Types

of USB Connectors

Currently, there are four types of USB connectors: Type A,

Type B, mini-A and mini-B and are supported by the different USB specifications

(USB 1, USB 2 and USB-OTG).

USB

A (Host)

Often referred to as the downstream connector, the Type A USB connector is

rectangular in shape and is the one you use to plug into the CPU or USB hub.

USB

B (Device)

Also called the upstream connector, the Type B USB connector is more box-shaped

and is the end that attaches directly to the device (such as a printer or

digital camera).

USB 1.1 specifies the Type A and Type B.

Mini-B

The USB 2.0 connector

was too large for many of the new handheld devices, such as PDAs and cell

phones. The mini-B was introduced to enable consumers to take advantage of USB

PC connectivity for these smaller devices.

USB 2.0 specifies the Type A, Type B and mini-B.

Mini-A

With the need to connect mobile devices without the aid of

a computer, the mini-A port was designed to connect the new generation of

smaller mobile devices.

USB OTG specifies the mini-A.

Certified Wireless USB

With an estimated 2 billion plus USB

connected devices in the world and a growing interest in wireless computing,

it's no surprise that development has turned to wireless USB. The USB

Implementers Forum has introduced Certified Wireless USB the newest extension to

the USB technology. Wireless USB applies wireless technology to existing USB

standards to enable wireless consumers to still use USB devices without the mess

of wires and worry of cords. Still in its infancy, the Wireless USB

specifications were made available to the public only in May 2005.

Wireless USB is based on the WiMedia MAC Convergence Architecture, using

the WiMedia Alliance's MB-OFDM ultra wideband MAC and PHY. It delivers speeds

equivalent to wired Hi-Speed USB, with bandwidths of 480Mbs at 3 meters and 110

Mbs at 10 meters.