CCSA YD/T1591 2006, yet another BC specification, actually refers to a prerelease version (0.77) of the original USB-IF battery Charging specification that was officially released as version 1.0 in 2007. However “BC” could also refer to EN 62684:2010, IEC 62684:2011, or ITU TL.1000 which are all based on the USB-IF Battery Charging specification version 1.1. For example, when USB designers use the term “BC,” you can assume the discussion relates to the USB-IF Battery Charging specification, version. The inappropriate use of names and terminology can cause considerable confusion and grievance. They are now officially named “low-speed,” “full-speed,” and “high-speed,” and are often abbreviated to LS, FS, and HS. The SuperSpeed USB specification introduced a subtle change in spelling compared to the previous USB speeds. The USB 3.0 specification is also known as the SuperSpeed USB specification. This article describes the USB 3.1 terminology as defined in the USB-IF specification to give designers and users a starting point for understanding the wide range of applicable USB terms. Long term, the ecosystem around a standard will coalesce and use the most effective terminology. Standards bodies define the nomenclature for their standards and specifications, and engineers and designers use what makes sense for them, often generating nicknames as well. By Morten Christiansen, Technical Marketing Manager, USB IPĬlarity around names and nomenclature enable effective communication about a topic.