Understanding Fiber Optic Cable Specifications

Most cable configurations come with various sizes and types of fibers. For example many fibers have a buffer coating of 250 or 950 um diameter. This coating allows fibers of 8/125, 50/125, 62.5/125, or 100/140 um to be used. Each of these fibers can further be offered with various attenuations and bandwidths to satisfy the needs of a particular application. In addition, a cable using a loose-tube buffer can hold one or several fibers. None of these factors significantly influences cable construction. The same construction can accommodate all these differences easily.

As fiber optic technology became widespread, serious dabate evolved over which multimode fiber was best suited to different applications. For example, 62.5/125 and 100/140 um fibers were all proposed for premises wiring and local area networks. The debate centered on the technical and costs merits of each fiber: attenuation, bandwidth, NA, ease and cost of coupling light into the fiber, and so forth.

Multimode fiber is usually 50/125 and 62.5/125 in construction. The “winner” of these debates was the 62.5/125 um fiber, which is the specified or preferred fiber in nearly all applications involving premises wiring, LANs, computer interconnections, and similar uses. 50/125 fiber is making a “comeback” because of its higher bandwidth. Common type of 50/125 fiber optic cable has OM4 fiber optic cable, OM3 fiber optic cable, OM1 and OM2 fiber optic cable. Both OM1 and OM2 multimode cables use the orange color jacket (standard practice for commonly used indoor multimode), OM3 use a special color, which is called Aqua.

Single-mode fibers are still the preferred choice for long-distance, high-speed applications, while both 50/125 and 100/140 um are used in many applications. Here we recommend you singlemode simplex fiber optic cable from Fiberstore, they are designed for production termination where consistency and uniformity are vital for fast and efficient operation.

Fiber optic cables are typically offered with standard-grade and premium-grade fibers. Many application standards specify performace that is met by standard-grade cables. In most cases, the cable performance is a minimum, the cable may exceed the stated performance for a requirement such as bandwidth. For example, most standards call for a 62.5 um cable to have a minimum bandwidth of 160 MHz at 850 nm and 300 MHz at 1300 nm. The standard for FDDI networks call for a 500-MHz bandwidth at 1300 nm. It is possible to buy cable with a bandwidth of 200 MHz at 850 mn and 600 MHz at 1300 nm. Similarly, 50/125 um is available with a standard bandwidth of 500 MHz or an extended bandwidth of 1000 MHz (at both 850 and 1300 nm). The point is that it is possible to buy cabled fiber at different levels of performance for the same type of fiber.

As the best OEM fiber optic cable manufacturer, we provides a fantastic selection of bulk fiber optic cable with detailed specifications displayed for your convenient selecting. Per foot price of each fiber cable is flexible depending on the quantities of your order, making your cost of large order unexpected lower. Buy fiber optic cable from fiberstore, you can custom the cable plant to best fit your needs.

Number Of Individual Optical Fibers

Fiber optic cables come in many configurations. The fiber strands can be either single mode or multimode, step index or graded index, and the cable jacketing can be either tight buffered or loose-tube buffered. The fiber strands have a variety of core diameters. Most often, the fiber strands are glass, but plastic fiber optic cable exists as well. Finally, the cables can be strictly for outdoor use, strictly for indoor use,or a “universal” type that works both inddors and out. These cables also have various fiber ratings. This article mainly introduce the number of optical fibers.

The difference between fiber optic cables is the number of individual optical fibers with them. The number depends on the intende use of the cable and can increase the cables’s size, cost, and capacity.

Because the focus of this book is network cabling and the majority of fiber optic cables you will encounter for networking are tight buffered, we will limit our discussions here to tight-buffered cables. Thes cables can be divided into three categories based on the number of optical fibers:

  • Simplex cables
  • Duplex cables
  • Multifiber cables

A simplex fiber optic cable has only one tight-buffered optical fiber inside the cable jacket. Because simplex cables have only one fiber inside them, only aramid yarn is used for strength and flexibility; the crimped directly to a mechanical connector. Simplex fiber optic cables are typically categorized as interconnect cables and are used to make interconnections in front of the patch panel.

