USB over Ethernet

[grantwilliams]

Hi all,

I'm trying to build a custom USB device which I need to place approximately 12 metres away from my laptop. Trouble is that the USB standard only allows 5 metres of cable and I'm not in a position to be able to use extension cables (with joins in the cables every 5 metres) nor have powered hubs every 5 metres also.

I'm thinking my best option is to use a USB over Ethernet connection however these are quite expensive. Does anyone know where I can get the schematics to create this connection?

Or, does anyone have a better idea? e.g. would using a USB to RS-232 connection work?

Thanks in advance!

Grant

 

[mainegeek]

What exactly is the device that you are trying to build?

Have you considered going wireless?

 

[Frank4d]

You probably already know USB is four wires... 5V, GND, data in, and data out.

You will need a RS-422 line driver & line receiver for each end which can be wired on a small prototype board. The 12 metre wiring between them should be twisted pairs (shielded would be better). You already have 5 volts available on the laptop end, and you'll need to have 5 volts available on the other end (ac-dc adapter or other). Maxim

http://maxim-ic.com

makes RS-422 transceivers that could do this with one chip per end.

 

[wannabegeekoh]

Ok Frank4d - you peeked my interest - could you expand on this concept? Maybe a little (This wire goes here, that wire goes there) type of discussion.