Confused About USB Names? Here is a Chart to Clear Things up
Recently USB-IF announced the release of USB 3.2 specification. The good news is USB industry is doubling the data rate to a new higher level, 20Gbps. In the meantime, USB-IF is also making changes to the terminolog of data rate. Somehow, those changes seem a bit confusing
Why give the old technology a new name? According to CNET reporter, Stephen Shankland, USB-IF believes that it’s easier to absorb the predecessor into a broader USB 3.2 documentation and have everyone use the more human-friendly terms: USB Hi-Speed, USB SuperSpeed 5Gbps, USB SuperSpeed 10Gbps, and USB SuperSpeed 20Gbps.
Here is a chart to help you to be clear about the names of several types of USB.
Max speed | Previous Name | New Name | Marketing Name |
5 Gb/s | USB 3.0 USB 3.1 Gen 1 |
USB 3.2 Gen 1 | SuperSpeed USB |
10 Gb/s | USB 3.1 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps |
20 Gb/s | - | USB 3.2 Gen 2 x 2 | SuperSpeed USB 20 Gbps |