Modern technologies have influenced the fact that almost every home has a computer or laptop that is connected to the World Wide Web. For unhindered access to the Internet, users often use a powerful 3G modem, which, under certain conditions, does not catch the Network well. Not everyone can buy a specialized amplified antenna, which makes it necessary to build a USB extension cable with your own hands.
Working principle
To build a quality USB extension cable with your own hands, you need to know how it works. First of all, the master must determine the length of the future product. Using a standard extension cable, you can connect remote devices at a distance of 5 meters or more. Experts describe such devices as passive products. But in most cases thisthe length is not enough to solve the task, since it is not always possible to place a printer, scanner or any other peripheral device in close proximity to the computer. You can fix the problem if you make a USB extension cable with your own hands. A special circuit allows you to repeatedly amplify the signal, due to which you can connect any unit that is located at a distance of 50 meters from the PC. To achieve the desired result, you must use the USB 2.0 protocol. The extension cable functions stably without installing additional programs, which does not affect the state of the computer in any way.
Highlights
First of all, it should be noted that you can make a USB extension cable with your own hands only if the master already has minimal experience with radio engineering and electrical appliances. Otherwise, it is better not to waste your free time, but immediately purchase a finished product in a specialized store. To work, you will definitely need a classic USB cable of small length. It is best if it has a special ferrite core, which will qualitatively dampen incoming high-frequency interference. Such a piece of material can be bought at any radio market at a symbolic price. To work, you will also need a UTP cable belonging to high categories (5e, 6, 6e). The speed of operation of devices at the opposite end will directly depend on this.
Factory models
If the master cannotto make a 15-meter USB extension cable with your own hands, then it is better to buy a finished product. Specialized models include two ports at once, which significantly reduces the voltage drop in the conductors. Such extension cords are actively used by many users to connect external optical drives, modems, and other gadgets. In addition to them, active extension cords can be found on sale, in which manufacturers have provided for the presence of a repeater circuit signal.
Operating parameters
Handmade powered USB extension cable allows you to connect products from a long distance. The master needs to take into account the fact that the quality of the transmitted information depends on the length. Factory models have a maximum length of 5 meters, but homemade cables can reach 50 meters. Special attention should always be paid to attenuation. The wire itself consists of four copper wires, two of which are responsible for power, and the rest carry the signal. All of them are enclosed in a special braid, which qualitatively shields data transmission from external electromagnetic signals. It is worth noting that the different ends of the cable are physically oriented. Using the cable, an interface is formed for exchanging information between the USB tail and any other device.
Classic scheme
To build a USB extension cable with your own hands, you must first prepare wire cutters or scissors to cut the cable. High-quality stripping of wires is carried outspecial tools, but in their absence, you can get by with a classic kitchen knife. Reliable fixation is carried out with a soldering iron, rosin and solder. It is worth noting that in this case, twisting is simply unacceptable, since there is a lot of resistance. Heat shrink tubing can be used to isolate solder joints. Ordinary insulating tape will also work. First of all, the master will have to cut the cable into segments of the required length and part all the ends. A standard USB cable has four conductors, but a UTP cable has eight. Each pair is individually soldered to the USB conductor, but in accordance with the colors. At the final stage, it is imperative to check if there are any broken sections left. The heat shrink tubes are moved to the soldering points and heated with a building hair dryer until they fit completely. After complete cooling, all conductors are assembled into a single bundle and insulated again. Before connecting a DIY USB extension cable for the first time, you need to check all the contacts with a tester.
Product with additional power
If the master plans to make an improved type of USB extension cable with his own hands, then he needs to follow all the recommendations of experts. A cable with additional power is great if the length of the finished product is more than 15 meters. The classic version in such a situation will be extremely unstable. All manipulations practically coincide with the traditional way of making an extension cord, only the red wire from the computer is not connected to the socket, but additional5 V from an external source. This do-it-yourself option for making a USB extension cable for a modem is highly valued among specialists, since the quality of the final connection is at the highest level.
Working with twisted pair
To work, you will need a sufficient amount of wire, shielded foil, heat shrink tubing, two AM and AF connectors, and electrical tape. You also need to prepare a soldering iron, side cutters, knife, flux, solder. The process of making a do-it-yourself USB twisted-pair extender begins with pairing and aligning the ends of the wire. Using a knife, carefully remove the upper shell together with the foil at a distance of a maximum of one centimeter. The wires should be connected according to the following scheme: green-white - with orange-white, green - with orange. Everything is carefully soldered. It is necessary to pre-cut the heat shrink tube into several pieces of 5 cm each. Each segment is put on a twisted pair cable. After checking by the tester, you can turn on the modem.
Effective signal amplification
To implement this idea, the master will need a small sheet of aluminum. If this material is not available, then ordinary foil can be used. You will also need an extension cord and improvised tools. The sheet of metal must be bent into a small arc, which will enhance the reception. In the center you need to build a mount for the modem. The prepared structure is fixed outside the window. The reflector must be directed towards the main operator's tower. The modem is attached to the holder and connectedextension. This product is perfect for signal amplification. It is worth noting that this option is not suitable for those who live in an apartment on the ground floor, as intruders can simply steal the equipment. At night, it is better to hide the structure. You can also buy a finished product, which is designed to amplify the signal. The choice always depends on the wishes of the user.
