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USB connector future

M

Michael

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi everybody.
I need to decide what kind of connector will go in our new handheld
instrument. It is extremely tightly packed very expensive (connector
cost is not an issue) analytical instrument . We've used Mini-USB so
far. Micro-USB is smaller, it looks like it might phase Mini-USB out.
It might die out as well.
Which one would you use?
Any opinions?
Thank you!
 
J

Joel Koltner

Jan 1, 1970
0
Michael said:
We've used Mini-USB so
far. Micro-USB is smaller, it looks like it might phase Mini-USB out.
It might die out as well.
Which one would you use?

If you really are pressed for space, I think Micro-USB is OK. If not, I'd
stick with Mini-USB -- I really don't think it's going to be phased out any
time soon (i.e., in the next 5+ years), justas full-size USB connectors are
still alive and well and readily available.
 
G

Gary Tait

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi everybody.
I need to decide what kind of connector will go in our new handheld
instrument. It is extremely tightly packed very expensive (connector
cost is not an issue) analytical instrument . We've used Mini-USB so
far. Micro-USB is smaller, it looks like it might phase Mini-USB out.
It might die out as well.
Which one would you use?
Any opinions?
Thank you!

It depends on the size of the instrument, cost, and frequency of use.


for direct conenctino on the instrument, I'd choose a standard USB
connector. If necessary, I'd use a proprietary non-standard connector or a
dock.
 
J

Jeff Liebermann

Jan 1, 1970
0
Michael said:
I need to decide what kind of connector will go in our new handheld
instrument. It is extremely tightly packed very expensive (connector
cost is not an issue) analytical instrument . We've used Mini-USB so
far. Micro-USB is smaller, it looks like it might phase Mini-USB out.
It might die out as well.
Which one would you use?

Well, I have an observation based on various gadget repair data. When
stressed (i.e. bent), the standard USB connector usually breaks inside
the instrument. If board mounted, it's often fatal.

The mini-USB breaks at the metal projecting from the plug, leaving the
receptacle in tolerable condition. The receptacle is often at the end
of a ribbon cable, making replacement easy. Pulling on the cable
usually disconnects before breaking anything. That's not the case
with standard USB where the connector will break when the stiff cord
is pulled.

I haven't seen any broken micro-USB devices, but my guess is that it
will act much like the mini-USB but may bend where it hits the molded
plug because it's so thin. They're also only guaranteed for 1000
insertion cycles, so connector lifetime might be an issue. All the
newer cell phones are coming with micro-USB which may signal the
demise of mini-USB. However, the newer digital cameras seem to
arriving with mini-USB.

I would presonally prefer Mini-USB, but if your product is going to be
sold for more than a few years, methinks Micro-USB would be a more
long term solution.
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
If you really are pressed for space, I think Micro-USB is OK. If not, I'd
stick with Mini-USB -- I really don't think it's going to be phased out any
time soon (i.e., in the next 5+ years), justas full-size USB connectors are
still alive and well and readily available.

I don't know what Mini-USB or Micro-USB are - the only USB I know of are,
AFAIK, the "ordinary" ones, like the one that came with my camera, and
that they've been using for ages on printers & stuff - I guess one end's
an "A" connector (about 1/2" wide X 3/8" thick), and a "B" connector
(about 1/4" wide X 1/8" thick). Well, I was curious how many leads are
in that little bitty one, so I got out my magnifier, and Yikes! It looks
like a Centronics for The Incredible Shrinking Man! The sucker has
FOURTEEN CONTACTS! And they're the robust kind - you remember the
Centronics, don't you? ;-)

I can't see that going obsolete any time soon.

But, just FMI, what are the others? (Mini-USB and Micro-USB, vs.
"ordinary"?)

Thanks,
Rich
 
B

Benj

Jan 1, 1970
0
Rich said:
I don't know what Mini-USB or Micro-USB are - the only USB I know of are,
AFAIK, the "ordinary" ones, like the one that came with my camera, and
that they've been using for ages on printers & stuff -

I can't see that going obsolete any time soon.

Lessee, you've never seen a mini or mico USB but you are sure they
won't be obsolete soon! Sounds like typical Usenet advice to me!

