The UBS 3.1 is a significant upgrade from its predecessors, offering a range of key differences and features that set it apart. One major difference is its increased storage capacity, with the UBS 3.1 boasting a maximum storage capacity of 128TB, compared to the 64TB of its previous generation.
This increased capacity makes it an ideal choice for large-scale data storage needs. The UBS 3.1 also features improved performance, with sequential read and write speeds of up to 10 Gbps and 12 Gbps respectively.
In contrast, its predecessor, the UBS 3.0, had sequential read and write speeds of up to 6 Gbps and 8 Gbps respectively. This significant increase in performance makes the UBS 3.1 a much faster option for data-intensive applications.
The UBS 3.1 also introduces a new security feature, encryption, which provides an additional layer of protection for sensitive data. This feature is not available on the UBS 3.0, making the UBS 3.1 a more secure option for businesses and individuals who handle sensitive information.
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Physical Changes
The new USB 3.1 physical layer supports a 10 Gbps data rate, which requires some electrical enhancements to the connector and to the cables.
The Type-C Connector is smaller and thinner than the existing connectors, and it has more than twice as many pins to support the ability to flip the cable or the connector.
The Vbus has been increased from 5.25V to 5.5V, allowing for more power delivery capabilities. This increase in Vbus voltage is a key feature of the Type-C Connector.
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Type-C Connector
The Type-C Connector is smaller and thinner than existing connectors, making it a more compact and space-efficient option.
This new design allows for more than twice as many pins as its predecessor, which enables features like the ability to flip the cable or connector.
The Type-C Connector also supports USB Power Delivery, which can provide up to 20V at 100W, making it ideal for docking stations.
You can use a Type-C connector to charge your smartphone or laptop, and it's even backward-compatible with USB 3.0 connectors.
The Vbus has been increased from 5.25V to 5.5V, which provides a bit more power to your devices.
With a lifespan of 10,000 mating cycles, the Type-C plug is much more robust than its predecessor, and can withstand daily use for years to come.
Hub Changes
Hub changes in USB 3.1 are significant, especially for SuperSpeedPlus hubs. They maximize upstream bandwidth usage by employing Multiple INs, extra buffering, and store-and-forward functionality.
One key feature of SuperSpeedPlus hubs is the use of Multiple INs, which allows them to prioritize periodic packets over asynchronous packets. This is a departure from SuperSpeed, where no reordering occurs.
SuperSpeedPlus hubs also perform round-robin arbitration within periodic or asynchronous data packets. This ensures that all packets have a chance to be transmitted, even if they're not all high-priority.
Here's a summary of the key changes in hub behavior:
- Maximize upstream bandwidth usage with Multiple INs, extra buffering, and store-and-forward
- Prioritize periodic packets over asynchronous packets
- Perform round-robin arbitration within periodic or asynchronous data packets
- Prioritize transaction packets over data packets
Increased Buffer Requirements
SuperSpeedPlus hubs need an extra 16KB of buffer for asynchronous packets.
The hub also needs an extra 16KB of buffer for periodic packets.
For the upstream flow per downstream facing port, the SuperSpeedPlus hub needs enough space for sixteen data packet headers.
Per hub for the downstream flow, the hub needs 18K asynchronous buffers.
The hub also needs 18K for the periodic buffers.
The downstream flow requires 18 header buffers per hub.
This increased buffering is necessary to handle the varying speeds of devices connected to the hub, like the Gen1 device in Figure 4.
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Type-C Docking Station
The Type-C Docking Station is a game-changer for laptop users. It's small, compact, and can be easily carried around.
The docking station has a SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1 Gen 1) USB Type-C male connector, which is reversible and can be inserted either way. This makes it easy to connect and disconnect.
The docking station also has three SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1 Gen 1) Type-A female connectors, which provide fast data transfer rates of up to 5 Gbps. This is perfect for transferring large files.
One of the docking stations has a cable length of around 18 cm, which is quite short and convenient. This makes it easy to store and transport.
The docking station supports a range of memory cards, including SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC-I, and MMC-II. This makes it a great option for photographers and videographers who need to transfer files from their cameras.
The Genesys Logic GL3520 hub and GL3224 card reader chipsets work together to provide fast and reliable data transfer. This is a great combination for a docking station.
The docking station is also quite small, measuring around 9 x 4 x 1.3 cm. This makes it easy to fit into a backpack or purse.
Flash Drives
I've always been fascinated by the evolution of technology, and one area that's seen significant changes is the humble flash drive. They've become an essential tool for storing and transferring data, and their physical design has adapted to keep up with our increasingly mobile lifestyle.
One of the key factors driving this change is data security. Some flash drives, like the Kingston IronKey series, offer high-level encryption, such as FIPS 140-2 Level 3, to protect sensitive information.
In terms of connectivity, flash drives have also undergone a significant upgrade. You can now find flash drives with USB 3.2 Gen 2, which offers much faster data transfer speeds than older versions.
The storage capacity of flash drives has also increased dramatically. You can now find flash drives with capacities ranging from 4GB to 1TB, making them suitable for storing everything from small files to large files and even entire operating systems.
