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.

Currently, POF networks offer data speeds up to 100 Mb/s. However, tests of new OptoLock ports show possibility of reaching 1 Gb/s, and some ongoing research is promising transfer rates up to 50 Gb/s in the future. The new technology is still under quick development, also due to the low production costs of the devices and fibers, as well as simple installation. Similarly to glass optical fibers, the higher speeds will be possible just by changing the active devices, using the same cabling.

More information on ULTIMODE Home System can be found in the article:
ULTIMODE Home System - description, advantages, installation

ULTIMODE Home System can be successfully used in:

The POF cables are completely insensitive to electromagnetic fields, so they can be laid directly by the power cables, in the same conduits, which is impossible in the case of UTP/FTP cables. Additionally, each of two POF cables has external diameter of 2.2 mm. This solution reduces the effort and cost of creating home/SOHO/small office networks, because it is much easier to mount network cables in parallel with electrical wiring than to build separate conduits for the Ethernet network.

The POF network can be interconnected with glass optical network (single mode or multimode transmission) or with copper Ethernet network (UTP cable). The demarcation points between the glass optical cable from a service provider, entering the building as Fiber To The Home (FTTH) network, and the home/SOHO POF network, or between the POF and UTP networks are media converters:

The demarcation point between the glass optical network and POF network
(media converter ULTIMODE POF-105SFP L6221 with SFP module ULTIMODE SFP-203M L1411)

All rooms in a two-story detached house are connected to the network providing access to various services.

Network objectives

ULTIMODE Home System allows users to get access to high quality network services such as broadband Internet, video streaming, VOD, video conferencing, IP CCTV. All devices are interconnected with ULTIMODE POF-22D L6521 cable, which reduces installation costs. 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. Plastic optical fibers can be installed by anyone - the installation is simpler and quicker than in the case of coaxial or twisted pair cables. All optical fibers are immune to electromagnetic interference and pulses, so they can be run in parallel with any electrical wiring.

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). OptoLock connector allows for easy installation of plastic optical fibers without special tools (just by cutting the cable and inserting the end into the connector). The procedure is safe due to operating parameters and the fact that the light (650 nm) is visible to the human eye.

A FITH network based on polymer fibers

Internet access for 14 employees in a small office.

Network objectives

ULTIMODE Home System is the ideal solution for small businesses, enabling employees to get access to broadband Internet services, including video conferencing. The connection from the service provider is converted into optical form (POF), and distributed to the hosts, using optical switches ULTIMODE POF-8S L6108.
The workstations have been equipped with POF PCI adapters ULTIMODE POF-100NC L6245 connected via POF cable ULTIMODE POF-22 L6521 with the optical ports of the optical switches. The active devices of ULTIMODE Home System ensure continuous and stable operation, the POF cable is characterized by high strength.

The POF network in the office

In the example, the system covers a small house and garden. The cameras monitor the most vulnerable places on the premises like the entrance gate, the entrance to the garage, some dark places.

Network objectives

The installing of a CCTV system in the home is often very uncomfortable for the residents. The main problem is the cabling. The diameters of coaxial and UTP cables are around 7-8 mm, which requires to make massive cable trays or conduits in the interior or exterior parts of the walls.

A good alternative to that "classic" solution is implementation of IP CCTV system and application as the transmission medium of the plastic (polymer) optical cable (POF) ULTIMODE POF-22D L6521_1. The external dimensions of the POF cable are only 2.2 x 4.4 mm. In addition, fiber optic cables are immune to electromagnetic fields and lightning, and may be added to the conduits with AC power cabling. The electrical signals coming via UTP patch cables are converted to the optical signals by ULTIMODE POF-100MC L6213 media converters. The video streams from the cameras are sent to the optical switch ULTIMODE POF-S8 L6108 and then to the network video recorder.

Video monitoring of single-family home with POF transmission network

The video monitoring system covers the grocery store and adjacent parking lot for customers. The camera points monitor two cash registers, store shelves, the entrance to the store and the parking lot. The supermarket is located outside a city, near a church with a high tower. It is the reason for many close lightning discharges during storm periods.

Knowing the facts, the owner required a number of solutions and features:

Due to the required immunity to strong electromagnetic pulses caused by lightning discharges, the installer has chosen solution based on polymer optical fibers. They are completely immune to electromagnetic interference and lightning effects, thus ensuring stable operation and uninterrupted recording of video in the highest quality.

High resolution video is captured by Sunell megapixel cameras K1670 and K1630. They are connected with ULTIMODE POF-100MC L6213 media converters which transmit the optical signals to the POF Ethernet switch ULTIMODE POF-8S L6108. The optical switch connects with a computer running free NVMS software. The architecture of the system is very flexible - after installing another ULTIMODE POF-8S L6108 switch the number of cameras can even be doubled.

Schematic diagram of the IP CCTV system based on POF network