While signal content may be backwards-compatible, going forward requires new connectors and cables. While standard USB Type-A and Type-B connectors typically have fourВ contacts and the micro and mini versions have five contacts, the new Type-C has 24 contacts. When properly marked and вЂњelectronically identified,вЂќ suitable cables may handle 5AВ and up to 100W of power for docking or charging applications. The eMarker itself is not considered active.) The chip permits both ends of the cables to identify their operational tasks to mating equipment. (The term вЂњactiveвЂќ may be misleading вЂњactiveвЂќ is defined in the Type C spec as it involves signal processing. Full-feature Type-C cable assemblies are termed вЂњactiveвЂќ in the new standard and include a chip with an ID function. USB 3.1 specifications now also support increased power handling of 3.0A over the 5V power bus. Going forward, new devices are designed to take advantage of its faster transfer mode of 10Gb/s. The USB 3.1 standard is backward-compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. USB Type-C is termed вЂњuniversalвЂќ as it is reversible (while the Type-A is unsymmetrical and polarized). The new Type-C connectors have 24 contacts in a package size similar to the older USB2 micro Type-B connectors. Nicknamed вЂњSuperSpeed ,вЂќВ the new standard includes multiple options for new and backward-compatible connectors. DriversВ for the new connectors include reversible plug-in, higher-power handling, and miniaturization. USB is the most successful interconnect in the history of personal computing and has migrated into consumer electronics (CE), mobile products, and even mil-aero applications.ДЄs usage grew, the USB-IF continued to develop faster total-system performance that would include mechanically superior connectors. USB operates at up to 5Gb/s and is found in more thanВ 10 billion PCs, consumer electronics, and mobile devices. The USB-IF estimates that USB products are currently shipping at a rate of three billion USB products annually. Type-C connectors are covered by the recently updated Standard USB 3.1 (April 3, 2015) fromВ the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) and will be used with both hosts and devices to replace the current multitudes of Type-A and Type-B connectors, adapters, and cables. The first PCs and related accessories that incorporate the new USB Type-C connectors are now being released.

Usb connector types