What is MPO Connector?
MPO (Multi-fiber Push-On) connectors are a type of fiber optic connector developed by NTT Japan in the 1980s. These connectors accommodate 12-32 fibers, with the most common configurations being 12 and 24 fibers, determined by the MT ferrule. MPO connectors are widely used in high-density applications such as data centers and telecommunications networks, where space is limited and a large number of fiber connections are required. They allow for the quick and easy connection and disconnection of multiple fibers, making them more efficient and time-saving compared to traditional single-fiber connectors.
What consist of MPO connector?
In a MPO Connector, it includes two parts: MPO Connector Kits and MT Ferrule.
1. MPO Connector Kits: These consist of various components such as a dust cap, outer housing, guide pin (only in male connectors), pin keeper, spring, rear body, crimp ring, and boot. The guide pin appears only in male type connectors, while female type connectors do not have it.
FSG MPO Connector Kits
To fit different applications and distinguish between various types, MPO connectors are designed with variations in outer housing color, boot shape, and connector length.
2. MT Ferrule: This is one of the key parts of the connector. The optical properties, like insertion loss and return loss, depend largely on the quality of the ferrule.
FSG MT Ferrule
Advantages of MPO Connectors
MT ferrule in MPO connector
One of the key advantages of MPO connectors is their high-density design. By incorporating multiple fibers into a single connector, they allow for a significant increase in fiber density, making it possible to achieve higher data transmission rates and more efficient use of equipment space. This is particularly crucial in modern data centers, where the demand for high-speed and high-bandwidth connections is increasing rapidly.
MPO connectors have the benefits of increasing cable density and saving circuit card and rack space.
MPO vs. MTP Connectors
In the industry, MPO connectors are frequently also called MTP connectors. However, it is important to note that MTP is a registered trademark of US Conec and represents an improved version of MPO connectors. In other words, MTP is a type of MPO connectors, MTP connector is compatible with MPO connector.
Standards for MPO Connectors
Manufacturers of MPO connectors must ensure they meet intermateability standards such as the IEC 61754-7 and EIA/TIA-604-5 (FOCSI 5) standards. These standards are crucial for ensuring that any compliant plug and adapter can be intermated and meet performance levels. It’s also worth noting that MTP connectors meet these MPO standards.
Applications of MPO Connectors
MPO connectors are commonly used for parallel optics, such as 40 Gigabit Ethernet and 100 Gigabit Ethernet, where multiple fibers are needed to transmit and receive data simultaneously. They are also utilized in fiber optic backbone networks, where large volumes of data need to be transferred between different network segments. By assembling into MPO cables, these connectors are widely used in many high-density networks, such as 40G/100G networks. In data center applications, multi-fiber MPO connectors have the advantage of containing more fibers in a single cable, saving more space in the rack.
Conclusion
Overall, MPO connectors play a crucial role in the field of optical communications, allowing for efficient and high-density fiber connections. Their advantages in terms of space-saving, easy installation, and suitability for high-speed applications make them an ideal choice for various industries and applications. As technology continues to advance, MPO connectors will likely remain an essential component in the ever-evolving world of optical communications.
