We get lost between the different standards, this time we are talking about the universal Thunderbolt standard. Intel is preparing the fifth generation.
It may be worth recalling what Thunderbolt is basically. Created by Intel and Apple, it is a high-performance multi-protocol connector that allows you to chain peripherals. In summary, you can plug everything into it, this connection is supposed to provide you with the best performance if you use a compatible accessory and cable. It can charge a laptop and deliver video data to an external display.
USB4 2.0 and Thunderbolt 5, two closely related standards
Intel therefore now formalizes the Thunderbolt 5 with the same data rate. After recently announcing USB4 2.0 with 80Gbps. The new USB standards and the Thunderbolt interface go hand in hand, which is not only illustrated by the shared USB-C connection.
Intel shows off Thunderbolt 80Gbps #inteltechtour pic.twitter.com/z5AXZkKc1d
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Note however that the name Thunderbolt 5 was not mentioned during the demonstration carried out at the Intel Development Center (IDC). For the moment, this technology does not have an official name.
As explained above, USB4 and Thunderbolt are now closely linked and Thunderbolt is no longer solely the property of Intel or Apple. The licenses were handed over to the USB-IF, all manufacturers can use Thunderbolt for free.
We are still missing many details to compare Thunderbolt 5 and Thunderbolt 4. However, we now have confirmation of a doubling of the maximum bandwidth from 40 Gbit/s to 80 Gbit/s. The description of the new technology also shows that the modern USB-C connection will continue to be used and that PAM-3 pulse-amplitude modulation is expected to be used.
It’s still unclear when the next-gen Thunderbolt will be introduced. On the other hand, the update to USB4 2.0 with 80 Gbit/s should be completed this year.
https://www.frandroid.com/products-android/computers/1458636_usb-4-2-0-plus-de-speed-et-un-nom-encore-plus-confus-pour-lusb
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