MPO-Ferrule Connectors

MPO connectors are designed for high-density fiber optic connectivity. They incorporate a precision-molded MT ferrule that supports multiple fibers.

MT ferrules have one plane on the end-face, and the fiber must protrude from this surface. MPO connectors use tight-tolerance stainless steel elliptical guide pins to reduce guide hole wear.

MPO-12

MPO-12 is a standard high-density fiber connector system with 12 fibers in a single ferrule. It is a universal interface and is compatible with both multimode and single-mode optical fibers. It is often used as a trunk cable connector, which transmits multiple duplex fibers across network switches or routers. The MPO-12 connector is distinguished by its rectangular shape and guide pins. It also features a “connector key” that allows the fibers to be inserted into the correct positions in the connector. This keying feature prevents incorrect connections and improves reliability.

MPO-based systems are designed for scalability and can easily be upgraded to support higher fiber counts without major infrastructure changes. MPO connectors are compatible with various fiber optic cable types and transmission protocols, including Ethernet, InfiniBand, and Fibre Channel. MPO-12 cables are available with either a male or female connector, and the male connector can be mated to adapters or cassettes for direct connection to transceivers or other MPO-based devices.

MPO-based connectors are designed for high-density fiber systems and use precision molded MT ferrules. They can be purchased with a variety of hole counts, from four to 72 holes in a single ferrule. Each mated pair of connectors provides an electrical and optical connection for two rows of 12 fibers. MT ferrules can be purchased as flat (where the cable-assembly producer will need to polish an 8-degree angle into them) or as pre-angled, which reduces the polishing time.

MPO-8

MPO-8 is a multi-fiber connector with 8 fibers that can be used in high-speed data centers. Its low-loss design makes it ideal for long-distance transmissions. MPO-8 also offers a compact size, which helps to reduce cable clutter. The connector also has an angled housing that can be more easily placed in tight spaces.

In addition to the multi-fiber connection, MPO-8 provides an industry-defined polished end face that significantly improves termination performance. This feature enables the cable to achieve low insertion loss and high return loss. The angled end-face also minimizes the effect of light scattering and crosstalk. This feature is particularly important for high-speed data applications.

Another feature of the MPO-8 is its tight tolerance stainless steel elliptical guide pins, which help to reduce guide mpo-ferrule hole wear and produce less debris than universal MPO connectors with cylindrical guide pins. This is an advantage over standard MPO connectors that use circular guide pins, which can damage the ferrule and cause premature failures.

MPO connectors have a 1.25mm diameter and can accommodate multiple fibers, ranging from 8 to 72 in a single mated pair. The increased density allows for efficient use of space in data centers and telecommunication networks. In recent years, there has been a trend towards larger MPO connectors, which offer higher port densities and support higher bandwidth applications.

MPO-24

MPO-24 is used in a wide variety of applications for high-density fiber connectivity. It can accommodate up to 24 fibers in a single connector. This makes it ideal for use Network Server in high-density applications such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet backbone cables between network switches. It also has a low-insertion loss that helps to maximize bandwidth.

MPO connectors have been used in duplex 10 Gig fiber applications throughout the data center for years as a way to deploy preterminated plug and play backbone cables that take up less pathway space and ease cable management. They also provide a faster deployment than traditional copper connections.

The MPO connector is based on a precision-molded MT ferrule with guide pins for ferrule-to-ferrule alignment during mating. The MT ferrule is typically flat for multimode applications, and it can be angled for single-mode applications. The MT ferrule can be purchased “flat,” which requires the cable-assembly producer to polish an 8-degree angle into it, or as pre-angled (which reduces the polishing time).

Since its initial development, major improvements in MPO connector technology have led to better performance and lower cost. The most recent enhancements include improved internal connector components that ensure perfectly centered normal forces between the mating MT ferrules. In addition, the elliptical guides in MPO connectors have been optimized to reduce debris generation, increasing the lifespan of the components and ensuring the physical contact of polished fiber tips within the MT ferrule.

MPO-32

MPO-32 is the latest standard in multifiber optic connectivity. It provides the highest-density connection for high-speed data transmission applications such as 100G Ethernet and beyond. Its precision ferrules and superior guide pin alignment ensure low insertion loss, providing increased network agility. In addition, MPO-32 connectors are easy to install with push-pull latching sleeves and an audible click when connected.

The MPO-32 connector features 32 fibers arranged in two rows of 16 fibers each. It can support various data rates, including 10G, 40G, and 100G Ethernet. It is used in high-density applications such as high-speed network switches and routers, and can also be found in high-speed optical transport networks.

As data center ports continue to increase, the demand for higher-density connections continues to grow. As a result, there have been discussions and developments regarding smaller MPO ferrule sizes to accommodate even more fibers in a small form factor.

While MPO connectors have a keying feature, such as a protrusion or groove, the floating ferrule design helps them maintain physical contact over a mated pair under load. This function makes MPO connectors ideal for emerging parallel optical Tx/Rx devices.

MPO-16 and MPO-32 connectors are available in multimode or single mode, and come with a housing kit that allows for easy identification of the cable type. The housing kits are typically beige, black, aqua, or magenta for multimode and yellow or green for single-mode. Using MPO cables can help reduce cable clutter and make it easier to inspect the fiber ends for damage or polarity problems. Kingfisher offers a wide range of MPO/MTP test equipment, from the handheld KI 9600XL-Ge7 Optical Power Meter to the shirt-pocket size KI 6010 FiberSafe Microscope, which lets users inspect connector ends at x200 magnification.