The Manufacturer

Why buy USB 3.0 Cable

USB 3.0 also known as SuperSpeed USB is poised to be the next protocol change that you should be paying attention to. As early as 2007 a new USB standard known as USB 3.0 was introduced and the specs have began to be integrated into modern computing hardware. So why is it a trend to buy USB 3.0 Cable? It’s very easy to comprehend. Superspeed USB is fully backwards compatible but also opens up a whole new world of speed in data transfer abilities.

USB 2.0 is supposed to work at up to 480mbps but is more likely to run around a 320mbps transfer rate to compare USB 3.0 or Superspeed USB can run a transfer rate of 4.8Gbps which is an incredible boost in capabilities.

This increased speed can be very useful for transfer of large files between high capacity external drives especially if you often read/write directly to your external - the speed and ease of file transfer between your PC and camera or media phone should be impressive also.

It’s a time of USB 3.0. Go buy an USB 3.0 Cable to experience the speed.

About Digital Audio Cables

The cables and connectors used to interface various components in sound systems play a key role in enhancing your audio experience.

Today's audio devices no longer use analog signals to create sound. They use digital signals derived from data, namely, 0's and 1's.

The term ‘analog’ is used for phonographs and audio cassettes. Digital media includes CD's, MP3's and DVD’s, in which audio signals are processed by a chip to create superior sound. Digital audio cable is manufactured with the aim to preserve and transmit the digital signals, maintaining the highest possible quality. They come in two distinct flavors; coaxial digital cables and optical digital cables.

Coaxial digital cables are the most common type of connection cable used for digital audio. They look similar to the RCA cables that many people use and are familiar with. The only difference is that it carries digital signals instead of analog signals. These cables look very similar to standard analog RCA cables. They are thicker than RCA cables and are shielded just like regular cable TV coaxial cables. The interference from outside signals is minimized with greater shielding.

Coaxial digital cables transmit digital signals in pulses of electricity. They consist of copper wires shielded from interference with the help of surrounding aluminum wraps. The wires are housed in a strong outer case. Coaxial digital cables used for audio applications have an impedance of 75 ohm, which means they can handle considerable energy. Also, they have a larger bandwidth than a normal RCA cable. For an affordable digital audio cable that delivers premium sound, coaxial digital cables are an extremely attractive choice.

Four Types of HDMI Connector

There are four HDMI connector types. Type A and type B are defined in the HDMI 1.0 specification, type C is defined in the HDMI 1.3 specification, and type D is defined in the HDMI 1.4 specification.

Type A

Nineteen pins, with bandwidth to support all SDTV, EDTV, and HDTV modes. The plug (male) connector outside dimensions is 13.9 mm × 4.45 mm and the receptacle (female) connector inside dimensions is 14 mm × 4.55 mm. Type A is electrically compatible with single-link DVI-D.

Type B

This connector (21.2 mm × 4.45 mm) has 29 pins and can carry double the video bandwidth of type A, for use with very high-resolution future displays such as WQUXGA (3840×2400) Type B is electrically compatible with dual-link DVI-D, but has not yet been used in any products.

Type C

A Mini connector defined in the HDMI 1.3 specification, it is intended for portable devices. It is smaller than the type A plug connector (10.42 mm × 2.42 mm) but has the same 19-pin configuration. The differences are that all positive signals of the differential pairs are swapped with their corresponding shield, the DDC/CEC Ground is assigned to pin 13 instead of pin 17, the CEC is assigned to pin 14 instead of pin 13, and the reserved pin is 17 instead of pin 14. The type C Mini connector can be connected to a type A connector using a type A-to-type C cable.

Type D

A Micro connector defined in the HDMI 1.4 specification keeps the standard 19 pins of types A and C but shrinks the connector size to something resembling a micro-USB connector. The type D connector is 2.8 mm × 6.4 mm, whereas the type C connector is 2.42 mm × 10.42 mm; for comparison, a micro-USB connector is 2.94 mm × 7.8 mm and usb a is 11.5 mm × 4.5 mm.

What is a 3G Antenna?

A 3G antenna enhances local internet signal strength and permits the use of devices on a local wireless network. 3G refers to the third generation wireless technology that provides high speed access to mobile telephone and data transfer systems. Installation of a 3G antenna should improve data reception, reduce signal noise and increase transfer rates. 3G antennas are used in some cell phones and handsets to allow for quicker access to the Internet, including sending e-mails, taking part in video conferences and streaming videos. Other uses include antennas for laptops and computers to increase the connection strength when using the Internet.

