Beaverton, Ore. – The USB 3.0 Promoter Group has announced the initial development of the next generation of USB connector, with a smaller, thinner, reversible interface.
The USB Type-C connector is being developed to help enable thinner and sleeker product designs, enhance usability and provide a growth path for performance enhancements for future versions of USB, the industry group said.
Key features of the USB Type-C connector and cable include an entirely new design tailored to work well with emerging product designs and a smaller size, similar to the existing USB 2.0 Micro-B plug.
Users will no longer need to be concerned with plug orientation or cable direction, making it easier to plug in, the group said.
The Type-C connector and cable will support scalable power charging and the connector design will scale for future USB bus performance.
As the new USB Type-C plug and receptacle will not directly mate with existing USB plugs and receptacles so the new spec will define passive new-to-existing cables and adapters to allow users to use existing products.
The USB Type-C spec is targeted for industry review during the first quarter of 2014 and a final spec is expected to be published by the middle of 2014.
Technical details information and plans for pre-release industry reviews will be provided via the USB Implementers Forum’s website.
The USB 3.0 Promoter Group is comprised of Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Renesas Electronics and Texas Instruments.
