Standard USB connector. Mini USB connector: size, characteristics, pinout and types


This article provides general information about the USB standard, as well as pinoutUSB connector by colors of all types (USB, mini-USB, micro-USB, USB-3.0).

USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector is a universal-purpose serial bus, a modern way of connecting external devices to a personal computer. Replaces previously used connection methods (serial and parallel port, PS/2, Gameport, etc.) for common types of peripheral devices - printers, mice, keyboards, joysticks, cameras, modems, etc. This connector also allows you to organize data exchange between a computer and a video camera, card reader, MP3 player, or external hard drive.

The advantage of the USB connector over other connectors is the ability to connect Plug&Play devices without the need to restart the computer or manually install drivers. Plug&Play devices can be connected while the computer is running and be up and running within seconds.

When connecting a new device, first the hub (cable hub) receives a high level on the data line, which reports that new equipment has appeared. Then the following steps follow:

  1. The Hub informs the Host computer that a new device has been connected.
  2. The host computer asks the hub which port the device was connected to.
  3. After receiving a response, the computer issues a command to activate this port and resets the bus.
  4. The hub generates a reset signal (RESET) with a duration of 10 ms. The output power current of the device is 100 mA. The device is now ready for use and has a default address.

The creation of USB is the result of collaboration between companies such as Compaq, NEC, Hewlett-Packard, Philips, Intel, Lucent and Microsoft. The USB standard was intended to replace the widely used RS-232 serial port. USB generally makes the job easier for the user and has greater bandwidth than the RS-232 serial port. The first USB specification was developed in 1995 as a low-cost, universal interface for connecting external devices that did not require much data bandwidth.

Three USB versions

USB 1.1

Version USB 1.1 was designed to serve slow peripheral devices (Low-Speed) with a data transfer rate of 1.5 Mbit/s and fast devices (Full-Speed) with a data transfer rate of 12 Mbit/s. USB 1.1, however, was unable to compete with the high-speed interface, for example. FireWire (IEEE 1394) from Apple with data transfer rates up to 400 Mbps.

USB 2.0

In 1999, they began to think about the second generation of USB, which would be applicable to more complex devices (for example, digital video cameras). This new version, referred to as USB 2.0, was released in 2000 and provided a maximum speed of up to 480 Mbps in Hi-Speed ​​mode and remained backward compatible with USB 1.1 (data transfer type: Full-Speed, Low-Speed).

USB 3.0

The third version (also referred to as Super-speed USB) was designed in November 2008, but was probably delayed until 2010 due to the financial crisis. USB 3.0 has more than 10 times the speed of USB 2.0 (up to 5 Gbit/s). The new design has 9 wires instead of the original 4 (the data bus already consists of 4 wires), however, this standard still supports USB 2.0 and provides lower power consumption. This allows you to use any combination of USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 devices and ports.

The USB connector has 4 pins. A twisted pair (two wires twisted together) is connected to the DATA+ and DATA- pins, and regular wires are connected to the VCC (+5 V) and GND pins. Then the entire cable (all 4 wires) is shielded with aluminum foil.

Below is the pinout (wiring) of all types of USB connectors.

Types and pinout of USB connectors

USB cable pinout by color:

  1. +5 volts
  2. -Data
  3. +Data
  4. General

USB connector pinout diagram - type A:

USB connector pinout diagram - type B:

Cable wiring according to connector colors:mini (mini) and micro (micro) USB:


  1. +5 volts
  2. -Data
  3. +Data
  4. Not used / Shared
  5. General

Mini-USB connector pinout - type A:

Currently, there are several types of USB connectors (Universal Serial Bus), which come in three versions - USB v1.1, USB v2.0 and USB v3.0. Version v1.1 is practically not used due to the too low data transfer speed (12 Mbit/s), so it is used only for compatibility.

The second version of USB 2.0 now dominates the market. Most modern devices support this version, which provides an information exchange speed of 480 Mbit/s, which is equivalent to a copy speed of 48 MB/s. However, due to non-ideal implementation and design features, in practice the actual speed rarely exceeds 30-33 MB/sec. Many hard drives are capable of reading information at 3-4 times faster speeds.

