In today’s advanced fiber optic networks, multi-fiber cables are used inside data centers and extensive field networks because it provides the most effective method to deploy a large number of fibers using as little physical space as possible. At the most basic level, multi-fiber cables usually consist of ribbon cables, which are surrounded by a protective outer sheath. When it comes to fiber counting, these ribbon and/or multi-fiber cables can provide digital options (for example 8, 12, 24, etc.)
In the data center between the racks, there may be 12 or 24 fiber optic patch cables to connect the equipment. In the network between sites, a larger field cable on the ground will include several such cables, resulting in a larger number of fibers, such as 72, 144, 288, and so on. Although optical fibers may terminate individually at the ends of some connections, those between the internal gears of the data center usually use MPO-style connectors to reduce the total number of connections.
1. What are MPO and MTP® connectors?
MPO connector is short for “Multi-fiber Push On” connector. This type of connector, including the popular brand/proprietary MTP® connector USConec®, is widely available in the market from leading manufacturers such as USConec® and SENKO®. The standard optical fiber connector (for example SC, LC, FC, E2000) only contains one optical fiber, while the MPO connector has a variety of optical fibers, from 8 (8F) to 12 (12F), 24 (24F), larger counts are still being developed. This higher density method can expand the fiber capacity inside a single cable while reducing individual connections.
Taking a data center as an example, using a 12F cable between two racks or devices at two connection points is easier to manage than using 12 independent single-fiber patch cables (a total of 24 connection points). There are fewer physical cables (and port space). In addition, the high-speed data rate (for example, 100g) of some applications today is realized by optics/devices that transmit 10G through 10 optical fibers or 25G through 4 optical fibers in each direction. The MPO cable connected to the transceiver enables these applications to use a reduced number of cables.
In many cases, a data center, central office, or network hub, depending on the application, will use MPO cables and breakout cables/individual cables/connector, boards.
2. Why simulate a multi-fiber MPO link?
There are several main applications for simulating these multi-fiber links in a laboratory environment:
- Equipment certification-certified by the manufacturer or the person deploying the equipment
- Latency/Delay Verification-Replicate expected network or transmission delays
For transceiver and equipment manufacturers who are designing or certifying their technology, simulating the real environment is a key part of the quality assurance process. If an engineering team is designing a new 100G transceiver with a 500-meter specification and MPO connection, it must be tested on a real 500-meter MPO fiber link to ensure that its optical function within that distance meets expectations. Then it can be put into production. In addition, once the finished product is in production, the QA team can also run a final test in the simulation link to ensure that the product passes Finished products are inspected one last time before delivery.
Second, the service providers and data center engineers responsible for selecting and deploying MPO connection equipment may also wish to replicate their own unique fiber-optic links before purchasing the necessary equipment. The last thing any network engineering team is willing to do is to spend a fortune on a device, and then determine that it cannot meet all requirements (this does happen when the proper testing process is skipped or not implemented!)
Finally, simulating multi-fiber links is important for delay-driven applications in the data center. As the optical performance characteristics are tested, the expected time delay between simulated equipment, racks, or facilities has become more and more important. For applications such as financial transactions, a few inches or even a few millimeters of fiber is very important for delay calculations. Effectively simulating these data center links is very helpful for optimizing time and system performance.
3. Fiber Lab MPO-the most effective method
Compared with simulating a single fiber span, simulating multiple fiber spans with MPO connectors is a challenge because it requires sheathing or coating the fiber to maintain connection and correct alignment. As the physical diameter of the sheathed cable increases, the maximum length of the cable that can be rolled onto the reel is significantly reduced compared to using a “bare” single optical fiber. In addition to different diameters, sheathed cables have many forms, such as round, flat ribbon, and other parameters that can be changed and need to be adjusted and customized accordingly.
Fortunately, anyone who needs to effectively simulate these types of specialized links can find an experienced partner and a proven solution set. Combining the M2 fiber optic laboratory platform and advanced multi-fiber winding functions, engineers now have many solutions to choose from, according to project needs.
Through a customized method of encapsulating optical fibers, M2’s Fiber Lab MPO solution can be provided in any optical fiber laboratory product, rack-mounted or portable, and available in any length within physical limitations. Does the 300m 12f OM4 portable enclosure need to simulate a span between racks/equipment, or several 2.5km in length 12f SMF is preferred to install the enclosure in the rack to simulate multiple links between two data centers, facilities, fiber laboratory MPO Can build project specifications.
