Today, everyone knows what USB (USB) is. This is a small connector on the computer motherboard, in a laptop, printer, mobile phone, camera, player, and almost everywhere. With its help, you can connect to the device not only a charger and a storage device, but also anything, even a heating pad for legs.
What is USB? This is a way to connect and transfer data between different electronic devices (the so-called UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS).
History and basic principles of the USB standard
The first USB standards were developed by a group of such major manufacturers of electronic equipment and software as Intel, Microsoft, IBM, Philips, NEC and others. It was originally an open standard for manufacturers of any hardware and software.
The basic principle of this standard has become universality. It was assumed that the universal connector will replace all existing at that time narrow-specific interface connectors of additional external computer devices and will spur the development and release of non-standard devices and modules.
The presence of a power line of 5 volts allowed some connected devices to not have an external current source.
Ease of use implied the availability of hot plugging (or “plug and play”), which did not require the installation of specific boards, drivers, or even turning off the PC.
Another very important principle of the standard is the ability of some devices to act as nodes for connecting other devices, performing the so-called hub function. For example, the ability to connect the camera to some printers, a mouse to a keyboard designed for this, etc.
Why do you need USB
USB is primarily the ability to connect various electronic devices for data transfer and synchronization (keyboards, mice, flash drives, telephones, players, cameras, cameras, printers, scanners, external storage devices and CD-ROMs, and much more. )
Since its interface contains a 5-volt power line, this first of all provides an opportunity for certain plug-in devices to refuse external energy sources, and secondly, to use USB not for its intended purpose, but to charge mobile phones, players, mobile speakers with batteries, flashlights etc.
A separate category of USB devices has also appeared, such as lamps, fans, self-heating cups that use the port only as a power source.
USB versions
Today there are 3 versions.
YUSB 1.1 is almost never used due to the low speed of information transportation - no more than 12 Mbps. In the modern world it is used purely for compatibility.
YUSB 2.0 is currently the leader. It guarantees the speed of information transfer up to 30 MB / s. For most modern devices (except for external hard drives) this speed is quite enough.
USB 3.0 belongs to the latest generation and provides information transfer speeds of up to 500 MB / s. Considering that the data processing speed of modern hard drives is three times lower, this version has a sufficient speed gap to remain relevant and in demand.
USB 3.0 and 2.0: types
USB 2.0, Type A is the most popular. Most devices (keyboards, mice, flash drives and the like) are equipped with this port. It was created in the mid-nineties. Reliability, which makes it possible to withstand a fairly large number of connections and remain intact and efficient, is the main advantage of this port. The connector has protection against incorrect connection. But the dimensions do not allow using it for portable devices.
USB 2.0, Type B is less popular. Classic type B - the only one in the entire line has a square shape. Due to its relatively large size, it is used in various large-sized stationary systems (scanners, printers and other devices of various types).
The emergence of a huge number of small portable devices contributed to the fact that the USB connectors miniaturized and turned into a mini version 2.0 B. Particularly popular device brought the spread of portable hard drives and PDAs. Mini USB Type B has five pins, one of which is not used. However, despite the advantages of miniaturization, the lack of a connector is low reliability. There is also a Mini USB, type A. It is not actually used and differs from B only in shape.
The Micro USB B connector is essentially the same as the Mini USB B, but has undergone improvements and is relatively small in size. Thanks to its size, it is perfect for use in modern thin gadgets. The modernized fastening of the plug does not allow it to loosen and fall out of the socket.
Since the beginning of 2011, Micro USB B has been adopted as the universal standard for the chargers of most tablets, mobile phones and other miniature devices. There is also type A. It is found quite rarely and differs only in a rectangular shape.
The most advanced USB 3.0 standard today provides the ability to achieve high speed data transfer. Additional contacts make it possible to speed up the process of information transfer, which led to the modernization of most devices of the third version. External changes USB A affected only the color of the core - now it is blue. Otherwise, the compatibility of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 A remains unchanged. This means that the modules are cross-compatible.
USB 3.0, type B is intended for use in volume external or external devices with high power and performance, as well as in some stationary hard drives. In many ways, the port is unlike its predecessor, although it inherited the traditional features and common features of Micro USB 2.0. Compact, reliable, with high-quality connection, it allows you to transfer the necessary information much faster. The connector is equipped with ultra-fast external hard drives and SSDs.
Also recently, a subtype of the USB has appeared, such as Micro 3.0 or 3.1, type C. It is similar in configuration of contacts to type B, but differs in the form of connection.
People occasionally get confused in the USB connectors Mini and Micro - in reality they are really very similar. However, the main difference is that the Mini USB has a slightly larger size, while the Micro is equipped with small latches on the back. Otherwise, they are identical.
Why Micro USB
The Micro USB connector is a miniature, fairly reliable, and currently the most common implementation of the standard.
Thanks to an improved mount with spring-loaded latches, it holds tightly in the slot, does not stagger and does not fall out. Today, Micro USB is the universal standard for synchronization cables and chargers for mobile devices and other gadgets of most manufacturers in the world. Wherever you are, the chance to meet a Micro USB cable or similar charger is much higher than any other type of gadget. Rare devices, such as Apple products, have their own unique connector, unlike this one. However, there are many adapters that allow you to connect an Apple Micro USB cable to any device.
Variations of the device
Depending on the manufacturer and destination, there are several options for connecting cables with Micro USB.
The manufacturer can vary the cable length, thickness and insulation material, the presence of a screen, an additional core or ferrite filters at its discretion, as well as based on the purpose of the cable and its cost.
First of all, cables with Micro USB are distinguished by various terminations. On the one hand the cable is Type B, and on the other it can be Type A (both the standard version and OTG - the so-called mother), Micro, type B (also possible in one of two variations), Mini, and almost any of the existing variations connector of the corresponding standard.
Very rarely, highly specific variations of using a Micro USB cable are possible just to transfer power or certain data. This is facilitated by its popularity and accessibility.
Micro USB pinout
The purpose of the wires in the USB cable:
- Red - VBUS - (+ 5V, Vcc) + 5V, 500 mA DC relative to GND.
- White - D- (-Data).
- Green - D + (+ Data).
- Black - GND - -5V or ground.
The Micro, Mini USB connector has 5 pins:
- Red - VBUS.
- White - D-.
- Green - D +.
- ID - not used in type B connector, or shorted to GND for OTG operation.
- Black - GND.
In some cases, the Micro USB cable may contain a braid, shielding or a bare wire (may be soldered to the connector body), this wire is not numbered.
A variety of USB adapters
The USB adapter is a compact device that converts the USB standard into an interface of another standard. There are models that convert in the opposite direction.
The main task of adapters is to ensure compatibility. There is always the possibility of a situation when you need to connect a device with a non-standard interface or connector to a computer, smartphone or tablet. In this situation, USB adapters will come to the rescue, of which there are a great many types and standards to date.
There is a specific type of adapters, equipped with separate power supply and channel separation schemes - USB-hub. It allows you to simultaneously connect several energy-intensive devices, sometimes even of different types, to one port on a laptop computer or another mobile device due to the fact that the type pin A, B, Mini, Micro USB pinout is reduced to one standard.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Micro USB connector
Considering all of the above, we can summarize: Micro USB is a logical conclusion to the evolution of the standard.
The advantages include: miniature, relative reliability, versatility and prevalence.
But oddly enough, the main advantage has become a major drawback. Miniaturization has reduced the reliability of the connector, especially in places of fastening and soldering.
However, wherever you are, finding a Micro USB cable to recharge your favorite tablet or drop a couple of photos from your phone onto your PC will not be difficult.