The USB v2.0 connector is a bottleneck that slows down the operation of modern drives. At the same time, for mice, keyboards and some other devices this does not matter much. The third version of USB v3.0 is marked in blue, which indicates that it belongs to the latest generation. The bandwidth of the third version of USB provides a speed of 5 Gbit/s, which is equivalent to 500 MB/s. Taking into account the fact that modern hard drives have a speed of 150-170 MB/sec, the third version of USB has a large reserve of data transfer speed.

Structurally, USB 1.1 and 2.0 versions are fully compatible with each other. If one of the connected parties supports version v1.1, then data exchange will occur at a reduced speed, and the operating system will display the message: “The device can work faster,” which will mean that the computer is using a fast USB 2.0 port, and the connected device version 1.1 is slow. Compatibility between USB 2.0 and 3.0 looks a little different. Any USB v2.0 device can be connected to the third version port, indicated in blue. But the reverse connection (with the exception of type A) is impossible. Modern USB v3.0 cables and devices have additional pins that allow you to increase the speed of the interface.

USB power

Any USB connector is powered by a voltage of 5 V and a current of up to 0.5 A, and for USB version 3.0 - 0.9 A. In practice, this means that the maximum power of the connected device does not exceed 2.5 W or 4.5 W for USB 3.0. For this reason, connecting low-power and portable devices (phones, players, flash drives, memory cards) will not cause problems, while large and massive equipment is powered from an external network.

USB v2.0 and USB v3.0 connectors are also classified by type (Type A and Type B) and size (MiniUSB and MicroUSB).

The USB Type A connector is the most widespread and is the most recognizable among the existing ones. Most devices (mice, keyboards, flash drives, cameras and many others) are equipped with USB type A, which was developed back in the 90s. The main advantage of this port is its reliability, which allows it to withstand a large number of connections without losing integrity. Although the cross-section of the connector is rectangular, it is protected against incorrect connection, so it cannot be inserted backwards. However, it is quite large in size, so it is not suitable for portable devices, which has resulted in the creation of smaller modifications.

The USB type B connector is less popular. All modifications of type B, including Mini and Micro, have a square or trapezoidal shape. The traditional full-length Type B is the only type that has a square cross-section. Due to its rather large size, it is used in various peripheral and large-sized stationary devices (scanners, printers, sometimes ADSL modems). Typically, manufacturers of printers or multifunctional devices rarely include such a cable in their products, so the buyer has to purchase it separately.

The reason for the appearance of tiny Mini USB Type B connectors was the abundance of miniature devices on the market. And the appearance of portable hard drives ensured their real mass popularity. Unlike large connectors with 4 pins, Mini USB Type B has five pins, however, one of them is not used. Unfortunately, miniaturization has had a negative impact on reliability. During operation, after some time the Mini USB connector begins to loosen, although it does not fall out of the port. At this time, it is still actively used in portable hard drives, players, card readers and other compact equipment. The second modification of Mini USB type A is almost never used. Mini USB is gradually being replaced by a more advanced modification of Micro USB.

The Micro USB type B connector is a modified version of the previous type Mini USB type B and has very miniature dimensions, which allows manufacturers to use it in modern technology with a small thickness. Thanks to the improved fastening, the plug sits very tightly in the socket and does not fall out of it. In 2011, this type of connector was approved as a unified standard for charging smartphones, phones, tablets, players and other portable equipment. This solution allows you to charge your entire fleet of electronics using one cable. The standard is showing growth trends and it can be assumed that in a few years almost all new devices will be equipped with it. Type A is used extremely rarely.

The USB 3.0 standard provides significantly higher data transfer speeds. Additional contacts, which made it possible to increase speed, led to a change in the appearance of almost all USB connectors of the third version. However, type A has not changed in appearance, except for the blue color of the core. This means that backward compatibility is maintained. In other words, a USB 3.0 type A device can be connected to a USB 2 port and vice versa. This is the main difference between the connector and other version 3.0 connectors. Such ports are commonly found in modern laptops and computers.

USB 3.0 Type B is used in medium and large high-performance peripheral devices - NAS, as well as stationary hard drives. The connector has undergone major changes, so it cannot be connected to USB 2.0, in particular to USB 2.0 type B. Cables with such connectors are also not often sold.

