How to (re)create an USB 3 header interface PCB?

pcb-designusbusb device

I would like to start a "small" project. Create an USB 3 version of an existing USB 2 PCB.

On the PCB there is only 2 USB connectors, a capacitor and a USB header (to connect to the USB controller). The PCB has a special shape (not a rectangle or square).

I'm not an engineer, this is the first time I'm trying to do this. Not sure where to start or what to search to help me start.

  1. Which software should I use to do this (to design the PCB)?
  2. Where do I buy the parts to do this?
  3. What should I search on the Web to help me started?

Picture of what I want to (re)create (in USB 3):
Top view
Angled view
Side view
Back view

Best Answer

There are no special requirements for trace routing, aside from the usual high speed data line routing specifications. The same that USB 2 requires.

Keep differential pairs together (D+/D-, SSTX+/SSTX-, etc), and keep them the same length, as much as you can. Since the pinout of a usb 3.0 jack keeps them together, and the pinout of the header does as well, it should be simple. Heck, USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with 2.0, you don't even have to route the new pins. You could make a 2.0 jack to 3.0 Header, or a 3.0 jack to 2.0 header.

USB 3.0 header adaptors are pretty much the same as USB 2.0, just with more pins.

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You can find them made in many types as is (Google USB 3 Header): enter image description here enter image description here enter image description here enter image description here

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