The USB4 specification has been around for a while, but peripherals have been rare due to manufacturers taking advantage of USB4’s backwards compatibility with Thunderbolt 3. VIA wants to change this with its VL830 end-point controller, allowing for compact and cheaper travel docks. Realtek has developed the RTS5490, the first USB4 hub controller that supports and passes on all USB4 functions. For external SSDs, native USB4 controllers are not yet available, with JMicron stating that products are not expected until next year. USB4 host ASMedia has exhibited its long-awaited ASM4242 USB4 host controller, which should be in mass production by the end of the year.
Power supplies with more than 100 watts were seen at Computex, with FSP exhibiting a USB-C power adapter that delivers up to 180 watts. The c’t laboratory has found several devices with proprietary USB-C power supplies; however, the only notebook currently using over 100 watts in accordance with the standard is Apple’s MacBook Pro 16. More powerful USB-C power supplies shake up the structure, as circuits may need to be designed differently for higher voltage levels to the charging electronics.
The USB4 2.0 specification extension will arrive in stores in 2024, doubling the data rate to up to 80 Gbit/s. Intel’s next processor generation, Meteor Lake, due in autumn 2023, will continue to be equipped with Thunderbolt 4, as its successor is expected to be fully compatible with USB4 2.0.
