USB connectors are standardized at the host, so any peripheral can use most available receptacles.The USB interface is self-configuring, eliminating the need for the user to adjust the device's settings for speed or data format, or configure interrupts, input/output addresses, or direct memory access channels.įrom the computer user's perspective, the USB interface improves ease of use in several ways: The Universal Serial Bus was developed to simplify and improve the interface between personal computers and peripheral devices, such as cell phones, computer accessories, and monitors, when compared with previously existing standard or ad hoc proprietary interfaces. In the following table, schematics for only the sockets are shown, although for each there is a corresponding plug (or plugs). USB connectors have been increasingly replacing other types as charging cables of portable devices.Įach USB connection is made using two connectors: a socket (or receptacle) and a plug. Examples of peripherals that are connected via USB include computer keyboards and mice, video cameras, printers, portable media players, mobile (portable) digital telephones, disk drives, and network adapters. It has largely replaced interfaces such as serial ports and parallel ports and has become commonplace on a wide range of devices. USB was designed to standardize the connection of peripherals to personal computers, both to communicate with and to supply electric power. A broad variety of USB hardware exists, including 14 different connector types, of which USB-C is the most recent and the only one not currently deprecated.įirst released in 1996, the USB standards are maintained by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). Universal Serial Bus ( USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply ( interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. Serial port, parallel port, game port, Apple Desktop Bus, PS/2 port, and FireWire (IEEE 1394)

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