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Which cables are suitable for connecting a cronologic desktop device to a computer?
cronologic desktop devices communicate with the connected computer via PCI Express (PCIe). Therefore, not every cable with USB-C connectors is suitable for data transmission. Many USB-C cables are primarily designed for charging and either do not transmit data at all or support only low data rates.
Our desktop devices use PCIe tunneling via USB4 and therefore place higher demands on the cable used. We recommend certified Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 cables rated for 40 Gbit/s. Suitable cables can usually be identified by the ThunderboltTM symbol or clear USB4/40 Gbit/s labeling. A high power rating such as 100 W or 240 W, on the other hand, does not indicate that a cable is suitable for PCIe tunneling. Thunderbolt 4 is particularly useful as a guideline when selecting a cable, as ThunderboltTM certification defines mandatory requirements for data transmission and compatibility. Thunderbolt 4 supports connections at up to 40 Gbit/s and includes requirements for PCIe connectivity on computers.
At high data rates, cable quality also plays an important role. We therefore recommend using short, certified, high-quality cables whenever possible. As cable length increases, it becomes more difficult to maintain the required signal integrity with a purely passive cable. For longer connections, high-quality active cables may be required.
Very inexpensive cables with only general claims such as “40 Gbit/s compatible” should not be considered equivalent to an actually certified Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 40 Gbit/s cable.
Please also note that the USB-C port on the computer must support USB4 or ThunderboltTM with PCIe tunneling. The presence of a USB-C port alone does not guarantee this functionality.
If a cronologic desktop device is not detected or the connection is unreliable, the connection cable should be one of the first components to check.
Troubleshooting the cable connection
If the desktop device is not detected or is detected only intermittently, we recommend first replacing the cable with a short, certified Thunderbolt 4 cable.
When troubleshooting, initially avoid extension cables, adapters, hubs, and docking stations.
Especially for measurement systems where continuously reliable data transmission is important, we recommend using certified cables from established manufacturers.
You should also verify that the USB-C port used on the computer actually supports ThunderboltTM or USB4 with PCIe tunneling. The presence of a USB-C port alone is not sufficient to ensure this functionality.
Check your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. On some systems, particularly desktop PCs using Thunderbolt expansion cards, ThunderboltTM support and/or PCIe tunneling must be enabled in the BIOS/UEFI for the operating system to detect the connected PCIe hardware. The available settings and their names vary depending on the motherboard and computer manufacturer.