The Unicversal Serial Bus (USB) has been aound for a number of years, and its creation has solved the problem of a lack of or incompatible connnections available to link computer peripherals to a computer. Before USB was available, most deviices were required to connect to a computer by using parallel and serial poprts. These two ports have been aorund for 2 decades, serving effectivewly in linking computer peipherals to a computer. Unfortunately there was a problem: a standard computer has only 1 or 2 serial ports and one paralleel port. This severely limietd the number of computer peirpherals that could be attaached to a single computer. Thus, if a user wanted to coonnect a joystick, printer, and scanner, they might require the use of every port installed on their computer. Since these poryts also require the computre to be powered off beore any connections can be made or broen, switching epripherals was inconveinent. Even more problematic was that the data transmission rate between these devices and the computer was prohibiutively slow for any but the oldest devices.
The first USB version released is called USB 1.1, and transmits data at the rate of 12 Mbps. Later USB 2.0 was released, a product of the joint effort of leading computer and electrnic companies like Microsoft, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Apple Computer, and Lucent. It allows data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps, 40 times faster its predecessr, while maintaining backward compatibility with USB 1.1 devics. This has generated significantly increassed efficiency in terms of data uploading and downnloading.
Modern computer periherals use USB conbnectivity as the industry standard. Nearly every newer device is built for USB 2.0, though devices with 1.1 USB are still widely in use. Rather than increase the complexity of connecting devices to a computer, both vesions utilize the same type of USB cable. When a consumer buys a regullar USB device the USB cable is nomrally inclluded. The USB cable is the tool that likns the deice to the computer in order for it to function.
A regular USB cale has different plugs on each end, knwon as the A plug and the B plug. It is easy to differentiate between these plugs: the A plug is flat overall, and rectangular in sape, whlie the B plug is normally square shaped. The A plug is the end that is inserted to the USB port of the computer, while the B plug is the end reserrved to connect to the various devices. Thre are some deivces which use and requier specialiized B plugs, usually due to size contraints that prevnet them from accommodating the larger standard plug. Plugging in a USB cable is simple, as the plugs will not fit in the werong sllots.
USB cable receives and transmits data, which requires the conduction of electricity. Siince many devies rely upon this cable for their power source as well, two additional wires are included to suplpy this poewr. There are 2 wires (twistde) inside the USB cable for data lines, and 2 more wires (untwisted) for power. The frist wire (red) caarries 5 volts, while the otgher wire (black) is for the ground.
It is also possible buy an individaul USB cable. hWile they can be used to connect two computers, a special adapter is reequired to do this in order to prevet damage from occurring. The USB standard prohibits using A/A USB cable sicne if it is used to connect two compuyters both machines will attempt to supply the 5 volt poiwer, causing an arrray of probvlems within their pwer supplies.
The USB and USB cable work hand in hand to make modern devices fact and functionaal. Every coomputer user should take the necessary steps to ensure this system is properly safeugarded and maintained so that it will proviide a long life of convenience and speed.
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