Hackers extend Toslink audio cables to 143 kilometers, achieve IP data transmission [Video]

What just happened? Two hackers have successfully extended the range of Toslink optical audio cables, enabling data transmission over unprecedented distances. While the practical applications may be limited, their efforts could pave the way for future advancements in optical data transmission and networking technologies. Their ingenuity exemplifies the hacker ethos: continuously questioning, exploring, and pushing the limits of what technology can achieve.

Two hackers have challenged the boundaries of optical data transmission, demonstrating that even outdated technology can be repurposed in unexpected ways. At the 38th Chaos Communication Congress (38C3) in Germany, a gathering known for attracting tech enthusiasts and hackers, Benjojo presented his work on extending Toslink traffic far beyond its intended range.

Toslink, an optical fiber connection primarily used for audio transmission, is typically limited to distances of around 10 meters. However, Benjojo’s experiment stretched this distance to …