USB background
The USB standards have progressed over the years to provide greater speed.
- USB 1.0 Low speed - Supports 1.5Mb/s (1996)
- USB 1.1 Full-Speed - Supports 12Mb/s (1998)
- USB 2.0 High-Speed - Supports 480Mb/s (2000)
- USB 3.0 Super-Speed - Supports 5Gb/s (2008)
- USB 3.1 Super-Speed+ - Supports 10Gb/s (2013)
- USB 3.2 Supports 10Gb/s or using USB C connector 20Gb/s (2017)
- USB 4 Supports 40Gb/s (2019)
Notes:
- USB 3.2 removed the USB3 Type-A, Type-B and Micro-B connectors.
- USB 3.2 added the USB C connector.
- USB 4 is based on the Thunderbolt 3 standard.
- It’s unlikely that any astronomy equipment uses USB 3.2 or higher cable speeds.
- USB C connectors can be used on lower speed cables, such as USB 2, to take advantage of a connector that is smaller and reversible.
USB1 & USB2 connectors:
Image Credit: Wikipedia Creative Commons
USB 3 connectors:
Image Credit: Wikipedia Creative Commons
USB C connector:
Image Credit: Wikipedia Creative Commons