Feature: Displays
DisplayPort technology —
moving from strength to strength By Tomohide Yamazaki, Assistant Manager, Anritsu
D
isplayPort is a widely adopted digital interface standard for the transmission of high- resolution video and audio signals through
a single cable. Initially developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) and introduced in 2006, DisplayPort was designed to replace legacy interfaces such as VGA and DVI by providing greater flexibility, performance and scaleability for modern displays and computing devices. First one of the key benefits of
DisplayPort technology is its support of multi-display setups. Additionally, it enables high dynamic range, delivering brighter colours and higher contrast ratios for a more immersive viewing experience. The DisplayPort interface also carries audio signals, removing the need for a separate audio cable when connecting a monitor with speakers.
24 March 2026
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
Furthermore, its compact connector and robust protocol allow seamless integration into a wide range of devices, whether monitors, laptops, desktops, docking stations, or other systems. DisplayPort technology has evolved
over the years, with each iteration delivering improvements in bandwidth, signal integrity and interoperability. DisplayPort 2.0 arrived in 2019, with a substantial leap in performance, achieved by increasing the maximum bandwidth and introducing improved protocol layers, connector specifications and cable identification. These upgrades were made to support even higher resolutions and refresh rates for emerging applications. Three years later, in 2022, DisplayPort 2.1 was introduced, with further refined features, improved performance and greater reliability in high-definition environments. This version enables the digital transmission of high-definition and high-refresh-rate video, like 8K.
DisplayPort 2.1 achieves a maximum
data transfer bandwidth of 80Gbps with a 4-lane configuration, each lane supporting 20Gbps. Hence, this version carries 2.5 times more data than DisplayPort 1.4, delivering high- resolution video with a high refresh rate, optimal for applications that require real-time transfer of large volumes of data. DisplayPort 2.1 supports video and
audio output via USB-C ports through DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode), interworking with the USB4 and Thunderbolt standards. DP Alt Mode allows the direct transmission of DisplayPort signals through a USB Type-C connector, enabling high-resolution and high refresh rate video transmission without needing traditional video terminals. This makes it possible to simultaneously transmit data, video and power over a single cable, making installations neater whilst providing high-quality output, even on
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