Duplex cables, in contrast, have two tight-buffered optical fibers inside a single jacket (as shown in Figure 8.12). The most popular use for duplex fiber optic cables is as a fiber optic LAN backbone cable, because all LAN connections need a transmission fiber and a reception fiber. Duplex cables have both inside a single cable, and running a single cable is of course easier than running two.

duplex cable

One type of fiber optic cable is called a duplex cable but technically is not one. This cable is known as zip cord. Zip cord is really two simplex cables bonded together into a single flat optical fiber cable. It’s called a duplex because there are two optical fibers, but it’s not really duplex because the fibers aren’t covered by a common jacket. Zip cord is used primarily as a duplex patch cable. It is used instead of true duplex cable because it is cheaper to make and to use. Most importanly, however, it allows each simplex cable to be connectorized and crimped directly to a mechanical connector for both strength and durability. Figure 8.13 shows a zip cord OM4 fiber optic cable.

OM4 Zip cord

Finally, multifiber cables contain more than two optical fibers in one jacket. Multifer cables have anywhere from three to several hundred optical fibes in them. More often than not, however, the number of fibers in a multifiber cable will be a multiple of two, as discussed earlier, LAN applications need a send and a receive optical fiber for each connection. Six, twelve, and twenty-four fiber cables are the most commonly used for backbone applications. These cables are typically used for making connections behind the patch-panel (aslo known as “behind the shelf” connections).

FS.COM specialize in fiber optic cables with expert advice, large in-stock inventory of bulk fiber optic cable and a high level of customer service. Bulk fiber optic cable are available in simplex, duplex, breakout, distribution and indoor, outdoor types. Other types also available for custom design. Excellent quality and fast delivery.

Typical Fiber Optic Cable Components

Whether a cable contains a single optical fiber or several, it has a basic structure in common with other cables. As shown in Figure 7.2, a typical fiber optic cable consists of the optical fiber(made up of the core, cladding, and coating), plus a buffer, strength members, and an outer protective jacket. Let’s look at these components individually.

fiber optic components

Buffer

While the fiber’s coating is the first non-optical protective layer surrounding the fiber, the buffer, which in turn surrounds the coating, providers a greater measure of protcetion as well as some tensile strength, which is useful when pulling the cable to install it or when it must hang between two suspension points. The buffer is also the first layer used to define the type of cable construction. Depending on the application, manufacures can provide loose-buffered or tight-buffered cables.

Loose Tube Buffering

Losse tube buffering consists of a buffer layer that has an inner diameter much larger than the diameter of the fiber, as shown in Figure 7.3. The primary purpose of loose tube buffering is to allow the fiber more room to move independently of the buffer and the rest of the cable. An important factor if the cable will be subjected to temperature extremes that cause expansion or contraction, changes in tension, or excessive bending. Figure 7.4 shows how the fiber inside the loose tube buffer is isolated from movement of the buffer and the rest of the cable.

Loose tube

Because the fiber is not connected to the buffer, it will usually follow a gently meandering path through the buffer, giving it some extra length. This is useful when the cable is streched—as it inevitably will be—since a small amount of stretching will only straighten the fiber out without putting any damaging tension on it.

Loose tube buffered cable may be single fiber or multimfiber(not to be confused with singlemode and multimode fiber), meaning that it may have one or many fibers running through it. In addition, a cable may contain a number of loose tube buffers grouped together, as shown in Figure 7.5. In such cables, loose tube buffers are grouped around a central core that provides added strength.

Loose tube buffered cable that is made for outdoor use may be filled with a gel that prevents water from getting in the cable. The gel aslo helps to cushion the fiber against any damage from shock or pressure and insulates it against rapid temperaure changes. In catalogs, these cables are reffered to as loose tube, gel-filled or LTGF cables. Here’s loose tube type ADSS cable from our Fiberstore, as shown in following picture.

Tight Buffering

Tight-buffered cable is used in more controlled environments where the cable is not subjected to changes in position, temperature, tension, or moisture. In short, tight-buffered cable is mostl used indoors. In data center, tight-buffered OM4 fiber optic cable are used in any data center looking for high speeds of 10G/40G/100G.

