This blog post was originally published at e-con Systems’ website. It is reprinted here with the permission of e-con Systems.
Knowing the differences between USB 3.2, USB 3.1, and USB 3.0 helps equip the right application with the right camera interface. Discover what differentiates these powerful interfaces from each other to make the right choice.
USB has been a standard for power transfer across cables and connecting devices to computers since 1996. Recent USB advances have improved power supply and data transfer speeds due to data-intensive computer needs.
Understanding the differences between USB 3.2, USB 3.1, and USB 3.0 helps match devices and applications with enough power and data bandwidth. Modern USB versions provide faster speeds, which are needed for HD video streaming.
The latest USB 3.2 specification allows high-resolution real-time data transport at 20Gbps, preparing devices for the future. Let’s look at the performance insights of USB 3.0, USB 3.1, and USB 3.2.
Evolution of USB – USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2
The USB standards, such as USB 1.0 (low-speed mode) and USB 2.0 (full-speed mode), provided simple access to external devices with transfer rates up to 60Mbps.
Then, USB 3.0, the successor to USB 2.0, was a speed breakthrough in 2008. It transferred data at 5 Gbps and was energy-efficient. The work done on this foundation by USB 3.1 that was set up in 2013 has led to an increase in power delivery and speed. The updated USB protocol, 3.1 Gen 1, is equipped with two versions and is capable of matching the 5Gbps rates of USB 3.0, but the superior version, USB 3.1 Gen 2, uses more advanced encoding for maximum speeds of up to 10Gbps.
Despite USB 3.1 bringing a significant performance boost, USB 3.2 specification looks to outperform it now. Introduced in 2017, USB 3.2 reclassifies USB 3.1 Gen 1 and Gen 2 as SuperSpeed USB by incorporating additional efficiencies that enable transfer velocities of up to 20 Gbps. It satisfies future performance requirements by doubling throughput while minimizing power consumption with two traffic channels.
USB 3.0 vs. USB 3.1 vs. USB 3.2: Technical Differences
Let’s look at the different versions of USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2, and their key specifications:
| Specifications | Data Transfer Rates | Key Features |
| USB 3.0 | Up to 5 Gbps | ● SuperSpeed USB ● Full duplex data transmission ● Improved power efficiency |
| USB 3.1 Gen 1 | Up to 5 Gbps | ● Original USB 3.0 specification with new branding ● Same features as USB 3.0 |
| USB 3.1 Gen 2 | Up to 10 Gbps | ● Added SuperSpeed + transfer mode ● More efficient data encoding |
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Up to 5 Gbps | ● USB 3.1 Gen 1 functionality updates |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Up to 10 Gbps | ● USB 3.1 Gen 2 functionality updates ● 2 lane operation allows 20 Gbps |
Performance Insights: Comparing Speeds and Bandwidth
Let’s look at their performance:
USB 3.0
With rates of up to 5Gbps, USB 3.0 supports more than double the theoretical bandwidth of its predecessor by nearly a factor of 10. When implemented on high-performance storage devices, USB 3.0 speeds usually exceed 400 MB per second. This permits the transmission of large files and high-bitrate video at a rapid rate. Nevertheless, efficacy is diminished by device constraints and additional overheads. Still, the speed boost paved the way for bandwidth-intensive peripherals.
Also, USB 3.1 Gen 1 exceeded the USB 3.0 5Gbps data rate under a new naming convention. So, USB 3.1 Gen 1 is the new name of USB 3.0.
Applications: USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 Gen 1 is a suitable USB standard for embedded cameras that require high-resolution imaging and fast-frame rates. They are widely used for industrial automation for quality control, inspection and monitoring tasks, machine vision, and medical imaging.
USB 3.1 Gen 2
USB 3.1 Gen 2 increases this by a factor of two with the addition of SuperSpeed+ mode and 10 Gbps of bandwidth. Generation 2 achieves an approximate real-world efficacy of 1 GB per second due to its enhanced data encoding efficiency. This facilitates the transmission of unadulterated 4K video and supports prospective gaming peripherals that demand high transfer speeds.
