2016年2月24日星期三

The Basics of HP SFP Transceivers

SFP, small form-factor pluggable, is a specification for a new generation of optical modular transceivers. It is a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver used for both telecommunication and data communications applications. SFP is a popular industry format jointly developed and supported by many network component vendors. HP, as a leading provider of optical network equipment, provides various SFP transceiver choices for your Gigabit Ethernet applications. This article gives you some fundamental information about HP 1000BASE SFP transceivers.
HP SFP
HP SFP is a Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) standard for high speed application. The devices are designed for use with small form factor (SFF) connectors, and offer high speed and physical compactness. HP SFP transceivers are electrically hot-pluggable, which enables them to be easily interchanged, so electro-optical or fiber optic networks can be upgraded and maintained more conveniently than has been the case with traditional soldered-in modules. Rather than replacing an entire circuit board containing several soldered-in modules, a single module can be removed and replaced for repair or upgrading. This can result in a substantial cost savings, both in maintenance and in upgrading efforts. All HP SFP transceivers are well tested on HP switch to ensure optimal signal integrity and the best end-to-end performance.
Types of HP SFP Transceivers
There is a number of HP 1000BASE SFP optics that are available depending on the customer application and distance capability required. Each optical interface operates and is managed like a fixed port but gives the customer flexibility to hotswap or interchange to different optical module types. In this part, two different kinds of HP SFP transceivers will be introduced.
HP 1000BASE-LX SFP: HP 1000BASE-LX SFP transceiver, like HP J4859C, is specified to work over a distance of up to 10km over single mode fiber and it can also run over all common types of multi mode fiber with a maximum segment length of 550m. For link distances greater than 300m, you must install a mode-conditioning patch cord between the transceiver and the MMF cable on both ends of the link. HP J4859C SFP transceiver, as shown below, provides a full-duplex gigabit solution up to 10 km (singlemode) or 550 m (multimode).
HP J4859C Compatible 1000BASE-LX SFP Transceiver
HP 1000BASE-SX SFP: HP 1000BASE-SX SFP transceiver, like HP JD118B, is compatible with the IEEE 802.3z standard and operates multi-mode fibers link up to 550 m. HP 1000BASE-SX SFP transceiver module consists of three sections: a VCSEL laser transmitter, a PIN photodiode integrated with a trans-impedance preamplifier (TIA) and MCU control unit. It is often applied for Fibre Channel links, Gigabit Ethernet links, Fast Ethernet links, etc. HP JD118B SFP transceiver, as shown below, is a cost effective transceiver module with a wavelength of 850 nm which supports data rates of up to 1.25 Gbps.
HP JD118B Compatible 1000BASE-SX SFP Transceiver
Applications of HP SFP
HP SFP Transceivers are designed to support SONET, gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and other communications standards. Storage interface cards, also called HBAs or Fibre Channel storage switches, also make use of these modules, supporting different speeds such as 2Gb, 4Gb, and 8Gb. Because of their low cost, low profile, and ability to provide a connection to different types of optical fiber, SFP provides such equipment with enhanced flexibility.
Conclusion
Fiberstore is a professional manufacturer and supplier for optical fiber products and provides various kinds of SFP transceivers. We offers a large amount of compatible SFP transceivers branded by many famous companies, like Cisco, HP, Juniper, and Brocade. All these fiber transceivers are 100% compatible with major brands like Cisco, HP, Juniper, Nortel, Force10, D-link, 3Com, etc. Moreover, these 1000BASE SFP transceivers are with high quality and backed by a lifetime warranty.

