Home/ Glossary/ KVM reverse channel (USB HID)

What is KVM reverse channel (USB HID)

A KVM reverse channel sends data from USB HID devices such as keyboards and mice at the receiver back along the video link to the host at the transmitter. The host sees local USB devices, so it can be operated from a distance.Also called: wireless KVM, USB HID over the link

What KVM and the reverse channel are

KVM stands for keyboard, video and mouse. A plain wireless HDMI link only carries the picture from TX to RX. A KVM link also runs the other way, carrying keyboard and mouse input from the RX back to the host at the TX. The host can then stay in a rack or server room while the desk keeps only a display, keyboard, mouse and a receiver box.

What counts as USB HID

HID is the USB class for human interface devices: keyboards, mice, touch panels and barcode scanners. HID traffic is small and the protocol is standard, and every host has the drivers built in, so after crossing the link the devices appear as local ones with nothing to install. USB drives and cameras are not HID and work very differently.

What the carrier boards need

The RX carrier needs USB ports for the keyboard, mouse and other peripherals. The TX carrier needs one USB connection to the host, which is how the host sees those devices. In a finished product the TX box usually connects to the host with one HDMI and one USB cable, and the RX box has an HDMI output plus a few USB ports.

On ANLYA modules

ATE9430T / ATE9430R and ATE9460 / ATE9461 all support KVM. Keyboards, mice, touch panels and barcode scanners connect at the RX and reach the host at the TX through the reverse channel, with no drivers. Both wireless and wired links carry KVM data, encrypted like the video. Non-HID devices such as USB drives and cameras, and game controllers, have not been verified yet.

FAQ

Q1Which end do the keyboard and mouse connect to in a wireless KVM?
To the USB ports on the receiver (RX). The data goes back to the host at the transmitter, which sees local USB devices with no drivers.
Q2Can a wireless KVM extender carry USB drives and cameras?
What has been verified is USB HID: keyboards, mice, touch panels and barcode scanners. Non-HID devices such as USB drives and cameras, and game controllers, are not verified; test with samples if your project needs them.
Q3Does KVM still work over Ethernet?
Yes. Both wired and wireless links carry video, audio and KVM data together.

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