Active cables are copper cables for data transmission that use an electronic circuit to boost the performance of the cable. Without an electronic circuit a cable is considered a 'passive' cable. Passive cables are liable to degrade the data they carry, due to "channel impairments" including attenuation, crosstalk and group velocity distortion. In active cables, a circuit using one or several integrated circuits is embedded in the cable to compensate for some or all of these impairments. This active boosting allows cables to be more compact, thinner, longer and transmit data faster than their passive equivalents.
Active cables are used in enterprise networks which form the backbone of modern data communication systems, and also to interconnect consumer devices such as cameras, gaming consoles and HDTVs,
Embedding circuitry in cables can allow less copper to be used in cable production for the same performance, reducing the weight of the cable by as much as 80% and reducing size. Other benefits include longer reach and lower power consumption: active cables have demonstrated up to fivefold longer reach than simple passive cables, while consuming approximately 75% less power than comparable fiber-based interconnects.[1]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_cable
USB 3.1 Type-C to Mini DisplayPort Active Cable 4K@60Hz, 6ft
Connect a Mini DisplayPort display at resolutions up to 3840x2160p @60Hz to mirror your laptop's display or to expand your system's desktop area. This cable is truly Plug & Play, with no need for drivers or software installations of any kind. Just plug the reversible USB-C connector into your computer's video output and connect to your Mini DisplayPort display.
https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Type-C-DisplayPort-Active-Cable/dp/B0753PQ3G8
