Introduction of MPO Cables

Brief Introduction of MPO Fiber Optic Connectors?

In the face of the increasing demand for high-speed and large-capacity optical communication systems, MTP/MPO optical fiber connectors and fiber optic patch cords are ideal solutions to meet the high-density cabling needs of data centers, due to their advantages of large number of cores, small size, and high transmission rate.

MPO fiber optic patch cord is a combination of MPO connector and fiber optic cable. MPO connector types are distinguished by several factors according to IEC 61754-7: Array Number, Male-Female, Key, Polished Type (PC or APC)

What are the cores of MPO?

Currently, the factory termination assemblies of MPO connectors can accommodate 6 to 144 fibers, with 12 and 24-fiber MPO connectors being the most common. According to IEC-61754-7 and EIA/TIA-604-5 (FOCIS 5) specification standards, 12 fibers are usually arranged in a row, which can support one or more rows of fibers in the same MPO connector, and is divided into one row (12 cores) and multiple rows (24 cores or more) according to the number of cores discharged in the connector. 

40G MPO-MPO fiber patch cord generally uses 12-core MPO multi-mode ferrule; For 100G MPO-MPO fiber patch cords, 24-core MPO ferrules are generally used. There are also 16 single-row fiber array types on the market, which can be divided into multiple rows to form 32 cores or more. The 16/32-fiber MPO fiber optic connector will be the best solution for low-latency and ultra-high-speed transmission in the next-generation 400G network.

Male and female of MPO

MPO optical fiber connectors include optical fibers, sheaths, coupling components, metal rings, pins (PIN pins), dust caps, etc., of which the pin part is divided into two forms: male and female. The male connector has two PIN pins, while the female connector does not. The connection between the MPO connectors is precisely aligned by means of a PIN pin, and the two MPO connectors connected to each other must be one male and one female.

MPO Polarity Classification

Type A (straight-through type): The core arrangement position at both ends of the jumper is the same, that is, the 1 at one end corresponds to the 1 at the other end, and the 12 at one end corresponds to the 12 at the other end. The key keys at both ends are facing opposite directions, and the key up corresponds to the key down.

Type B (opposite directions type):The cores at both ends of the jumper are arranged in opposite directions, that is, the 1 at one end corresponds to the 12 at the other end, and the 12 at one end corresponds to the 1 at the other end. The key key at both ends is oriented in the same direction, i.e. key up corresponds to key up, and key down corresponds to key down.

Type C (pair staggered type): The MPO jumper of type C is a pair of adjacent core positions crossed, that is, the core 1 at one end corresponds to the 2 at the other end, and the fiber core 12 at one end is 11 at the other end. The key at both ends is also facing the opposite direction, and the key up corresponds to the key down.

What is MTP?

MTP is a "Multi-fiber Termination Push-on" developed by US Conec and has improved attenuation and reflection on standard MPO connectors, resulting in a version with higher overall performance. Externally, there is little noticeable difference between MPO and MTP connectors. In fact, they are fully compatible and match each other.

MPO/MTP fiber optic connectors and fiber patch cords provide a simple and easy-to-manage fiber cabling solution, which is widely used in FTTH and data centers that require high-density integrated fiber lines, and it is likely to become a hot demand product for 5G data center construction in the future.