Micro USB 3.0 is the successor to the “classic” Micro USB connector and has the same characteristics - compactness, reliability, high-quality connection, but at the same time provides higher data transfer speeds. Mainly used in modern external ultra-fast hard drives and SSDs. It is becoming increasingly popular. The connector largely duplicates Micro USB version 2.

Users sometimes confuse Mini USB connectors with Micro USB connectors, which are really similar. The main difference is that the first one is slightly larger in size, and the second one has special latches on the back side, which make it easier to distinguish these two types of connectors. In other respects they are identical. Today there are many devices with these types of connectors, so it is preferable to have two different cables.

What is USB? Today, probably only the lazy do not know or have heard about this. USB has firmly entered the life of modern people, and many areas of activity cannot be imagined without it. USB has surpassed all other similar interfaces in popularity that interact with computer peripherals. Almost all electronic gadgets and systems are equipped with USB connectors: computers, phones, tablets, TVs, car radios and many other devices.

USB concept

A technical definition will help you understand what USB is. The official documentation states: USB, Universal Serial Bus - universal serial bus. In essence, it is a software tool that makes connections for transmitting data between electronic gadgets.

USB has its own symbolic icon in the form of geometric shapes: two circles (small and large), a triangle and a square. Three branched lines emerge from the large circle, at the ends of which are the remaining figures.

You can define what USB is in a simpler concept. This is the connector to which a device with a plug of the same standard is connected. For example, using USB, a keyboard, mouse, and printers are connected to a personal computer. Phones, smartphones, tablets, e-readers, portable hard drives and many other gadgets are connected to exchange information, install various updates, and settings.

Features and Benefits

This interface was developed and introduced at the end of 1994. Companies such as Microsoft, Intel, Philips and US Robotics had a hand in the emergence of USB.

Previously, external third-party devices communicated with the PC through such switching means as PS/2, serial and parallel input ports, a separate connector for connecting game controllers, and no one had even heard of what USB was. When developing new gadgets, there was an urgent need to unify switching capabilities. The presentation of the new standard led to increased functionality of the computer and stimulated the development of third-party products with the USB bus.

Today, all PCs and laptops are required to have USB connectors. Up to 12 USB connectors can be mounted on a desktop computer; a laptop has 3-4 inputs. Any modern “self-respecting” gadget has a USB port.

Simplicity and ease of use have become synonymous with USB technology. It allowed interaction with the “Plug and Play” specification, which assumed reliable, fast and user-friendly switching of external sources.

USB standardization

Trial specification standards were presented at the end of 1994. Several more versions were released throughout the year, and on January 15, 1996, the USB 1.0 standard was presented. It was characterized by two types of data exchange: a high throughput channel of up to 12 Mbit/s and a low throughput channel of 1.5 Mbit/s. With high traffic, the length of the USB cable was 3 m, and with low traffic, 5 m. The voltage for connected devices was determined to be 5 V with a maximum current of 500 mA. Up to 127 gadgets could be connected. Moreover, they could all function with different access standards.

In September 1998, work was carried out on the detected errors, the speed was increased to 15 Mbit/s, and USB version 1.1 was launched.

The beginning of 2000 was marked by the release of the USB generation 2.0 interface. A high-speed data processing and transmission mode was introduced. USB 2.0 received three types of bandwidth:

  • from 10 to 1500 Kbps was used for operation with keyboards, mice and gaming gadgets;
  • from 0.5 to 12 Mbit/s reserved various video and audio media;
  • from 25 to 480 Mbit/s worked with hard drives (HDD) and video stream processing.

Additional Specifications

In 2005, USB Wireless technology was developed. A characteristic feature was stated to be wireless switching with high data transfer rates. Within a radius of 3 meters the speed was about 480 Mbit/s, 10 m - 110 Mbit/s.

Through the joint efforts of Microsoft, Intel, Hewlett-Packard and some others, the USB 3.0 specification standard appeared. This version is fully compatible with 2.0. The connectors of the latest specification have a characteristic blue plastic color, unlike the white of the previous version. Specification 3.0 has an additional four switching lines, making the cable slightly thicker and the throughput increased to a stratospheric 5 Gbps. With these parameters, for example, information with a volume of 1 TB can be transferred in approximately 50 minutes. Whereas with standard 2.0 the same volume is transmitted in about 9 hours.