2016年2月23日星期二

Dual-Rate 1/10G SFP+ Transceiver Overview

A dual-rate optical transceiver means that an optical transceiver can support two different data rates. Users could use dual-rate optical transceivers to achieve the full forward and backward compatibility of their systems, which helps them save a lot. The common dual-rate optical transceivers in today's market is the 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+ transceiver. In this post, we will give a brief introduction to this kind of dual-rate transceiver.
Dual-Rate 1/10G SFP+ Transceiver
1/10G dual-rate SFP+ transceivers are designed for use in 1-Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet links over single-mode fiber (SMF) or multi-mode fiber (MMF). They are compliant with SFF-8431, IEEE 802.3-2005 10GBASE-SR/SW, 10GBASE-LR and 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX. Digital diagnostics monitoring (DDM) or digital optical monitoring (DOM) functions are available in dual-rate SFP+ transceivers via a 2-wire serial interface as specified in SFF-8472, so users can monitor many parameters of the transceiver module in real-time. There are many different vendors to supply 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+ transceiver, but the standards and protocols which they complied with are the same. The picture below shows an Intel E10GSFPSR 1/10G dual-rate SFP+ transceiver.
Intel E10GSFPSR Compatible 10GBASE-SR and 1000BASE-SX SFP+
Two Types of Dual-Rate SFP+ Transceiver
1G/10G dual-rate 10GBASE-LR and 1000BASE-LX SFP+ transceivers are designed for use in 1-Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet links up to 10km over SMF. They are compliant with SFF-8431, IEEE 802.3-2005 10GBASE-LR/LW and 1000BASE-LX. Digital diagnostics functions are available via a 2-wire serial interface, as specified in SFF-8472. 1G/10G dual-rate 10GBASE-LR and 1000BASE-LX SFP+ transceivers, such as Finisar FTLX1471D3BCV and Intel E10GSFPLR 10GBASE-LR and 1000BASE-LX SFP+ transceivers, are for applications specifically designed for 10G SFP+ ports and 1G/10G SFP+ ports. The FTLX1471D3BCV is a "limiting module", which means it employs a limiting receiver. Host board designers using an EDC PHY IC should follow the IC manufacturer's recommended settings for interoperating the hostboard EDC PHY with a limiting receiver SFP+ module. These transceivers are RoHS compliant.
1G/10G dual-rate 10GBASE-SR and 1000BASE-SX SFP+ transceivers are designed for use in 1-Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet links over MMF. They are compliant with SFF-8431, IEEE 802.3-2012 10GBASE-SR/SW and 1000BASE-SX. Digital diagnostics functions are available via a 2-wire serial interface, as specified in SFF-8472. 1G/10G dual-rate 10GBASE-SR and 1000BASE-SX SFP+ transceivers, such as Finisar FTLX8571D3BCV, Finisar Intel FTLX8571D3BCV-IT, and Intel E10GSFPSR SFP+ transceivers, are for applications specifically designed for 10G SFP+ ports and 1G/10GSFP+ ports. The FTLX8574D3BCV is a "limiting module", i.e., it employs a limiting receiver. Host board designers using an EDC PHY IC should follow the IC manufacturer's recommended settings for interoperability with an SFP+ limiting module.
Conclusion
A 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+ can be used in both 1 Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet links which eases the transition from 1Gb/s to 10Gb/s systems. This kind of SFP+ transceivers provide you a cost-effective solution for upgrading to higher needs of data rates. Moreover, 40G is becoming more and more popular and 100G is developing rapidly, thus the market of dual-rate optical transceivers will be promising. Fiberstore manufactures and supplies a complete range of SFP+ transceivers. Dual-rate 1G/10G SFP+ provided by Fiberstore can be designed to be compatible with many major brands, such as Cisco, HP, Juniper etc. And every optical transceiver has been tested to ensure our customers to receive the optics with superior quality.

