# DockPort

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DockPort
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**DockPort** (originally codenamed *Lightning Bolt*[1]) is a [backward-compatible](/source/Backward_compatibility) extension of [DisplayPort](/source/DisplayPort), adding [USB 3.0](/source/USB_3.0) and [DC](/source/Direct_current) power, in addition to DisplayPort's video and audio signalling. Standardised by [VESA](/source/VESA), it is the first [royalty-free](/source/Royalty-free) industry standard to combine these four interface functions in one connector.[2][3] DockPort was developed by [AMD](/source/AMD) and [Texas Instruments](/source/Texas_Instruments), two member companies of VESA, as a low-cost alternative to [Thunderbolt](/source/Thunderbolt_(interface)), for use as a docking interface for laptops and other mobile devices.

The Texas Instruments HD3SS2521, as one example, is a DockPort controller that routes DisplayPort and USB 3.0 signals along with power over a standard DisplayPort cable. It was unveiled in 2013, and used as the basis of the final DockPort standard.[4] The docking, for instance, can provide MST hub implementation for multiple displays (through [DisplayPort](/source/DisplayPort), [HDMI](/source/HDMI), [DVI](/source/Digital_Visual_Interface), or [D-Sub](/source/D-subminiature)), a [SuperSpeed USB](/source/SuperSpeed_USB) hub, alongside audio and full bandwidth Gigabit Ethernet.

DockPort had little marketshare and a relatively short life. The release of [USB-C](/source/USB-C) in 2014 brought the ability to transfer video over a standard data port. [USB4](/source/USB4) takes this further, requiring the availability of DisplayPort, USB 2/3, and PCIe on every port. As such, it fully supplants DockPort.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SemiAccurate_1-0)** Ryan, Thomas (September 4, 2012). ["The Magic of AMD's Lightning Bolt"](http://www.semiaccurate.com/2012/09/04/the-magic-of-amds-lighting-bolt/). [SemiAccurate](/source/SemiAccurate). Retrieved January 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["DisplayPort™ Adds DockPort Extension to Royalty-Free VESA Standard"](http://www.vesa.org/featured-articles/displayport-adds-dockport-extension-to-royalty-free-vesa-standard/) (Press release). [VESA](/source/VESA). January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["displayport announces dockport"](http://www.displayport.org/pr/vesa-releases-dockport-standard/). VESA. June 3, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AnandTech_4-0)** Smith, Ryan (January 7, 2014). ["AMD/TI's DockPort Adopted As Official Extension to DisplayPort Standard"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140107200914/http://www.anandtech.com/show/7649/dockport-adopted-as-official-extension-to-displayport-standard). [AnandTech](/source/AnandTech). Archived from [the original](http://www.anandtech.com/show/7649/dockport-adopted-as-official-extension-to-displayport-standard) on January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.

## External links

- [Texas Instruments DockPort switch product page](http://www.ti.com/lsds/ti/interface/dock-port-products.page)

- ["AMD's DockPort Can Do", a promotional presentation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjOg0z2XzPE) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [DockPort](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DockPort) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DockPort?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.