The latest version of USB has a higher current - 900 mA. This parameter made it possible to connect a larger number of devices to the connector compared to 2.0.

There is also a USB OTG specification that allows connected devices to unilaterally determine when to be a host and when to be a peripheral.

USB connectors

Type A connects a third-party USB device and a computer. It is on the controller side. When you connect any USB gadget, the operating system itself instantly finds the driver. If there are none, the device is always equipped with a software disk, which includes the necessary installation element.

Type B is present on the USB peripheral side. These are mainly scanners, printers or multifunction devices. Both types include several plug/connector configuration options: mini USB and micro USB.

The mini USB connector/plug is more compact in size and is found on early versions of smartphones, cameras, camcorders, e-books, etc.

The micro USB connector/plug is even smaller in size than the previous version. It is often found in modern smartphones.

Disadvantages of the USB interface

Due to design features, mini USB and micro USB connectors often fail before their service life. This is due to the fact that such connectors are usually found in gadgets that very often have to be connected to a computer or charged (phones, smartphones, PDAs, MP3 players). It is worth noting that USB technology not only allows you to exchange data, but also makes it possible to charge devices through its connection.

The stated throughput of the 2.0 specification of 480 Mbps is not true. This happens because data is transmitted in both directions over a single twisted pair cable. To achieve maximum speed, 2 clock cycles are required when exchanging information, which, by the way, is implemented in USB 3.0.

USB(USB, English) Universal Serial Bus- “universal serial bus”) - a serial interface for connecting peripheral devices to computer equipment. It has become very widespread and has actually become the main interface for connecting peripherals to household digital equipment.

The interface allows not only to exchange data, but also to provide power to the peripheral device. The network architecture allows you to connect a large number of peripherals even to a device with one USB connector.

The development of USB specifications is carried out within the framework of the international non-profit organization USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), which unites developers and manufacturers of equipment with the USB bus. During the development process, several versions of the specifications were developed. Nevertheless, the developers managed to maintain a high degree of compatibility between equipment of different generations.

There are two types of connectors/slots for USB:

  • Type A
  • Type B

Each type is divided into three groups:

  • Standard
  • Micro

Some types of connectors



All USB devices have their own version.

First version of USB connectors (1.1). Its characteristic feature is a very low speed, at which all information is transmitted with a long delay.
The transfer speed is 12 Mbit/s. Its main purpose is to be used for interconnecting devices.

Second version of USB connectors (2.0).

Characterized by a data transfer rate of 480 Mbit/s. This corresponds to a speed of 48 MB/s.

The bulk of all modern technical instruments and devices are adapted to use this particular version. It is the most popular and well-known, and therefore is still in demand in the electrical goods market.
True, due to many factors, the real speed of this standard does not exceed 30 - 33 MB/s.

Third version of USB (3.0).

This version is characterized by the speed of information transfer – 5 Gbit/s – which is considered a fairly high figure.
This speed corresponds 500 MB/s This is much higher than the speed of the latest generation hard drives (150 - 170 MB/s).

USB 3.0 connectors are (sometimes) specially marked blue for recognition.

USB power supply

The power for which connected devices with USB connectors are designed is 2,5 W and also 4,5 W (for the third version). Based on this, USB connectors of all versions require voltage 5 V. Current up to 0,5 Oh, and for the third version - 0.9 A.

Micro USB 3.0.

Modern high-speed external drives, as well as SSD-type drives, are basically all equipped with a connector that is characterized by a high speed of information exchange.

USB 3.1 Type-C

  • Data transfer rate up to 10 GBps
  • Possibility of powering devices with power consumption from the port up to 100W
  • Connector dimensions comparable to micro-USB
  • The symmetry of the connector - it does not have a top or bottom, which means there is no key, which often leads to damage to both the connectors themselves and the gadgets connected through them
  • Using this interface, you can power devices with voltage up to 20 volts
  • There are no longer different types of connectors - A and B. Both ends of the cable have exactly the same connectors. Both data and power supply can be transmitted through the same connector in both directions. Depending on the situation, each connector can act as a master or slave
  • We are promised that the connector design can withstand up to 10,000 connections
  • It is possible to use this interface for direct connection instead of some other widely used interfaces for fast data exchange.
  • The standard is compatible from top to bottom with both the regular USB 3 interface and its younger brothers. Of course not directly, but with the help of an adapter it is possible to connect, say, a USB 2.0 drive through it

The new USB Type-C standard is still not widely developed on the market, but manufacturers are gradually adopting the new technology. In smartphones, USB-C can already be called a new trend, because it is not only an improved charging connector, but also a means to abandon the traditional 3.5 mm headphone port. Today we will talk in more detail about USB Type-C, and this article will tell you what it is.

