USB Universal Serial Bus Tutorial

USB, Universal Serial Bus has versions including USB 1.1, USB 2, & USB3 / 3.1 and provides convenient and effective connectivity for computer related systems.


USB Universal Serial Bus Includes:
USB introduction     USB standards     Connectors, pinouts & cables     Data transfer & protocol     USB 3     USB-C     USB hubs     How to buy best USB hub    


USB, Universal Serial Bus is one of the most common interfaces for connecting a variety of peripherals to computers and providing relatively local and small levels of data transfer.

USB interfaces are found on everything from personal computers and laptops, to peripheral devices, mobile phones, cameras, flash memory sticks, back up hard-drives and very many other devices. Its combination of convenience and performance has meant that it is now one of the most widely used computer interfaces.

The Universal Serial Bus, USB provides a very simple and effective means of providing connectivity, and as a result it is very widely used.

Whilst USB provides a sufficiently fast serial data transfer mechanism for data communications, it is also possible to obtain power through the connector making it possible to power small devices via the connector and this makes it even more convenient to use, especially ‘on-the-go.’

Selection of USB connectors, adapters and cables

What is USB

USB, or Universal Serial Bus is a data interface used with computers enabling the computer to send and receive data as well as providing power to some peripherals like disc drives, Flash memory sticks and the like so that separate power sources are not needed for each item.

USB is now the most common form of computer interface and it has taken over from other forms of computer interface ports that normally tend to be much slower. Having a standard type of interface port significantly increases the flexibility of computers because it is not necessary to have cables for the variety of ports that used to be used.

USB uses a serial form of data transmission, and it allows up to a maximum of 127 different peripherals to be connected to a single port - this would require the use a a hub or hubs to enable this number to be connected.

USB releases and evolution

The USB interface was developed as a result of the need for a communications interface that was convenient to use and one that would support the higher data rates being required within the computer and peripherals industries.

The first proper release of a USB specification was Version 0.7 of the specification. This occurred in November 1994. This was followed in January 1996 by USB 1.0. USB 1.0 was widely adopted and became the standard on many PCs as well as many printers using the standard. In addition to this a variety of other peripherals adopted the USB interface, with small memory sticks starting to appear as a convenient way for transferring or temporarily storing data.


Summary of USB Versions and Performance
 
USB Version Details
USB 1 Low speed:   1.5 Mbps
Full speed:   12 Mbps
USB 2 'High Speed' rate of 480 Mbps
USB 3 Raw data transfer rates of 5 Gbit/s for USB 3.0 and 10 Gbps for 3.1.
Read more about . . . . USB standards, USB1, 2, 3, etc.

Type B USB connector

The basic concept of USB was for an interface that would be able to connect a variety of computer peripheral devices, such as keyboards and mice, to PCs. However, since its introduction, the applications for USB have widened and it has been used for many other purposes including, including measurement and automation.

In terms of performance, USB 1.1 enabled a maximum throughput of 12 Mbps, but with the introduction of USB 2.0 the maximum speed is 480 Mbps.

In operation, the USB host automatically detects when a new device has been added. It then requests identification from the device and appropriately configures the drivers. The bus topology allows up to 127 devices to run concurrently on one port. Conversely, the classic serial port supports a single device on each port. By adding hubs, more ports can be added to a USB host, creating connections for more peripherals.

The introduction of USB 3, both USB 3.0 and 3.1 has given a significant increase in speed and functionality. USB 3.0 data transfer speeds up to transfer data at up to 5 Gbps for USB 3.0 which is about 10 times faster than the USB 2.0 standard, and 10 Gbps for USB 3.1.

USB connectors

The USB system has a series of different connectors - the largest is the Type A USB connector, but there are also mini and micro versions as well as A and B types. A new Type C connector has also been introduced to provide the performance needed for the latest version of USB.

USB 3 requires a higher specification cable. Manufacturers distinguish the USB 3 Type A connectors from their USB 2 counterparts by using blue colour for the internal plastic lip for the Standard-A receptacles and plugs, and they are often marked by the words SuperSpeed or the initials SS.

USB 3 type A connector
USB 3 type A connector
Notice the blue insert on the connector that generally indicates USB 3

The USB-C connector is also being widely used, and where it is found the USB 3.1 capability is the default standard.

Read more about . . . . Connectors, Leads & Pinouts.

USB Implementers Forum, USB-IF

In order to develop and manage the USB specifications, an organisation called the USB Implementers Forum, USB-IF was set up in 1995 by the group of companies that was developing USB. The founding companies included Compaq, Digital, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NEC and Nortel.

Since its foundation the membership of the forum has increased dramatically and the membership now stand at over 700 companies.

The USB-IF provides many functions in terms of the maintenance of the existing standards, but more importantly in terms of the ongoing development of the USB interface to meet the ever increasing needs of the industry and the vast number of users around the globe. In addition to this the forum also publicises and markets the standard to ensure its continued adoption. A further function of the forum is to provide a compliance programme to ensure that products meet the standard and are able to interoperate. Compliant products can then use the relevant logos.

To achieve these aims, the USB-IF is split into three main working groups:

  • USB Device Working Group
  • Compliance Committee
  • Marketing Committee
USB Type A connector on a cable

By splitting the different areas out into different working groups, it enables people with specific areas of expertise to join the relevant group and focus on one particular area.

USB hubs

USB hubs are devices that expand a single USB port so that several USB devices can connect. Many computers have limited numbers of USB ports, but require a growing number of devices to be connected simultaneously.

USB 3 hub with type A connectors

The use of a USB hub enables the degree of connectivity to be expanded considerably, thereby allowing greater levels of connectivity to be achieved for the single computer USB port.

Read more about . . . . USB Hubs.

How to use USB: hints & tips

The USB system is very easy to use and really does not require any instructions for its use. However a few simple guidelines can help to ensure that it works well and does not cause any hiccups.

  • Plug device in firmly:   Make sure the device is firmly plugged in so that proper contact is made. Also as the USB plug is retained in the socket by friction, make sure it has been plugged all the way in so it does not fall out.

  • Take care plugging in:   Make sure the plug is the right way round. Sometimes it may need a careful look to make sure the USB plug is the right way round. Especially with the smaller connectors, USB mini and USB micro, it may not always be easy to see which way round it should be.

  • Eject properly:   With devices like memory sticks, make sure the device is ejected in the software before physically pulling it out.

  • Be aware of current restrictions:   USB ports can only supply a certain amount of current. Peripherals like external CD drives, or even other equipment may require relatively high levels of current and may not work if connected via an expander dongle. They may need to be connected directly into the computer port, etc.

Typical laptop external USB CD/DVD drive

USB advantages & disadvantages

USB has many advantages when compared to other technologies, but it also has a number of disadvantages which need to be considered when deciding on a technology to be used.

Advantages of USB

  • Ease of use
  • Acceptable data rate for many applications
  • Robust connector system
  • Variety of connector types / sizes available
  • Low cost

Disadvantages of USB

  • Data transfer not as fast as some other systems
  • Limited capability & overall performance

USB has many advantages and this is why it is so widely used. However, its simplicity and ease of use, mean that it is not always applicable in applications where more sophisticated interfaces are required for very high speed data transfer.


USB, Universal Serial Bus is used virtually without exception on most PCs, even Macbooks which have migrated to the lightning connector have interface cables to enable them to easily interface with USB. With the host of other peripherals that use USB, connectivity using this interface is essential for virtually every computer based device.

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