
6
INST
ALLA
TION
USB and power connections
The ALIF101T unit is designed to be as flexible as possible. It can either operate using
an optional external power adapter (see
) or derive all of its power from its
two USB plugs. The main advantage offered by using an external power adapter is that it
allows the ALIF101T unit to be active before the host computer; thus allowing a remote
user to access the host’s initial boot up and access the BIOS menu, when required.
If powered by USB only, then both the black and red USB plugs need to be connected.
If powered by external power adapter, only the black Hi-Speed USB plug needs to be
connected, for signal purposes. Whenever, the external power adapter is attached and
operating, then power will be taken from it rather than the USB plugs. There is no
problem if the red USB plug remains connected while the power adapter is used.
This is summarized as follows:
Power
Black
Red
adapter
USB
USB
Power sourcing behavior
û
ü
ü
Power taken from both USB plugs.
ü
ü
û
Power taken from power adapter only.
ü
ü
ü
Power taken from power adapter only, unless it becomes
unavailable, in which case power will be taken from both
USB plugs after a short interruption.
Note: The USB plugs do not operate as a seamless failover for the external power adapter; there
will be a short interruption as operation switches from one power source to the other.
Host computer
USB ports
Black USB plug provides
USB signals (plus power if
the external power adapter
is not present)
Red USB plug provides
power only when the
external power adapter is
not present
From the optional
external power
adapter
Support for audio
The ALIF101T can derive its (digital) audio feed from the USB connection. The digital
audio is converted to analog as it is transferred to the receiver(s), where it is output via
their 3.5mm jack(s). The audio source is controlled from the System Configuration page
of the internal utility (see
) as follows:
• When the
Enable Audio-1
option is checked, the ALIF101T arranges a bi-directional
audio stream with the host computer via the USB connection.
• The
Enable Audio-2
option has no effect on the DVI variant.