A new version of USB 4.0 has been revised to support data speeds up to 120Gbps—a substantial boost from previous max speeds of 80Gbps.
The news comes from the USB Implementers Forum, the non-profit industry body that governs the interface. On Tuesday, the group released updated specifications for USB 4.0 Version 2.0, which was previously unveiled in September.
The new standard is poised to double the data transfer speeds of USB4 from 40Gbps to 80Gbps. However, the revised specs will also give manufacturers the option to increase the data transfer speeds even higher—but only in one direction at the expense of the other.
“Optionally for certain applications, such as driving very-high performance USB4-based displays, the USB Type-C signal interface can be configured asymmetrically to deliver up to 120Gbps in one direction while retaining 40Gbps in the other direction,” the USB Implementers Forum said in the announcement.
A manufacturer can achieve this by reconfiguring the data lanes. The standard USB 4.0 Version 2.0 connector contains a total of four lanes, which are divided equally to send and receive data at 80Gbps. To reach 120Gbps, three lanes can be configured to send data in one direction, leaving the remaining lane to send data in the other at the 40Gbps rate.
The higher data speeds promise to let USB 4.0 Version 2.0 power 8K or 16K displays at refresh rates and HDR colors that elite gamers and creators demand. The current DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 in USB4 can currently power an 8K display at 60Hz, but all the display data is sent in one direction.
One challenge facing the new spec is the name: USB 4.0 Version 2.0 is a mouthful and doesn’t say much about the differences with USB4.
The USB Implementers Forum is well aware, and previously told PCMag it won’t be encouraging vendors to use the USB 4.0 Version 2.0 naming on actual products. “As we’ve learned through multiple consumer focus group studies and feedback from retailers, the general consumer simply wants to know the speed/power capabilities when purchasing certified USB solutions, and any use of specification terminology only causes confusion with consumers," a spokesperson said last month.
On Tuesday, the group previewed what this will look like by introducing branding logos for the technology that emphasize the term “USB 80Gbps.” Existing logos for USB4 also emphasize the speeds by using terms such as “USB 40Gbps” and “USB 20Gbps,” giving consumers a clear idea of the exact benefits.