The Universal Serial Bus has gone through three major revisions so far, with the newest one, USB 3, just now becoming commonplace in new computers. But the USB Implementers Forum, which oversees development of usb standards, is proposing a new version which will be able to carry a great deal more power through the lines, as well as data. The new version will be called USB-PD, for Power Delivery. Final specifications for the standard were established in July, and the first devices using the standard are expected in a few months, perhaps even as soon as the end of 2012.
(Image credit Intel)
Comparing the USB standards of the past, we see that USB 2 can carry 2.5 watts of power, and USB 3 can handle 4.5 watts. There is a variation of USB 3 called USB BC, which is intended to recharge batteries in portable devices. It can carry up to 7.5 watts, but is still not widespread. The new USB-PD dwarf’s the previous standards and can handle up to 100 watts, depending on the device being charged and the capacity of the cable.
The backers of this technology intend to have more universal battery charging facilities available for all types of portable devices. In some ways it will come into competition with Intel’s Thunderbolt, which has not gotten widespread support so far, mostly due to cost.
You can read more on this story at CNET.
10 Comments on A new USB standard may be coming soon
Dream 1. Then Version 1.0 arrived. 1.1. 2.0. 3.0 and still dreaming.
This new version will make Windows 50% faster, right?
I'm kind of annoyed USB 3.0 motherboards and equipment are STILL so damned expensive compared to their 2.0 counterparts.. that premium should have ended by the beginning of THIS year! Also, they will need to use a different connector for sending power.. for some idiot will try to do it with a a 1.0 - 3.0 cable and start a fire..
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Originally Posted by tmc8080
The idea is to power more devices through just the cable.. while that might be possible for some devices such as a computer monitor (assuming 75W consumption avg on brightest setting)-- most people will not realize all this power has to come from SOMEWHERE.. and most power supplies in the market are NOT up to the task.. if you start sending power through USB, there has to be a device to supply it.. and if you do it through computers they will need to have the proper wattage well in excess of what's needed.. and these things are NOT cheap.
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Michael
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Originally Posted by tmc8080
The idea is to power more devices through just the cable.. while that might be possible for some devices such as a computer monitor (assuming 75W consumption avg on brightest setting)-- most people will not realize all this power has to come from SOMEWHERE.. and most power supplies in the market are NOT up to the task.. if you start sending power through USB, there has to be a device to supply it.. and if you do it through computers they will need to have the proper wattage well in excess of what's needed.. and these things are NOT cheap.
I'm kind of annoyed USB 3.0 motherboards and equipment are STILL so damned expensive compared to their 2.0 counterparts.. that premium should have ended by the beginning of THIS year! Also, they will need to use a different connector for sending power.. for some idiot will try to do it with a a 1.0 - 3.0 cable and start a fire.. |
I agree the connector head needs to be changed and the cables for the higher-powered need to be thicker. Personally I'd prefer that they over-engineer the cables rather than "just enough to get by".
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Originally Posted by mciahel
So I can now buy the Laptop Self-Charging cable (http://joannecasey.blogspot.de/2011/...ger-cable.html german source here: http://shop.etel-tuning.de/kabel-und...ladekabel.html)
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"Body found in shower texting, not suicide"
Today, a woman's body was found in the shower with her new USB 8.0 device being plugged in, charging, and when she fumbled for the soap, her phone fell and electrocuted her.
Car batteries and toasters, need not apply.
Though, I suspect they'll have to eventually UP the standvy rail a bit-- those are nominally 1 - 3 amps...
Personally, I think the 12v rails are more useful.. the new mobos should downconvert voltages as necessary. I've long thought +5 volts was a scam by battery companies to avoid using common battery voltages 1.2, 9, 12 volts which were in mass production and have been long held as cheap standards.. I think most equipment using +5v are actually running at less voltage, but the +5 is the max voltage for CHARGING a device with a battery (usually lithium ion).
Higher voltages = lower currents = lower losses = thinner (higher gauge) wires = more distance with the same gauge wires.
Lower Voltages = thinner insulation.
Designing a device to work with the right voltage helps, but you don't want to voltage conversion circuitry spread out everywhere either. Voltage conversion is:
1) Noisy if done wrong.
2) Takes up valuable real estate.
3) Not the primary task of any device.
4) Just another thing to go wrong.
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