Applications: USB 3.1 Gen 2 SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps offers 2 times the transfer rate of USB 3.0; that’s why they are a perfect standard for ultra-high-definition imaging or high-speed video capture embedded cameras. They are suitable for surveillance, image analysis tasks, and target tracking.
USB 3.2
USB 3.2 expands upon the two-lane functionality of its predecessors in order to enable a peak data transfer rate of 20Gbps, effectively doubling the performance of USB 3.1 Gen 2. Additional protocol updates in USB 3.2 also help deal with latency and bandwidth overheads. Although devices capable of fully exploiting these speeds may not be available just yet, USB 3.2 guarantees compatibility with forthcoming high-speed peripherals and use cases that require enormous data throughput; it provides unified connectivity for storage and displays alike.
Applications: USB 3.2 or SuperSpeed USB 20 Gbps are suitable standard for applications that requires high-speed motion analysis or high-throughput imaging systems. Embedded cameras are utilized in advanced robotics to facilitate multiple sensor integration and real-time control and feedback.
e-con Systems: Revolutionizing USB Camera Solutions
e-con Systems has positioned itself as a market leader in the embedded camera industry. We offer a diverse selection of cutting-edge camera solutions that address rigorous imaging requirements by leveraging the most recent developments in USB connectivity.
MIPI camera modules, GMSL cameras, and USB 3.1 Gen 1 cameras that utilize standards such as USB 3.1 to provide real-time, high-resolution video transmission comprise the core of e-con’s offerings. Our USB 3.1 and USB 3.2 Gen 1 lineup permits the transmission of unadulterated Full HD video at rates of up to 5Gbps, which is ideal for video conferencing and smart vision.
- See3CAM_CU31: 3MP 120dB HDR Sony® ISX031 based USB Camera ensures superior imaging quality with an impressive 120dB HDR performance and flicker-free functionality with LED Flicker Mitigation (LFM), even in challenging lighting conditions. This UVC-compliant USB camera is designed to stream video data of 3MP resolution at 30fps. See3CAM_CU31 captures with the 5:4 aspect ratio, providing more vertical coverage without sacrificing horizontal details. With such comprehensive features, this camera proves to be an ideal solution for various applications, including intelligent transportation systems (ITS), border control and security, retail kiosks, parking lot management and more.
- See3CAM_24CUG: AR0234CS Full HD Color Global Shutter Camera with all the essential firmware built-in and compatibility with UVC standard. The external trigger support makes it perfect for applications that require Stereo Vision (synchronization of multiple cameras). The global shutter and high-frame rates (Streams HD @ 120 fps & Full HD @ 60 fps) make it perfect for applications like gesture recognition, barcode scanners, factory automation, and traffic monitoring systems.
- See3CAM_50CUG – A part of Sony® Pregius IMX264 Monochrome/Color USB 3.0 Cameras series provides precise, distortion-free images of subjects in quick motion without any motion blur and high signal-to-noise ratio. The IMX264 CMOS sensor features a large pixel size of 3.45 µm to capture detailed images. The camera supports global shutter efficiency to support fast frame rates of up to 2000 fps for Custom ROI.
Wrapping Up
As USB standards continue evolving to keep pace with our increasingly data-driven world, adopting high-speed interfaces like USB 3.1 and USB 3.2 is key for moving vast amounts of information in real-time.
With video streams approaching 8K resolutions and machine learning requiring billions of operations per second, solutions by e-con Systems, like MIPI, GMSL, and USB 3.1 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 cameras, are ideal for harnessing enough bandwidth for tomorrow’s innovations.
Contact e-con Systems today to evaluate how the latest-generation interfaces amplify what your application can achieve.
Prabu Kumar
Chief Technology Officer and Head of Camera Products, e-con Systems
