Root Access

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8:49 AM

Stupid question: Can a computer program tell me the characteristics of a USB-C cable connected to it? (potentially with nothing at the other end)
For instance I would plug a USB-C cable into my computer, start the program, and it would say "This cable supports Thunderbolt and can be used to charge at max 5A 100W, its data throughput is 40 MB/second" or similar.
Is such a program physically possible?

Journeyman Geek

hmm

djsmiley2kStaysInside

Not a stupid question, but I don't believe it could be done

Journeyman Geek

actually considering how damned confusing USB C is...

its not a dumb question

djsmiley2kStaysInside

I beleive the cable properties are only known, once you're communicatiung with a device at the other end

there's no 'inteligence' in the cable.

Nicolas Raoul

So if I connect my nuclear station to my superlaser through a flimsy cable, the devices will "try" to send power, and somehow realize that the cable is not good enough to send all of these amperes? Rather than the cable saying "Hi, please don't send more than 0.5A through me"?

CaldeiraG

9:10 AM

seems about right

djsmiley2kStaysInside

9:38 AM

KJind of

by default, upto 0.5a is provided (or whatever the standard is, pre usb-C)

However, a USB C cable allows communications which the host and the client then go 'how much power you want homie?' and the client responds 'Power level 3!'

at which point it provides HIGHERVALUEamps

2 hours later…