Intel releases demonstration of next-generation Thunderbolt compatible with 'high-speed communication at 80 Gbps'

Intel is working with Apple to develop a high-speed communication standard ' Thunderbolt '. It is reported that a new demo of ``Thunderbolt that supports high-speed communication at 80 Gbps'' was released on a developer tour held by Intel in September 2022.

Intel Shows First 80 Gbps Thunderbolt Demo, Spec Is Unnamed for Now | Tom's Hardware
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/intel-shows-first-thunderbolt-80-gbps-demo-with-two-links

Thunderbolt is a communication standard jointly developed by Intel and Apple, and from `` Thunderbolt 3 '' that appeared in 2015, it adopted a connector with the same shape as USB Type-C, and in 2020, it conformed to the USB 4 specification while adopting `` 4K・' Thunderbolt 4 ' has appeared, with features such as two 60fps displays can be connected and system startup from sleep mode is supported.

Intel appealed that Thunderbolt was 'faster than the USB standard', but in September 2022, 'USB4 Version 2.0', the next-generation standard of USB4, will support communication at a maximum of 80 Gbps. It was revealed that it was, and it was pointed out that the communication speed of Thunderbolt could be exceeded.

Part of the specification of 'USB4 Version 2.0' is revealed, realizing data transfer speed of up to 80 Gbps with conventional 40 Gbps compatible cable - GIGAZINE

Meanwhile, a demo video of `` Thunderbolt operating at 80 Gbps '' was released on Intel's developer tour held in September 2022. According to Tom's Hardware, a technology-related media that participated in the tour, the demo machine realized high-speed communication of 80 Gbps with a 2-lane configuration of Thunderbolt operating at 40 Gbps each.

The detailed specifications of Thunderbolt, which supports communication at 80 Gbps, have not been clarified, and the version name is also unknown. Based on the fact that the next-generation standard of 'USB4 (USB4 Version 1.0)' is tentatively named 'USB4 Version 2.0', Tom's Hardware said, 'Intel may name the next-generation Thunderbolt' Thunderbolt Version 2.0 '. Well, you may use a different version notation.Intel could name the next generation Thunderbolt 'Thunderbolt 5', but it seems unlikely.'