Intel Introduces Next-Generation Thunderbolt
Yesterday the USB-IF Association announced the release of the USB4 v2.0 specification, which enables data transfer rates of up to 80 Gbps. Under the new specification, the maximum bandwidth of USB4 will be doubled, and the USB-C and PD power supply specifications have also been updated.
Image: Intel
Today Intel introduced early prototypes of next-generation Thunderbolt, aligned with the USB4 v2.0 and DisplayPort 2.1 specifications, with up to 80 Gbps of bidirectional bandwidth, and with the help of the PAM3 signal encoding mechanism, asymmetric offloading of 120 Gbps upstream and 40 Gbps downstream can be achieved to meet the growing demands of content creators and gamers.
Image: Intel
In addition, the next generation of Thunderbolt is compatible with Thunderbolt 4 cables up to 1 meter long.
According to Intel, this marks an important milestone in delivering the next generation of Thunderbolt to the industry. The bandwidth demands of content creators and gamers for high-resolution displays, low-latency output, and backup/transfer of large video and data files have increased significantly. The next generation of Thunderbolt offers three times the power of Thunderbolt 4, and in addition to supporting the latest version of USB4, there are improvements in a variety of ways, including:
- Two times the total bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4 to 80 Gbps, while providing up to three times the bandwidth to 120 Gbps for video-intensive usages.
- Support for the newly released DisplayPort 2.1 for the best display experience.
- Two times the PCI Express data throughput for faster storage and external graphics.
- Works with existing passive cables up to 1m via a new signaling technology.
- Compatible with previous versions of Thunderbolt, USB, and DisplayPort.
- Supported by Intel’s enabling and certification programs.
Intel has not determined the specific name of the next-generation Thunderbolt.
