The USB connector as we know it today has been with us since the mid-to-late 1990s. The things we find on the other end of those USB connectors are radically changed in the past decade; we wouldn't have even imaged charging our smartphones from our computers using the USB cable. Now it's time for USB to modernize itself with the rest of the industry. The USB-IF today unveiled renderings that show what the new Type-C connector will look like.
Announced late last year, USB Type-C will have the handy feature of being reversible, meaning that you'll never have a failed connection again for plugging it in upside down.
Design Characteristics
Entirely new design
• Tailored for emerging product designs
• Robust enough for laptops and tablets; slim enough for mobile phones
New smaller size
• Similar to size of USB 2.0 Micro-B
• Listen for the “click”
Usability enhancements
• Reversible plug orientation & cable direction
Supports scalable power charging
Future Scalability
• Designed to establish future USB performance needs
Specifications
Mechanical specs (preliminary):
• Receptacle opening: ~8.3mm x ~2.5mm
• Durability: 10,000 cycles
• Improved EMI and RFI mitigation features
Power delivery capacity:
• 3A for standard cables
• 5A for connectors
Functional capabilities:
• USB 2.0: LS/FS/HS
• USB 3.1: Gen1 (5Gbps)/Gen2 (10Gbps)
Enhanced power delivery options:
• Extended 5V current ranges plus USB PD
Docking support:
• USB PD-based interface configuration option
Keep in mind that these are just the early planned specifications. The final specs for USB Type-C are expected to be published sometime in July 2014.
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