USB-C
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/USB_Type-C_macbook.png/220px-USB_Type-C_macbook.png)
USB Type-C is a specification for a small 24-pin reversible-plug connector for USB devices and USB cabling.[1]
The USB Type-C Specification 1.0 was published by the USB Implementers Forum and was finalized in August 2014.[2] It was developed at roughly the same time as the USB 3.1 specification, but distinct from it.
Details
The type-C connectors connect to both hosts and devices, replacing various type-B and type-A connectors and cables with a standard meant to be future-proof.[3][4] The 24-pin double-sided connector is similar in size to the micro-B connector, with a type-C port measuring 8.4 millimetres (0.33 in) by 2.6 millimetres (0.10 in). The connector provides four power/ground pairs, two differential pairs for non-SuperSpeed data (though only one pair is populated in a type-C cable), four pairs for high-speed data bus, two "sideband use" pins, and two configuration pins for cable orientation detection, dedicated biphase mark code (BMC) configuration data channel, and VCONN +5 V power for active cables.[5][6][7] Connecting an older device to a host with a type-C receptacle requires a cable or adapter with a type-A or type-B plug or receptacle on one end and a type-C plug on the other end. Legacy adapters with a type-C receptacle are not allowed.[8][clarification needed]
Full-featured type-C cables are active, electronically marked cables that contain a chip with an ID function based on the configuration channel and vendor-defined messages (VDMs) from the USB Power Delivery 2.0 specification. Type-C devices may optionally support bus power currents of 1.5 A and 3.0 A (at 5 V) in addition to baseline bus power provision; power sources can either advertise increased USB current through the configuration channel, or they can support the full power delivery specification using both BMC-coded configuration line and legacy BFSK-coded VBUS line.
Alternate mode
Alternate modes dedicate some of the physical wires in the type-C cable for direct device-to-host transmission of alternate data protocols. The four high-speed lanes, two sideband pins, and (for dock, detachable device and permanent cable applications only) two non-SuperSpeed data pins and one configuration pin can be used for alternate mode transmission. The modes are configured using VDMs through the configuration channel.
Relation to other specifications
USB-C specifications
As outlined by the USB Type-C Cable and Connector Language Usage Guidelines,[9] if a product implements USB Type-C, it does not necessarily implement USB 3.1 or USB Power Delivery.
Alternate mode partner specifications
The USB IF is working with its Alternate Mode partners to make sure that ports are properly labelled.[10]
- DisplayPort Alternate Mode on USB Type-C Connector Standard - published in September 2014, supporting DisplayPort 1.3.[11]
- Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) Alternate Mode announced November 2014[12] supporting MHL 3.0.[6][13]
- Thunderbolt Alternate Mode[14] supporting Thunderbolt 3.[15][16][17]
Other serial protocols like PCI Express and Base-T Ethernet[18] are possible.[citation needed]
Connector pinouts and cable wiring
Connector pinouts
Pin | Name | Description | Pin | Name | Description | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A1 | GND | Ground return | B12 | GND | Ground return | ||
A2 | SSTXp1 | SuperSpeed differential pair #1, TX, positive | B11 | SSRXp1 | SuperSpeed differential pair #1, RX, positive | ||
A3 | SSTXn1 | SuperSpeed differential pair #1, TX, negative | B10 | SSRXn1 | SuperSpeed differential pair #1, RX, negative | ||
A4 | VBUS | Bus power | B9 | VBUS | Bus power | ||
A5 | CC1 | Configuration channel | B8 | SBU2 | Sideband use (SBU) | ||
A6 | Dp1 | Non-SuperSpeed differential pair, position 1, positive | B7 | Dn2 | Non-SuperSpeed differential pair, position 2, negative[a] | ||
A7 | Dn1 | Non-SuperSpeed differential pair, position 1, negative | B6 | Dp2 | Non-SuperSpeed differential pair, position 2, positive[a] | ||
A8 | SBU1 | Sideband use (SBU) | B5 | CC2 | Configuration channel | ||
A9 | VBUS | Bus power | B4 | VBUS | Bus power | ||
A10 | SSRXn2 | SuperSpeed differential pair #2, RX, negative | B3 | SSTXn2 | SuperSpeed differential pair #2, TX, negative | ||
A11 | SSRXp2 | SuperSpeed differential pair #2, RX, positive | B2 | SSTXp2 | SuperSpeed differential pair #2, TX, positive | ||
A12 | GND | Ground return | B1 | GND | Ground return | ||
Cable wiring
Plug 1, type-C | Type-C cable | Plug 2, type-C | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pin | Name | Wire colour | No | Name | Description | 2.0[a] | Pin | Name |
