On June 10, 2013, Apple releases new Mac Pro and will sport a Thunderbolt 2 technology, says it supports bidirectional 20Gbps and 4K video data transmission, while Pro is not a first look's Thunderbolt.
Thunderbolt, plan codenamed Light Peak, is published by Intel connector standards, early use of fiber, later jointly developed with Apple and use copper wire and the Apple Mini DisplayPort interface appearance, so not only can it bi-directional speed of 10Gbps transmission data, direct Thunderbolt interface compatible with Mini DisplayPort devices transmit video and sound signals, Apple Thunderbolt Display can be connected directly to output video, voice and data. Now Apple's wire support copper wire, designed as universal bus between computers and other devices, and can provide power. In 2009, Intel Intel Technology Forum (IDF) published on the technology. Apple officially exclusive release in February 2011 with the interface of MacBook Pro and a $29 connector. Apple's exclusive technology patents a year. Intel's spokesman said that the Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 can be used in the system of the future, play a complementary role. WWDC2013 on Apple's new Mac Pro, carrying 6 Thunderbolt 2 interface, support bidirectional 20Gbps 4K video and data transmission.
Technical content:
In 2011, published the first version of the Thunderbolt, the signal lines can be up to 10 m long and bi-directional synchronous transmission speeds of up to 10Gbps. The Second Edition, published in 2013, in help of the chip code-named Falcon Ridge, simultaneous transfer speeds up to 20Gps. Intel hope in 2020 Shi will it upgrade to 100Gbps, through fiber line sent with infrared light of signals instead of traditional of data line for data, as computer and other device Zhijian of General connection line, similar currently USB of function, future a Taiwan computer can installed number a Thunderbolt connection BU, provides different of device using, also can directly connection to a has number species foreign interface of device Shang, with a slender of line cable support variety entered output device.
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Thunderbolt technology uses two protocols including PCI Express used in data transmission, as well as display the DisplayPort. Complete existing DisplayPort device compatibility. May in the future replace the other bus devices, like DVI, DisplayPort, SCSI, SATA, USB, PCI Express, and Firewire (IEEE 1394) and HDMI, computer external single bus.
Can daisy-chain (Daisy-chain) connects up to six peripheral devices (of which the first two chain can contain two Apple Thunderbolt Display), through the bus around 10W power supply (figure for more external storage).
The 2013 Q2, Intel published the 2nd generation Thunderbolt specs, points: 1. upgrade to two-way 20Gbps transmission speed. 2. DisplayPort data using the 4K-resolution output. 3. backward compatible with Thunderbolt 1.0. Then Apple released WWWDC2013 carrying 6 Thunderbolt 2 interfaces, the new Mac Pro, says it supports bidirectional 20Gbps video transmission and 4K, became the first product that supports these technologies.
Products:
On February 24, 2011, Apple released new MacBook Pro, with Thunderbolt technology, this is the first application of this technology in commercial products. PC product Apple on a one-year exclusive patent rights. The same day, Promise release Pegasus storage products, also using this technique, this is the first application of this technology on storage products. Later, Apple introduced the Apple Thunderbolt Display,2012 years of using Thunderbolt technology released two gadgets: Apple Apple Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter to FireWire converter. Recently, Intel released a Thunderbolt motherboard, Asus Zenbook will also join the Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt interface allows the news that Canon is also prepared to join their EOS series cameras, huge file to handle full HD video.
Summary:
Advantages: Displayport and PCI Express combination
The lightning interface described in the note above, lightning interface data transmission technology is the integration of the PCI Express and DisplayPort display technology, two channels are transmitted simultaneously to read and write this data in two agreements, each channel provides bi-directional 10Gbps. Therefore we can say that Lightning interface is Displayport and PCI Express has the perfect collection of this data, audio and video signals can be transmitted simultaneously, through a data cable by lightning only the needs of a variety of signal transmission.
In addition to the ability to transmit data and video, audio in addition, also compatible with Displayport interface. In other words, lightning of computer interface can be directly connected display devices that support Displayport interfaces. Of course, since lightning interface look exactly like the Mini Displayport interface, so the connections needed to Mini Displayport cable to connect our common d-sub, DVI, HDMI and Mini Displayport adapter interface can also be used directly. That is support for Displayport interface displays through the lightning interface with a computer connected to the host, and Dell's introduction of the U2413 equipped with a Mini Displayport interface can be directly connected via a Mini DP data or lightning data line, which eliminates the worry about transferring.
Advantage two: Plug-and-play, integrated high bandwidth is large enough
Lightning interfaces like USB, HDMI, Displayport interface, is a Plug-and-play interface, so users are very convenient when using, without having to switch the computer or restart the computer in order to connect and disconnect devices. Thunderbolt display by Apple can actually see lightning interface integration. Apple Thunderbolt display equipped with three wires, one's own power cable, one for the MacBook to charge users of the power line, the last one is the lightning data line. The monitor itself is equipped with USB interface, FireWire, Thunder, interface and network interfaces. So we use, devices such as keyboard and mouse connected to the monitor, connect the cable on the monitor, by lightning interfaces connected to the MacBook Air, you can use the mouse and computer manipulation, and can be connected to the network, so that we can see between the two devices, connected by a line of integration is very convenient.
Lightning interface bandwidth is very large, while lightning interface has bidirectional 10Gbps transmission bandwidth, which can be extended to close to the bandwidth of 100Gbps. For users for daily use, lightning interface can simultaneously transmit data with high data volume information, also can transmit high-resolution video signal and up to eight channels of audio signal.
Advantage three: series multi-screen system
Interface up to six devices in series of lightning, lightning interface has daisy-chain selling point, so that it can support up to six devices in series. The six devices through the line after a series of lightning data, you can form a complete set of system, so that the user can also operate while in use six devices. For now, support lightning interface equipment is host, laptop, machine, storage devices, and displays lightning interface we can daisy-chain selling points for their combination of series connection order is also of course have certain requirements. However, if the connection is good to get rid of one of the devices, it becomes a complex matter, so this indeed can be said to be advantages, also revealed certain deficiencies.
Disadvantages: expensive
Lightning interface as is equipped with rich selling points and advantages, and with a high technological content and a great deal of agreement, must not be less in cost. Apple MacBook laptop, iMac machine series, Thunderbolt display, there are several vendors launched storage devices, motherboard, and so on, they can also be expensive to describe on the sale price, the majority of consumers cannot afford the prices of these products, so lightning related device interface also belongs to the more niche products.
Photo: Apple source: Wikipedia Hello Kitty Galaxy S5 Case
