What is USB Port? Types, Lifespan, Function, Benefits & More

What is USB Port?

USB, a short for Universal Serial Bus, port refers to the hardware interface that can support connecting more than a hundred different types of peripherals. The USB Implementers Forum or USB-IF governs this port that can also be used to charge portable devices.

Technically, USB refers to the industry standard that affirms the specifications for cables and communications, connectors and connection protocols, power supply and interfacing between computers and peripherals.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The USB ports allow connecting different devices to a computer such as keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, digital camera, gaming consoles, media drives and lots more.
• A USB standard is available in both wired and wireless versions that can be used best as an alternative to parallel and serial ports to transfer data at a speed 100 times faster or more.
• There are different types of USB ports available such as USB A, USB B, Micro USB, and USB Type C.
• Depending on the type of the USB port, the life expectancy may vary. A micro USB may sustain 10000 insertion cycles, mini USB for 5000 insertion cycles and a standard USB for 1500 insertion cycles.
• The USB ports are versatile, low cost and simple to use and allows error free communication consuming less power but are ideal only for short-distance digital data transfers.

Understanding USB Port in Computer

It was first introduced in 1996 and has since become the most common way to connect peripherals such as keyboards, mice, printers, cameras, external hard drives, and smartphones to a computer.

USB ports can be found on almost all modern computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices, and they come in different versions, including USB 1.1, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB 4.0, each offering varying speeds of data transfer.

The USB port is popular because it is convenient, fast, and easy to use, and it allows for hot-swapping of devices, meaning that devices can be plugged in and removed while the computer is running

The USB ports in personal computers and other consumer electronics allow digital data transfer and communications within a short distance.

These ports of different devices are connected to each other with USB cables and these not only transfer data digitally among the devices but also supply the necessary electric power to the devices.

These ports have made both connection and use of different devices quick and easy.

Most of the operating systems of modern computers support USB ports. These are incredibly simple ports as compared to other connectors including:

• Parallel ports
• Special cards and
• Serial ports that are installed inside the PC case.

These ports are very useful and beneficial both from the viewpoint of a user and the technical aspects. Any system that comes with USB ports are more flexible than those that do not have one, because it can support several different devices.

You will get wired as well as a wireless version of USB but it is only the wired variant that will use USB ports and cables.

Irrespective of the version of the USB, the physical layout of all will be the same. This means that a USB 1.1 will look similar to the USB 3.1 version.

To sum up, USB ports are the best alternatives to serial and parallel ports that allow data transfer 100 times or more faster than the other ports.

As an alternative to the USB ports, you can use Ethernet ports and FireWire ports, if the computer peripherals support it.

You will have faster data transfer than a USB port but these interfaces will not supply electric power to the devices through the wire.

Types of USB Ports

The different types of USB ports are categorized on the basis of its physical layout. For example:

• USB-A or Type A ports are the rectangular connectors. These are 1.4 cm or 9/16 inches long and 0.65 cm or 1/4 inches in height. These ports are usually used to connect keyboards and mouse. Most of the USB sticks today usually have a USB-A connector.
• USB-B or Type B ports are not so common as the Type A ports. These are somewhat square in shape and used primarily to connect electronic devices like printers, routers and different gaming consoles.
• Micro USB is a type that comes in both USB A and USB B versions. These are much smaller in size as compared to the other counterparts and are mostly used in mobile phones and other mobile devices.
• USB Type C ports, on the other hand, come with specifications of 0.84 cm by 0.26 cm. This is the newest standard of USB ports that has replaced both USB A and USB B. The smaller ports ensure better and firmer support to the thin form factors of the smartphones.

You will simply need to use the right type of cable with the proper interface to connect your device through these USB ports.

Ideally, most of the manufacturers today design these ports in such a way that it supports all USB cable types and combinations of male-female ports.

Life Expectancy of USB Port

Just like any other port, the USB ports are also expected to last for a long time. Technically, the lifespan of a USB port is measured in insertion cycles and it may vary according to its type. For example:

• A micro USB is designed for 10000 insertion cycles
• A mini USB is designed for 5000 insertion cycles and
• A full-size USB will have 1500 insertion cycles.

