Recently，USB-IF announces the launch of USB PD 3.1 charging protocol，Allows 240W of power to be provided via USB Type-C。The USB Type-C standard has also been updated to version 2.1，To meet the requirements of 240W cables，And fits with the updated USB PD protocol and power supply。

The new PD 3.1 is based on the original current and voltage ratio of up to 5A 20V，Added 28V、36V、Three gears and 48V，Achieve different charging powers above 100W。This means that users will be able to charge products such as laptops using the USB-C interface。

before，The maximum power of USB-C power transmission is 100 watts，This undoubtedly puts it under some restrictions。With 240W of power (USB-IF calls it "extended power range" or EPR for short)，In theory, it can charge an alien m17 gaming laptop via USB-C。

certainly，To use new specifications，Users need new USB-C charger and cable。Some of the requirements for the new specifications of USB-IF are："All EPR cables should be clearly identified as EPR cable identification items"。One cable needs to support up to 5A、50V meets the requirements。

From the photos below，Manufacturers may also need to adjust their charger design。

The USB-C specification is not the only one covering how USB ports and cables work。Mainstream USB today 3.2 and brand new USB 4 Specifies how data is sent over a cable，And USB Power Delivery specifies how devices negotiate with chargers and other devices。

One port that USB hasn't managed to replace is Intel's Thunderbolt，But with USB 4，It achieves Thunderbolt's 40Gbps speed by actually embedding Thunderbolt technology。