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Universal Serial Bus (USB)

pc

A standardized interface that allows communication between devices and a host controller.

expanded

USB is a standardized industry technology that provides a universal connection interface between computers and peripheral devices. It supports data transfer and device charging with varying data rates, including USB 2.0 at up to 480 megabits per second (Mbit/s), USB 3.0 up to 5 gigabits per second (Gbit/s), and subsequent versions offering higher speeds. Its plug-and-play capabilities make it essential for practical use in connecting keyboards, mice, printers, external storage devices, and more.

examples

A USB 3.0 connection facilitates data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbit/s.

USB 3.0 is commonly used in external hard drives like the Seagate Backup Plus, optimizing data backup processes between the device and a host computer.

USB-C supports power delivery up to 100 watts (W).

USB-C is utilized for charging laptops such as the Apple MacBook Air, allowing a single cable solution for power and data transmission.

related terms

Port
A port is an interface on a computer or peripheral device for connecting with other devices or networks.
Socket
A socket is a physical or virtual interface for connecting compatible computer components or peripheral devices.
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)
SATA is a computer bus interface used for connecting host bus adapters to mass storage devices like hard drives and optical drives.
Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART)
A UART is a hardware communication protocol essential for asynchronous serial communication.
Driver
A driver is a software component that allows the operating system (OS) and a hardware device to communicate efficiently.