ULTIMODE Home System - description, advantages, installation

Library archives.

The information contained herein may be outdated.

ULTIMODE Home System is a breakthrough solution allowing for easy creation of optical fiber home networks (FITH - Fiber In The Home). The ease and safety of installation makes the benefits of fiber optics available to everyone.

During recent years, the telecommunication and information technology has been developing at an unprecedented speed. The increasing number and quality of services such as VOD, IPTV, 3DTV, video conferencing etc. requires wider and wider bandwidth, necessary for users to take advantage of these services. Therefore, the network infrastructure and local connectivity must evolve to meet the demands of end users for broadband services.

Thus, the introduction of fiber optics is inevitable also in the last mile. The use of fiber optics not only increases bandwidth but also improves transmission quality and reliability, as well as enables easy implementation of long links. To fully exploit the opportunities arising for the end users from fiber optic backbones, the optical infrastructure has to reach every household or business house, by creating FTTH networks (Fiber To The Home).

There is no doubt that glass optical fibers are the best solution for metropolitan networks, while the application of the fibers inside buildings has a number of limitations that hinder their use. The main limitations are:

very small bending radius,
low resistance to mechanical damage,
network reconfiguration problems,
a potential risk for users - the possibility of eye damage in the event of access of the invisible infrared beam to the eye after disconnecting a device,
necessity to use fusion splicers or mechanical splices to connect the elements of the network.

What is ULTIMODE Home System?

ULTIMODE Home System is a solution for subscriber networks in homes and offices, based on polymer optical fibers (POF - Plastic Optical Fiber). A complete range of devices enables every subscriber to get access to high quality network services such as broadband Internet, video streaming, VOD, video conferencing. The solutions based on plastic optical fibers are much more flexible, can be successfully installed and reconfigured by the end users. In addition, the wavelength at which the systems operate is within the spectrum of visible light, 650 nm, which enables easy control of the operational state. Thanks to low power and concentration, the light is completely safe. POF fibers are not as brittle as glass fibers, are more bendable and resistant to damage.

An example implementation of Ultimode Home System

So far, plastic optical fibers have been used primarily in automation, medical and automotive applications. Currently they are also used in the construction of local computer networks. Low cost and ease of manufacturing and installing these cables as well as the safety of the installer/user continually increase their popularity. The small size cable with a high resistance to bending and environmental degradation is entirely immune to electromagnetic interference and can be used as a universal communication medium in the home or small office. The bandwidth offered by POF networks allows for distribution of triple-play services (Internet, phone, television).

System components

Active devices of ULTIMODE Home System

POF Ethernet Switch: ULTIMODE POF-8S (8x OptoLock) - CLEARANCE SALE!

ULTIMODE POF-8S L6108

POF Ethernet Switch ULTIMODE POF-8S L6108 makes the center of the home or office POF network.

The switch has eight 100Mb/s 100Base-FX OptoLock ports. Simple installation and stable operation.


ULTIMODE POF-105SFP L6221 The optical media converter ULTIMODE POF-105SFP L6221 changes the signal from a glass fiber network (usually FTTH system) to that of POF optical network (100 Mb/s) and vice versa. The media converter is equipped with SFP slot and is fully compatible with IEEE 802.3u 100Base-FX standard.		ULTIMODE POF-100SC L6223 The optical media converter ULTIMODE POF-100SC L6223 changes the signal from a glass fiber network (usually FTTH system) to that of POF (Plastic Optical Fiber) optical network (100 Mb/s), and vice versa. The media converter is equipped with two SC connectors (for transmitting and receiving data through a pair of single-mode fibers), and one Optolock connector (for connecting a pair of polymer fibers).


ULTIMODE POF-100MC L6213 Ethernet Media Converter ULTIMODE POF-100MC L6213 converts electrical signals (10/100 Mbps Ethernet) transmitted through typical STP/UTP cable into optical signals transmitted within 100 Mbps POF network. It is equipped with 10/100 Mb/s Ethernet port (RJ-45) and 100 Mb/s OptoLock port.		ULTIMODE POF-100SFP L6261 SFP Transceiver ULTIMODE POF-100SFP L6261 with OptoLock port converts electrical signals (Fast Ethernet) into POF 100 Base-FX optical signals and vice versa. The module is compatible with devices with SFP slots such as switches and media converters. The use of modules and devices with SFP slots allows for the flexibility and quick reconfiguration of the network.


