KVM peripheral maker Gefen Inc. has announced the release of the USB-500, a four port USB extender that enables computers and USB-based peripherals to communicate with each other up to 1,650 feet apart.
Normally, USB signals can only operate effectively within about 16.5 feet (or 3 meters) of the computer. The USB-500 utilizes a fiber optic transmission system to extend that range up to 1,650 feet, instead (when using 62.5/125 multimode fiber).
The USB-500 joins other similar devices in Gefen’s lineup, but this is by far the longest-range USB extender that Gefen has introduced — by comparison, the company also provides products that work up to about 330 feet. Gefen Inc. president Hagai Gefen explained that some of the company’s customers had extension needs beyond what was already available.
The US$949 USB-500 sports 1 USB Type B sender connector for upstream communication. The sender and receiver are connected via an MT-RJ connector, and the receiver terminates in 4 USB Type A connectors. Separate power adapters power both the send and receive units, and the receiver provides up to 500mA of bus power to each USB port, if necessary.
More details are available from Gefen’s Web site.
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