Now, you may think that there is something wrong in it because the cycles should be exactly opposite.

You may be true to some extent because practically you will seldom see a full-size USB port that is broken whereas there may be plenty of broken micro USB and a fewer number of broken mini USB ports.

However, the statistics are an extract from official websites which is why you should consider these figures regarding the resilience of different types of USB ports.

The main reason is that these are the numbers based on insertion cycles and not on the probability of physical wear and tear of the ports.

• Scientifically, the larger USB ports will break sooner than the others because it has a larger contact surface area. On the other hand, the smaller connectors are more fragile.
• Mathematically, if you use a USB port that has a 5000-insertion cycle, it will take roughly 27 years to complete the insertion cycle or break the port if you change the boards daily.

However, irrespective of the insertion cycles, it is the port connector that may wear off. In case of a Micro USB port, the female port end will not break easily.

You can increase the life of the USB port if you use it in an enclosure. This will ensure secure movement.

Also, you should avoid unnecessary sideways or lateral movements because that may damage the moving contact parts of the USB port. As for the cables, these typically do not break because they do not have any moving parts in them.

Working Process of USB Ports

All devices connected to the host device bus are assigned an address once the host device is powered up. This process of identifying and addressing is called enumeration.

In addition to that, the host device finds out the type of data each of the devices connected to its bus wishes to transfer to it. This helps the host device to identify the mode each of these connected devices would take up for transferring the data. For example:

• A keyboard or a mouse will take the interrupt mode because it transfers a very small amount of data
• A printer will choose the bulk mode because it receives large number of data in bulk, usually in a 64-byte chunk and
• The streaming devices such as speakers will use isochronous mode to transfer data in real time between the devices.

If there is no error in the connection, then commands, data, and query parameters can also be transferred by the host in control packets.

After enumeration, the host device will keep a track of the overall bandwidth requested by the interrupt and isochronous devices.

These devices can literally consume 90% of the total 480 Mbps of bandwidth available. If a USB 3.0 port is used, the data transfer speed can increase up to 4.8 GB per second.

The host denies access to other devices once this 90% of the bandwidth is used up. The left-over bandwidth is used by the bulk transfer and control packets.

The USB will divide the total bandwidth available into different frames that are controlled by the host device. Each of these frames consists of 1,500 bytes, and, after every millisecond, a new frame is started.

During this framing process, each of the isochronous and interrupt devices are allotted a slot so that they are guaranteed to get the necessary bandwidth.

Benefits

1. Simple to use

USB ports and cables are easy to use and can also increase the connectivity by using a USB hub. It is very easy to install requiring only an operating system. There is no need for any external power.

2. Support

These small ports provide adequate support for different data transfers to different distances at a fast rate ranging from 1.5 MB pers second to 5 GB per second.

3. Error free communication

Use of a USB port will ensure an error free connection. If there is any error, the ports follow the USB protocol and notify the transmitter about the error requesting a re-transmission of data.

4. Cost

The USB ports along with all its components, connectors and cables are available at a low cost in the market.

5. Power

The USB ports consume less power in the mA range and can operate only at +5 volts.

6. Versatile

The versatile nature of these ports allows using multiple devices through a single interface. This eliminates the need for different hardware and connector types for every specific peripheral.

7. Auto configuration

You will need to install the USB host device driver only once and the driver will later on be loaded automatically and start configuring the plugged-in device.

Drawbacks

8. Speed comparison

USB V3 and V4 may transfer data at a high speed but it is much lower as compared to FireWire and Ethernet interfaces.

9. Communication

Though the USB port will support communication between the peers and the host and the connected devices but it will not support communications between two hosts. You will need to use the OTG or On the Go USB to resolve this issue.

10. Distance

The USB ports can transmit data in short distances beyond which you will need to use USB hubs.

11. Broadcasting

Communication through the USB port is limited to the host and peripherals only and does not allow broadcasting over a larger location.

Questions & Answers:

Final Words

The USB ports in your computer is an important paraphernalia that allow easy connectivity of other devices to ensure a better user experience and smoother operation while using your computer.