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USB-IF should publish a table of every possible cable/adapter/receptacle type, with a short alphanumeric code that can be printed or molded onto the connector.

by p1mrx 3y ago

USB-IF should publish a table of every possible cable/adapter/receptacle type, with a short alphanumeric code that can be printed or molded onto the connector. The set of permutations is too large to fit into an icon, but a lookup table allows for unlimited detail.

crote 3y ago
There aren't that many permutations. Power-wise it is 60W, 100W (deprecated), and 240W. Data-wise it is 480Mbps, 5Gbps, 20Gbps, 40Gbps, 80Gbps. A simple power/data rating like already specified[0] is enough for >99% of cables. [0]: https://www.usb.org/sites/default/files/usb-if_usb_type-c_cable_logo_usage_guidelines_final_20230818.pdf https://www.usb.org/sites/default/files/usb-if_usb_type-c_ca...
- npunt 3y ago
  Totally it's a very solvable problem w not many variants. It's unfortunate the USB group chose these particular labels. They're so ugly that you'd never want one on a cable, and they don't reduce to small sizes well. It's like they were never designed to be put on cables, or they never consulted anyone who ever used or sold a cable as to whether they were going to use it. I'd have preferred something that could be depressed into the plastic mold of the connector with two icons, a bolt and a dot: - default (USB2, whatever min watts) is blank cable - 60w has one bolt, 100w+ has two bolts - 5gbps has one dot, 20 has two, 40 three, 80 four That way you avoid the uncleanness of labels and their eventual scratching off, while maintaining at-a-glance (and even physical feel) understanding of cable capability. It also scales to future improvements. Honestly I think this would solve like 90% of people's complaints with USB-C.
- carstenhag 3y ago
  Except for the dozens of manufacturer-specific power ratings which are not PD-conform.
  - crote 3y ago
    I am not aware of this problem existing in practice. Chargers and devices of course have a wide variety of power ratings, but those are generally all compatible with each other. Just get a charger with a higher rating than the device and it works. When it comes to cables, pretty much everyone just uses the standard 20V 3A / 20V 5A / 48V 5A cables. The only exception I am aware of is Oppo's SuperVOOC.
    - carstenhag 3y ago
      A 140W MacBook USB-C charger can not charge an OnePlus 8. A 67W Poco (Xioami) USB-C charger can barely charge a Pixel 6 (it basically runs out of battery while charging, 200-300mA are transmitted according to an app). USB-C is in a terrible state.

by p1mrx 3y ago

crote 3y ago

There aren't that many permutations. Power-wise it is 60W, 100W (deprecated), and 240W. Data-wise it is 480Mbps, 5Gbps, 20Gbps, 40Gbps, 80Gbps. A simple power/data rating like already specified[0] is enough for >99% of cables. [0]: https://www.usb.org/sites/default/files/usb-if_usb_type-c_cable_logo_usage_guidelines_final_20230818.pdf https://www.usb.org/sites/default/files/usb-if_usb_type-c_ca...

npunt 3y ago
Totally it's a very solvable problem w not many variants. It's unfortunate the USB group chose these particular labels. They're so ugly that you'd never want one on a cable, and they don't reduce to small sizes well. It's like they were never designed to be put on cables, or they never consulted anyone who ever used or sold a cable as to whether they were going to use it. I'd have preferred something that could be depressed into the plastic mold of the connector with two icons, a bolt and a dot: - default (USB2, whatever min watts) is blank cable - 60w has one bolt, 100w+ has two bolts - 5gbps has one dot, 20 has two, 40 three, 80 four That way you avoid the uncleanness of labels and their eventual scratching off, while maintaining at-a-glance (and even physical feel) understanding of cable capability. It also scales to future improvements. Honestly I think this would solve like 90% of people's complaints with USB-C.
carstenhag 3y ago
Except for the dozens of manufacturer-specific power ratings which are not PD-conform.
- crote 3y ago
  I am not aware of this problem existing in practice. Chargers and devices of course have a wide variety of power ratings, but those are generally all compatible with each other. Just get a charger with a higher rating than the device and it works. When it comes to cables, pretty much everyone just uses the standard 20V 3A / 20V 5A / 48V 5A cables. The only exception I am aware of is Oppo's SuperVOOC.
  - carstenhag 3y ago
    A 140W MacBook USB-C charger can not charge an OnePlus 8. A 67W Poco (Xioami) USB-C charger can barely charge a Pixel 6 (it basically runs out of battery while charging, 200-300mA are transmitted according to an app). USB-C is in a terrible state.