USB On The Go: What It Is and How It Works, Please Read This Article

 

The USB 2.0 standard has a set of communication protocols that enable the connection of Universal Serial Bus flash drives or a joypad to smartphones. that’s how

Maybe you have read it while brushing the technical specifications of the top-of-the range Android smartphone you want to buy for a long time. And, maybe always, you started asking yourself what USB on-the-go is and what it’s for. And, above all, because it is a feature that is easier to find in the technical sheet of high-end devices than in the mid-range or medium-low range. But let’s proceed with order.

What is USB On-The-Go?

 

USB on-the-go, or OTG, is a set of protocols. They are part of the USB 2.0 standard, and later. OTG first appeared in 2001. These protocols let any USB-equipped device act as a host. This lets keyboard repair, mice, gamepads, and USB sticks connect to a smartphone, tablet, or other OTG device. They can then use their functions. The OTG standard defines two different roles for each supported device: OTG a and OTG b. The first acts from host and is, in the pair, the one supplying the electrical energy necessary for the functioning of the second.

What is USB on-the-go

It must be said, however, that this communication standard is not exclusive to Android smartphones. All USB 2.0 standard-compliant devices could use its features. It is the device’s manufacturer that decides to turn on or off the OTG. It must provide the software to manage the communication flows and make it fully functional.

How Universal Serial Bus OTG works

  • To ensure full functionality of the OTG devices, three new communication protocols have been added to the 2.0 standard (and later). They define a three-phase exchange of data between two Universal Serial Bus devices that support OTG.

    • Attach detection protocol (ADP). It allows a USB device to check whether or not electric current flows in the circuits. The device checks, at regular intervals, for a connection to another OTG device, a USB cable, or if the door is still empty. If a change in electrical potential is detected in the circuits, it means something is waiting for a signal. The USB device will then power the other device and generate a SRP.

    • Session request protocol (SRP). The role played by this protocol is, as can be understood, consequential to that of ADP. Once the user connects the device to his host, the SRP will establish a communication between the two USB devices. It will allow both to manage the flow and current consumption. A very important protocol, therefore, especially for battery-powered devices, like smartphones and tablets, and their limited battery life.

    • Host negotiation protocol (HNP). OTG a’s role is usually done only by a certain type of device. But, during the same “connection” session, the two devices may swap roles. As we said, Universal Serial Bus on-the-go allows a Universal Serial Bus device to act as both a host and a device. Thanks to the HNP protocol, this happens automatically. It allows an OTG b to take control and manage data exchange with the other device.

    smartphone-usb-drive

    How to check if your smartphone supports Universal Serial Bus on-the-go. It’s not exclusive, but smartphones are the first devices that come to mind for USB on-the-go. To verify that your mobile device is compatible with OTG protocols, you can follow different paths. First of all, just check if the box is printed with the “USB on the go” logo, as in the image. Alternatively, you can search for your smartphone model on the GSM Arena portal and verify that the “USB host” specification is in the data sheet. Lastly, you can trust USB OTG Checker, a free app from the Play Store. It will check your device’s compatibility with Universal Serial Bus OTG.

    USB on-the-go applications

    You can connect USB devices to your Android phone if it supports OTG. This will expand its functionality. First of all, however, we would need an OTG adapter cable that allows the two devices to communicate without problems.

    The cable let us connect a USB stick to our smartphone. This freed up the phone’s memory. Or, again, connect your mouse and keyboard and turn it into a sort of tiny portable PC. Also, you can connect a Universal Serial Bus joypad, like an Xbox one. It gives you more control over smartphone games. In short, the only limit to the use of USB on the go seems to be imagination.