As shown in Figure 7.6, tight-buffered cable begins with a 250u optical fiber. The plastic buffer itself is 900u in diameter and is applied directly to the outer coating layer of the fiber. In this way, it resembles a conventional insulated copper wire. The buffer may have additional strength members running around it for greater resistance to stretching. Tigh-buffered cable is more flexible than loose tube buffered cable. With added protection against outside forces, tight-buffered cable can be used outdoors or in temporary setups where greater flexiblility is required.

Tight Buffer Cable

The tight buffer provides added tensile strenght to the fiber, but does not isolate it from stretching and bending the way loose buffering does. Since the plastic, which is attatched directly to the fiber, expands and contracts with temperature at a different than the fiber itself, the different expansion rates can cause loss-inducing microbends. For this resaon, tight-buffered cable is most ofen used in areas where the cable is fixed in place and maintained in controlled conditions. If any microbending takes palce, however, the cable runs indoors are typically short enough to minimize attenuation problems.

Fiberstore has a long history of designing carefully engineered fiber optic cable for best-in-class performance, ease of use and flexibility. Our facility features state-of-the-art machinery continuously monitoring and maintaining optimum line speeds while simultaneously protecting the glass fiber. From simplex fiber constructions to large, armored multi-fiber cables. Need custom bulk fiber optic cable or one that integrates tight buffered cable, loose tubes or other length-based components into a single cable design? Fiberstore is the one for all of your optical fiber cabling needs.

Fiber Optic Cables Constructions Outlines

Fiber optic cables are available with a wide variety of constructions to match the unique requirements of virtually any AV installation. These cables may contain just one fiber or hundreds of fibers and may be designed for indoor or outdoor applications. now we mainly examines outlines which cable constructions are appropriate for each topology.

Indoor Simplex and Duplex Cables

A simplex fiber optic cable, contains a single, tight buffered fiber surrounded by aramid yarn strength members. At the center of the cable, the 125 um glass fiber is surrounded by a 250 um buffer coating. A 900 um secondary buffer is added for additional protection. The aramid yarn is made from Kevlar, the same material used by law enforcement and the military for body armor. It provides additional protection and strength for pulling. A 2mm to 3mm outer jacket surrounds the yarn and buffered fiber for a final layer of protection.  As mention simplex fiber optic cable, we have to recommend you 10G OM4 simplex fiber optic cable from FS.COM.  As shown in following picture.

10G OM4 simplex fiber optic cable

Multimode OM4 fiber optic cable is the highest level of multi-mode fiber optic cable that you can use. The om4 multi mode fiber cable has the highest bandwidth possible and therefore can be used in networks where an overwhelming or extreme amount of data transfers will take place. The multimode om4 fiber, or om4 wire, will definitely support all of your businesses data needs.

A duplex zip-cord fiber optic cable, as shown in Figure 12, consists of two simplex fibers that are bound together, and can be easily separated by pulling apart. Each buffered fiber is surrounded by aramid yarn strength members and a jacket. A thin strip of jacket material down the middle holds the two fibers together.

Since most AV signals travel along one or two fibers, simplex and duplex cables are the most common fiber optic cables used in AV systems. They are used as patch cords and are often installed in horizontal spaces between telecom or equipment rooms and work areas. Available in both riser and plenum rated varieties, they can be installed within walls, under raised floors, and in air return spaces. The small size and light weight make these cables easy to pull. The individually jacketed and buffered fibers enable easy field termination, and provide durability for routine handling.

Indoor Multi-Fiber Cables

A breakout fiber optic cable contains multiple simplex cables within a common outer jacket as shown in Figure 13. The simplex fibers are bundled around a central dielectric element for additional strength. The outer jacket can be stripped back using an integrated rip cord to expose the simplex fibers for stripping and termination. Once terminated, the individual fibers can be plugged directly into a patch panel or terminal equipment. The jacketing material can be riser or plenum rated for installing in walls or air return spaces.

