In order to comply with the specifications, the maximum length of USB 3.0 cables is limited to 3-8 m. With the use of repeaters cable lengths up to 20 m are possible. With signal conversion into optical signals cable lengths up to 100 m are possible. The USB bus provides power supply with 5 V and 900 mA max.

Cable design

The following illustration shows the basic design of a shielded USB cable:

•SSTX+/-: SuperSpeed Transmit (data transfer from host to the device)

•SSRX+/-: SuperSpeed Receive (data ransfer from device to the host)

•D+/D-: data transfer (USB 2.0)

•+5 V/GND: power supply

Fig. 72: Basic design of a USB 3.0 cable

Connector types

On the PC side, USB 3.0 cables are equipped with a standard A type plug (8 pins) and on the device side either with a standard B plug or a micro-B plug. In addition, some USB uEye camera models feature non-standard connectors which are lockable.

Fig. 73:  USB 3.0 cable standard A	Fig. 74: USB 3.0 cable standard B
Fig. 75: USB 3.0 cable micro B

While a USB 3.0 standard A plug and a USB 2.0 port can be used together (with the restriction that only USB 2.0 speed is possible), the standard B and micro B plug are no longer compatible with USB 2.0 ports. You find more information about cables and connections in the whitepaper "USB 3.0 - Background Factors, New Features and Applicability as a Camera Interface" on our website.