Shell | Shield | Braid | Braid | Shield | Cable external braid | ✓ | Shell | Shield |
A1, B12, B1, A12 |
GND | Tin-plated | 1 | GND_PWRrt1 | Ground for power return | ✓ | A1, B12, B1, A12 |
GND |
16 | GND_PWRrt2 | ✗ | ||||||
A4, B9, B4, A9 |
VBUS | Red | 2 | PWR_VBUS1 | VBUS power | ✓ | A4, B9, B4, A9 |
VBUS |
17 | PWR_VBUS2 | ✗ | ||||||
B5 | VCONN | Yellow |
18 | PWR_VCONN | VCONN power, for active cables[b] | ✓ | B5 | VCONN |
A5 | CC | Blue | 3 | CC | Configuration channel | ✓ | A5 | CC |
A6 | Dp1 | White | 4 | UTP_Dp[c] | Unshielded twisted pair, positive | ✓ | A6 | Dp1 |
A7 | Dn1 | Green | 5 | UTP_Dn[c] | Unshielded twisted pair, negative | ✓ | A7 | Dn1 |
A8 | SBU1 | Red | 14 | SBU_A | Sideband use A | ✗ | B8 | SBU2 |
B8 | SBU2 | Black | 15 | SBU_B | Sideband use B | ✗ | A8 | SBU1 |
A2 | SSTXp1 | Yellow[d] | 6 | SDPp1 | Shielded differential pair #1, positive | ✗ | B11 | SSRXp1 |
A3 | SSTXn1 | Brown[d] | 7 | SDPn1 | Shielded differential pair #1, negative | ✗ | B10 | SSRXn1 |
B11 | SSRXp1 | Green[d] | 8 | SDPp2 | Shielded differential pair #2, positive | ✗ | A2 | SSTXp1 |
B10 | SSRXn1 | Orange[d] | 9 | SDPn2 | Shielded differential pair #2, negative | ✗ | A3 | SSTXn1 |
B2 | SSTXp2 | White[d] | 10 | SDPp3 | Shielded differential pair #3, positive | ✗ | A11 | SSRXp2 |
B3 | SSTXn2 | Black[d] | 11 | SDPn3 | Shielded differential pair #3, negative | ✗ | A10 | SSRXn2 |
A11 | SSRXp2 | Red[d] | 12 | SDPp4 | Shielded differential pair #4, positive | ✗ | B2 | SSTXp2 |
A10 | SSRXn2 | Blue[d] | 13 | SDPn4 | Shielded differential pair #4, negative | ✗ | B3 | SSTXn2 |
|
Software and hardware support
Software support
- Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile supports USB 3.1, USB Type-C, alternate modes, billboard, power delivery, audio accessory and USB Dual Role support.[19]
- Windows 8.1 added USB type-C and billboard support in an update.[20]
- OS X supports USB 3.1 and USB Type-C.[21]
- Android 6 works with USB 3.1 and USB Type-C.[22]
- Chrome OS supports USB 3.1 and USB Type-C starting with the Chromebook Pixel 2015 and supports alternate modes, power delivery, and USB Dual Role support.[23]
Hardware support
Notebooks
First notebooks that support type-C:
- Apple's 2015 MacBook (having only a single port),[1]
- Google's second Chromebook Pixel,
- ASUS Transformer book T100HA.
As of 2016-03-13, Geizhals lists 399 USB 3.1 Type-C notebooks for Germany.[24]
Tablets
- The first tablet computer to accommodate a type-C cable is the Nokia N1.[25]
- ASUS also announced its 8-inch Android tablet, ZenPad S8 with type-C connector.[26]
- Google's Pixel C tablet uses a type-C connector[27]
Smartphones
- The first smartphone that accommodates a type-C cable is the Letv Le Superphone.[28]
- The OnePlus 2, successor of OnePlus One mobile, also uses a type-C port.[29]Cite error: The
<ref>
tag has too many names (see the help page). - Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P announced by Google on September 29, 2015 also have type-C connectivity. [30]
- The Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL also use a type-C connector.[31]
- The ZUK Z1 also use a type-C connector and is the first phone to feature SuperSpeed along with type-C port.[32]
- The LG G5, which was announced on February 21, 2016, also has a type-C connector.[33]
- The Xiaomi Mi4c also has a type-C connector.
- The BLU Vivo XL and BLU Vivo 5 also have type-C connectors.[34] [35] [36]
- The General Mobile GM 5 Plus
- The Huawei P9
- The HTC 10 has a type-C connector.[37]
As of 2016-03-13, geizhals.de lists 51 phones sans contract that have type-C and are available in Germany.[38]
HDDs and SSDs
- LaCie announced a mobile drive.[39][40]
- SanDisk launched a line of SSDs that connect via SuperSpeed+ type-C.[41]
- CalDigit launched a portable storage line of HDDs and SSDs that connect via SuperSpeed+ type-C.[42]
Flash drives
Monitors
- ASUS portable monitor [1]
Cables
Some noncompliant cables with a Type-C connector on one end and a legacy Standard-A plug or Micro-B receptacle on the other end incorrectly terminate the Configuration Channel (CC) with a 10kΩ pullup to VBUS instead of the specification mandated 56kΩ pullup, causing a device connected to the cable to incorrectly determine the amount of power it is permitted to draw from the cable. Cables with this issue may not work properly with certain products, including Apple and Google products, and may even damage power sources such as chargers, hubs, or PC USB ports.[43][44][45]
References
- ^ a b Hruska, Joel (2015-03-13). "USB-C vs. USB 3.1: What's the difference?". ExtremeTech. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
- ^ Howse, Brett (August 12, 2014). "USB Type-C Connector Specifications Finalized". Retrieved December 28, 2014.