International Mobile Communications 2000 (IMT-2000) started using the pattern of "G" in the 1990’s. IMT-2000 began these designations with 2G technology, which was recognized as the technology responsible for the mobile phone network that is in use today. IMT-2000 then progressed to 2.5G, which provided a faster transfer of data, and now the 3G technology allows for the simultaneous use of voice telephone and data transfers. Compared to 2G and 2.5G, 3G is faster and must maintain a data transfer rate of 200 kilobytes (KB) per second to maintain the 3G rating.

There are three common types of 3G antenna that are available. The clip antenna is designed to clip directly onto the screen of the user’s laptop and is best suited for users who travel and use their computers in areas with generally adequate coverage. The High Gain antenna is used for areas with low signal to boost the signal so that a faster and better connection is provided to the user. The Outdoor Antenna is meant for those who have a poor signal or live on the edge of a signal area, usually remote areas, and it boosts the signal to allow the user to be able to connect to the Internet.

Some 3G antennas are omni-directional. This means that they can pick up signals from any direction and do not require to be aimed directly at local network tower. Omni antennas are useful for users who want a mobile antenna to boost an existing steady, but weak, signal.

A 3G antenna can also be directional, which requires precise aiming of the antenna toward the tower to get the maximum benefit. By finding the nearest tower, or directing the 3G antenna toward the strongest signal, the antenna can provide a boost to the signal. Some antenna suppliers boast that if a user installs their antenna, they will be provided with a signal where there was none before.

What is SCART Connector?

DEFINITION - A SCART connector is a physical and electrical interconnection between two pieces of audio-visual equipment, such as a television set and a video cassette recorder (VCR). Each device has a female 21-pin connector interface. A cable with a male plug at each end is used to connect the devices. (The 21st pin is actually not a pin but a ground shield contact.) Stereo audio, composite video, and control signals are provided in both directions. RGB video signals are input only. The interface is an industry standard originated by the French company, Peritel. Today, most new television sets and VCRs in the European market and other countries that use the PAL video standard come equipped with a SCART connector. SCART stands for Syndicat francais des Constructers d'Appareils Radio et Television. The connector is also known as a Euro-connector.

Although it is possible to build your own connecting cable, knowledgeable people recommend buying a commercial cable because of the detailed pin-crossovers and close pin connections. Different cables serve different purposes. A cable for connecting a VCR or a TV set to a high-fidelity audio system needs to use only three of the 21 pins.

It is more difficult to use the SCART connector to interconnect a VCR to a computer monitor because of the difficulty of synchronizing the composite video signal (which is companded into red, green, and blue) from the VCR with the RGB signals needed by the monitor.

A user reports that the tensional load of the cable can in time lead to difficulty getting all the connections to align properly.

CONTRIBUTORS: Art Blokland

How to Build a USB WiFi Antenna

You're tired of poor or intermittent wireless signals. You can only detect one or two networks, but you want to connect to the café down the street. With very few skills and a couple of simple tools, you can build a powerful USB WiFi antenna that will boost your WiFi detection range tenfold or more.

1
Purchase a USB WiFi adapter from your local computer hardware store (the price should be around $40 as of March 2009). Install it on your computer by following the on-screen setup instructions.

2
Find or buy an old metal object that is rounded, such as a tin can, bowl, small pot or strainer, and cut a hole in it that allows the USB adapter to fit snugly within it.

3
Push the USB adapter halfway through the hole so it won't slide out. Connect the USB extension cable from the computer to your adapter.

4
Hang the "antenna" so that the adapter and antenna are facing out the window (toward wherever more signals are likely to be found).

5
Search for and connect to wireless networks by right-clicking on the wireless icon in the taskbar and selecting "View Available Wireless Networks."

Tips & Warnings
If you have an old satellite dish lying around, try attaching the WiFi antenna to it for added signal strength.

Read more: How to Build a USB WiFi Antenna, eHow.com

Non line of sight (NLOS) propagation

Non-line-of-sight (NLOS) or near-line-of-sight is a term used to describe radio transmission across a path that is partially obstructed, usually by a physical object in the innermost Fresnel zone.

