USB-FO5-K Overview and Use Cases

What Is the USB-FO5-K?

The OREI USB-FO5-K is a 4-port USB 2.0 fiber optic extender kit designed to carry USB connectivity over very long distances, up to 5 km over single-mode fiber or up to 300 m over OM4 multi-mode fiber, with stable, interference-free performance.

It is useful for setups where USB devices need to be located far away from the host computer, well beyond the reach of a standard USB cable. Instead of being limited to a few feet, the USB-FO5-K uses a Transmitter and a Receiver linked by a single fiber optic cable to extend USB devices across a building, campus, or facility.

The kit includes two units that work as a pair:

• Transmitter (TX): connects to the host computer through its USB port
• Receiver (RX): provides four USB ports for connecting USB devices

The USB-FO5-K is fully compliant with USB 2.0/1.1 standards and supports data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps. It works with USB peripherals such as keyboards, mice, touchscreens, webcams, printers, scanners, and storage devices. The Receiver supplies 5V/1A of power to each connected device, and the kit is plug-and-play with no drivers or software configuration required.

Because it uses fiber optics, the USB-FO5-K is immune to electromagnetic interference, making it well suited to mission-critical and industrial environments such as command centers, traffic management systems, medical facilities, government installations, and public utilities.

IMPORTANT — The USB-FO5-K Is a Transmitter and Receiver Kit

The USB-FO5-K is sold and used as a matched pair. The Transmitter and the Receiver are connected to each other using a single LC fiber optic cable.

This is especially useful when:

• Your USB devices need to be far from the host computer
• A standard USB cable cannot reach between the host and the devices
• You need reliable USB connectivity in an environment with electromagnetic interference
• You want a clean, single-cable run between two locations across a building or facility

The Receiver must be powered using the included power adapter for the kit to work. The Transmitter draws its power from the host computer USB port.

IMPORTANT — The USB-FO5-K Supports USB 2.0 Devices, Not USB 3.0

The USB-FO5-K is built to the USB 2.0/1.1 standard, with data rates up to 480 Mbps.

Each Receiver port supplies 5V/1A of power. A USB device that requires USB 3.0 speeds or more than 5V/1A of power will not be compatible with this extender.

For best results, connect devices that draw no more than 1A and avoid attaching additional USB hubs to the Receiver ports.

IMPORTANT — The USB-FO5-K Is a Point-to-Point Solution

The USB-FO5-K connects one Transmitter directly to one Receiver over fiber. It does not work over a network, and multiple Receivers cannot be connected to a single Transmitter.

If you need an over-IP setup with multiple Receivers or Transmitters, use the OREI X2USB-EFD instead.

Ports and Panel Layout

The USB-FO5-K kit has two units. The Transmitter connects to the host computer, and the Receiver connects to your USB devices.

Transmitter

Receiver

Step-by-Step Setup

• Insert a fiber optic module into the LC FIBER port on both the Transmitter and the Receiver.
• Run a single LC simplex fiber optic cable from the LC FIBER port on the Transmitter to the LC FIBER port on the Receiver.
• Connect the Transmitter to your host computer using the included USB cable, plugging into the USB HOST port on the Transmitter and a USB port on the PC or laptop.
• Connect the included power adapter to the DC 24V port on the Receiver, then plug it into a power outlet.
• Connect your USB devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, webcam, or storage device, to the four USB DEVICE ports on the Receiver.
• Confirm that the POWER LEDs are lit on both units and that the LINK LEDs are flashing, which indicates an active connection.
• Your USB devices should be detected automatically by the host computer with no drivers required.

Note: When no USB devices are detected, the LINK LED flashes slowly. When USB devices are detected, the LINK LED flashes quickly.

Cable Requirement — Important

The USB-FO5-K uses an LC simplex fiber optic cable between the Transmitter and the Receiver.

• Use single-mode fiber for runs up to 5 km (about 3.1 miles)
• Use OM4 multi-mode fiber for runs up to 300 m (about 984 feet)

Make sure the fiber optic modules are properly inserted into the LC FIBER ports on both units before connecting the cable.

Understanding Plug-and-Play Operation

The USB-FO5-K is plug-and-play and does not require any drivers or software configuration. It automatically recognizes high-speed, full-speed, and low-speed USB devices, and works with Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems.

Once the Transmitter is connected to the host computer and the Receiver is powered with devices attached, the host treats the extended devices as if they were connected locally.

What Devices Is the USB-FO5-K Compatible With?

The USB-FO5-K is compatible with a wide range of USB 2.0 and 1.1 peripherals connected to the Receiver ports.

It can be used with:

• Keyboards and mice
• Touchscreens
• Webcams and cameras
• Printers and scanners
• USB storage devices such as flash drives

Devices that require USB 3.0 speeds or more than 5V/1A of power are not compatible with this extender.

What Computers Is the USB-FO5-K Compatible With?

The USB-FO5-K connects to host computers through a standard USB port and works across multiple operating systems.

It can be used with:

• Windows computers
• Mac computers
• Linux computers

No drivers or software configuration are required on the host computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OREI USB-FO5-K used for?
A: The USB-FO5-K is used to extend up to four USB 2.0 devices over long distances using fiber optics, up to 5 km over single-mode fiber or up to 300 m over OM4 multi-mode fiber, using a matched Transmitter and Receiver.

Q: How far can the USB-FO5-K extend USB devices?
A: It can extend USB devices up to 5 km over single-mode fiber or up to 300 m over OM4 multi-mode fiber.

Q: How many USB devices can I connect?
A: The Receiver provides four USB ports, so you can connect up to four USB devices at the same time.

Q: Do I need to install drivers or software?
A: No. The USB-FO5-K is plug-and-play and requires no drivers or software configuration. It works with Windows, Linux, and Mac.

Q: Does the USB-FO5-K support USB 3.0 devices?
A: No. The extender is built to the USB 2.0/1.1 standard with data rates up to 480 Mbps. A device that requires USB 3.0 speeds will not be compatible.

Q: How much power do the Receiver ports provide?
A: Each Receiver port supplies 5V/1A. Devices that draw more than 1A may not function properly, and additional USB hubs should not be connected to the Receiver ports.

Q: Can the USB-FO5-K be connected over a network?
A: No. The USB-FO5-K only supports a direct point-to-point connection over fiber. It does not work over a network.

Q: Can I connect multiple Receivers to a single Transmitter?
A: No. One Transmitter connects to one Receiver. For an over-IP setup with multiple Receivers or Transmitters, use the OREI X2USB-EFD.

Q: Why is my USB device not detected at the Receiver?
A: Make sure the Transmitter is connected to the host PC and the Receiver is powered, and confirm the device works when connected directly to the PC. Devices that require USB 3.0 or more than 5V/1A will not be compatible.

Q: What kind of cable do I need between the Transmitter and Receiver?
A: Use an LC simplex fiber optic cable. Use single-mode fiber for distances up to 5 km, or OM4 multi-mode fiber for distances up to 300 m.