Intel put a name on its next-generation Thunderbolt protocol on Tuesday, bestowing the unsurprising “Thunderbolt 2” on the new standard which doubles the throughput of its ancestor, while maintaining backward compatibility.
Previously referred to by its codename “Falcon Ridge,” Thunderbolt 2 will boast a bandwidth of 20Gbps, which Intel said is good enough for the simultaneous transfer and display of 4K “Ultra HD” video.
Intel is using a new controller chip that combines the first-generation Thunderbolt’s 10Gbps uni-directional channels into a single 20Gbps bi-directional channel. Thunderbolt 2 will also include support for DisplayPort 1.2, allowing streaming of video to one 4K monitor, or dual QHD displays.
Thunderbolt 2 will not require new cables or accessory hardware, retaining complete backward compatibility with existing Thunderbolt products.
Intel hasn’t announced a specific date for Thunderbolt 2’s release, but said it should be in production by the end of 2013, with a ramp-up into 2014.
