Lightware CAB-USB-AMAF-T1600A 16m long USB 3.1 Gen1 SuperSpeed Active Extension Cable TypeA/male to TypeA/female - 13740022

Product Overview

The Lightware CAB-USB-AMAF-T1600A is a 16-meter USB 3.1 Gen1 SuperSpeed active extension cable with Type-A male and Type-A female connectors, designed for commercial AV and IT installations where USB peripherals must be extended beyond the standard 5-meter passive cable limit. Powered by the Taurus UCX chipset built into the cable, it operates entirely on bus power drawn from the host USB 3.0 port — no external power supply or separate pigtail cable is required. The cable maintains native USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and USB 1.1 backward compatibility, making it suitable for cameras, control interfaces, audio interfaces, and interactive peripherals in conference rooms, classrooms, and production environments.

Product Description

The active repeater circuitry is integrated into the cable itself, eliminating the need for an external repeater unit between source and device. This keeps cable routing clean for conduit installation and reduces points of failure. USB 3.0/3.1 Gen1 data rates are maintained at 5 Gbps with no added USB tier on the USB3 signal layer. The USB2 signal layer adds one tier, which is standard for active extension cables and remains within the USB specification's seven-tier maximum.

The cable jacket is black PVC with a 6.4mm diameter, sized for standard cable management and conduit systems. The downstream end provides 5V at 900mA to the connected device, meeting USB 3.0 power delivery specifications. The cable is compatible with all USB device classes supported by the host operating system without requiring driver installation.

Key Features

• 16m active USB extension — extends USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed) beyond the 5m passive limit to 16 meters
• Bus-powered, no external power required — Taurus UCX chipset draws power from the USB 3.0 host port; no PSU or pigtail needed
• 5 Gbps USB 3.0/3.1 Gen1 data rate — no throttling of SuperSpeed bandwidth over the full 16m length
• USB 2.0 backward compatible — 480 Mbps USB 2.0 and 12 Mbps USB 1.1 devices operate natively
• No external repeater unit — active circuitry integrated into the cable; conduit-friendly profile
• No added USB3 hub tier — preserves USB3 tier budget for downstream hubs and devices
• 900mA device power delivery — 5V at 900mA at the downstream connector; meets USB 3.0 spec
• Standard Type-A connectors — USB 3.0 Type-A male (upstream) to Type-A female (downstream)

Typical Applications

• Conference room and huddle space USB cameras, speakerphones, or codec peripherals located more than 5 meters from the host AV processor
• Classroom and lecture theater interactive whiteboards or touch displays connected back to a teacher's workstation
• Broadcast and production USB audio interfaces, control surfaces, or capture devices positioned at distance from the host computer
• Medical simulation and training equipment requiring USB connectivity across a room without in-line repeaters
• Digital signage and kiosk installations with USB input devices at distance from the embedded computing platform

Technical Specifications

Competitor Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the cable require an external power supply?

No. The active repeater circuitry (Taurus UCX chipset) is powered entirely from the USB 3.0 host port. The cable draws its operating power from the host and delivers 5V at 900mA to the connected peripheral. No wall adaptor, USB power injector, or additional cable is needed.

Can multiple CAB-USB-AMAF-T1600A cables be daisy-chained for longer distances?

No. The USB specification does not permit active cable extension in series. Each active cable adds one tier to the USB2 signal layer, and the specification limits the total number of tiers. For distances beyond 16 meters, a dedicated USB 3.0 over fiber or USB over CATx extender solution is required.

Is the cable compatible with USB hubs downstream?

Yes. A USB hub can be connected to the female end to serve multiple peripherals. The 900mA available at the downstream port is shared across the hub and its connected devices. For hubs with multiple high-power devices, a self-powered hub is recommended at the downstream end.

What USB device classes are supported?

All USB device classes supported by the host operating system are supported, including audio, video, HID (keyboards, mice, touch screens), mass storage, and vendor-specific devices. No additional drivers are required for the cable itself.

Is this suitable for use in cable conduit?

Yes. The 6.4mm diameter PVC jacket is sized for standard AV and IT conduit. Because the active repeater is integrated into the cable with no external housing, the cable passes through conduit as a conventional cable run without requiring enlarged or branched conduit sections.

Where can I purchase and get support for this product?

The CAB-USB-AMAF-T1600A is available at creationnetworks.net. Our team can advise on USB extension solutions for your specific installation requirements.