| Maintains compatibility with USB 3.2 and USB 2.0
Developed based on the Thunderbolt protocol specification
| Scheduled to be unveiled at USB Developer Day in the second half of this year

The USB Promoter Group announced on the 4th that it will soon release the USB 4 specification, which will update the next-generation USB architecture while complementing the existing USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 architectures.

The USB 4 architecture is being developed based on the Thunderbolt protocol specification provided by Intel. This specification doubles USB bandwidth to support multiple data and display protocols simultaneously.

The new USB 4 architecture defines how to share a single high-speed link with a variety of end devices to best transfer data based on type and application.
Because the USB Type-C connector has evolved into an external display port for host products, the USB 4 specification allows the host to adjust how best to route display data flow.

The USB 4 specification introduces a new protocol while maintaining compatibility with existing USB 3.2, USB 2.0, and Thunderbolt 3 standards, allowing devices to connect to each other to achieve their full potential.

“A key goal for USB is to deliver the best user experience by combining data, display, and Power Delivery (PD) capabilities through user-friendly, robust cable and connector solutions,” said Brad Saunders, president of the USB Promoter Group. “USB 4 solutions will further enhance the user experience by tailoring the bus to optimize the combination of data and display through a single connection, doubling performance.”

The key features of USB 4 are:

▲USOperates in two paths using a Type-B C cable and operates at speeds up to 40 Gbps with a certified 40 Gbps cable ▲Multiple data and display protocols efficiently share the total available bandwidth over the bus ▲Compatible with existing USB 3.2, USB 2.0, and Thunderbolt 3

Currently, approximately 50 companies are reviewing drafts of the USB 4 specification. An updated USB Type-C specification covering the discovery, configuration, and performance requirements of the USB 4 bus is expected to be released around mid-2019, concurrent with the release of the USB 4 specification.

USB Developer Days 2019, taking place later this year, will include coverage of the USB 4 specification, the latest specifications for USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery, and specific technical training covering a variety of topics.

This specification update is part of a plan to improve USB performance, and is specifically targeted at developers. Guidelines for product branding and marketing will be developed after the final specification is released.

“The release of the Thunderbolt protocol specification is a significant step forward in making the simplest and most versatile port available to everyone,” said Jason Ziller, Intel president of the Client Connectivity Division. “We’re working with the USB Promoter Group to open the door to expanding our ability to innovate across a wider range of devices and deliver better experiences to consumers.”