USB 4: Here are the official specifications
USB Implementers Forum has published the official specifications of the new connection standard based on Intel’s Thunderbolt 3 with bandwidth up to 40 Gbps.
USB 4 was revealed last March. Now, USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) announces that the new connection standard is finalized and publishes the official specifications, confirming that basically USB 4 is a modified version of Thunderbolt 3.
Among the key features, we find the ” double lane ” transfer in and out made possible by the USB-C connection to achieve 40 Gigabit per second performance when using certified 40Gbps cables. USB 4 simultaneously supports different connections for data transfer, for display and for energy recharging with the capacity to manage 100W of power. It also guarantees backwards compatibility with USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3.
USB 4 is characterized by a double data-transfer capacity compared to the more recent USB 3.2, and can be used to drive video streams or to recharge the devices.
According to an engineer familiar with USB-IF plans, there will be different versions of USB 4, where the most advanced solutions would be able to support two 4K feeds at 60 fps each. This could have interesting repercussions such as, for example: the ability to support highly performing external GPU.
In reality, it would repeat what has already happened with USB 3.0, and a multiplication of variants as already happened with the various USB 3.0 (5 Gbit/s), USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbit/s) and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps), where later versions went on to widen the bandwidth of the original USB 3.0 considerably.
USB 4 will use the same design as the USB-C connector of USB 3 and the first devices with USB 4 ports will come on the market starting from 2020.
