Tag Archives: Science

Comes Next, Science, TechNews

USB 4 version 2.0 is supposed to transfer 80 GBit/s

The first update of USB 4 should support twice the data rate as before and bring improvements for USB 3.2.

Image: USB, Free Stock Picture, MorgueFile.com.
Image: USB, Free Stock Picture, MorgueFile.com.

The USB Promoter Group has announced the forthcoming specification of USB 4 Version 2.0 . The biggest innovation is said to be support for data rates of up to 80 Gbit/s over existing USB-C cables and ports. The committee thus doubles the maximum possible transmission rate of the Universal Serial Bus compared to USB 4, which supports a maximum of 40 Gbit/s. The specification for USB-C and USB Power Delivery should be adjusted accordingly.

In addition to the existing passive USB-C cables, the new higher data rate should also be able to be achieved via newly specified active USB-C cables, as the announcement states. In practice, the higher transmission rate is achieved through changes to physical layer 1 in the OSI layer model, which means that changes to the controller will probably be necessary.

Higher transmission rate thanks to new modulation

A few weeks ago, an Intel manager accidentally disclosed the work on 80G Phy Technology, i.e. a new transmission standard with 80 GBit/s. It is now clear that this should be USB 4 version 2.0. It also follows from this how the higher data rate is to be achieved.

A pulse amplitude modulation with three states (-1,0,+1), PAM-3 for short, is probably used. Only two states (0,+1) are possible with the Non Return to Zero ( NRZ ) used so far. Two consecutive signals are combined to form a 3-bit data signal for data transmission. PAM-4, on the other hand, uses four symbols, i.e. two bits, which are transmitted per cycle.

If only PAM-3 is used for USB 4 Version 2.0, the clock rate of the transmission compared to USB 4 must also be increased in order to double the data rates. Among other things, PAM-3 is also used for 100 Mbit/s Ethernet (100BASE-T1).

Backwards compatible and protocol updates

The improved transfer rate should also come into play in the other USB specifications. Specifically, the announcement promises, for example, that the tunneling of data in USB 3.2 should be able to exceed the previously possible maximum of 20 Gbit/s. The new standard should also be backward compatible with USB 4 Version 1.0 , USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3.

In addition, the USB standard is to be adapted to the current display port and PCIe standards. This should be Displayport 2.0, which also transmits 80 GBit/s, which can already be possible with a USB-C cable . In addition, there is probably PCI Express 5.0 , which theoretically enables transfer rates of up to 128 GB per second when using 16 lanes. With USB 4 Version 2.0, of course, this cannot be achieved. 

Business, Science, TechNews

World’s largest offshore wind farm: England less dependent on fossil fuels

The British want to make themselves less dependent on fossil fuels with a new offshore wind farm. The energy is transported on land with 390 kilometer long cables.

The Danish energy company Ørsted has implemented what it says is the world ‘s largest offshore wind farm. This is located around 89 kilometers off the coast of Yorkshire in England and produces more than 1.3 gigawatts of energy.

These come from 165 turbines, which can power more than 1.4 million British homes. The entire park is 463 square kilometers. 81 meter long rotor blades from Siemens are installed in the wind turbines. According to Ørsted, these can power an average British home for 24 hours with just one turn.

Image: Offshore Wind Farm, Free Stock Picture, MorgueFile.com.

Pandemic as a challenge

Patrick Harnett, vice president of the UK program at Ørsted, saw the corona pandemic as a challenge for the project. He said: “This project has been an amazing undertaking. Building the world’s largest offshore wind farm during a global pandemic was a challenge the team overcame with flying colors. I am so proud of how our team worked together to safely deliver this remarkable project. A big thank you to everyone involved who contributed to it.”

The UK could also use the new wind farm to strengthen its energy grid and reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, according to Duncan Clark, UK Region Manager at Ørsted. He says:

“The UK is truly a world leader in offshore wind energy and the completion of Hornsea 2 is a tremendous milestone for the offshore wind industry, not just in the UK but globally. Current global events are underscoring more than ever the importance of pioneering renewable energy projects such as Hornsea 2, which is helping Britain increase the security and resilience of our energy supply and lower costs for consumers by reducing our dependence on expensive fossil fuels. ”

Hornsea 3

With the completion of Hornsea 2, however, Ørsted’s work is not over. Another wind farm called Hornsea 3 is planned to be built in the same area. The company secured a contract with the British government for this at the beginning of the year.

However, Ørsted is not only active in the English North Sea. Last year, the company made a deal with Google to build 83 wind turbines in the North Sea of ​​Lower Saxony .

Science, TechNews

NASA: SLS And Orion Launch To The Moon On Saturday

NASA has made its decision: On Saturday, a new attempt for the world’s largest rocket to fly to the moon will start. The space agency has made some changes to increase the chances of success.

After a botched start last Monday, NASA is making a new attempt for the Artemis 1 mission . Next Saturday, September 3rd, the “biggest rocket in the world”, SLS (Space Launch System) , will launch.

