At 10 Gbps, Thunderbolt™ technology
gives you great responsiveness with
high-speed data and display transfers
in each direction—at the same time.
With a single cable, connecting a PC
to multiple devices is simple, making
it easy to get and see what you want,
when you want it. Thunderbolt
technology gives you incredible
flexibility; high performance
expansion is just a cable away for new
and novel uses, now and in the future.
Developed by Intel (under the code
name Light Peak), and brought to
market with technical collaboration
from Apple. Thunderbolt technology is
a new, high-speed, dual-protocol I/O
technology designed for performance,
simplicity, and flexibility. This
high-speed data transfer technology
features the following:
- Dual-channel 10 Gbps per port
- Bi-directional Dual-protocol (PCI Express and DisplayPort)
- Compatible with existing DisplayPort devices
- Daisy-chained devices
- Electrical or optical cables Low latency with highly accurate time synchronization
- Uses native protocol software drivers
- Power over cable for bus-powered devices
Intel's Thunderbolt controllers
interconnect a PC and other devices,
transmitting and receiving packetized
traffic for both PCIe and DisplayPort
protocols. Thunderbolt technology
works on data streams in both
directions, at the same time, so users
get the benefit of full bandwidth in
both directions, over a single cable.
With the two independent channels, a
full 10 Gbps of bandwidth can be
provided for the first device, as well
as additional downstream devices.
And all Thunderbolt devices share a
common connector, allowing users to
daisy chain devices one after another
with interoperable cables.
What Thunderbolt means to users
Thunderbolt technology enables using
the thinnest and lightest laptops and
connecting to the extra power and
performance of other devices when
needed, using a single cable. Adding
new performance devices is simple and
easy—just plug and play—making
Thunderbolt technology powerful and
flexible.
Thunderbolt technology was
specifically designed with
professional audio and video
applications in mind, where the
inherently low latency and highly
accurate time synchronization features
play a crucial role.
With Thunderbolt enabled products,
video editing and sharing using Intel®
Quick Sync Video technology is even
faster and easier.
Data transfers for backup, sharing,
and editing are tremendously
accelerated using Thunderbolt
products, significantly reducing times
to complete these tasks.
And Thunderbolt enabled products are
compatible with existing DisplayPort
devices so you don’t have to go buy a
new display to take advantage of a
Thunderbolt technology enabled
computer.