Here are some examples of flash drives with varying storage capacities:
Overall, the physical design of flash drives has adapted to meet the changing needs of users, with a focus on data security, connectivity, and storage capacity.
Protocol Changes
One of the key updates in USB 3.1 is the addition of Multiple IN support, which allows hubs to maximize throughput and adds ordering rules.
This feature is particularly useful for applications that require simultaneous data transfer from multiple sources.
Multiple INs also enable the use of precision time management, which helps ensure that data is transmitted and received in a timely manner.
Hub Depth Aware Arbitration
Hub Depth Aware Arbitration is a significant change in SuperSpeedPlus hubs. It allows for fair arbitration between devices even if they exist in the lower layer of the topology.
In SuperSpeedPlus hubs, packet forwarding is required to allow devices at the bottom of the topology to get fair access to the host. This is achieved through a weighted sum algorithm that gives more turns to ports with heavier weights.
Each packet gets a weight, which depends on the speed of the packet. For example, a Gen1 packet has a weight of 4, while a Gen2 packet has a weight of 8.
The weight of the packet from the hub is the sum of all weights of all the active downstream devices. This ensures that devices at the lowest layer still get fair access to the bandwidth on the host.
SuperSpeedPlus hubs also need to remember to attach a transfer type label to packets that are sent to SuperSpeed devices or hubs, so that the rest of the hierarchy knows what type of transfer this packet is for. This is because SuperSpeed devices and hubs don't add this new transfer type on their own.
Link Layer Changes
The link layer plays a crucial role in data transfer, and with the introduction of USB 3.1, we see changes in this layer.
The SuperSpeedPlus link layer aims to preserve the SuperSpeed link layer architecture with minimal changes. This means that the new link layer is built upon the existing one, making it easier to adapt.
Extensions in link flow control are introduced in SuperSpeedPlus, allowing for more efficient data transfer. These extensions use similar packet framing and a similar LTSSM structure.
The goal of SuperSpeedPlus is to match or exceed the SuperSpeed error performance. This ensures that the new link layer is reliable and can handle high-speed data transfer without errors.
Protocol Layer Changes
One of the key changes in the protocol layer of USB 3.1 is the addition of Multiple IN support, which allows hubs to maximize throughput and adds ordering rules.
Multiple INs can significantly improve the performance of devices connected to a hub, making it a valuable feature for many users.
The protocol layer has also been enhanced with Precision Time Management (USB 3.0 ECN), which adds a new level of precision to the timing of data transfers.
A new field for Transfer Type has been added, giving developers more flexibility when designing their devices.
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The Route String field has been enhanced to include a weight for device-to-host DPs, making it easier to optimize data transfer routes.
Isochronous maximum bandwidth has been increased, allowing for faster and more reliable data transfers.
The following changes have been made to the protocol layer:
- Added Precision Time Management (USB 3.0 ECN)
- Added a new field for Transfer Type
- Enhanced the Route String field to include a weight for device-to-host DPs
- Increased isochronous maximum bandwidth
- Removed NumHP, Link Speed fields in configuration LMPs, and bus Interval Adjustments
DP Alt Mode on Type-C Connector
The DP Alt Mode on Type-C Connector is a game-changer for those who want to connect multiple devices to their MacBook or Chromebook.
This feature allows you to connect a display adapter to the USB Type-C port of your laptop, making it easy to add an extra monitor to your setup.
The DP Alt Mode supports a variety of display adapters, including USB Type-C to DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, and VGA adapters.
With DP Alt Mode, you can transmit signals to your display via the adapter or cable, making it a convenient option for multitaskers.
This feature is particularly useful for those who need to connect multiple displays to their laptop, such as graphic designers, video editors, and gamers.
The DP Alt Mode is supported on certain USB Type-C ports, so make sure to check your laptop's specifications before investing in a display adapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 3.1 USB mean?
USB 3.1 is a faster version of USB, offering data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps, making it ideal for high-speed applications
Is 3.1 a USB-C?
No, USB 3.1 is a transfer standard, not a physical connector like USB-C. While they're related, they're not the same thing.
Is USB 3.1 Fast?
USB 3.1 is a fast USB standard, with speeds of up to 5Gbit/s for Gen 1 and 10Gbit/s for Gen 2
Can I use a 3.0 USB in a 3.1 port?
USB 3.0 devices can be used in USB 3.1 ports, but you may not get the full speed benefits of USB 3.1. Check your device's specifications for optimal compatibility
Sources
- USB 3.1: Physical, Link, and Protocol Layer Changes (synopsys.com)
- Item 85257 (delock.de)
- Item 84847 (delock.de)
- Item 84846 (delock.de)
- Item 84844 (delock.de)
- Item 62729 (delock.de)
- Item 62726 (delock.de)
- DesignWare USB 3.1 Gen2 IP (synopsys.com)
- USB 3.1 A to C Cable TID-Certified and Follow the USB-IF ... (pshinecable.com)
- What's the Difference in USB 3.1 Gen 1, Gen 2 and USB 3.2? (kingston.com)
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