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Connector Types

Optical connectors ensure efficient and reliable connections between fiber optic cables. Connectors are designed to minimize insertion loss and back reflection, ensuring high-quality signal transmission.

800GbE transceivers support the following connector types:

  • MPO-16/APC—A multi-fiber push-on 16 (MPO-16) connector has 16 optical fibers in a single connector. With angled physical contact (APC), the connector minimizes back reflection and ensure better signal integrity. MPO connectors offer high-density connections and support multiple fibers in a single connector. MPO connectors are often used in data centers.

    Figure 1: MPO-16 Connector MPO-16 Connector

    The connector has 16 fiber channels arranged in a single row. Tx (transmit) is handled by eight channels (denoted in red). The Tx channels are denoted as Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, Tx4, Tx5, Tx6, Tx7, and Tx8 from left to right. Rx (receive) is handled by the other eight channels (denoted in blue). The Rx channels are denoted as Rx1, Rx2, Rx3, Rx4, Rx5, Rx6, Rx7, and Rx8 from right to left.

  • Dual MPO-12/APC—It has two separate MPO-12 connectors, each having 12 optical fibers. That is, a Dual MPO-12/APC connector can connect 24 optical fibers at once. Like, an MPO-16, the Dual MPO-12 also provides an angled physical contact.

    Figure 2: Dual MPO-12 Connector Dual MPO-12 Connector
      1
    —

    Connector 1

      2
    —

    Connector 2

    Tx channels are denoted in red. Rx channels are denoted in blue.

  • Dual Duplex LC/UPC—It is a type of lucent connector or local connector (LC). LCs have a small form factor. With a dual duplex construction, the dual duplex LC/UPC connector includes two LC connectors in a single housing. Each of these connectors contain two fibers in each LC connector, one for transmission and the other for reception. With ultra physical contact (UPC), the connector has a zero-degree angle or flat surface. Though this reduces the amount of back reflection, it is not as efficient as an APC.

    Figure 3: Dual Duplex LC Connector Dual Duplex LC Connector

    Tx channels are denoted in red. Rx channels are denoted in blue.

  • Dual CS/UPC— It is a type of compact small (CS) connector. CS connectors are small form factor connectors, specifically designed to cater to high-density network environments where space is a premium concern. With a dual construction, the Dual CS/UPC connector includes two CS connectors in a single housing. Each of these connectors houses two fibers, one for transmission and the other for reception. With Ultra Physical Contact (UPC), the connector has a zero-degree angle or flat surface. This design minimizes the amount of back reflection, though it is not as effective in reducing reflection as an angled physical contact (APC) connector.

    Figure 4: Dual CS Connector Dual CS Connector

    Tx channels are denoted in red. Rx channels are denoted in blue.