Gefen device transmits USB 2.0 up to 100ft

Gefen on Wednesday announced the a device that allows users to wirelessly extend USB 2.0 signals. Without using any wires, the company's new Wireless USB Extender can transmit USB 2.0 signals up to 100 feet in distance. The sender/receiver system delivers cable-free USB connectivity and is designed to offer plug and play method of removing USB devices from the computer station. The company said the device can be used in extending typical computer peripherals such as keyboard/mouse and printer with full operational functionality; it uses radio transmission based on 802.11a, b, g, n and Extreme USB technologies. The product requires no drivers and supports up to four remote USB devices.

Users simply connect the transmit device via a short cable to the computer and then place the wireless 4-port hub/receiver in a remote location to enable up to four remote USB 2.0 devices. Five-volt power supplies are used to drive the local and remote devices, the company noted.

The Gefen Wireless USB Extender works with cross-platform computer systems including Mac OS X, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Linux. It supports both low and hi-speed USB peripherals (v1.1 and v2.0) and transmits data at 54Mbps.

The Gefen Wireless USB Extender is available for $400 and ships with a standard 2-year warranty.

"An ideal solution for accessing the computer and powering devices in remote locations where running wires is undesirable, the cable-free extension solution transmits data at speeds up to 54 Mbps, providing an attractive alternative to wired solutions," the company said.