HDMI active cable is a hybrid cable that combines optical fiber and copper cable technology to achieve high-speed, long-distance
The following is a detailed analysis of its key technologies:
1. Basic structure and working principle
Photoelectric conversion module:
Transmitter (Source ): Converts electrical signals into optical signals using laser diodes (such as VCSEL) or LED light sources.
Receiving end (Display end): converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through a photodetector (such as a PIN diode).
Fiber optic medium: Mainly multimode fiber (OM3/OM4), supporting high bandwidth, low loss transmission, and avoiding electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Power supply design: Rely on the +5V power supply (Pin 18) of the HDMI interface to power the optical module, without the need for an external power supply.
2.Technological advantages
Long distance transmission: supports 5 meters to 300 meters (copper cable HDMI is usually ÿ5 meters @4K 60Hz), with no signal attenuation. Pure optical fiber HDMI can be up to 500 meters rice;
High bandwidth: Compatible with HDMI 2.1 specification, supporting up to 48Gbps (8K@60Hz, HDR, VRR).
Anti-interference: Optical fiber is not affected by EMI/RFI and is suitable for industrial environments or near high-voltage equipment.
Lightweight: Thinner and more flexible than copper cables of the same length (about 4-6mm in diameter), making it easier to route cables.
3. Performance parameters
Resolution and refresh rate:
4K@120Hz (with DSC compression), 8K@60Hz (HDMI 2.1).
Supports gaming features such as dynamic HDR and ALLM (automatic low latency mode).
Latency: Photoelectric conversion adds about 1-2ms of latency, but it is not noticeable for most applications.
Compatibility: Backward compatible with HDMI 2.0/1.4, but the terminal device must support the corresponding protocol.
4. Key technical challenges
Power consumption management: The power consumption of the optical module must be controlled within the power supply capacity of the HDMI interface (approximately 50-500mA).
Thermal design: When the chip is running at high speed, the heat generated needs to be optimized through heat dissipation materials or structures.
Signal protocol processing: A built-in Repeater chip is required to process HDCP 2.3, EDID and other protocols to avoid handshake failure.
5. Application scenarios
Professional audio and video: cinema-grade 8K projection, large LED wall.
Medical/Education: Long-distance lossless transmission of surgical images or 4K teaching videos.
Industrial control: monitoring system in strong electromagnetic interference environment.
VR/AR: New head-mounted display devices with low latency and high bandwidth requirements.
6. Comparison with other transmission solutions
|
Features AOC |
Traditional copper cable |
Optical fiber + independent photoelectric converter |
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Maximum distance 100 meters |
5-15 m |
300 m+ |
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Cost Medium to High (ÿ500-2000) Low (ÿ50-300) High (ÿ1000+) |
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Installation complexity: Plug and Play |
Plug and Play |
External device configuration required |
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Reliability High (no oxidation problem) Medium (connectors are prone to aging) High |
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7. Purchase considerations
Version Match: Confirm HDMI 2.1 ATC certification.
Fiber type: OM4 fiber has lower loss than OM3 and is suitable for ultra-long distances.
Brand and warranty: We recommend brands such as AOCFIBERLINK, and the warranty period is usually 1-2 years.
8. Future Development Trends
Integration: The photoelectric conversion chip is directly embedded into the display device interface.
Multi-protocol support: compatible with USB4/DP over Fiber, achieving multi-functionality with one cable.
Cost reduction: As silicon photonics technology becomes more popular, AOC prices are expected to approach those of high-end copper cables.
From the above analysis, it can be seen that fiber optic hdmi cable has irreplaceable advantages in long distance and high-bandwidth scenarios, but its cost and technical complexity require users to Weighing choices based on international needs.
If you want to buy optical hdmi cables, please contact us.
