2.

1 Types and methods of data transmission CAMBRIDG

E IGCSE
(0478/0984)

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

2.1 Types and methods of data transmission | Universal Serial Bus (USB) CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478/0984)

Universal Serial Bus

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serial method of transmitting data. It has become the most common type of input/output
used in computing and an industry-standard method of transferring data between devices.
USB allows for both half- and full-duplex data transmission
2.1 Types and methods of data transmission | Universal Serial Bus (USB) CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478/0984)

Universal Serial Bus

Black: Power (ground)

Green: Data (+)

White: Data (-) Red: Power (+5V)

2.1 Types and methods of data transmission | Universal Serial Bus (USB) CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478/0984)

Benefits of USB

Industry-standard – and therefore, very well-supported.

Devices connected via USB are automatically detected and appropriate device drivers loaded.

Supplies +5V of power, so most USB-connected devices do not need an additional power source.

Designed to be backwards-compatible

A USB hub can be used to easily add extra ports to an existing device.

USB protocol can notify the transmitting device to re-transmit data if it detects errors.
2.1 Types and methods of data transmission | Universal Serial Bus (USB) CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478/0984)

Drawbacks of USB

Limited distance
• Only supports cable lengths of around 5m.
• Can be extended but only with additional hardware.

Limitations of backwards-compatibility
• Support for older standards is becoming increasingly rare.

Data transfer limitations

• Even newer versions like USB 3.0 and USB-C have slower data
transfer speeds compared to Ethernet.
2.1 Types and methods of data transmission | Universal Serial Bus (USB) CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478/0984)

Universal Serial Bus

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a form of serial data transmission supporting both half- and full-duplex.

Benefits
• Very well-supported.
• Connected devices are automatically detected and device drivers loaded.
• Most USB-connected devices do not need an additional power source.
• Designed to be backwards-compatible.
• A USB hub can be used to easily add extra ports to an existing device.
• USB protocol can notify the transmitting device to re-transmit data if it detects errors.

Drawbacks
• Limited distance of around 5m.
• Many devices no longer support older standards.
• Newer versions have slower data transfer speeds compared to Ethernet.
2.1 Types and methods of data transmission | Universal Serial Bus (USB) CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478/0984)

USB-C
2.1 Types and methods of data transmission | Universal Serial Bus (USB) CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478/0984)

USB-C
USB-C is becoming more and more common in laptops, tablets and smartphones.
Unlike previous versions, USB-C uses a symmetrical 24-pin connector that fits into the port either way round.

Advances
• Smaller and thinner than previous versions.
• Offers 100 watts (20 volts) of power – full-sized devices can now be charged via USB.
• Supports data transfer of up to 10 gigabits per second – enough for 4K video streaming.
• Backwards-compatibility with USB 2.0 and 3.0