Types of USB Connectors

Author：danny / time：2018-04-10 / The number of clicks：1225

 

 

In the mid-1990s, a revolutionary device was developed that has made using computers and peripheral devices a lot easier. It was the result of a rare coming together of industry leaders in the business of computers, the likes of Microsoft, Intel, Apple, Compaq, and Hewlett-Packard, to name a few. The product of the alliance was the Universal Serial Bus, or USB connector, which has, since its development, changed the landscape of computing across the globe.

                                                                                

The goal of developing the USB was to create a standardized data transfer system that would replace a wide gamut of existing systems used for several applications. This new system would support multiple peripheral devices using only one and the same port. This would allow users to add and remove devices without the need to shut down the computer. In addition to this, the new system would be capable of faster data transfer speeds.

 

All these goals have been met with the development of the USB. It has evolved to become one of the most successful connectors ever made, judging from its user-friendly features and vast data transfer capabilities. Today, the USB connector comes in three different types, each with unique applications.

 

Parts of a USB

Let us first discuss the following three main parts of a USB connector:

 

Port. The slot or socket where one end of the USB cable is connected.

 

Host.The device that holds the port, such as a computer or laptop.

 

Receptor. The electronic device that is connected to the host by means of the USB connector.

 

USB Type A

Commonly called the “Standard-A” connector, the USB Type A is flat and rectangular in shape. Capable to withstand a large number of connections, it is arguably the most prevalent USB type in the market.

 

The end of the cable that connects to the port in the host is the “male” connector. The plug in the host, meanwhile, is the corresponding “female” connector or receptacle.

 

The USB Type A is commonly seen in computers, laptops, tablets, media players, and smart televisions. It is also found at the end of USB keyboards, joysticks, and mice.

 

Another application of the USB Type A is the flash drive, which is a plug-and-play data storage device that uses a flash memory with an integrated USB interface. Because it is designed to be small and lightweight, there is no need for a connector cable.

 

USB Type B

Less popular than the Type A, the USB Type B is sometimes referred to as the “Standard-B” connector. Depending on the version, it comes in square shape with either a slightly rounded or square protrusion. This type of USB connector is often used in printers, routers, and game consoles.

 

Newer variations of the USB Type B include the Mini-B, which is used to connect cameras and older smartphones, and the Micro-B, which is used to connect newer gadgets and handheld devices. Type B plugs are found on one end of a USB A/B cable and fits into the Type B plug found on another device.

 

USB Type C

The third and newest USB type is the Type C. One marked difference of the USB Type C connector from its first two predecessors is its size. The USB Type C is remarkably smaller, but despite its size, it is a powerful connector. From the smallest smartphones to a computer and even a server, this type can provide connections that are fast and reliable.

 

Perhaps the most beloved feature of the Type C connector is that it is reversible and flappable. This means that you can connect either end of the cable to the plug into the host. It is also backwards-compatible with the use of an adapter or converter cable.

 

The development of the USB Type C has propelled the industry of connectors toward a direction characterized by more flexibility and faster data transfer speeds. It is expected to replace all types of USB connectors on both the host and receptor ends.