Amphenol Socapex, a designer and manufacturer of interconnect solutions for harsh environments, has released its USB Type C Active Optical Cable (AOC) extender, an innovative solution that delivers high-speed data, video and power transmission over long distances where traditional copper solutions fail.
The USB Type C AOC extender combines fiber optics and copper conductors in a single hybrid cable, enabling USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance up to 10 Gbps with no latency or signal loss. Unlike conventional copper USB cables, which are limited to just 1 meter at full speed, the Amphenol Socapex solution supports lengths up to 15 meters, providing engineers with unprecedented design flexibility. 
Source: Amphenol Socapex
Designed for rugged defense and industrial applications, the cable integrates a threaded MIL-DTL-38999 shell, IP68 sealing, IK06 shock resistance, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and vibration performance per MIL-STD-810H, making it fully military-grade and field-ready. It supports power delivery up to 60 W, high-definition video transmission up to 8 K/60 Hz and 4 K/120 Hz and is fully backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices.
“We are proud to be the first to bring a rugged USB Type C AOC extender to the defense market. This innovation solves the distance limitations of copper cables while meeting the extreme durability and reliability requirements of military applications,” said Matthieu Rinsant, C6ISR product manager at Amphenol Socapex. “Our customers can now benefit from long-distance, interference-free connectivity without compromising on performance or ruggedness.”
The USB Type C AOC extender is ideal for soldier-worn systems, drones, helicopters, ground vehicles, naval and C6ISR communications, simulation systems, professional video walls and industrial automation. By combining optical performance with military-grade ruggedization, it ensures secure and stable high-speed connectivity even in the harshest operational conditions.
