How to extend a USB Signal transmission distance USB - the standard cable interface between PCs and laptops - and a whole multitude of peripherals and portable devices are fantastic for fast, easy transfer of both data and power. But great as it is, USB is significantly limited is its transmission distance. Join us as we see how USB measures up and how to stretch signal transmission distances a whole lot further.
USB or Universal Serial Bus - The cable and connectivity standard which we rely on so frequently for both data and power transmission just keeps getting better and better as we step into the realms of the latest version 3.1 with its massive new bandwidth and the new USB Type C connector - universal, super small and reversible. However, what isn't improving and is the main limitation of USB is the transmission distance. Did you know that USB version 2 is limited to just 5 meters of cable transmission distance and USB versions 3 and 3.1 to an, even more, disappointing 3 to 4 meters?... So when you're looking to connect USB devices over longer distances - usually when either one or both of the devices are fixed position rather than mobile (such as printers or interactive devices) - then we need to consider the options available to extend the transmission distance of a USB cable.
USB Cables: The first and most simple recommendation is to ensure you're using high-grade USB cables as this is going to ensure you're getting the greatest distance and performance from your connection. One of the most common mistakes made when attempting to extend USB transmission distances is to connect two-or-more passive USB cables together to go beyond the recommended 3 or 5-metre limits - that's simply not going to work!
However, there are active USB extender cables available (sometimes also referred to as 'repeater' cables) which will regenerate the USB signal - Allowing for a passive and active USB cable to be connected together. Remember though, that most active repeater USB cables are 'bus' powered (i.e., they take their power from the host device's USB interface). Therefore, this option should only really be applied to data a transmission as opposed to peripheral device charging.
USB Hub: The next option to increase your USB signal transmission distance is to use a usb hub. Similar to an active repeater cable, a Hub regenerates the signal at the end of the USB cable which can then be sent again to another USB cable. So, for instance, a USB 2.0 signal could be connected to a 5-metre cable, connected to a Hub which itself is then connected to another 5 meter USB cable to increase your signal distance to 10 meters. And, in fact, using self-powered hubs, you can daisy-chain a number of these together to a maximum of 5 hubs, so by connecting your host device at one end. And your peripheral device at the other, up to six, 5 meters USB 2.0 cables can be connected using five powered hubs to achieve a maximum of 30 meters. Remember, however, that repeater hubs need power and so the idea of running a signal via five hubs all connected to their own power source isn't really a truly viable option! Active hubs can also be used to increase USB versions 3 and 3.1 of course, though the limit of using 3-metre cables in between still applies.
- Dodocool Hub: USB-C to 3-Port usb 3.0 hub with Power Delivery 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, A data transfer gates, one Gigabit Ethernet port and one USB-C PD charging port via a separate USB-C port on your PCs. Each USB 3.0 port boosts data transfer rates of up to 5 Gbps. Hot swappable, plug and play and no operators needed. It is an ideal extension resolution for laptops with a USB-C port.
- USB-C Power Delivery Advanced Power Dehvery 2.O technology allows you to charge your MacBook, Pixel, Chromebook or other USB PD supported USB-C Laptops while connecting multiple USB-A peripherals for data transfer. So there are some options for increasing USB transmission by a few meters beyond the limitations of a standard cable, but what if you need to transmit even further? Do we have any suggestions? Well, how about a solution to send USB over 100 meters?! There are some extender kits available on the market which will allow USB signals to be transmitted over Ethernet cable to lengths of up to 100 meters. This extender kit example we have here comprises a transmitter unit (which is connected to the host device such as a PC) and a receiver unit which, in this case, can be connected to up to 4 peripheral USB devices. The USB extender transmitter and receiver are connected to one another via standard Category 5e, 6 or 7 Ethernet cable to provide a greatly increased 2-way transmission of USB 2.0 signals. And we are sure it won't be long until USB 3.1 extender kits also land on the market!
So there are a number of opportunities available to break out of the limits of USB cable distances. Click on the screen now to find out more, and leave us your thoughts and further questions in the comments section below.