2016年2月17日星期三

Choice of Bidirectional Transceivers for 40 GbE

As a result of data center consolidation, server virtualization, and new applications that require higher data transport rates, 10Gbps infrastructure is becoming overwhelmed by today's data center requirements, making the shift to 40 and 100 Gbps inevitable, especially in the network aggregation layer and core. How to upgrade the cabling infrastructure and migrate to the 40Gbps era in a cost-effective way? Cisco 40G QSFP (quad small form-factor pluggable) bidirectional (BiDi) technology provides a feasible and effective method, which will be introduced in the following text.
What Is 40G QSFP BiDi Transceiver?
Cisco's innovative 40 Gbps QSFP BiDi transceiver is a pluggable optical transceiver with a duplex LC connector interface for short-reach data communication and interconnect applications. The Cisco BiDi transceiver supports link lengths of 100m and 150m on laser-optimized OM3 and OM4 multimode fibers. It complies with the QSFP MSA specification, enabling customers to use it on all QSFP 40 Gbps platforms to achieve high-density 40 Gigabit Ethernet networks.
How Does 40G QSFP BiDi Transceiver Work?
Cisco QSFP BiDi transceiver technology converts four channels each of 10Gbps transmit and receive signals to two bidirectional channels of 20Gbps signals, which means that the Cisco QSFP BiDi transceiver has two 20Gbps channels, each transmitted and received simultaneously over two wavelengths on a single MMF strand. The technology uses specialized, multilayer, thin-film dielectric coating and lensing, which allows components to both pass and reflect optical signals at the same time. And it uses Bidirectional Optical Sub-Assembly (BOSA) technology to support two wavelengths (20 Gbps total) on each fiber. The connection can reach 100 meters on OM3 MMF or 150 meters on OM4 MMF, which is the same as 40Gbps SR4. Picture below shows the technology concept of the Cisco QSFP BiDi transceiver.
Concept of Cisco QSFP BiDi Transceiver
Why Choose 40Gbps QSFP BiDi Transceiver?
The Cisco QSFP BiDi transceiver transmits full-duplex 40Gbps traffic over one dual-fiber LC connector OM3 or OM4 MMF cable. It provides the capability to reuse 10Gbps fiber infrastructure. In other words, it enables data center operators to upgrade to 40Gbps connectivity without making great changes to the previous 10Gbps fiber cable plant. By using the existing 10 Gigabit Ethernet duplex multi-mode fiber (MMF) infrastructure for 40 Gigabit Ethernet, the Cisco BiDi transceiver offers significant cost savings and simplifies data center upgrading. It allows for zero-cost fiber migration by reusing the current 10Gbps cabling for 40Gbps device connectivity. 40Gbps QSFP BiDi transceiver reduces overall costs and installation time for customers migrating data center aggregation links to 40Gbps connections. Using Cisco BiDi transceivers offers 75% less fiber and MPO requirements, reduced cable sprawl and rack footprints, and investment protection with future support for 100 Gbps over duplex fiber.
Conclusion
Cisco 40G QSFP BiDi technology removes 40Gbps cabling cost barriers for migration from 10Gbps to 40Gbps connectivity in data center networks. It is quite a competitive option among all those various choices for 40 Gigabit Ethernet applications, such as QSFP+ transceiver, QSFP+ breakout cable or active optical cable. Compared with them, Cisco 40G QSFP BiDi transceivers provide simpler and less expensive 40Gbps connectivity compared to other 40Gbps transceiver solutions. Anyway, you choose the most appropriate one for your applications.

2016年2月15日星期一

Things to Know about 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ Modules

