Lightning (connector)

Lightning Connector

Top down view of a Lightning cable, showing the 8-pin connector
Type Data and power connector
Production history
Designer Apple Inc.
Produced 2012–present
Superseded 30-pin dock connector
General specifications
Pins 8
Pin out
Receptacle view
Pin 1 GND Ground
Pin 2 L0p Lane 0 positive
Pin 3 L0n Lane 0 negative
Pin 4 ID0 Identification/control 0
Pin 5 PWR Power (charger or battery)
Pin 6 L1n Lane 1 negative
Pin 7 L1p Lane 1 positive
Pin 8 ID1 Identification/control 1
Lane 0 and 1 may swap in IC of device connector (lanes don't swap if accessory identification chip connect to ID0 pin)

Lightning is a proprietary computer bus and power connector created by Apple Inc. to replace its previous proprietary 30-pin dock connector, and is used to connect Apple mobile devices like iPhones, iPads and iPods to host computers, external monitors, cameras, USB battery chargers and other peripherals. Using 8 pins instead of 30, Lightning is significantly more compact than the 30-pin dock connector and can be inserted with either side facing up. However, it is incompatible with cables and peripherals designed for its predecessor, unless used with an adapter. It was introduced in 2012, and as of October 2015, it is used by the iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6/6 Plus, iPhone 6S/6S Plus, iPhone SE, iPod Touch (5th generation), iPod Touch (6th generation), iPad (4th generation), iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro (9.7" and 12.9" models), iPad Mini (1st generation), iPad Mini (2nd generation), iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 4, iPod Nano (7th generation), Apple Pencil, Beats Pill+, Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2, the Siri Remote included with the Apple TV (4th generation) and the Apple TV Remote where Siri is unavailable.

History

The Lightning connector was introduced on September 12, 2012[1] as a replacement for the 30-pin dock connector, to be used for all new hardware that was announced at the same event. The first compatible devices were the iPhone 5, the iPod Touch (5th generation), and the iPod Nano (7th generation).[2] The iPad (4th generation) and the iPad Mini (1st generation) were added as Lightning devices in October 2012.[3][4]

On November 25, 2012, Apple acquired the "Lightning" trademark in Europe from Harley-Davidson. Apple was given a partial transfer of the Lightning trademark, suggesting that Harley-Davidson likely retained the rights to use the name for motorcycle-related products.[5][6]

Technology

Apple Lightning to USB Cable (MD818)
Lightning Dock in iPad mini
Lightning connector

Lightning is an 8-pin connector which carries a digital signal. Unlike the connector it replaces (or the standard USB plug), the Lightning connector can be inserted either face up or face down. Apple offers various adapters which allow the Lightning connector to be used with other interfaces, such as 30-pin, USB, HDMI, VGA, and SD cards. The Lightning to 30-pin adapter supports only a limited subset of the available 30-pin signals: USB data, USB charging, and analog audio output.

Official Lightning connectors contain an authentication chip that was intended to make it difficult for third-party manufacturers to produce compatible accessories without being approved by Apple,[7] however, the chip has been cracked.[8]

The pin out is detailed in the info box. However, each pin on the reverse side of the connector is connected to its directly opposite twin on the other side. Part of the processor's job is to route the power and data signals correctly whichever way up the connector is inserted.[8]

Comparisons with micro-USB

Apple has not publicly discussed micro-USB, but various tech news website state that Lightning might have been used instead of Micro-USB because of its compatibility with docks and speaker systems;[9] the ability to insert the cable in either direction for user convenience;[10] Apple wishing to maintain control over the ethics of the supply chain of accessories[11] and charge a licensing fee; the structural weakness of USB connectors;[10] and the ability to either charge a device, or allow a device to power accessories. The optional supplemental standard USB On-The-Go allows USB devices to do this.[12]

On April 10, 2015, Apple announced a new line of MacBooks that featured USB Type-C, which has many similarities with Lightning, but many advantages over Micro-USB. USB Type-C incorporated many features which were present in Lightning but not in micro-USB such as being plugged in any direction. USB Type-C and Lightning are not interchangeable; they require adapters to work with each other.[13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Pollicino, Joe (September 12, 2012). "Apple's September 12th event roundup: iPhone 5, new iPods, iOS 6, Lightning and everything else". Engadget. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  2. ↑ Dillet, Romain (September 12, 2012). "The iPhone 5 Comes With The New "Lightning" Connector". TechCrunch. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  3. ↑ Schultz, Marianne (October 23, 2012). "Apple Announces Fourth-Generation iPad with Lightning Connector, New A6X Chip". MacRumors. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
  4. ↑ "iPad mini Technical Specifications". Apple Inc. December 2, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  5. ↑ Goldman, David (November 26, 2012). "Apple bought Lightning trademark from Harley-Davidson". CNNMoney.com. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Apple acquired Lightning trademark from Harley-Davidson". Apple Insider.
  7. ↑ Foresman, Chris (October 3, 2012). "Apple revising MFi program to limit third-party Lightning accessories". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  8. 1 2 http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/apple-lightning-connector-what-you-need-to-know-1106884
  9. ↑ "Engineer explains why Apple went with Lightning instead of Micro USB". idownloadblog.com. 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
  10. 1 2 "Hardware comparison: Lightning connector vs MicroUSB connector". pocketables.com. 2012-12-20. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
  11. ↑ "Made For iPhone manufacturers may have to comply with Apple's supplier responsibility code". Engadget. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
  12. ↑ "c|net: Clever adapter connects USB accessories to your Android device"
  13. ↑ Jaker, Neumann. "2 in 1 Micro USB And Lightning Sync And Data Charger Cable". Tik Tokk Tik.

Further reading

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