Part of the specification of 'USB 4 Version 2.0' is clear, realizing a maximum data transfer rate of 80 Gbps with a conventional 40 Gbps compatible cable

The USB Promoter Group, a USB promotion group composed of Intel, Apple, etc., announced the future specification schedule for the next-generation standard ` ` USB4 Version 2.0 '' of USB4 , which is the latest specification at the time of article creation, on September 1, 2022. Did.

USB Promoter Group Announces USB4® Version 2.0 | Business Wire
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220901005211/en/USB-Promoter-Group-Announces-USB4%C2%AE-Version-2.0

Next-gen USB promises to be twice as fast, using cables you may already own - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/1/23332838/usb-4-version-2-80-gbps-thunderbolt

The main features of version 2 of USB4 announced by the USB Promoter Group are as follows.

・Based on the new physical layer architecture, the conventional 40Gbps band USB Type-C cable and the newly defined 80Gbps band USB Type-C active cable achieve a maximum transfer speed of 80Gbps.
• Updates to data and display protocols make better use of available bandwidth increases.
・By updating the architecture, packet tunneling of USB 3.2 exceeds 20Gbps.
- Consistent with the latest specifications of DisplayPort and PCIe, backward compatible with USB4 version 1.0, USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3.

The surprising point in the USB Promoter Group's announcement is that USB4 Version 2.0 supports 80 Gbps transfer speed with the existing 40 Gbps bandwidth USB Type-C cable. The technical specifications by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), which formulates USB standards, have not yet been released, but USB-IF spokesperson Joe Barich told The Verge, an IT news site, 'If you buy a 40 Gbps rated USB 4 compatible cable, you can achieve twice that transfer rate in the future,' he said.

It is unknown how the cable, which was previously said to have a maximum transfer rate of 40 Gbps, achieves a transfer rate of 80 Gbps, but Mr. Balich said, 'It will be disclosed when the final specifications are released.' , Details are expected to be revealed at the developer event 'USB Developer Days' to be held in November 2022.

While The Verge appreciates the transfer speed and compatibility of the cable, it criticizes the name 'USB4 Version 2.0' as confusing. USB 3.0 changed its name to ' USB 3.1 Gen 1 ' and ' USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 ', and in the past it became very difficult for users to understand. did.

USB-IF officially publishes the technical specifications of 'USB 4', which has a maximum transfer rate of 40 Gbps and is 8 times faster than USB 3.0 - GIGAZINE

by GEEK KAZU

However, the name 'USB4 Version 2.0' is the one at the time of writing the article, and there is a good chance that it will be different when the final specifications are formulated and the branding is solidified.