Product Overview

The Huddly USB-A 3.0 Active Optical Cable (SKU: 7090043790436) extends USB 3.0 connectivity up to 15 meters (49 feet) for Huddly IQ camera installations. As an Active Optical Cable, it uses fiber optic technology to maintain SuperSpeed USB 3.0 signal integrity over distances that would degrade or fail with standard passive copper USB cables. It connects USB-A male to USB-A female and requires no powered hub or repeater at the midpoint.

Product Description

Standard passive USB 3.0 cables are limited by the USB specification to approximately 3 meters (10 feet) before signal degradation becomes a concern. In conference rooms where the camera is mounted on a display or ceiling and the host computer is located in a rack or at a credenza, this distance limitation creates an installation challenge. The Huddly 15m Active Optical Cable resolves this by using active electronics and an optical fiber core to regenerate and transmit the USB 3.0 signal over the full 15-meter length without signal loss.

The cable is designed specifically for use with the Huddly IQ camera and is plug-and-play: the USB-A male end connects to the host computer or codec, and the USB-A female end connects to the Huddly IQ USB cable. No additional power supply, powered hub, or inline repeater is required. The active electronics in the cable draw their power from the USB host port. This makes the installation clean and straightforward, with a single cable run from the host to the camera location.

For AV integrators specifying long cable runs in conference rooms, boardrooms, or training spaces, this AOC extension provides a reliable solution that preserves the full 5 Gbps bandwidth of SuperSpeed USB 3.0, ensuring the Huddly IQ camera operates at its full capability at the remote end of the run.

Key Features

• 15m / 49ft Active Extension Extends USB 3.0 connectivity to 15 meters, covering the typical distance from a rack-mounted computer to a display-top or ceiling-mount camera.
• Active Optical Cable Technology Uses fiber optic transmission with active electronics to maintain signal integrity over the full cable length without repeaters.
• SuperSpeed USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) Passes the full 5 Gbps bandwidth required for uncompressed HD video transmission from the Huddly IQ.
• No Powered Hub Required The active electronics draw power from the USB host port, eliminating the need for an external power supply or midpoint hub.
• USB-A Male to USB-A Female Standard connector format that integrates into existing USB cable runs without adapters.
• Plug-and-Play No driver installation or configuration required; recognized as a transparent USB extension by the host operating system.

Typical Applications

• Huddly IQ camera installations where the host computer is located in a rack or credenza more than 3 meters from the camera
• Conference rooms and boardrooms with ceiling-mount or high wall-mount camera positions
• AV rack integrations where a single clean cable run from rack to camera is required
• Training rooms and huddle spaces requiring extended USB camera cable runs
• Installations pairing the Huddly IQ with a USB speakerphone where the combined USB run exceeds passive cable limits

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can this cable be used with cameras other than the Huddly IQ?
A: This cable is specified and sold by Huddly for use with the Huddly IQ camera. It is a standard USB 3.0 AOC and may function with other USB 3.0 devices, but compatibility with non-Huddly hardware is not guaranteed or supported.

Q: Does the AOC cable require an external power source?
A: No. The active electronics in the cable are powered by the USB host port. No wall adapter, power injector, or powered USB hub is required in the cable run.

Q: What is the difference between an Active Optical Cable and a passive USB extension?
A: A passive USB extension is a simple copper wire that degrades signal over distance, with a practical limit of approximately 3 to 5 meters for USB 3.0. An Active Optical Cable uses fiber optic transmission with active signal conditioning at each end to maintain signal integrity over much longer distances in this case, up to 15 meters.

Q: Will this cable work with a Huddly USB adapter or hub in the cable run?
A: The cable is designed for a direct run from host to camera without intermediate hubs or adapters. Adding powered hubs or other active devices in the chain may affect performance and is not a supported configuration.

Q: Is there a shorter version of this cable available?
A: Yes. Huddly also offers a 10m (33ft) AOC extension cable (SKU: 7090043790450) and a 5m (16.5ft) version (SKU: 7090043790443), both available from Creation Networks.