Many types of radio transmissions depend, to varying degrees, on line of sight between the transmitter and receiver. Obstacles that commonly cause Non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions include buildings, trees, hills, mountains, and, in some cases, high voltage electric power lines. Some of these obstructions reflect certain radio frequencies, while some simply absorb or garble the signals; but, in either case, they limit the use of many types of radio transmissions, especially when low on power budget.

Lower power levels at receiver give less space for correctly picking the transmission. Low levels can be caused by at least three basic reasons: low transmit level (such as WiFi), far-away transmitter (such as 3G above 5 miles away or TV more than 50 km away), or obstruction between TX and RX leaving no decent path.

NLOS lowers the effective received power. Near Line Of Sight can usually be dealt with better antennae, but No Line Of Sight is usually dealt with alternative paths or multipath propagation methods.

How to achieve effective NLOS networking has become one of the major questions of modern computer networking. Currently, the most common method for dealing with NLOS conditions on wireless computer networks is simply to circumvent the NLOS condition and place relays at additional locations, sending the content of the radio transmission around the obstructions. Some more advanced NLOS transmission schemes now use multipath signal propagation, bouncing the radio signal off other nearby objects to get to the receiver.

What is Wireless access point?

In computer networking, a wireless access point (WAP) is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or related standards. The WAP usually connects to a router (via a wired network), and can relay data between the wireless devices (such as computers or printers) and wired devices on the network. Industrial grade WAPs are rugged, with a metal cover and a DIN rail mount. During operations they can tolerate a wider temperature range, high humidity and exposure to water, dust, and oil. Wireless security includes: WPA-PSK, WPA2, IEEE 802.1x/RADIUS, WDS, WEP, TKIP, and CCMP (AES) encryption. Unlike home consumer models, wireless access point can also be used as a bridge, router, or a client.

Understanding Long Range Wireless LAN Communication

Understanding long range wireless LAN networking enable you to properly plan and design the effective deployment of wireless networks be it home-networking or using outdoor long range wireless LAN for rural internet connectivity. Wireless networking allows computers and peripherals to communicate using radio frequency (RF) transmissions rather than over conventional network cabling. Using wireless Ethernet adaptors, any device capable of being used on a regular computer network can be accessed over a wireless connection for task ranging from file and printer sharing to multimedia and internet access.

Wireless Ethernet Technology is outlined by a set of standards called IEEE 802.11. Although other wireless technologies and protocols exist, the term wireless is generally used in reference to the IEEE 802.11 standards.

The communication protocols for wireless networking are defined by the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, which incorporates the 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g protocols (although other standards are in progress). The most widely used of these is 802.11b (Wireless-B), which is more reliable than the faster 802.11a (Wireless-A) standard, and is more cost-effective to produce and operate as well.

Wireless-G or 802.11g, is a newer protocol that is becoming more widely adopted by vendors as it is capable of speeds up to 54Mbps rather than the 11Mbps of 802.11b devices.

It is no longer rare to find devices that support all three standards, but generally, Wireless-G is designed to be backwards compatible with Wireless-B devices. Thus Wireless-B and Wireless-A devices will not work with each other, and neither are they compatible with Wireless-G devices.

Some manufacturers offer models with dual-band (Wireless A & G/B) auto-switch mode for greater communication flexibility. Network planners can plan their network deployment by using a combination of Wireless-B, G or A.

Do you really need an HDMI 1.4 cable for 3D?

The short answer is no.

We've tested two 2m-long HDMI cables on a Samsung 3D TV and 3D Blu-ray player. One is an HDMI 1.3-compliant model from Gefen (a US-based firm that specialises in A/V interconnects and networking boxes), the other is just a "generic" version bundled with an old DVD player and is not even HDMI 1.3-certified.

These tests confirm LG's BX580 user manual claim, which indicates that an HDMI 1.3 is all that is required for 3D video playback. What is even more intriguing is that there's almost negligible image quality variation whatsoever between the cords since the 3D signals are relayed digitally.

Unfortunately, we're unable to verify the latest audio return channel and Ethernet functions supported by the HDMI 1.4 cable specifications until compatible equipment becomes more widely available. A brand new HDMI cable is probably justified if these capabilities involve revised internal wiring.

Stay tuned, as next we'll be testing whether you need to have an HDMI 1.4-compliant amp to pass-through a 3D signal. Panasonic's new 3D Blu-ray player has two HDMI outputs to circumvent this issue.