Product specifications

©2006 S.I. Tech, Inc. USB Fiber Product Equipment Manual
5
S.I. TECH MODELS 2172 AND 2173 (USB 2.0 PRODUCTS)
The 2172 / 2173 pair provides a remote 4-port USB2.0 hub carried over optical fiber. Each of the ports supports any
combination of USB2.0 (high-speed), USB1.1 (full-speed) or USB1.0 (low-speed) devices. Before using, confirm
that the host PC has USB2.0 host controller (the 2172 / 2173 pair is not compatible with other host controllers). To
check the USB host controller, open the Windows Device Manager and review the Universal Serial Bus
Controller list; verify that the list contains an “Enhanced” or “Enhanced Host Controller Interface” or
“EHCI” controller.
Installation
The 2172 and 2173 must be connected together before connecting to the USB2.0 host or USB devices. Connect
appropriate fiber (62.5 micron multimode fiber <500 meters, or 9 micron single mode fiber <2 km), and apply
power to both units.
Connect the 2172 to the USB2.0 host using a USB Type A to Type B cable. The Windows Device Manager lists the
2172 / 2173 pair as a Generic USB Hub and its Properties show per port Power Required (Available, 0mA, 100mA,
and 500mA).
Connect USB devices to the 2173. The Device Manager lists each device attached to the 2173 USB ports.
2172 LEDs 2173 LEDs
Condition
PWR
(green)
OSD
(green)
Link
(green)
Host
(green)
PWR
(green)
Link
(green)
Port
Act
(green)
Port
OC
(yellow)
OSD
(green)
Power on On Off Off Off On Off Off Off Off
Fibers connected On On On Off On Off Off Off On
2172 to USB2.0 host On On On On On Blinking Off Off On
Device on 2173 port On On On On On On On Off On
2173 port in over-
current
On On On On On On Off On On
Removal
Stop all USB devices on the 2172 / 2173 hub before physically disconnecting the USB devices; e.g., use the
Windows “Safely Remove Hardware” icon found in System Tray. Disconnect the 2172 USB cable, and then
remove power and the connecting fibers.
Overcurrent
Each 2173 USB port can provide +5VDC power up to 500mA to the attached device and each port has an
overcurrent monitor. When the 2173 USB hub detects a port overcurrent condition, +5VDC power on that port is
removed. Power can be restored by disconnecting and reconnecting the USB host cable at the 2172.
Caution
Unexpected results may occur if the fibers are disconnected while the 2172 host USB cable is connected.
Operational Notes
For best results, connect 2172 directly to host (not an USB hub). USB hubs may be connected to the 2173 and
cascaded to depths of 4 hubs. There is a limit of 14 USB devices connected to the 2173 (in this context, each
cascaded USB hub also count as a device). Some USB devices may have sensitivities to the additional timing
required by the 2172 / 2173 and fail to perform as expected.