VESA Introduces Specification for DockPort

VESA has declared DockPort, an interface protocol developed by AMD and Texas Instruments, a standard as the specification is finalized. This allows manufacturers to now develop hardware that is compatible with DockPort.

Already during CES in January it became clear that VESA, the organization that drafts and manages the displayport standard, wanted to expand the displayport specification with DockPort, a technology based on AMD’s Lightning Bolt. DockPort allows multiple video signals, data at gigabit rates, USB data streams, and power to be combined in a single cable connection.

In addition to displayport-compatible video signals, which can drive up to four monitors, USB signals can also be sent over a DockPort connection, making a wide range of peripherals compatible. The USB 3.1 standard is used for this. Furthermore, power can be sent over the cable, but it is not yet entirely clear how much power is specified maximum. According to AnandTech, the USB 3.1 specification offers multiple profiles and it is not clear which profile was chosen for the DockPort specification.

VESA states that DockPort is especially useful for connecting a tablet or laptop to a monitor or docking station, for example. By requiring only a single cable, costs could be reduced. Manufacturers can start releasing hardware with the adoption of the DockPort specification, according to VESA, although a test to check whether new equipment meets the specification is not yet complete. The first hardware compatible with DockPort may be launched in the course of this year, presumably based on a controller chip developed by Texas Instruments.