EXT-USBC2XI-100M: Dual-Host USB 3.2 Extender Overview

The EXT-USBC2XI-100M carries USB 3.2 Gen 1 at up to 5Gbps for 100m/328ft over a single CAT6a (F/FTP) cable. Two computers can connect to it: one over USB-C and one over USB-B. The pair also passes RS-232 and an FSYNC camera-sync signal, and powers both units from one supply. It needs no drivers, downloads or software, so the peripherals at the far end work as if they were plugged into the host.

Applies to: EXT-USBC2XI-100M

What does the EXT-USBC2XI-100M extend, and how far?

It extends USB 3.2 Gen 1 at up to 5Gbps for 100m/328ft over one CAT6a (F/FTP) cable. It is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1, so older peripherals work on the same link. The USB cable at each end can be up to 1.5m/4.9ft long. Hardware acceleration for isochronous and bulk transfer is built in, which covers both streaming devices and file transfers. Use shielded F/FTP cable: on unshielded cable the link may drop to USB 2.0 at 100m.

How do the two host inputs work?

The transmitter has two host inputs. HOST 1 is USB-C, for a USB-C computer or controller. HOST 2 is USB-B, for a computer or legacy control system. You can switch between them with the host button on the transmitter, or let the extender choose by detecting USB 5V on each input. The HOST 1/2 LED shows which input is active. A control system can also select the host with the ASCII commands set input 1 and set input 2, and turn automatic switching on or off with set autoswitch on and set autoswitch off.

What device ports are at each end, and what do they supply?

Peripherals can plug in at both ends. The receiver has one USB-C and three USB-A device ports. The transmitter has one USB-C and two USB-A device ports of its own. Most ports supply 5V/1A, and two of the receiver's USB-A ports supply 5V/1.5A. A device that needs more power than its port supplies may need a self-powered USB hub at the receiver. Over the API, you can set each device port to off, on while a host is connected, or always on.

Which kinds of USB devices does it support?

It supports HID, Mass Storage, Audio, Video Class and CDC devices. If a device is not recognised at the receiver, check first that its class is on this list, then check that it does not draw more power than its port supplies.

What else runs over the same CAT6a cable?

Three more things share the cable with USB:

• RS-232: pass-through between the units, plus ASCII API control, on the TX, ground and RX pins of the 4-pin 3.5mm phoenix block on each unit.
• FSYNC: a GPIO signal that passes one way, from the transmitter's IO pin to the receiver's, for camera synchronization. The default level is 0-5V. FSYNC only passes while the link is up.
• Bi-directional 24V PoC: one 24V/3.75A locking supply at either unit powers both.

Can each unit have its own power supply?

No. The PoC system is designed for one power supply only. Connect the included 24V/3.75A locking adapter to either the transmitter or the receiver, never to both at once. The other unit is powered over the CAT6a cable.

Can the link run through a network switch or patch panel?

No. Run the CAT6a F/FTP cable directly from the HDBT-USB3 port on the transmitter to the HDBT-USB3 port on the receiver. There must be no network switches, patch panels, couplers or coupler boxes in the path. When the units are linked, the LINK LED stays lit on both. The USB LED stays lit for a USB 3.0 connection and blinks for USB 2.0.

How is it controlled and updated?

You can send API commands through the RS-232 pins or through the USB-C SERVICE port on either unit. The SERVICE port is fixed at 115200 bps. The RS-232 port can be set from 4800 to 115200 bps and starts at 115200 bps. Both use 8N1. Firmware updates go through the SERVICE port, one unit at a time, and either HOST port can update the hub firmware.

Key specifications