Final USB 3.2 specification is out - doubles bandwidth to 20Gbps

The USB Implementers Forum published the final specification of the USB 3.2 standard. The biggest change is this standard will double the maximum possible bandwidth to 20Gbps by allowing two-lane operation using existing USB Type-C cables. While you will be able to continue using currently certified USB Type-C cables, the bad news is you will need new hardware to take advantage of the higher bandwidth. The first devices with USB 3.2 are expected in 2019.

The USB 3.2 specification was first announced in July 2017 as near-final by the USB 3.0 Promoter Group. It is now officially published by USB-IF and available for download at www.usb.org

Key characteristics of the USB 3.2 solution include:

Two-lane operation using existing USB Type-C cables

Continued use of existing SuperSpeed USB physical layer data rates and encoding techniques

Minor update to hub specification to address increased performance and assure seamless transitions between single and two- lane operation

For users to obtain the full benefit of this performance increase, a new USB 3.2 host must be used with a new USB 3.2 device and the appropriate certified USB Type-C cable.