With the growing demand for high data rates, 40 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) is now becoming more and more widely adopted. For a 40 GbE network application, precise connectivity is crucial. 40G QSFP (quad small form factor pluggable) portfolio offers customers a wide variety of high-density and low-power 40 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options. Among them, 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver is a common 40 GbE connectivity option. And here are some things that you need to know about 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceivers.
Introduction
40GBASE-SR4 is a fiber optic interface for multimode fiber of OM classes 3 and 4 with four parallel OM3 or OM4 fibers in both directions. “S” means short, indicating that it is an interface for short distances. The “R” denotes the type of interface with 64B/66B encoding and the numeral 4 indicates that the transmission is carried out over a ribbon fiber with four multimode fibers in every direction. Each lane has a 10 Gbit/s data rate. 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ modules usually use a parallel multimode fiber (MMF) link to achieve 40G. It offers 4 independent transmit and receive channels, each capable of 10G operation for an aggregate data rate of 40G over 100 meters of OM3 MMF or 150 meters of OM4 MMF. It primarily enables high-bandwidth 40G optical links over 12-fiber parallel fiber terminated with MPO/MTP multifiber female connectors.
40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ module can also be used in a 4x10G mode for interoperability with 10GBASE-SR interfaces up to 100 and 150 meters on OM3 and OM4 fibers, respectively. The worry-free 4x10G mode operation is enabled by the optimization of the transmit and receive optical characteristics to prevent receiver overload or unnecessary triggering of alarm thresholds on the 10GBASE-SR receiver, and at the same time is completely interoperable with all standard 40GBASE-SR4 interfaces. The 4x10G connectivity is achieved using an external 12-fiber parallel to 2-fiber duplex breakout cable, which connects the 40GBASE-SR4 module to four 10GBASE-SR optical interfaces. The picture below shows a Mellanox MC2210411-SR4 compatible 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver.
Mellanox MC2210411-SR4 Compatible 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ Transceiver
40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ Module vs 40GBASE-CSR4 QSFP+ Module
40GBASE-CSR4 QSFP+ module is similar to the 40GBASE-SR4 interface extends supported link lengths to 300m and 400m respectively on laser-optimized OM3 and OM4 multimode fiber cables. Each 10-gigabit lane of this module is compliant to IEEE 10GBASE-SR specifications. This module can be used for native 40G optical links over 12-fiber ribbon cables with MPO/MTP connectors, or in 4x10G mode with ribbon to duplex fiber breakout cables for connectivity to four 10GBASE-SR interfaces. Maximum channel insertion loss allowed is respectively 2.6dB over 300m of OM3 cable or 2.9dB over 400m of OM4 cable.
Conclusion
Fiberstore offers you a wide variety of 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceivers for your high-density and low-power 40 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options branded by many famous companies like Cisco, Juniper or HP. And we also provide other compatible 40G QSFP+ transceivers, such as 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP+ transceiver, 40GBASE-ER4 QSFP+ transceiver, 40GBASE-CSR4 QSFP+ transceiver, etc. Every fiber optic transceiver provided by Fiberstore has been tested to ensure its compatibility and interoperability. You can buy from us with confidence.