Hey, my advice is if all possible to stick with a standard USB
connector. I don't know how tiny your expensive instrument is but the
size difference can't be THAT important compared to performance and
obsolescence. The standard connector is ALREADY being re-vamped for
USB 3. There are plans to include fiber optic in a connector that is
completely backward compatible. It probably will be some time till
mini and micro catch up if ever. Hint: Start with product performance
and then work backward to things like connector size.
 
J

Joel Koltner

Jan 1, 1970
0
Benj said:
I don't know how tiny [the OP's[ expensive instrument is but the
size difference can't be THAT important compared to performance and
obsolescence.

There are plenty of products today where a full-sized USB connector simply
won't fit -- cell phones and MP3 players are typical examples; they aren't
thick enough!
The standard connector is ALREADY being re-vamped for
USB 3.

Even Intel (the progenitor) doesn't expect USB peripherals until 2009 or 2010,
and realistically I'd say 2011 is going to be more like it.
 
R

Robert Baer

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jeff said:
Well, I have an observation based on various gadget repair data. When
stressed (i.e. bent), the standard USB connector usually breaks inside
the instrument. If board mounted, it's often fatal.

The mini-USB breaks at the metal projecting from the plug, leaving the
receptacle in tolerable condition. The receptacle is often at the end
of a ribbon cable, making replacement easy. Pulling on the cable
usually disconnects before breaking anything. That's not the case
with standard USB where the connector will break when the stiff cord
is pulled.

I haven't seen any broken micro-USB devices, but my guess is that it
will act much like the mini-USB but may bend where it hits the molded
plug because it's so thin. They're also only guaranteed for 1000
insertion cycles, so connector lifetime might be an issue. All the
newer cell phones are coming with micro-USB which may signal the
demise of mini-USB. However, the newer digital cameras seem to
arriving with mini-USB.

I would presonally prefer Mini-USB, but if your product is going to be
sold for more than a few years, methinks Micro-USB would be a more
long term solution.
Maybe with that short lifetime involved, use a "tiered" connector
system: a replaceable mini-USB "head" that looks like it is part of the
package, but plugs into another connector inside (mini-USB if space is
an issue).
That way, one gets the equivalent lifetime of 1000*1000 cycles which
is a goodly improvement.
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
Lessee, you've never seen a mini or mico USB but you are sure they
won't be obsolete soon! Sounds like typical Usenet advice to me!

I meant the one I was looking at, which AFAIK is "standard".

Thanks,
Rich
 
J

JosephKK

Jan 1, 1970
0
Michael [email protected] posted to sci.electronics.design:
Hi everybody.
I need to decide what kind of connector will go in our new handheld
instrument. It is extremely tightly packed very expensive (connector
cost is not an issue) analytical instrument . We've used Mini-USB so
far. Micro-USB is smaller, it looks like it might phase Mini-USB
out. It might die out as well.
Which one would you use?
Any opinions?
Thank you!

The mini USB is very popular, it is used all over the place and is not
going to dissappear soon. Micro USB does not have this kind market
proof yet, i would not change yet.
 
G

Gary Tait

Jan 1, 1970
0
I don't know what Mini-USB or Micro-USB are - the only USB I know of
are, AFAIK, the "ordinary" ones, like the one that came with my
camera, and that they've been using for ages on printers & stuff - I
guess one end's an "A" connector (about 1/2" wide X 3/8" thick), and a
"B" connector (about 1/4" wide X 1/8" thick). Well, I was curious how
many leads are in that little bitty one, so I got out my magnifier,
and Yikes! It looks like a Centronics for The Incredible Shrinking
Man! The sucker has FOURTEEN CONTACTS! And they're the robust kind -
you remember the Centronics, don't you? ;-)

I can't see that going obsolete any time soon.

But, just FMI, what are the others? (Mini-USB and Micro-USB, vs.
"ordinary"?)

Standard USB-A is around 7/16" wide, 3/16 thick
Standard USB-B is around 1/4" high, 5/16" wide.
I have no micro/mini USB to measure.

Your camera likely uses min-USB, or something proprietary (like my
cmaera does, as that connector also doubles as the A/V out).

If it is a centronics like connector, it is not standard USB, but likely
proprietary.
 
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