Optical technology removes cable length limitations, increases client bandwidth in USB graphics environments

Dec. 17, 2010

DisplayLink and VIA Labs are collaborating to streamline USB digital signage / zero clients graphics applications via chip technology to be demonstrated at the 2011 International CES show.

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- DisplayLink and VIA Labs, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of VIA Technologies, have announced a technological alliance in the development of a new chip technology designed to significantly expand the USB virtual graphics ecosystem "while effectively abolishing cable length limitations for graphics over USB." The companies will demonstrate the new platform during the 2011 International CES show held at the Las Vegas Convention Center January 6-9, 2011.

With implications for numerous graphics over USB applications including digital signage and zero clients, the demonstration will feature forthcoming technologies from VIA Labs combined with DisplayLink technology to enable the connection of multiple zero clients over active optical cables to a host computer running Windows MultiPoint Server 2010.

According to the companies, the demonstrated system will illustrate the potential for greatly increased distances using optical cables, while allowing each client to take full advantage of the 480Mb/s of USB 2.0 bandwidth, and adding increased security to connections.

The companies say the demonstration will also highlight how VIA Labs is incorporating DisplayLink graphic solutions that will build the ecosystem for connecting a larger number of devices over a common bus without concern for signal degradation. VIA Labs will demonstrate the zero client system connected to a 100-meter spool of optical cable to emphasize that longer distances are now possible with USB virtual graphics.

“Our alliance with VIA Labs is mutually beneficial, presenting significant market opportunities for our optical cable technology across a wide range of applications,” said Dennis Crespo, executive vice president of marketing and business development at DisplayLink.

He added, “Using optical cables not only allows for considerable length cable installations, but also will prove to be less costly than copper for even medium-length cabling implementations.”

The live demo can be seen at CES 2011 in the VIA Labs booth 36505. For more information, visit: www.via-labs.com and www.displaylink.com.