Breakout cables are used anywhere multiple fibers must be run from one point to another. Since each fiber is protected by strength members and a jacket, breakout cables are often used in horizontal spaces between work areas and a telecom or equipment room. They are also used within the building fiber backbone for connecting the telecom room to the equipment room in a hierarchical topology. Breakout cables can be used between patch panels or plugged directly into equipment.Bulk 9/125 Singlemode Fiber Optic Breakout Cable save up to 30% off in FS.COM now. Our breakout cable is OFNP, plenum rated so it can be placed in ceilings and other plenum air spaces. This series features a single outer jacket which surrounds and protects the individually jacketed fibers within. Our bulk fiber optic cable is compatible to international and industrial standards, we are China manufacturer and China supplier of good price bulk fiber optic cables.

breakout indoor cable

Plastic Optical Fiber(POF)

Plastic optical fiber is a type of optical fiber that uses polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as the core material that allows the transmission of light. POF is often called consumer optical fiber as it is a low-cost optical fiber alternative that is easier to use than glass optical fiber. It sustains a data transfer speed of 2.5GB/s, which isn’t as fast as glass optical fiber, but is much faster than traditional copper wire.

In comparison to traditional optical fiber, PoF is much larger in diameter which results in lower data rates making it most suitable for high bandwidth signal transmission over short distances. Unlike glass, plastic fiber can easily be cut and bent to fit in hard-to-reach places and the larger core also allows for slightly damaged fiber to work. POF products are most commonly used in medical, automotive, home networks, as well as digital audio and video interfaces. Our Plastic Fiber Optic Cable is constructed of a single acrylic monofilament and are most efficient when used with visible red status indicator light sources.A wide range of fiber optic tips are available.

Fiber optic cables provide unique advantages in an AV system, particularly in secure and long distance applications. Choosing the proper cable depends upon the number of fibers required, installation location, topology, and the overall design of the system. Cable constructions are available for both indoor and outdoor applications to provide a solution for virtually any AV system. Color coding provides an easy identification method for multi-fiber cables.

10GbE Cables In Network Cabling

There are two basic cable types available for 10GbE applications: copper and fiber-optic cables. As interface speeds increase, expect increased usage of fiber optic cables and connectors for most interfaces. At higher Gigabit speeds (10Gb+), copper cables and interconnects generally have too much amplitude loss except for short distances, such as within a rack or to a nearby rack. This amplitude loss is sometimes called a poor signal-to-noise ratio or simply “too noisy”

Fiber-optic cables

There are two general types of fiber optic cables available: single-mode fiber and multi-mode fiber.

* Single-mode fiber (SMF)—typically with an optical core of approximately 9 μm (microns), has lower modal dispersion than multi-mode fiber and can support distances of at least 10 Km and as high as 80-100 Km (Kilometers) or more, depending on transmission speed, transceivers and the buffer credits allocated in the switches.

* Multi-mode fiber (MMF)—with optical core of either 50 μm or 62.5 μm, supports distances up to 600 meters, depending on transmission speeds and transceivers. Meter-for-meter, single-mode and multi-mode cables are similarly priced. However, some of the other components used in single-mode links are more expensive than their multi-mode equivalents.

Meter-for-meter, single-mode and multi-mode cables are similarly priced. However, some of the other components used in single-mode links are more expensive than their multi-mode equivalents.

When planning data center cabling requirements, be sure to consider that a service life of 15 to 20 years can be expected for fiber optic cabling, so the choices made today need to support legacy, current and emerging data rates. Also note that deploying large amounts of new cable in a data center can be labor- intensive, especially in existing environments.

There are different designations for fiber-optic cables depending on the bandwidth supported.

* Multi-mode: OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4
* Single-mode: OS1

OM3 and OM4 are newer multi-mode cables that are “laser optimized” (LOMMF) and support 10GbE applications. OM3 and OM4 fiber optic cable are also the only multi-mode fibers included in the IEEE 802.3ba 40G/100G Ethernet standard that was ratified in June 2010. The 40G and 100G speeds are currently achieved by bundling multiple channels together in parallel with special multichannel (or multi-lane) connector types. This standard defines an expected operating range of up to 100m for OM3 and up to 150m for OM4 for 40GbE and 100GbE. These are estimates of distance only and supported distances may differ when 40GbE and 100GbE products become available in the coming years. See the Connector Types section below for additional detail.

