The USB technology’s pitch for the standardization of interfaces, which began with the first version in 1996, continues with USB4.
The latest specification provides a bandwidth of 20Gbps to as high as 40Gbps to support large files, such as videos and games, without a lag and a maximum of 100W to enable fast charging and power delivery. In addition, it has dynamic bandwidth sharing capability, uses the USB-C reversible connector and is compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and 4.
However, there are still not that many USB4 devices around, and existing ones are in the high-end niche. They include the Corsair Voyager A1600, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 3, the Asus VivoBook Pro 14 and the LG Gram 16Z90Q laptops. In components, there are the Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Extreme and ASRock B650E Taichi motherboards, the AMD Ryzen 6000 and later CPUs, and Intel’s LGA1200 and later processors. Compliant docking stations on the market include the HyperDrive USB4 Dock and the QUUGE USB 4.0 Dock, and external drives from GigaDrive and the Acasis M.2 NVMe enclosure.
Industry analysts are forecasting a bigger USB4 ecosystem in the years to come, especially as the USB Implementers Forum already announced USB4 Version 2.0 in 2022. This latest specification promises a transfer speed of 80Gbps, which the organization said can use “existing 40Gbps USB Type-C passive cables.”
“This updated specification extends USB4 speed and data protocol performance, enabling manufacturers to develop products that can deliver up to 80Gbps transfer speeds, but can go even higher when configured asymmetrically: up to 120Gbps in one direction and 40Gbps in the opposite direction,” according to Darek Fanton in an article on OnLogic Blog.
The more accessible USB standards at present are USB 3.2 Gen 1, Gen 2 and Gen 2x2, respectively capable of data transfer rates of 5, 10 and 20Gbps. The last iteration began sporting the USB-C connector, with the earlier ones having it as an option in addition to USB Type A, Type B and Micro-USB plug designs.
USB market expansion
Globally, the USB devices market reached $26.749 billion in 2022 and is projected to register a CAGR of 9.8 percent from 2023 to 2031, according to the latest report from Straits Research. By the end of the period, the value will be $62.048 billion. This covers consumer electronics and automotive entertainment and infotainment systems, rising demand for which has been beneficial to the upstream sector in China.
China’s manufacturing segment for USB connectors has seen increases in recent years, growing from $873 million in 2017 to $1.25 billion in 2020, according to Statista. This is forecast to reach $1.94 billion by 2025. A similar trend is expected in the corresponding cable assembly sector.
To ensure growth projections materialize, Chinese suppliers will keep boosting the release of USB 3.2 interconnects while preparing for USB4’s market uptake. Manufacturers interviewed by Global Sources, such as Dongguan Hundu Electronics Co. Ltd, Guangdong Huazhan Electronics Co. Ltd, Shenzhen Oudakx Electronics Co. Ltd and Sunlike Technology Co. Ltd, have introduced USB4 products.
For Sunlike, which specializes in cables, USB 3.2 and USB4 already account for 20 percent of total shipments and will exceed 30 percent in the next two years. The supplier spent $3.8 million on expanding its factory area and adding new production equipment to increase output by 10 to 15 percent and exports by 10 percent in the coming months.
USB interconnects pool
Of the hundreds of manufacturers of USB connectors and cable assemblies in China, about one-third can offer USB 3.2 and USB4 types.
Chinese suppliers turn out mostly USB 3.2 interconnects and only a few have the capability for USB4, while their foreign counterparts have both. All supply HDMI, DisplayPort and coaxial products, with some making USB devices as well.
These companies have factories in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Suzhou, Changzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo and Hangzhou.
China-made USB interconnects
Commonly available USB 3.2 and USB4 connectors from Chinese suppliers have a rated voltage of 20V, rated current of 10A and withstand voltage of 100VAC/min. They require 5 to 20N insertion force and 8 to 20N extraction force. The materials used are stainless steel for shells, copper alloy for terminals and liquid-crystal polymer for housings.
Cable assemblies typically have nylon-braided copper cables, are terminated with Type-C plugs and measure 0.25 to 1.5 meters in length or as specified. These have an output rating of 20V, 5A, 100W.
Most manufacturers ensure their products are compliant with industry safety standards such as CE, RoHS and UL. They use domestically available materials but welcome requests for imported ones.
Intense competition is expected to result in lower prices despite generally stable input costs.
USB4 cable assembly, 40Gbps
Company: Dongguan Hundu Electronic Co. Ltd
Model USB 4.0 Type C to Type C from Dongguan Hundu is a cable assembly with 40Gbps and 8K at 60Hz capabilities. It is rated at 48V, 5A and has 240W maximum output power. It measures 1m in length.
MOQ: 100 units
Lead time: 15 days
USB4 connector, up to 40Gbps
Company: Guangdong Huazhan Electronics Co. Ltd
Guangdong Huazhan’s model USB Type C 4.0 Plug has 20V and up to 10A rated voltage and current, 40mohm maximum impedance, 100VAC/min withstand voltage, 5 to 20N insertion and 8 to 20N unmating force and is tested to last up to 10,000 cycles. It supports up to 40Gbps transfer speed.
MOQ: 5,000 units
Lead time: 15 days
USB4 cable assembly, 40Gbps
Company: Shenzhen Oudakx Electronics Co. Ltd
The AD-605C40 from Shenzhen Oudakx is a USB4 cable assembly with 40Gbps data transfer speed and 8K resolution delivery. It has 20V, 5A output and 100W charging power. This CE-marked and RoHS-compliant unit, also available in red, has 0.25m or custom length.
MOQ: 50 units
Lead time: 7 days
USB4 cable assembly, 40Gbps
Company: Sunlike Technology Co. Ltd
Sunlike’s model USB 4.0 Gen 3 is a cable assembly supporting 40Gbps data transfer and 240W PD fast charging. The plugs have a silver-edged aluminum shell and a silicone jacket.
MOQ: 1,000 units
Lead time: 30 days
