SFF connectors - compact, with low insertion loss
July 2001
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
The trend in the telecom fibre-optic market is increasingly shifting towards ever-larger numbers of fibres installed in an ever-smaller space. The higher packing density and the lower costs per connection are paving the way for the new small form factor (SFF) connectors.
An answer has been given to this demand by the introduction of DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing). Thanks to DWDM technology, bandwidths in fibre-optic networks can be better utilised and an extendable basis has been created for future bandwidths with even higher performance. As a result, the importance of high-performance fibre-optic connectors has greatly increased with the introduction of DWDM. The huge challenge for network operators and service providers is now to achieve the top performance values demanded and to learn how to cope with the growing number of fibres.
Along with growth, the space problem increases: a larger number of fibres calls for creative approaches to minimising or redimensioning the distribution elements in the individual distribution centres. This is the only way to achieve reasonable connector and cable management. Up to now, this problem has been tackled solely by adding connections to hardware already existing, which further aggravated the space problem. The real solution to this problem is to apply the new small form factor connectors.
A new SFF connector generation
Suhner Fiberoptic has decided to introduce and distribute two new SFF connectors: the LC and the MU connector. Both are leading-edge products in the fiercely contested SFF connector market in the field of telecom applications and will initially be offered in the form of cable assemblies.
The MU connector
MU connectors are very widespread in Asia and are suitable for applications in distribution centres with very high packing densities. The connector and the simplex adapter are virtually only half as big as a conventional SC connector. They are provided with a push-pull fastening mechanism and have an insertion loss of 0,12 dB (typical) each-to-each for the singlemode variant and 0,4 dB (typical) for the multimode variant. The MU connector is also known as the mini-SC connector.
The LC connector
LC connectors are widely used in America and Asia and are suitable for applications in distribution racks. The duplex adapter is slightly larger than that of a conventional SC connector and therefore has a very compact size. The connector is provided with a snap-on mechanism. Its insertion loss each-to-each is 0,12 dB (typical) for the single-mode variant and 0,4 dB (typical) for the multimode variant.
Dartcom says that the new generation of SFF connectors stands to revolutionise fibre-optic networks, since the economics of the Fiber-To-The-X-schemes are improved and manufacturers are now offered the possibility of implementing more outputs in conventional 19" racks. The new connector designs are supported by the world's largest fibre-optic companies and factory-installed in their hardware. In addition, the low insertion loss values also support the high transmission quality standards that present-day and future telecom networks are expected to meet.
Dartcom
(012) 665 2771
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