Newer multi-mode OM2, OM3 and OM4 (50 μm) and singlemode OS1 (9 μm) fiber-optic cables have been introduced that can handle tight corners and turns. These are known as “bend optimized,” “bend insensitive,” or have “enhanced bend performance.” These fiber-optic cables can have a very small turn or bend radius with minimal signal loss or “bending loss.” The term “bend optimized” multi-mode fiber (BOMMF) is sometimes used. OS1 single-mode fiber optics are used for long distances, up to 10,000m (6.2 miles) with the standard transceivers and have been known to work at much longer distances with special transceivers and switching infrastructure. Each of the multi-mode and single-mode fiber optic cable types includes two wavelengths. The higher wavelengths are used for longer-distance connections.

Indoor vs. outdoor cabling

Indoor Cable is  suitable for indoor building applications. Outdoor cables, also known as outside plant or OSP,are suitable for outdoor applications and are water (liquid and frozen) and ultra-violet resistant. Indoor/outdoor cables provide the protections of outdoor cables with a fire-retardant jacket that allows deployment of these cables inside the building entrance beyond the OSP maximum distance, which can reduce the number of transition splices and connections needed.

Fiberstore offers an extensive line of off the shelf bulk fiber optic cable to address your fiber installation needs. We stock 62.5/125, 50/125, and 9/125 bulk fiber optic cable in simplex, duplex (zip cord), breakout, and distribution styles.

Fiber Plug-and-Play Solutions for Data Center Applications

Recognizing the need for enterprises to have a dedicated area within a building for connecting servers to internal and external networks, otherwise known as data centers, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) developed and ratified the TIA-942 standard. Data centers operate at very high levels of reliability and demand design flexibility to easily accommodate frequent adds and changes to equipment. Managing the thousands of cables that typically comprise a data center should always be a high priority for the data center or network manager particularly for maximizing system performance and uptime.

Fiber plug-and-play solutions for data center applications are designed to address the reliability, scalability,and thermal needs of today’s mission-critical data centers. The product suite includes plug-and-play MPO Cabling solutions for TrueNet Fiber products for placement in the main distribution area (MDA), backbone, and horizontal and equipment distribution areas (HDA and EDA). These solutions are included in the TrueNet Zero Bit-Error Warranty, and promote increased reliability of the data center through properly managed and scalable cable density, which encourages proper airflow and reduces overall installation and maintenance costs.

MPO

Polarity Made Simple

One of the most common questions regarding MPO deployments is how the system design addresses the polarity issue of the fiber. Fiber system employs the recommendations made in TIA standard TIA-568.b.1-7.Fiber plug-and-play trunks use a key up/key down fiber array as noted in TIA-568.b.1-7. The Fiber plug-and-play cassettes are wired straight through. In addition, Fiber duplex jumpers have a duplex clip that is easily removed for polarity changes in the field.

Of main concern in the horizontal and equipment distribution areas is the consolidation and management of optical jumpers from Storage Area Networks (SANs), servers, switches and routers. Fiber optic panels at these consolidation points should employ four fundamentals of fiber management: bend radius protection, cable and connector access, intuitive cable routing paths, and physical protection.

Horizontal and Equipment Distribution Areas

Data Center Optical Distribution Frame (ODF) is the highest density fiber distribution frame solution available on the market. It efficiently manages up to 1,728 fiber terminations using the 144-position block (or 2,304 using the 192-position block) in a single frame in either a cross-connect or interconnect design. The data center frame’s patented design incorporates the fundamentals of cable management while using the industry’s highest fiber count MPO Cassette. This powerful combination provides the following benefits:

  • Rapid installation of new deployments
  • MPO trunks can enter the rack from under-the-floor or overhead
  • Slack storage included in each rack allows for the use of a single jumper length
  • On-frame jumper routing provides bend radius and physical protection for easily managing slack

Backbone Cabling

In order to maintain the optimum performance of servers and switches, the TIA standard recommends incorporating hot aisle/cool aisle into the data center architecture.In a raised floor environment it is important to maintain proper airflow to promote the optimal cooling of active electronics. Ideal airflow requires proper design to prevent unintended air dams that will reduce data center reliability and efficiency. Moving the fiber optic cabling overhead frees up space in the raised floor to promote proper airflow.

