Cable Types Flashcards
USB 1.0 (Low Speed) – Speed and Features
USB 1.0 supports speeds of 1.5 Mbps, providing an upgrade from serial ports with faster data transfer than previous standards (~115 Kbps).
USB 1.1 (Full Speed) – Speed and Uses
USB 1.1, known as “Full Speed,” operates at 12 Mbps and was widely adopted for basic peripherals like keyboards and mice.
USB 2.0 (High Speed) – Speed and Capabilities
USB 2.0 supports 480 Mbps, enabling compatibility with external storage devices and early external hard drives.
USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen 1 – Speed and Identification
USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen 1 operates at 5 Gbps, marking the first generation of SuperSpeed, and is often identified by blue connectors.
USB 3.1 Gen 2 – Speed and Applications
USB 3.1 Gen 2, known as SuperSpeed+, provides 10 Gbps speeds and is commonly used for high-end external drives.
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 – Speed and Usage
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 reaches 20 Gbps, suitable for advanced applications requiring high bandwidth, such as video editing.
USB 4.0 – Speed and Compatibility
USB 4.0 supports up to 40 Gbps, designed for ultra-fast applications, and is compatible with USB-C ports for data, video, and power.
USB Cable Length Limit for USB 1.0
USB 1.0 cables are limited to 3 meters (9 feet) to preserve data transfer speeds.
USB Cable Length Limit for USB 2.0
USB 2.0 cables can extend up to 5 meters (15 feet), supporting higher speeds over longer distances.
USB Cable Length Limit for USB 3.0 and Above
USB 3.0 and higher are recommended at a 3-meter (9 feet) limit due to high data rates that require strong signals, with longer cables risking signal loss.
USB 1.0 / 2.0 Ports – Power Output and Use
USB 1.0 and 2.0 ports provide up to 500 mA (0.5 A) and deliver 2.5 watts of power, sufficient for basic peripherals.
USB 3.0 Ports – Power Output and Use
USB 3.0 ports deliver up to 900 mA (0.9 A) for a total of 4.5 watts, ideal for most modern devices.
Powered USB Ports (PD) – Power Output and Applications
Powered USB (PD) ports can supply 1.5 A (7.5 watts) or more, making them suitable for charging larger devices.
Effect of Lower-Power USB 2.0 Port on Charging Speed
Using a lower-power USB 2.0 port for charging will slow the rate compared to wall chargers, which can reach 2 A (10 watts).
Thunderbolt – Versions, Speed, and Compatibility
Thunderbolt versions 1 & 2 use DisplayPort connectors, while versions 3 & 4 use USB-C connectors, with speeds up to 40 Gbps, and Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 being fully compatible with each other.
Thunderbolt – Cable Length and Compatibility
Thunderbolt cables are typically under 2 feet (0.5 meters) in length, and Thunderbolt 3 devices can use USB-C ports, but USB-C ports do not support Thunderbolt devices.
Lightning Cable – Use, Connector, and Features
The Lightning cable is proprietary to Apple devices (iPhones, older iPads), featuring a reversible Lightning connector on one end and either USB-C or USB Type-A on the other.
SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) – Purpose and Versions
SATA is used to connect storage devices (e.g., internal hard drives) to motherboards, with versions offering speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps (SATA 1), 3 Gbps (SATA 2), and 6 Gbps (SATA 3).
SATA – Cable Types and Limitations
SATA uses a 7-pin data cable for data transfer and a 15-pin power connector, with speed limited by the device, such as a 7,200 RPM hard drive not reaching 6 Gbps.
eSATA – Purpose and Comparison
eSATA is an external connection for SATA devices, offering high-speed external storage, but is less common due to faster USB 3 and USB 4 speeds.
IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) / PATA – History and Connectors
IDE/PATA is an older technology replaced by SATA, using a 40-pin ribbon cable for data transfer and a MOLEX connector for power, supporting parallel communication for multiple devices.
SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) – Legacy Use and Types
SCSI is a legacy technology that supports daisy-chaining up to 127 devices, with Narrow SCSI supporting 7 devices and Wide SCSI supporting 15, using a 68-pin or 80-pin connector.
SCSI – Speed and Limitations
SCSI offers a maximum speed of 320 Mbps, which is significantly slower than modern SATA connections.
