What are MPO Connectors?
MPO connectors are fiber optic connectors designed for multi-fiber connections and feature a push-on coupling mechanism, which is why they’re referred to as “multi-fiber push on” (MPO). These connectors are ideal for high-bandwidth and high-density applications, supporting fiber counts ranging from 12 to 24 fibers, and in some specialized cases, they can support up to 48 or 72 fibers. The new generation of MPO connectors support 16 to 32 fibers, which is essential for high-speed 400 GB applications. MPO connectors come in two types: male (with pins) and female (without pins).
MPO vs. MTP: What’s the Difference?
MTP connectors are an enhanced version of MPO connectors, offering superior mechanical and optical performance. One of the key features of MTP connectors is the removable housing, which allows for changes, re-polishing, or interferometric scanning of the MT ferrule. This feature even enables the gender of the connector to be altered after assembly or in the field.
An MTP connector is equipped with a floating ferrule, which improves its mechanical performance. This means that when two MTP connectors are mated, their ferrules can maintain contact even under pressure.
Additionally, MPO connectors use plastic pin clamps and round springs, while MTP connectors use metal pin clamps and round springs. The metal pin clamp ensures that the push spring remains centered at all times, preventing pins from being lost and protecting the spring from damage.
Advantages and Disadvantages of MPO Connectors
The rapid growth of network links in data centers can make conventional fiber cabling increasingly difficult to manage. To address this issue, data centers need ultra-dense cabling solutions to manage large quantities of cables in limited space.
Advantages:
MPO/MTP cables, which combine 8, 12, or 24 fibers into a single interface, offer a practical solution to this problem. These multi-fiber cables can support standards like 40GBASE-SR4 and 100GBASE-SR10, and they are efficient in saving both card and rack space. MPO connectors can accommodate the same number of fibers as SC connectors in a smaller area, making them an excellent choice for data center optimization.
Disadvantages:
One downside of MPO/MTP connectors is that their surface is highly sensitive and cannot be cleaned easily, which may require careful maintenance.
How to Measure MPO Cable Quality
Once MPO cables are manufactured, they undergo cleaning and are assessed both microscopically and geometrically to ensure cleanliness and high quality. The quality is further tested using a VIAVI MPO test device, which measures light transmittance to verify that the fiber connectors meet standard values.
To perform the measurement, a jumper cable is connected to the device, and the appropriate master cable is selected based on the type of cable being tested. After ensuring the cables are clean, the measured cable is connected to the master cable and the device for testing. The device then provides a precise reading with the final measurement results.