- ^ Ngo, Dong. "USB Type-C: One cable to connect them all". CNET. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "USB Type-C Connector Specifications Finalized". AnandTech.com. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "Technical Introduction of the New USB Type-C Connector". Intel.ActiveEvents.com. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ a b "DisplayPort Alternate Mode for USB Type-C Announced - Video, Power, & Data All Over Type-C". AnandTech.com. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "Introduction to USB Type-C" (PDF). Microchip.com. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ Universal Serial Bus Type-C Cable and Connector Specification Revision 1.1 (April 3, 2015), section 2.2, page 20
- ^ "USB Type-C Cable and Connector : Language Usage Guidelines from USB-IF" (PDF). Usb.org. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ Cunningham, Andrew (2015-01-09). "USB 3.1 and Type-C: The only stuff at CES that everyone is going to use | Ars Technica UK". ArsTechnica.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "VESA® Brings DisplayPort™ to New USB Type-C Connector". DisplayPort. 2014-09-22. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "MHL® – Expand Your World". MHLTech.org. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "MHL® – Expand Your World". MHLTech.org. 2014-11-17. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "Thunderbolt 3 – The USB-C That Does It All | Thunderbolt Technology Community". Thunderbolttechnology.net. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ One port to rule them all: Thunderbolt 3 and USB Type-C join forces, retrieved 2015-06-02
- ^ Thunderbolt 3 is twice as fast and uses reversible USB-C, retrieved 2015-06-02
- ^ Thunderbolt 3 embraces USB Type-C connector, doubles bandwidth to 40Gbps, retrieved 2015-06-02
- ^ "[802.3_DIALOG] USB-C Ethernet Alternate Mode". ieee. 2015-03-26.
- ^ Microsoft. "Windows support for USB Type-C connectors". Microsoft MSDN. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
- ^ Microsoft. "Update for USB Type-C billboard support and Kingston thumb drive is enumerated incorrectly in Windows". Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- ^ "Using the USB-C port and adapters on your MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015) - Apple Support". Support.Apple.com. 2015-05-28. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "Android – Marshmallow". Retrieved 2015-10-12.
- ^ "Charge your Chromebook Pixel (2015)". Retrieved 2015-10-31.
- ^ https://geizhals.de/?cat=nb&xf=31_USB+3.1+(Typ-C)
- ^ Vlad Savov (18 November 2014). "The Nokia N1 will be among the first devices with a reversible USB connector". The Verge. Vox Media.
- ^ Brandon Chester (1 June 2015). "ASUS Announces Two New 8 Inch ZenPad Tablets". AnandTech. Purch.
- ^ Hiroshi Lockheimer (29 September 2015). "S'more to love across all your screens".
- ^ Boxall, Andy (2015-04-14). "Letv Le Superphone: Features, News, Release, Specs". Digitaltrends.com. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ Pei, Carl (2015-06-23). "OnePlus 2 - The First Flagship with USB Type-C". oneplus.net. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
- ^ Hiroshi Lockheimer (29 September 2015). "S'more to love across all your screens".
- ^ "Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL arrive with Windows 10 and USB Type-C".
- ^ "Lenovo ZUK Z1 Snapdragon 5.5 Inch 4G LTE Dual SIM Android 5.1 Mobile Phone 64GB White".
- ^ "LG G5 officially announced: release date, specs, and features".
- ^ "BLU Vivo XL product page".
- ^ "BLU Vivo 5 product page".
- ^ "GSMArena.com BLU Vivo XL specs".
- ^ "HTC Smartphones".
- ^ http://geizhals.de/?cat=umtsover&xf=162_USB+Typ-C
- ^ Ian Paul. "LaCie announces USB Type-C mobile drives to match Apple's 12-inch MacBook". Macworld. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "Porsche Design". LaCie. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "Computex 2015: 1.92TB Portable USB 3.1 SSD storage from Sandisk". Guru3d.com. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "CalDigit unveils durable USB-C Tuff drive for the 12-inch MacBook, T4 nano RAID drive w/ HDMI & Thunderbolt 2". 9to5mac.com. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
- ^ Kif Leswing (5 November 2015). "Google Engineer Reviews Defective USB Cables on Amazon - Fortune". Fortune.
- ^ Universal Serial Bus Type-C Cable and Connector Specification Revision 1.1 (April 3, 2015), page 60, table 3-13, note 1
- ^ "In response to the Type-C cable discussions".