Today, almost all electronic devices are equipped with a USB connector. From desktop computers to smartphones and a variety of laptop storage devices. USB is a ubiquitous standard when it comes to connecting peripherals or transferring data between devices. The last major USB update came in 2013 with the release of USB 3.1, accompanied by the release of a new Type-C connector. As you can see, almost 4 years have passed since then, and Type-C has not taken root.

Currently, you can count on one hand the number of devices on the market that use USB Type-C technology. Among computers, these are the latest laptops from Apple, from Google, a line from Samsung and several more hybrid devices. Among the smartphones - mainly the flagships of the outgoing year:, and.

So why is USB Type-C better than its predecessors? Let's find out.

What is USB Type-C


USB Type-C is a new and currently actively developing industry data transfer standard for computers and mobile devices. The main and most significant innovation of Type-C is a modified connector - universal, symmetrical, capable of working on either side. The USB-C connector was invented by the USB Implementers Forum, a group of companies that developed and certified the new USB standard. It also includes the largest technology companies, namely Apple, Samsung, Dell, HP, Intel and Microsoft. By the way, this is important to know, because USB Type-C was easily accepted by most PC manufacturers.

USB-C is the new standard

First of all, you need to know that USB Type-C is a new industry standard. Just like they once were USB 1.1, USB 2.0, USB 3.0 or the latest USB 3.1. Only previous generations of USB were more focused on increasing data transfer speeds and various other improvements, while Type-C from a physical point of view changes the connector design in a similar way to technology modifications - MicroUSB and MiniUSB. However, the decisive difference in this case is that, unlike MicroUSB and MiniUSB, Type-C is aimed at replacing absolutely all standards, on both sides (example USB-MicroUSB).

Main characteristics:

  • 24 signal pins
  • USB 3.1 support
  • Alternate mode for implementing third-party interfaces
  • Speed ​​up to 10 Gbps
  • Power transmission up to 100 W
  • Dimensions: 8.34x2.56 mm

USB Type-C and USB 3.1

One of the possible questions for those who do not know about USB Type-C could be something like this: what does USB 3.1 have to do with USB Type-C? The fact is that USB 3.1 is the main data transfer protocol for Type-C. The speed of version 3.1 is 10 Gbps - in theory, this is 2 times faster than USB 3.0. USB 3.1 can also be presented in the original connector format - this port is called USB 3.1 Type-A. But today it is much easier to find USB 3.1 with a new Type-C universal connector.

USB versions

To better understand why Type-C will become a replacement for traditional USB versions, it is first necessary to understand the difference between them. There are different versions of USB, and even different connectors - for example, Type-A and Type-B.

USB versions belong to a common standard, but they differ in the maximum data transfer speed and operating power. Of course, there are many other factors.

USB 1.1
Although USB 1.0 is technically the first version of USB, it failed to fully reach the market. Instead, a new version of USB 1.1 was released - it became the first standard to which we are all accustomed. USB 1.1 can transfer data at 12 Mbps and consumes a maximum of 100 mA of current.

USB 2.0
The second version of USB was introduced in April 2000. It provided the standard with a significant increase in maximum data transfer speed - up to 480 Mbit per second. USB 2.0 has also become more powerful, consuming 1.8A at 2.5V.

USB 3.0
The release of USB 3.0 brought with it not only the expected improvements in data transfer speed and power, but also new types of connectors. Moreover, USB 3.0 even got its own color - the new version of the standard was designated blue to valiantly distinguish it from older generations of USB. USB 3.0 can operate at speeds of up to 5 Gbps, using 5V at 1.8A for its operation. By the way, this version was presented in November 2008.

