In accordance with the recent release of the USB4 v2 specification by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) and the DisplayPort 2.1 specifications by VESA, Intel has shown a working early prototype of the next-generation Thunderbolt.
This prototype demonstration represents a significant turning point in the process of bringing the next-generation Thunderbolt to the market.
From high-resolution displays with low latency visuals, to the backup or transfer of enormous video and data files, content creators and gamers bandwidth requirements are significantly rising.
Next-generation Thunderbolt will provide up to three times the capability of today’s technologies to meet the expanding needs of content creators and gamers, all while maintaining compatibility with earlier versions of Thunderbolt and USB.
It will deliver 80 gigabits per second (Gbps) of bi-directional bandwidth and enable up to 120 Gbps for the best display experience as well as two times the PCI Express data throughput for faster storage and external graphics.
“Intel has always been the industry pioneer and leader for wired connectivity solutions, and Thunderbolt is now the mainstream port on mobile PCs and integrated into three generations of Intel mobile CPUs. We’re very excited to lead the industry forward with the next generation of Thunderbolt built on the USB4 v2 specification, advanced to this next generation by Intel and other USB Promoter Group members.” Said Jason Ziller, general manager of the Client Connectivity Division at Intel.
Intel contributed its Thunderbolt protocol specification to the USB Promoter Group in 2019 with the goal of making Thunderbolt accessible to everyone. This specification served as the foundation for USB4. As a pioneer in this sector of the economy, Intel has worked to boost USB4’s performance.