USB 3.2 Uses Same Cables, Doubles Data Rates

When USB Type-C arrived on the scene it was welcomed with open arms thanks its reversible connector, the promise of up to 100 watts of power, and up to 10Gbps data transfer speeds. What you may not have realized is, that data rate is set to double using the same cable.

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group announced this week that it is preparing to release the USB 3.2 specification. USB-C cables were designed to support multi-lane operation, with USB 3.1 Gen 2 supporting up to 10Gbps using two lanes (5Gbps per lane). With USB 3.2, that rate doubles, allowing up to 10Gbps data rates per lane, giving a total of 20Gbps or 2GB/sec transfer speeds.

Of course, in order to enjoy that increased speed, you will need USB 3.2-compatible devices. However, what you won't require is a new cable.

"When we introduced USB Type-C to the market, we intended to assure that USB Type-C cables and connectors certified for SuperSpeed USB or SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps would, as produced, support higher performance USB as newer generations of USB 3.0 were developed," Brad Saunders, USB 3.0 Promoter Group chairman, explains.

So your existing USB-C cable should be capable of allowing USB 3.2 data transfer speeds once hardware starts appearing. USB 3.2 will also continue to use the existing SuperSpeed USB physical layer data rates and encoding techniques, and only requires a minor hub spec update to "assure seamless transitions between single and two-lane operation."

We should expect the formal release of the USB 3.2 specification in time for the USB Developer Days North America event in September. After that, it's up to hardware manufacturers as to how quickly the new spec is adopted and built into devices.

:story: PC Magazine