USB 3.1
The latest and greatest version of USB was released in July 2013, although it is still not widely used. USB 3.1 can provide users with a throughput of up to 10 Gbps with a maximum power consumption of 5V/1A, or optionally 5A/12V (60 W) or 20V (100 W).

Type-A
Type-A is the classic USB interface. The short and rectangular plug became the original design for USB and remains the standard connector for use at the host end of a USB cable to this day. There are also some variations of Type-A - Mini Type-A and Micro Type-A, but these have never been widely accepted by the public due to the complex nature of the socket. Currently, both of these Type-A variations are considered obsolete.


Type-B
If Type-A has become one side of the USB cable we are used to, Type-B is the other. The original Type-B is a tall connector with beveled top corners. Commonly found on printers, although itself an extension of the USB 3.0 standard to introduce new connectivity options. The classic MiniUSB and MicroUSB are also available in Type-B versions, along with the absolutely clunky MicroUSB 3.0, which uses additional plugs.

Type-C
So, after Type-A and Type-B, we come, obviously, to the newest Type-C. Type-A and Type-B versions were supposed to work together with each other through backward compatibility, but the arrival of Type-C completely ruined these plans, since USB-C involves a complete replacement of outdated USB connection technologies. Also, Type-C was designed in a special way so that additional variants such as Mini or Micro would not need to be released at all. This, again, is due to the intentions to replace all current connectors with USB Type-C.


The main feature of the Type-C standard is the versatility or symmetry of the connector. USB-C can be used on both sides, similar to Apple's Lightning technology - no more special sides for connection, which are also difficult to find in the dark. Also, the Type-C version is based on USB 3.1, which means it supports all the benefits of the latest version, including the highest speed.

USB-C is still backwards compatible with existing USB variants, but this use case will of course require adapters.


Disadvantages of USB Type-C

Naturally, the new USB Type-C standard also has problems. One of the main and most serious concerns of the latest version of the technology is the physical design of the connector - it is very fragile due to its symmetrical design. Apple, despite the same versatility of its Lightning, uses a durable metal plug that is much more resistant to external influences.

An even more pressing and significant problem with USB Type-C is the unregulated operation of the connector, which has led to a number of dangerous accessories being commercially available. Some of these accessories, by using unsupported voltage levels, can fry the connected device. For example, this was the case with the flagship, which was magnificent at the start, which subsequently began to first ignite and then completely explode in the hands, trousers, cars and apartments of its owners.


This problem has led to an obvious and only solution - a massive ban on the production and sale of non-original accessories that support USB Type-C. Thus, if an accessory does not meet USB Implementers Forum Inc. standard specifications, the product will not be approved for sale. Also, to check the operating status and authenticity of various third-party accessories, USB-IF has introduced software protected by 128-bit encryption that will allow devices with this connector to automatically check the connected device or accessory with USB-C.

Minuses:

  • Design. The design of USB Type-C is good, but the design has suffered - it is quite fragile. Apple uses an all-metal plug in its Lightning, while Type-C uses an oval shape with the signal pins placed in the central part.
  • Connector operation. Allowing USB Type-C to operate at unsupported voltage levels will likely cause the cable and/or device to catch fire.
  • Compatibility. USB Type-C is an innovation in the USB world, but the newest generation leaves older devices in the past because it does not support working with them.
  • Adapters. To fully work with USB Type-C on older devices, you will have to buy additional adapters. This is an additional waste of money.

Benefits of USB Type-C


Despite all of the above, USB Type-C can confidently be called a step forward for the industry. Installing this connector will allow manufacturers to make thinner computers and mobile devices with fewer ports, higher data transfer speeds and headphones. In the future, if USB Type-C becomes popular, the connector will be able to replace not only the 3.5 mm headphone port, but also HDMI, the interface used for video transmission. Thus, USB Type-C will replace the connectors that are familiar today and will become a universal standard in any situation.

Pros:

  • Symmetry. USB Type-C allows you to forget about situations where you have to remember which side to insert the cable into the connector. Also, from now on you don’t have to worry about not finding the right side of the USB in the dark.
  • Compactness. The dimensions of USB Type-C are 8.4x2.6 mm - this allows manufacturers to make computers and mobile devices much thinner.
  • Versatility. Thanks to the integration of a single connector, it will be possible to charge both a laptop, a tablet or a smartphone with one cable.


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