Multi-core transmission means more challenges

At the heart of the MPO connector is the mechanical docking (MT) ferrule technology, which was launched by a leading Japanese telecommunications company in the mid-1980s for commercial user telephony services. This MT technology became the basis for the first MPO connector introduced in the early 1990s.

The ever-changing communication technology is changing people’s lives and putting forward higher requirements for network transmission performance. As bandwidth demand increases, the industry is evolving toward higher-density networks, which are multi-lane highways for data transmission. This heralds the beginning of today’s parallel optics, or multi-core optical transmission. Due to the increase in “channels” used in parallel optics – the fiber that receives the received data requires an efficient, high-density interconnect. The design of the MPO connector has successfully established a compact method that can effectively couple and separate high-density MT ferrules through a coupler. However, more fiber core counts mean more installation considerations.

Solve the challenges

To compensate for the installation challenges of increasing fiber optics, Corning, an innovator in materials science, collaborated with US Conec in the US, and US Conec is a leader in the development of interconnected components. In 1996, the MTP® connector brand was launched into the US market, a line of advanced MPO connectors designed for 4, 8 and 12 core fiber applications. In the same year, the MPO approach was standardized by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and accepted by the industry eager to install, deploy and manage high-density fiber-optic networks.

Less time, less space

Before the MTP connector enters the market, it is usually necessary for two installers to install and test the 144-core fiber throughout the day. With the MTP connector, the installer can quickly connect 8 to 12 core fibers in a short period of time, using a pre-terminated plug-and-play cable to reduce the day’s work time to just a few hours. To ensure an accurate connection, the MTP is the preferred MPO connector that has been factory tested and pre-designed to fit on a suitable length of fiber optic cable. This means deployment is much simpler, and future upgrades, expansions, and changes to structured cabling are greatly simplified. At the time, these advances in MTP connectors eventually became the industry standard.

Faster deployment is only one aspect of the need, because installers also need a way to put more fiber into a smaller space. The MTP connector solves this problem. Before parallel optics became popular, installers are working hard to provide high-density solutions. The MTP connector makes it easier to do this. Replacing the density of the 144-fiber connection of the 1U fiber distribution frame, the MTP connector’s distribution frame can accommodate 864-core fiber, increasing capacity by a factor of six. This fiber density makes MTP connectors particularly well suited for data centers that have severe space constraints or require the use of large numbers of fibers.

Good technology is constantly improving

With the popularity of pre-terminated solutions, MTP connectors quickly became the data center of choice, providing an alternative to LC and SC connectors. But the design of the MTP is not just a smaller connector, it has the advantage of supporting various technologies for parallel optics. Since its inception, MTP connectors have been continuously improved, making them an ideal choice for multi-core fiber optic connectors in data centers of all sizes.

MTP connectors with high adaptability and flexibility are evolving to meet the needs of installers, data centers and users. Let’s take a brief look at the major advances we’ve seen in the MTP approach over the past 20 years.

Any technology. Any data center. Any size.

We have come a long way since the original MT ferrule technology used in the Japanese telecommunications network. But the MTP approach is just beginning. Today, the challenges we face are hyperscale, big data and cloud data centers: how do we provide, add and support high-density, ultra-large bandwidth applications that require a lot of space to accommodate a large number of lines? cable. Due to its ever-improving insertion loss, fiber density, ease of installation, and proven stability, MTP connectors are ready to meet these requirements.

But it’s worth noting that MTP is not just designed for large cloud computing, big data, and very large scale computing. The latest version of the MTP connector is not only suitable for fiber to fiber connections. It is also applicable to all industries related to the electronics industry – finance, healthcare, education, services, etc.

So whether you’re using duplex, 8-core, or 16-core fiber optic transmission, MTP connectors can be applied to any technology you’re using—including new parallel fiber technology applications, such as 400Gb Ethernet, which can be used. 32, 16 and 8-core fiber optic transmission. MTP connectors, supported by their powerful process technology, can also function in a variety of operating environments, including high humidity, extreme heat and cold, and high temperature variations.

Ethernet optical transceiver blueprint

The biggest advantage of MTP connector

Meeting the next generation of MTP

With its practicality of using different technologies in so many different applications, the MTP connector is versatile, which is an advantage for the installer. But this versatility also brings some challenges. The installer doesn’t know if they need a terminal (commonly known as “male”) or a negative (commonly known as “female”), or when dealing with thousands of fibers that are not only to be transmitted but also need to be received. These issues can delay deployment time when performing polarity management.

The latest generation of MTP connectors bring new features and functionality that simplify on-site configuration. Is there a correct “male” or “female” at hand? not a problem. The new MTP connector makes it easy to change the “male and female plugs” and polarity in the field without the need for expertise or connector engineers. In addition to excellent field configurability, the connectors are also safer and more environmentally friendly when plugging and unloading.

MTP connector action

Since 1996, installers have relied on MTP connectors to speed up data center installations. Now we have seen the advantages of MTP further. With more than 20 years of performance and continuous improvement, the next generation of advances will soon come, and MTP connectors continue to deliver exceptional value for a variety of networking technologies. No matter what technology you use, MTP connectors will be part of your data center. Making the most of time and space efficiency is the simplest definition of MTP.