2016年2月12日星期五

Parallel Optics Technology Overview

The number of network connections in data centers is on the rise. Data centers have to achieve ultra-high density in cabling. Multimode fiber optics is the medium of the future for satisfying the growing need for transmission speed and data volume over short distances. Parallel optics technology is what you get if you combine both trends—cabling density and the use of fiber optics. It is a suitable solution for high-performance data networks in data centers. This passage provides introductory information on parallel optics technology.
What Is Parallel Optics?
Parallel optics is a term used to represent both a type of optical communication and the devices on either end of the link that transmit and receive information. It differs from traditional fiber optic communication in that data is simultaneously transmitted and received over multiple optical fibers. In parallel optical communication, the devices on either end of the link contain multiple transmitters and receivers. For example, four transmitters on End A communicate with four receivers on End B, spreading a single stream of data over four optical fibers. With this configuration, a parallel optics transceiver can use four 2.5Gb/s transmitters to send one 10Gb/s signal from A to B.
Parallel optical devices are fundamentally different in construction from serial optical devices. Two complementary technologies have enabled the development and deployment of parallel optics devices: vertical cavity surface emission lasers (VCSELs) and the MPO connector. Parallel optic transmission technology spatially multiplexes or divides a high-data-rate signal among several fibers that are simultaneously transmitted and received. At the receiver, the signals are de-multiplexed to the original high-data-rate signal. MPO connectivity is used throughout the parallel optic link and interfaces into the transceiver module. An MPO connector and its connectivity method is showed in the picture below (Tx stands for transmit, Rx stands for receive).
12-fiber-MTP-parallel-connection-1024x366
Applications of Parallel Optics Technology
Parallel optic interfaces (POIs) are a fiber optic technology primarily targeted for short-reach multimode fiber systems (less than 300 meters) that operate at high data rates. Duplex fiber serial transmission with a directly modulated 850 nm VCSEL has been used to date for data rates up to 10G. Current and future protocols expected to use parallel optics include 40G and 100G Ethernet, InfiniBand and Fibre Channel speeds of 32G and higher. IEEE has already included physical layer specifications and management parameters for 40Gbps and 100Gbps operation over fiber optic cable. The uses of parallel optics technology continues to evolve and takes shape as higher-speed fiber optic transmission. Many cabling and network experts have pointed out that parallel optical communication supported with MPO technology is currently a way to equip an environment well prepared for the 40/100GbE transmission.
Why Choose Parallel Optics?
Parallel optical communication uses multiple paths to transmit a signal at a greater data rate than the individual electronics can support. Parallel transmission can either lower the cost of a given data rate (by using slower, less expensive optoelectronics) or enable data rates that are unattainable with traditional serial transmission. Moreover, POIs offer an economical solution that utilizes multimode fiber, which is optimized with VSCEL sources. This means that for speeds faster then 16G, parallel optics, is the most practical, cost-effective solution.
Parallel optics is one technology currently on the market for high data rates networking solutions. Fiberstore is a professional manufacturer and supplier, which offers a large amount of cables and transceivers for your parallel optics applications, such as QSFP+ transceiver and QSFP+ cable. Parallel optical transceivers used for 40GBASE-SR4 and 40GBASE-CSR4 have 10-Gbps electrical lanes that are mirrored in the optical outputs.

2016年2月10日星期三

The Basics of Push-Pull Patch Cables

During cabling and daily maintenance, it is inevitable to plug fiber optic connectors in or pull them out from switches. But finger access to each patch cable and connector is very difficult in a high density cabling system. For patch cords with connectors like LC that are locked in the interface, it would be even more difficult, for you have to unlock the connector from the port first before pull it out. To solve this problem, a simple and easy solution for high density cable management is introduced, which is push-pull patch cable. This article will give you a brief introduction to it.
What Is Push-Pull Patch Cable?
A push-pull patch cable, or push-pull patch cord, has the same components and internal-structure as the traditional patch cords, except a tab attached to the connector used for pushing or pulling the whole connector, so it is also called push-pull tab patch cord. This small push-pull tab looks simple but it is functional for high density cabling in 40/100G migration. High density cabling for 40G/100G and beyond usually employs MPO and LC connectors. The image below shows push-pull patch cables with LC or MPO connectors.
push-pull-tab-patch-cords_
Two Types of Push-Pull Patch Cable
As mentioned above, MPO and LC connectors are two commonly used connector types for push-pull patch cables. At this part, push-pull tab LC patch cord and push-pull tab MPO patch cable will be introduced.
Push-Pull LC Patch Cord: Push-pull LC patch cord contains the custom push-pull strain relief boot, and allows users easy accessibility when deploying very high density LC patch fields in data center applications. Push-pull tab LC cables are available in riser (OFNR), and low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) rated jacket materials to comply with local cabling ordinances and OM4, OM3 or OS1/OS2 fiber types to meet the demands of today's highest speed applications. They provide interconnect and cross-connect of applications in entrance facilities, telecommunication rooms, data centers, at the desk and network applications to interconnect pre-terminated cassettes in main distribution, horizontal distribution, and equipment distribution areas.
Push-Pull MPO Patch CablePush-pull tab MPO patch cable allows high-density connections between network equipment in telecommunication rooms. They feature push-pull tab connectors that offer maximum accessibility in high density installations. You can install or remove it with one hand, providing quick fiber optic connections. The MTP/MPO connector is approximately the same size of a SC connector and it can accommodate 24 fibers, so it provides up to 24 times the density of SC style connectors, thereby offering savings in circuit card and rack space. High-density design cuts down on installation costs. And there is no need for long fan-out cables or individual long duplex cable runs.
Applications and Advantages
Push-pull patch cables offer ease of installation as well as superior performance. Other advantages include easy to remove, reducing risk of failure, and space saving. They utilize the latest engineered polymers, precision ceramics, and the finest metals to address specific applications, enabling a wide range of cable choices, SMF or MMF. They are highly recommended in interconnect systems. The table below shows their applications in details.
Push-pull patch cable applications
Push-pull tab patch cords can support high durability and flexibility which fit the connection between devices of different data rate. Fiberstore offers a full range of push-pull patch cables for your network applications. You can always buy from us with confidence.

