What is USB?
USB, short for Universal Serial Bus, is a standard type of
connection for many different kinds of devices.
Generally, USB refers to the types of cables and connectors
used to connect these many types of external devices to computers.
Short History:
The first USB technology began development in 1994,
co-invented by Ajay Bhatt of Intel and the USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum, Inc.)
USB 1.0 came in 1996, which offered the speed of 1.5 to 12
Mbps
USB 1.1 (Full Speed USB) came in 1998, which offered the
speed of 12 Mbps
USB 2.0 (High Speed USB) came in 2000, which offered the
speed of 480 Mbps
USB 3.0 (Super Speed USB) came in November 2008, which
offered the speed of 4.8 Gbps to 9.8 Gbps.
More about USB:
The Universal Serial Bus standard has been extremely
successful. USB ports and cables are used to connect hardware such as printers,
scanners, keyboards, mice, flash drives, external hard drives, joysticks,
cameras, and more to computers of all kinds, including desktops, tablets,
laptops, netbooks, etc.
In fact, USB has become so common that you'll find the
connection available on nearly any computer-like device such as video game
consoles, home audio/visual equipment, and even in many automobiles.
Many portable devices, like smartphones, ebook readers, and
small tablets, use USB primarily for charging. USB charging has become so
common that it's now easy to find replacement electrical outlets at home
improvement stores with USB ports built it, negating the need for a USB power
adapter.
USB Versions
There have been three major USB standards, 3.0 being the newest:
- USB
3.0: Called
SuperSpeed USB, USB 3.0 compliant hardware can reach a maximum
transmission rate of 5 Gbps (5,120 Mbps). A planned update to the USB 3.0
standard will increase the maximum data rate to 10 Gbps (10,240 Mbps),
matching that of Thunderbolt, a potential replacement for USB.
- USB 3.0 is
the third generation of USB (Universal Series Bus) technology that acts as
a connector between a host computer and peripheral devices. The name
SuperSpeed comes from the higher data transfer rate which greatly exceeds
the previous standards of USB 1.1 and USB 2.0.
- USB
2.0: Called
High-Speed USB, USB 2.0 compliant devices can reach a maximum transmission
rate of 480 Mbps.
- USB 2.0
(Universal Series Bus 2.0 version) is the second generation interface of
computer technology that consists of a group of input and output wires
with a port connection that transfer data at a higher speed than its
predecessor, USB 1.1.USB 2.0 brings a high speed connection to electronic
peripheral devices like external hard drives, printers, cameras, flash
drives, keyboards, gaming consoles, MP3 players and smartphones to a
computer.
- USB
1.1: Called Full
Speed USB, USB 1.1 devices can reach a maximum transmission rate of 12
Mbps.
Most USB devices and cables today adhere to USB 2.0, and a growing
number to USB 3.0.
USB Ports
and Connectors
There are two types
of USB ports and connectors, Type A and Type B.
Type A
Type A ports and connectors are small and rectangular and are typically used to
plug a device into a Type A USB port on a computer or a hub. Type A ports and
connectors are sometimes referred to as "upstream".
Type B
Type B ports and connectors are small and square and are used to attach a USB
cable to a USB device. Type B ports and connectors are sometimes referred to as
"downstream".
What is a USB Hub?
A USB hub is a device that features
several different USB ports. Since many computer peripherals require USB ports
to operate, it’s easy for your computer to run out of available ports. A USB
hub will take one single port and turn it into three or four (or more) ports.
Sometimes a USB hub is just that -– a series of ports, like a power strip —-
while other devices might feature USB hubs built into them for added
functionality.
Extra Information Related To USB:
USB Printers
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A USB
printer is a special type of printer designed for printing logos and artwork
directly onto the body or casing of a USB flash drive. Flash drive printers
are mainly used for USB duplication purposes where frequent, multiple volumes
of custom drives are needed for business, personal or marketing applications.
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USB Duplicators
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A USB
duplicator is a piece of equipment that can copy data to a blank flash drive
in high volumes through the use of multiple ports in one tower. The
multi-port capacity of these devices can range anywhere from three ports for
lower volumes to nearly eighty ports through the attachment of add-on towers
linked to the same system, with one or two subsequent ports for master file
uses. As a result, it is possible at maximum capacity to duplicate hundreds
of USB drives within an hour.
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