Simple Questions: What Is USB or Universal Serial Bus?

Everyone has used at least once a device that was connected to another device with the help of a USB port. Whether we are talking about flash memory sticks or other peripherals like printers, many devices are using the USB standard connector. In this article we will share what USB stands for, what it does and what are the advantages and disadvantages of using USB to connect devices.

Credit: The images used in this article are from Wikipedia.

What Does USB Mean?

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus and it is a term that defines cables, connectors and communications protocols used in communication between devices. It was designed in 1996 by a group of seven companies that included Microsoft, Compaq, IBM, Intel, DEC, NEC and Nortel. Its purpose was to standardize the connection between peripheral devices like printers, keyboards, mice and personal computers.

These companies wanted to replace the
 multitude of connectors that were used back then, removing problems like the usability issues of existing interfaces and simplifying the software configuration of all devices that were connected via USB, as well as permitting greater data transfer rates between devices.

USB has become a very successful standard and it is now used by many devices in the world. Today there is no computer that's manufactured without at least one USB port.

Types Of USB Connectors

The are two USB standard plugs: Standard A and Standard B. They are show in the diagram below.

If you haven't realized yet, the USB connector is an electronic device, so like any other electronic device it needs electrical energy to operate. It receives energy through pins 1 and 4, and the data is transferred through pins 2 and 3.

Nowadays, almost any device you can buy can be connected to a personal computer via the USB interface, whether it is a keyboard, mouse, smartphone, printer or something else. Even a device that's designed and built by you can be connected with your computer. Also, the USB interface permits power supply exchanges between computers and electronic devices. For example, this means that the battery of a smartphone will charge while the device is connected to a computer via USB.

In order to use this new technology on smaller devices like cell phones, portable game consoles or other similar devices, the Mini USB port was released in October 2000. This connector is rated at 5.000 connect-disconnect cycles. It has been used by PDA's and early smartphones.

In 2007, the new Micro USB was announced. The thinner micro connectors are intended to replaceMini USB in new devices including smartphones, personal digital assistants, and cameras. TheMicro USB plug design is rated for at least 10.000 connect-disconnect cycles, which is more than the Mini USB plug design. This plug has revolutionized the way portable devices are connected. The Micro USB was endorsed as the standard connector for data and power on mobile devices and as a universal charging solution. You can see it in the diagram below.

In order to use the speed rates of USB 3.0 on smartphones, the Micro USB 3.0 connector was created. It consists of a standard USB 2.0 MicroUSB cable plug with 5 additional pins. The Micro USB 3.0 receptacle is compatible with the Micro USB 2.0 plug. Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was the first smartphone to include this connector.

USB Versions & Speed Standards

Several years have passed since the release of the first version of the USB interface, so in the following we'll show you all stages of development from the first version, in January 1996, up to the latest, in July 2013. Today, the most used USB interface is still USB 2.0, but all manufacturers will switch to newer standards in the near future. In the table below you see when each USB version was released and its speed and data rates.

Security problems

According to The Verge, researchers Karsten Nohl and Jakob Lell discovered a huge problem with the firmware of USB devices which they called BadUSB. The problem is that the software of the USB chip can be overwritten, allowing attackers to take control of devices connected to the computer via the USB interface. The problem cannot be solved because of how the Universal Serial Bus was designed. Even worse, any device can be compromised, even a mouse. The only solution is to use a new USB accessory with newer firmware that doesn't have this security problem.

In simple terms this means that if you're not careful and you are using a compromised USB device, someone else can use it to control your computer remotely. Just think about what might happen if someone were to control the keyboard, mouse or webcam.

You can find a very technical explanation and demonstration of this security issue, in the presentation below.

Conclusion

Currently, most connections between devices are done via the USB interface. Even if some security vulnerabilities were found, is very hard to give up on this interface because there aren't many other good alternatives out there.

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