MPO connector is one of the typical type of fiber connectors that mainly installed under factory conditions using specialized processes. The MPO connector is built on the MT-style ferrule, designed by NTT. The MT (mechanical transfer) ferrule is designed to hold up to 12 fibers in a ferrule 7mm wide and is ideally suitable for ribbon fiber connections. In addition, precision-machined guide pins maintain the close alignment necessary for connecting 12 fibers at once. These guide pins can be arranged as necessary between the mating connectors depending on the way they will be used. Connectors designed for multiple fibers are also known as array connectors. The MPO connector has a plastic body that is spring-loaded to keep the connectors together.
What is the Difference between MTP® and MPO?
MPO was the first generation of multi-fiber connectors designed by NTT. It is now the name of the category of multi-fiber connectors produced by several companies.
MTP® brand connectors, however, is USCONEC’s trade name for their own superior style of MPO connector. MTP® brand fiber system is an innovative group of products, which is designed and introduced as a performance version of MPO connectors.
MTP® brand connector contains 12 fibers of 6 duplex channels in a connector that is smaller than most duplex connections in use today. MTP® brand connectors utilize precision molded ferrule which can connect from four to seventy-two fibers using either ribbon or subgroups loose-tube cable. Male MTP® brand connectors are pre-installed with two precision guide pins to accommodate precision alignment when mating ferrules. MTP® connectors are also utilizing a push-pull connector housing for quick and reliable connectors.
Standard Compliance and Application
- Meets IEC Standard 61754-7
- Meets TIA/EIA 604-5 Type MPO
- Structured cabling per TIA-568-C
- Array trunk cables
- Array fiber to single fiber fanouts and cassettes
- High fiber density card edge access
- Optical switching interframe connections
- Parallel Optics
- Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) Compliant
- InfiniBand Compliant
- 10G Fiber Channel Compliant
- 40G and 100G IEEE 802.3
- SNAP 12
- POP 4
- QSFP
MTP® and MPO – Color Options
| SM STANDARD | SM ELITE | OM1 | OM2 | OM3 | OM4 | |
| USCONEC MTP® | GREEN | MUSTARD | BEIGE | BEIGE | AQUA | ERICA VIOLET OR AQUA |
| NISSIN MPO | GREEN | MUSTARD | BEIGE | BEIGE | AQUA | ERICA VIOLET OR AQUA |
USCONEC MTP®
NISSIN MPO
MPO Optical Performance
| Parameters | IL – Max | IL – Typical | RL |
| SM – Standard | 0.75 dB | 0.25 dB | > 60 dB |
| SM – Premium | 0.35 dB | 0.10 dB | > 60 dB |
| MM – Standard | 0.60 dB | 0.20 dB | > 20 dB |
| MM – Premium | 0.35 dB | 0.10 dB | > 20 dB |
MPO Ferrule Types
All multimode MPOs have a flat front face while all single-mode have an angled front with flat surface towards the keyway. Below pictures for reference.
MPO Polarity Types
POLARITY A
In this polarity, the fiber 1 (blue) is terminated in hole 1 in each connector and so on. This polarity is often referred to as STRAIGHT THROUGH.
POLARITY B
In this polarity, the fibers are reversed. The fiber number 1 (blue) is terminated in 1 and 12, fiber number 2 is terminated in 2 and 11. This polarity is often referred to as CROSSOVER and is commonly used in 40G applications. This is commonly used with type B mating as mentioned in the next section.
POLARITY C
In this polarity, the fibers are divided into 6 pairs which are reversed. They are intended to be used with prefab cabling systems which will connect to breakouts (cables or modules) individual 2-fiber channels.
MPO Adaptor Mating
TYPE A
MPO Type A Mating Adapters mate the connectors with the key of one connector in one direction and the key of the other in the opposite direction called KEYUP TO KEYDOWN. This key alignment means that pin 1 of one connector is aligned with pin 1 of the other connector, providing a straight through connection for each fiber – e.g. blue to blue, orange to orange, all the way to aqua to aqua. This means fiber color codes are maintained through the connection.
TYPE B
MPO Type B Mating Adapters align the two connectors key to key or KEYUP TO KEYUP and swap the color codes of the fibers, similar to what happens in a Type B cable. Swapping fibers is necessary for aligning fibers for a 40G transceiver.