2016年2月8日星期一

40 GbE and 100 GbE over Multimode Fiber

To support the changing and fast-growing bandwidth demands of data centers, the IEEE ratified standards for supporting 40 GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) and 100 GbE (Gigabit Ethernet), known as IEEE 802.3ba. Both 40 and 100 GbE can be deployed using the same cabling systems in use today. Multimode will employ parallel optics using MPO interconnects and require additional cable infrastructure depending on the system deployed while single mode fiber will employ serial transmission and use LC or SC connectors. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this post, 40 GbE and 100 GbE over multimode fiber will be introduced.
40 GbE and 100 GbE Standard
IEEE published the IEEE 802.3ba standard for 40 Gigabit and 100 Gigabit Ethernet in June 2010. multimode optical fiber OM1, OM2, OM3 and OM4 have different capabilities of supporting different Ethernet applications. Only the laser optimized multimode fiber (grades OM3 and OM4) are capable of supporting 40G and 100G Ethernet. The next part will focus on the cabling requirements of 40 GbE and 100 GbE over multimode fiber. The table below shows 40GE and 100GE specifications.
40 GbE and 100 GbE Specifications
Implementing Parallel Optics
Traditionally, the Ethernet standard has relied upon duplex fiber cabling with each channel using one fiber to transmit and the other to receive. However, the 802.3ab standard requires multiple lanes of traffic per channel. To do this, the 40/100GbE standard uses parallel optics. The 802.3ba standard defines the parallel operation of four OM3/OM4 fibers for 40 GbE in 40GBASE-SR4 and the parallel operation of ten OM3/OM4 fibers for 100 GbE in 100GBASESR10. Two fibers have to be used per link because this arrangement is full duplex operation, i.e. simultaneous transmission in both directions. Therefore the number of fibers increases to eight for 40GBASE-SR4 and to 20 for 100GBASE-SR10. In the parallel optical link, the signal is split, transmitted over separate fibers and then joined again. That means the individual signals have to arrive at the receiver at the same time. Any skew in signal components has to be kept within tight tolerances. Trunk cables preterminated with MPO/MTP connectors are therefore the best choice for reliable transmission.
What Is 40 GbE and 100GbE over Multimode Fiber?
40G Ethernet and 100G Ethernet over multimode fiber uses parallel optics at 10 Gb/s per lane. One lane uses 1 fiber for each direction of transmission. 40G Ethernet requires 8 fibers. 100G Ethernet requires 20 fibers. The minimum performance that is needed to support 40 GbE and 100 GbE over multimode fiber is OM3 fiber for a distance of 100 meters. Cabling with OM4 fiber provides the capability to extend the reach up to 150 meters. Parallel optical channels with multi-fiber multimode optical fibers of the categories OM3 and OM4 are used for implementing 40 GbE and 100 GbE. The small diameter of the optical fibers poses no problems in laying the lines, and 802.3ba standard incorporated the MPO multi-fiber connector for 40GBASE-SR4 and 100GBASE-SR10, which can contact 12 or 24 fibers in the tiniest of spaces.
Conclusion
Optical fiber cabling is commonly deployed for backbone cabling in data centers for switch to switch connections and also for horizontal cabling for switch to server and storage area network connections. The use of pre-terminated optical fiber cabling can facilitate the migration path to 40G and 100G Ethernet in the future. Fiberstore can supply you with top-quality components for your 40 GbE and 100 GbE network, like 40G QSFP transceivers, and all kinds of QSFP+ cable choices, it also assists you competently with all questions involving planning, installation and maintenance.