Initially, the space agency had considered Friday, but the weather forecast speaks against it. There was a 60 percent chance that the weather would result in an aborted takeoff. On Saturday, however, only sporadic rainfall is expected. The launch will be broadcast live on various NASA channels.

Image: NASA, Free Stock Picture, MorgueFile.com.

Loading procedures are changed

NASA reports that the teams are working on an approach to prevent an error like Monday’s. One of the engines could not be cooled down to -252 degrees Celsius. A hydrogen leak was also discovered.

Now NASA is changing the start procedure: Those responsible now want to complete the tap test 30 to 45 minutes earlier in the countdown process. This would put him in the fast-fill phase with liquid hydrogen. The technicians should practice the new procedure beforehand. NASA has already tested them at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

Check containers and connection points

In addition, NASA is reconfiguring the platforms on the launch pad to give engineers access to the rinsing tank. That’s where the leak had occurred. You should check the affected lines and connection points and tighten them if necessary.

If the launch is successful this time, the SLS will transport its Orion probe the longest distance that has ever been covered by a space capsule. It will also remain in space longer than any other spacecraft used to transport people. This is mainly possible because the capsule transports plastic dummies instead of astronauts .

Business, Comes Next, TechNews

Elon Musk: New Tesla will come in 2023

Tesla is one of the first addresses when customers go looking for a new electric car. A common point of criticism, however, is the small selection of models: If you don’t want a limousine shape, you don’t need to look around at Tesla. This is about to change soon.

Tesla isn’t the fast type when it comes to new models. The selection at the e-car pioneer is sparse. Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y, the manufacturer does not have any other wheels in its range. At least so far, because CEO Elon Musk has other plans in store , two of which are to be implemented soon.

Image: Red Tesla Model S, Free Stock Picture, MorgueFile.com.

Tesla truck coming in 2022, Cybertruck will be delivered in 2023

These are not previously unknown electric cars. Rather, Musk finally wants to keep his promises and expand Tesla’s product range with the Cybertruck, which has been planned for a long time. In a recent tweet, the Tesla boss announced that the Cybertruck could be delivered in 2023. We are excited to see what will come of it. After all, until recently it was still said that customers could look forward to the massive electric pick-up this year.

The slot in the schedule will probably not be wasted at Tesla, because Musk announces the launch of another newcomer. However, it should hardly be something for the valued private customer: the semi truck will be Tesla’s first electric truck. The e-car manufacturer advertises it on its website as the “safest, most comfortable truck ever” – quite a statement.

In such a huge electric vehicle there is a lot more space for batteries and so the Semi should also achieve the longest range of all Tesla vehicles to date: Depending on the selection, there should be just under 500 km or just over 800 km per battery charge. According to Musk’s Twitter message, the latter version should be delivered later this year :

The promises of Elon Musk: please use with caution

As far as prices are concerned, Musk is keeping a low profile as usual. There is also no fixed date for the Semi or the Cybertruck. The range “in 2023” for the electric pickup is wide – and Tesla customers are used to the fact that Elon Musk cannot keep some delivery promises.

Business, Comes Next, Science, Security

With drones and trucks: How AT&T wants to keep the network stable in the event of disasters

Image: Radio Tower, Free Stock Picture, MorgueFile.com.

AT&T is actually a normal telecommunications company that takes care that the network in the USA is and remains stable. But the North Americans are also preparing for the really big catastrophe.

Ever heard of a Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) program? The US network operator AT&T has set up a so-called NDR site in a warehouse just outside of Atlanta. Here, a group of volunteers are testing how to quickly bring connectivity back up if a local site is destroyed.

Similar disaster protection initiatives are also being driven by providers such as T-Mobile and Verizon. AT&T’s big advantage over the competition is that it has been training for emergencies since 2008. As reported by Engadget , the company has already spent more than 650 million US dollars to set up the NDR program in the USA.

Versatile options

Part of the contingency plan is a four-wheel drive Club Cab pickup truck packed to the roof with cellular equipment to help restore portions of a collapsed network. For several years, the company has also been using Flying Cell-on-Wings – drones that fly around 90 meters above the ground and can provide 5G coverage of around 25 square kilometers.

Looking to the future, AT&T has also patented a long-distance flight system that can pilot drones thousands of miles away, and is researching solar-powered units that can fly autonomously for days.

As NDR employees stated, Robodogs are currently being tested, which could be used in a variety of scenarios. The ideas range from rescue operations in forest fires to bomb disposal.

AT&T is also represented on the water. What looks like a red mini tank is an in-house amphibious vehicle that can easily make its way through the water thanks to its rear propellers. The vehicle could be used to transport people and payloads in areas devastated by hurricanes.

Ready for all scenarios

Besides all these future scenario toys, the core of the NDR work is the Colt, short for Cell on Light Truck. These trucks can tap into the company’s existing fiber optic lines and provide cellular connectivity in a matter of hours. If the local infrastructure has been completely paralyzed, there are also Satcolts that can connect to satellites.

The company also stocks thousands of generators. While the primary goal is to restore connectivity for first responders and customers, AT&T’s commitment to Firstnet also ensures interoperability with competing carriers.