FS.COM Plug-and-Play MPO trunk assemblies are round 12 fiber trunk cable pre-terminated with a high-density MPO connector on both ends. They can be used in conjunction with any of the other plug-and-play connectivity products to rapidly deploy fiber into a data center. The MPO assemblies can simply be connected to any plug-and-play cassette in the optical distribution frame or fiber enclosure which eliminates the need for on-site fiber termination and preparation. The Plug-and-Play trunk consists of a round Kevlar reinforced cable with integrated MPO strain relief and optional pulling eye. Its total outer diameter is 5.5mm.

MPO Cabling high-density and high-port count fiber equipment

As networking equipment becomes denser and port counts in the data center increase to several hundred ports, managing cables that are connected to these devices becomes a difficult challenge. Traditionally, conneting cables directly to individual ports on low-port-count equipment was considered manageable. Applying the same principle to high-density and high-port-count equipment makes the task more tedious, and it is nearly impossible to add or remove cables that are connected directly to the equipment ports.

Using fiber cable assemblies that have a single connector at one end of the cable and multipe duplex breakout cables at the other end is an alternative to alleviate cable management. Multifiber Push-On (MPO) cable assemblies can achieve these goals. The idea is to pre-connect the high-density and high-port-count Lucent Connector(LC) equipment with and MPO to LC Breakout cable (shown in Figure 6-1) to dedicated MPO modules with a dedicated patch panel. After the panel is fully cabled, this patch panel functions as through it were “remove” ports for the equipment. These dedicated patch panels ideally should be above the equipment whose cabling they handle for easier access to overhead cabling. Using this strategy drastically reduces equipment cabling clutter and improves cable mangament.

As an example, the MPO module that is shown in Figure 6-1 is housed in a modular patch panel that is installed above a Fiber Channel director switch at the EDA. MPO trunk cables are used to link this patch panel to another moudular patch panel at the HDA. The patch panel at the HDA converts the MPO interface back to the LC interfaces by using MPO cassette. MPO trunk cables an accommodate up to 72 individual fibers in one assembly, providing 36 duplex connetions.

Choose the fire-rated plenum type. These cables might not be as flexible as the patch cords because they are meant for fairly static placements, for example, between the EDA and the HDA. For fiber, high density involving 24-strand to 96-strand cables is adequate. Fiber breakout cables provide more protection, but add to the diameter of the overall cable bundle. For fiber, MPO fiber trunk cable(up to 72 fiber strands can be housed in one MPO connetion) can be installed if you are using MPO style cabling.

Fiberstore offers a broad selection of high density connectivity and high capacity cable management. Here are just a few:

High Density MPO Cassettes

Using high density angled panels, this system allows users to mix and match fiber copper and fiber snap in cassettes. The MPO cassette is available in 1RU and 4RU configurations, support up to 48 copper ports or duplex fiber channels per 1RU (192 copper or 192 fiber in a 4RU space).

The use of The MPO In 10GBASE-SR and 40GBASE-SR chanels

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to describe the usage and reason behind the development and characteristics of the MPO to be utilized in 10GASE-SR and 40GBASE-SR4 channels.

Background

MPO connectivity has become widely used throughout the industry not only to reduce cable density but also to prepare for the migration from 10GBASE-SR to 40GBASE-SR.

With the 10GBASE-SR transmission, there are two fibers associated with the channel one fiber for transmit and one fiber for receive. This configuration is often referred to as a duplex channel. The polarity of these channels (TX to RX) is relatively easy to manage from end to end and if polarity correction is required, it is easy to accomplish in the field by rearranging the fibers in the duplexing clip. Also, when two of these connectors need to be mated, an adapter with a split sleeve is used to align the ferrules of the two connectors. Shown below is a typical 10GBASE-SR Method A channel.

10GBASE - SR Method A Channel

In an existing 10G Ethernet fiber infrastructure, LC to MPO cassettes are replaced with MPO adapter panels, and LC to LC patch cords are replaced with MPO patch cords during migration to 40G Ethernet. In this example, three different types of patch cords are required for the migration: Method A/Female to Male, Method A/Male to Male, and Method B/Female to Male. Using patch cords terminated with MPO Connectors, only one type of patch cord needs to be purchased and stocked and can be configured on the fly to replace any of the three needed patch cords.