2016年2月5日星期五

Introduction to MPO/MTP Technology in 40 GbE

The increasing demands of bandwidth and high speed drive the emergence of 40 GbE, and even up to higher in the future. And the high-speed transmission requires high-density data center as the increasing created data need amount of cables and devices which take a lot of space and cost. Data centers have to achieve ultra-high density in cabling to accommodate all this cabling in the first place. Multimode fiber optics is the medium of the future for satisfying the growing need for transmission speed and data volume over short distances. Ultra-parallel connections involve tougher requirements in terms of the components and the handling of the connectors. The MPO/MTP technology has proven to be a practical solution. This article provides introductory information on MPO/MTP technology in 40 GbE.
MPO/MTP—Multi-fiber Connectors for High Port Density
Parallel optical channels with multi-fiber multimode optical fibers of the categories OM3 and OM4 are used for implementing 40 GbE. The small diameter of the optical fibers poses no problems in laying the lines, but the ports suddenly have to accommodate four or even ten times the number of connectors. This large number of connectors can no longer be covered with conventional individual connectors. That is why the 802.3ba standard incorporated the MPO multi-fiber connector for 40GBASE-SR4. It can contact 12 or 24 fibers in the tiniest of spaces. Next part describes this type of connector.
12 Fibers 10G OM4 Harness Cable, 12 Strands, MPO-HD to LC-HD Push Pull TAB Connector
MPO Connectors: Structure and Function
The MPO connector (known as multi-fiber push-on and also as multi-path push-on) is a multi-fiber connector defined according to IEC 61754-7 and TIA/EIA 604-5 that can accommodate up to 72 fibers in the tiniest of spaces, comparable to an RJ45 connector. MPO connectors are most commonly used for 12 or 24 fibers. Eight fibers are needed for 40 GbE, which means four contacts remain non-interconnected in each case. MPO connectors and MTP (mechanical transfer push-on) connectors are no longer terminated on site because of the delicate multi-fiber structure and narrow tolerances involved. MPO/MTP connectors are therefore sold already terminated together with trunk cables. With this arrangement, customers have to plan line lengths precisely but are also assured top quality and short installation times. To achieve lower tolerances and better attenuation values, the American connectivity specialist US Conec developed the MTP connector. It has better optical and mechanical quality than the MPO. An MTP connector consists of a housing and a separate MT ferrule. The MT ferrule is a multi-fiber ferrule in which the fiber alignment depends on the eccentricity and positioning of the fibers and the holes drilled in the centering pins. The centering pins help control fiber alignment during insertion. Since the housing is detachable, the ferrules can undergo interferometric measurements and subsequent processing during the manufacturing process.
Conclusion
MPO/MTP connectors and fiber cables as the important part of the multi-fiber connection system, are designed for the reliable and quick operations in data centers. Fiberstore manufactures and distributes a wide range of MTP/MPO cable assemblies including trunk cables, harness cables and cassettes (or patch panels). And we also offer other kinds of transceiver and cable choices for your 40GbE applications, for example, HP JG709A 40GBASE-CSR4 QSFP+ transceiver, and Juniper QFX-QSFP-DAC-3M QSFP+ to QSFP+ passive copper cable, etc. Futhermore, customized service such as optional fiber counts, cable types and lengths are available.