Go the Distance at Lightspeed
To travel far and fast, space traveling movie heroes rely on advanced technology to break through speed barriers. You can conquer the 2-meter distance ‘dark side’ of traditional copper-based Thunderbolt and USB4 cables with the OWC USB4 40Gb/s Active Optical Cable. Employing optical fibers to transmit data in the form of light, you can now beam your data to the furthest reaches of your workspace at lightspeed.
Placement Flexibility
Solves the longer distance connectivity needs of Thunderbolt 40Gb/s and USB4 devices by enabling optimal placement for a highly organized, convenient, quieter, and productive workspace
Powerful
Lab certified for safe 240 watt power delivery from Thunderbolt and USB-C devices that provide power delivery to a host machine.
Uncompromised Speed
Work and play faster with up to 40Gb/s of stable data transfer speed over long distance
Diverse Displays
Supports high resolution Thunderbolt displays up to 8K including Apple Pro Display XDR, Apple Studio Display, and LG Ultrafine and other Thunderbolt based displays3
Versatile Connections
Connect to externally powered Thunderbolt 40Gb/s and USB4 equipped docks/hubs, displays, eGPUs, PCIe expansion, RAID storage and more1,2
Premium Reliability
Braided nylon exterior over advanced internal fiber optical cable for highly durable and consistent signal reliability immune to EMI/RFI interference
See the Light
With 40Gb/s of stable performance at up to 15 feet, you’ll transfer, backup, and stream audio, video, photos, and general data files at speeds and distances you’ve never seen before. By combining cutting-edge optical design with our decades-proven attention to quality, we created the OWC USB4 40Gb/s Active Optical Cable to solve the problem of greater distance needs when using externally powered Thunderbolt 40Gb/s and USB4 equipped docks/hubs, displays, eGPUs, PCIe expansion, and RAID storage. With Power Delivery support of up to 240W, you can connect to a remotely located Thunderbolt device while powering your laptop that utilizes power over Thunderbolt (USB-C).
You Have the Will
You Now Have the Way
Whether it’s a new need or a long-held desire, there are many reasons why you would want to extend the distance between your computer and your devices. With the OWC USB4 40Gb/s Active Optical Cable, you now have the way to accomplish your goal in a simple, cost-effective way. By breaking the two meter distance stranglehold of copper Thunderbolt and USB4 cables, you can:
- Relocate your high-performance RAID storage system to reduce noise distraction.
- Enjoy Thunderbolt Share connectivity between devices at a greater distance in the same room.
- Expand the length of your device daisy-chains.
- Place your externally powered devices in a more convenient location or even “hide” them for a more aesthetic work environment.
- Power your notebook via Thunderbolt (USB-C) Power Delivery with up to 240 watts nearly anywhere in a studio, on a stage, or office.
- Enhance your cable management by placing AV devices in a rack while keeping your computer at your fingertips.
- Experience greater freedom of camera movement by tethering during in-studio shoots.
- Extend Thunderbolt/USB4 network connectivity between rack mounted devices.
- Elevate your gaming experience by distancing your eGPU from your laptop to fully immerse yourself into the action while freeing up room for your monitors, mic, and camera.
The OWC USB4 40Gb/s Active Optical Cable gives you more than the highest speed with the most reliability over long distance. Put up to 240W of power delivery to work for you where you want it. Enthrall your eyes with high resolution displays up to 8K. And do it all with assured durability thanks to its tough braided exterior.
Recommended Use Cases
- Reduce Workspace NoisePlace Thunderbolt RAID storage systems (like OWC ThunderBay 4/8 or Flex 1U4/8) and other devices with cooling fans farther from your desk to minimize noise while keeping full Thunderbolt performance.
- Improve Workspace AestheticsHide or relocate Thunderbolt docks, Thunderbolt displays, and other externally powered Thunderbolt/USB4 devices to less visible locations for a cleaner, more organized workspace via long-distance connectivity.
- Extend Thunderbolt Dock ConnectivityConnect your computer to a Thunderbolt dock at distances up to - 3M or 4.5M. All devices connected to the dock — including displays, storage, and peripherals — work just as they normally would.
- Flexibility to bend and shape for easier routingEasily connect Thunderbolt-equipped monitors such as the Apple Pro Display XDR, Apple Studio Display, or LG UltraFine at longer distances without losing performance.
- Ideal for Studio and Rack SetupsExtend Thunderbolt/USB4 connections between rack-mounted equipment and computers in studios or stages where each device has independent power sources.
- Power Your Laptop Over DistanceCharge your laptop through this cable when connected to a Thunderbolt or USB4 dock, hub, eGPU, RAID, or PCIe chassis that provides Power Delivery over Thunderbolt. Delivers up to 240 W (3M) or 60 W (4.5M) from the device to your laptop.
- Camera Tethering to LaptopUse this cable to connect your DSLR or mirrorless camera to your laptop for studio sessions in Lightroom or Capture One. Its durable, flexible design makes it more comfortable to work with than standard USB-C cables.
Do Not Use With
- Bus-Powered DevicesDevices without their own external power supply or “brick” (like bus-powered portable SSDs and hard drives or portable displays) that receive their power via USB-C are NOT recommended and may not function properly.
- USB-C DisplaysStandard USB-C monitors (DisplayPort Alt Mode based) are NOT supported. This cable only works with Thunderbolt displays or when regular displays are connected through Thunderbolt docks.
Advanced Optical Technology for Signal Stability
By utilizing advanced multi-mode optical fiber technology, the OWC USB4 Active Optical Fiber Cable is built for bandwidth intensive applications that require stable, consistent signal transmission and power delivery free from EMI and RFI interference.