ULTIMODE POF-100USB L6242 POF USB Adapter ULTIMODE POF-100USB L6242 connects any PC computer/laptop equipped with USB port to optical POF network. The device has a USB plug and OptoLock port for quick connection of POF fiber optic cable. The solution is particularly advantageous because of the large bandwidth provided by POF fiber, the popularity of the USB port, compact size, ease and speed of installation.		ULTIMODE POF-100NC L6245 POF PCI Adapter ULTIMODE POF-100NC L6245 - the expansion card provides a desktop PC with POF networking. The card is compatible with IEEE 802.3u 100Base-TX 100Base-FX, IEEE 802.3ux Full Duplex standards. Every end user can directly connect POF fiber to the optical OptoLock port.

The cable and tools for installing ULTIMODE Home System


ULTIMODE POF-22D L6521 The polymer duplex fiber optic cable is used to connect active POF devices. The data is transmitted in both directions with two separate fibers on the 650 nm wavelength (one fiber to transmit the signal, the second to receive). The decisive advantage of POF cables is their small size. The external diameter of one fiber is only 2.2 mm, which makes it easy to hide it behind skirting boards and pull through conduits.		ULTIMODE POF-2T L6311 The tool is used to precisely cut the 2.2 mm fibers to length as needed. The double holes in the cutter allow simultaneous cutting of duplex cables. Additionally, it is possible to separate the two fibers and strip the jacket.

ULTIMODE Home System components

System merits

The main advantages of the ULTIMODE home system based on POF cables:

Electromagnetic neutrality and immunity to interference

POF cables, similarly to all optical fibers, are completely immune to electromagnetic interference and pulses, crosstalk etc. Looking the other way, they do not generate any interference. The electromagnetic neutrality allows for running the POF cables in common conduits, together with electric or telecommunications cabling.

Small size and resistance to mechanical damage

The decisive advantage of POF cables is their small size. The external diameter of one fiber is only 2.2 mm, which makes it easy to hide it behind skirting boards and pull through conduits. The core of the fiber is made of PMMA ("acrylic glass"), which provides high strength, resistance to UV and visible light transparency. The cable jacket is made of PE (polyethylene), which is suitable for outdoor applications.

Immunity to power and lighting surges

As isolators, optical fibers do not carry any power or lightning surges, in opposite to the copper wiring. So, there is no need for any additional protection against lightning surges. It is especially important in the case of outdoor installations (overhead links between buildings, to IP intercoms etc).

Ease of installation

The speed and ease of installation is provided by OptoLock connectors. The user should only cut the POF cable(s) to length as needed (with a dedicated POF cutter), and simply insert the fibers to the ports. It eliminates the need to pay for specialized services, which is necessary in the case of optical glass fibers.

Some other features also increase the popularity of this system:

very small minimum bending radius - ca. 20 mm,
low weight of the cable,
very wide operating temperature range: -40°C do +85°C,
the latest, user-friendly optical technology.

Where to use?

ULTIMODE Home System can be successfully used in:

FTTH, FITH, FTTD networks,
office networks,
home and subscriber networks (e.g. triple play),
video monitoring systems,
links between subscriber networks,
areas exposed to high electromagnetic interference, radio frequency noise and crosstalk,
areas exposed to surges and lightning.

How to connect devices - OptoLock connector

Installation of devices constituting ULTIMODE Home System is simple, does not require special skills or tools and can be done in seconds. The easy installation is possible due to OptoLock connector system implemented in each device belonging to ULTIMODE Home System.

View of OptoLock connector in the ULTIMODE POF-100MC L6213 media converter

OptoLock connectors provide an innovative way to connect devices with optical cable. This solution does not require any additional connectors mounted on the cable, which greatly simplifies and speeds up the installation. It is enough to cut the POF cable to the desired length and insert its end to the OptoLock connector in a device.

Connecting POF cable - step by step


Cut the ULTIMODE POD-22D L6521 POF cable to length as needed with the use of the ULTIMODE POF-2T L6311 cutter.		Using the same tool - ULTIMODE POF-2T L6311 - separate the two strands. POF devices operate in the range of visible light (red light source), so it is easy to distinguish the fiber going from a transmitter.


The prepared ends of the cable insert into the appropriate holes of the OptoLock connector. After switching on, the transmitting ports of media converters emit red light. Be sure to connect the transmitter of one device with the receiver of the other.		After inserting the cable to the ULTIMODE POF-100MC L6213 media converter, press the OptoLock connector to hold the fibers into place. The connection is ready.