In the 40GBASE-SR transmission, there are eight fibers associated with the channel four fibers for the TX signal and four fibers for the RX signal. With multiple fibers being utilized, the polarity of the channel becomes harder to manage from end to end. Additionally, mating of two MPO connectors is not completed with an adapter with a split sleeve but rather with alignment pins that are a fixture on the MPO connector. One MPO connects or has alignment holes (this connector is referred to as a female MPO) and the other MPO connector has alignment pins. (this connector is referred to as a male MPO).

These two connectors are mated together in a genderless MPO adapter. Figure 2 shows a typical 40GBASE-SR Method A channel.

40GBASE-SR4 Method A Channel

When using MPO-based connectivity in the 10G channel, the standard, ANSI/TIA-568C.1-7, calls for a female MPO horizontal cabling infrastructure (as shown in Figure 1) and a male MPO cassette. The male MPO is located within the cassette to protect the fragile alignment pins from damage during installation. In a 40G channel configuration, cassettes are not used and therefore cannot serve to protect the pins. Consequently, in the 40G channel configuration the standard calls for male MPO horizontal cabling (as shown in Figure 2) to protect the alignment pins on the back side of the adapter module rather than have them exposed to possible damage on the end of a patch cord. Male connectors on patch cords pose an additional operational risk to QSFP+ ports should a male connector be inserted due to the QSFP+ ports being configured as male to protect the pins within the port. The following are the products about 40G QSFP+ MTP MPO to QSFP+ Assembly from FS.

MTP trunk cable

QSFP+ MTP/MPO fiber trunk cable assemblies are interconnecting QSFP+ transceivers operating within 40GBASE-SR parallel optics networks. QSFP+ transceivers utilize 12Fibres MPO/MTP interface and perform 40G transmission using 4 x 10G channels (8 fibres: 4 x TX and 4 x RX ). FS MTP/MPO QSFP+ assemblies are built with the highest quality components. MTP/MPO as well low loss Elite versions are offered featuring low insertion loss for demanding high-speed networks where power budgets are critical.

Considering this discussion, to comply with the ANSI/TIA-568C.1-7 cabling guidelines and provide optimal pin protection when migrating from a 10G to 40G cabling configuration, the MPO connectors associated with the horizontal cabling infrastructure must be changed from female to male. Given that existing MPO connectivity does not allow for this alteration in the field without significant risk of fiber or connector damage, it seems that the cabling in the horizontal cabling infrastructure would need to be changed out.

In the Method A configuration shown in Figure 2, there are also two different MPO patch cords necessary to complete the 40G channel. Not only does the horizontal cabling MPO change from female to male, but a Method A cord and Method B cord are needed at the ends to complete the channel to ensure proper polarity.

A Method B configuration holds the same gender issues as Method A when migrating from 10G to 40G, but does not need the two different MPO patch cords to complete the channel.

Testing is another challenge present with MPO horizontal solutions. Some testers have a fixed male MPO interface while others have a fixed female MPO interface. In both cases, the preferred jumper testing method, Method B, per TIA-568-C (TIA-526-14A and TIA-526-7) cannot be used for both the male horizontal and female horizontal cabling infrastructures. In the case where the MPO interface on the tester does not match the MPO in the horizontal infrastructure, a three-jumper method would need to be utilized. The three-jumper method introduces more variability and the possibility for error in the testing.

For example, Figure 3 shows a tester with fixed Male MPO interfaces on the source and meter units. When setting the reference, you will need to use a female-to-female MPO reference cord. After setting the reference, to test a female horizontal cabling infrastructure, a third reference cable with a male end would need to be introduced to properly test the horizontal cabling infrastructure.

In any of these cases changing either the polarity or gender of the standard MPO connector in the field is not recommended due to the complex construction of the connector. Trying to change either of these characteristics in the field is extremely difficult and may lead to damage to the fiber exposed when attempting to replace the connector housing.

MTP MPO Fiber Cable is offered for various applications for all networking and device needs like 100G/40G modules. It uses a high-density multi-fiber connector system built around precision-molded MT ferrule. FS MPO fiber cables are available in UPC and APC finishes, support both multimode and single-mode applications, and have optional lengths available. Our MTP/MPO fiber cable is with push connector IEC 61754-7 and TIA/EIA 604-5A compliant and offers low cost per termination for high-density applications. The MPO/MTP fiber cables are tested with guaranteed quality, and they can be installed easily, which saves time and money.