal serial bus) connectors are the connectors of the connection interface used in electronic devices.
USB is compatible with a system called “plug and play,” in which the OS automatically configures the connector just by plugging it in, allowing users to use peripherals, expansion boards, and other devices without individual user configuration just by plugging them in. Users can immediately use peripherals, expansion boards, and other devices simply by connecting them to their PCs, terminals, and other electronic devices, without individual user configuration.
In addition, a feature called “hot plug” allows users to plug and unplug from universal serial bus (USB) connectors even when the PC or electronic device is powered on.
Uses of Universal Serial Bus (USB) Connectors
Universal serial bus (USB) connectors are primarily used to connect electronic devices used in everyday life to external devices and applications. Because of their convenience, universal serial bus (USB) connectors are now used in a wide variety of electronic devices.
Examples include PC keyboards, mice, printers, external hard disks, and flash memory devices. Universal serial bus (USB) connectors are also found in mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and various electronic devices in digital home appliances.
USB standards are also increasing in transfer speed with each new standard released, from USB 1.0 to USB 3.1. This has significantly reduced the wait time for data transfer.
Principle of Universal Serial Bus (USB) Connectors
The principle of the universal serial bus (USB) connectors is that there is no need to use different connectors for different devices, such as RS-232C for modems or PS/2 for mice, which are older connectors for electronic devices, and that peripherals that conform to the USB standard can be used in the same way, with the connector being pluggable when the power is on and the computer being The convenience of the USB connector is that it can be automatically connected to the computer’s operating system and unplugged when the power is on.
The universal serial bus (USB) connectors standard is characterized by the ability to supply power to the host through the USB connection port, eliminating the need for separate power supplies for the mouse, keyboard, memory, and other devices to be connected. As an extension of this function, recently there have been cases where the communication function with the host to which the universal serial bus (USB) connectors are connected is omitted, and the cable is used as a charging-only cable.
The current universal serial bus (USB) connectors are available in various sizes according to the revised standard and the status of the peripheral devices.
Types of Universal Serial Bus (USB) Connectors
Universal serial bus (USB) connectors come in a variety of shapes. Typical examples are as follows:
- USB Type-A
A common universal serial bus (USB) connectors that are often found on PCs. - USB Type-B
Universal serial bus (USB) connectors often found on peripherals that connect to a PC. - USB Type-C
Universal serial bus (USB) connectors used since 2015, that can be connected in both upper and lower positions. In recent years, more and more devices such as PC peripherals and smartphones have been using this type of USB connector. - Mini USB Type-B
Universal serial bus (USB) connectors with a small connector shape, often used for small devices, such as digital cameras and mobile batteries. - Micro USB Type-B
Universal serial bus (USB) connectors with a smaller connector shape than a mini USB. This type of USB connector is often used in smartphones, tablets, etc. - Lightning
Universal serial bus (USB) connectors are used in many Apple products. It is small and can be connected from above or below, as well as Type-C.
Other Information on Universal Serial Bus (USB Connectors)
1. Transmission Speed of Universal Serial Bus (USB) Connectors
The maximum transmission speed standard for universal serial bus (USB) connectors has been getting faster every year in line with the revision of the USB standard. In 1996, the original standard USB1.0 had a maximum transmission speed of 12 Mbps, while USB3.1, released in 2013, exceeded 10 Gbps. In the latest standard USB4 Version2 in 2022, the maximum transmission speed has also been announced by the governing body to be 80Gbps as a theoretical value.
2. Power Supply of Universal Serial Bus (USB) Connectors
In line with the revision of the USB standard, not only the transmission speed but also the power supply capacity has been improved. The original USB 1.0 standard allowed a maximum current of 500 mA and a maximum power value of 2.5 W. However, as universal serial bus (USB) connectors are used for various applications due to their convenience, the power requirements have also increased, and for Type-C connectors, the maximum current and power values have expanded to 3 A and 15 W, respectively. For Type-C connectors, the maximum current value has been increased to 3A and the power value to 15W.
Note that these values are not determined by the standard alone, but are naturally limited by the shape and type of universal serial bus (USB) connectors used, as well as the host device.