Data center is still the focus of CIOE2015

During CIOE2015, data center continues to hot, is still the focus of this exhibition, almost all manufacturers are playing jumpers "MPO/MTP" connector slogan, illustrates the market hot.

According to communication with the industry during the exhibition, it has been used to obtain the data center optical modules and jumpers, almost exclusively from Google and Alibaba orders. It is said that there are two companies in Shenzhen to carve a fortune from Google about 500 million yuan of large orders, production line capacity can be filled.

But this exhibition, still no shortage of new entrants into the ceramic ferrule producers, they do not see the momentum MPO/MTP it? Hunan Zhongke, said progress over the past year in the Division is very good, the current production capacity has been insufficient to support current customers, the future they will continue to expand production, the initial period is for them to quickly capture share, as to whether the investment in the future MT ferrule remains to be market conditions.

Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces ceramic ferrule manufacturers have said that domestic orders data center demand has not really released, are expected to erupt in 2017. This year the fiber link is still grown exponentially increase demand for ceramic ferrule, therefore, do not worry about the problem of production capacity in a short time can not be consumed, even to consider expansion. And MT ferrule technology threshold is also higher, domestic enterprises temporarily unable to fully grasp the techniques.

However, we still find Dongguan Zongxia communication, this year continue pushing its MT ferrule, which is the only one to focus MT ferrule and the external display. After CIOE2014 Dongguan Zongxia debut MPO ferrule sample, by the industry concerned, after a year of continuous research and repeated tests, the relevant responsible person said, MT ferrule since May this year after the official launch of the market, now we have a certain shipments, a lot of good customer feedback.

Competition status and trends of soft cable

1. FTTH with a soft optical cable

FTTH customer base with a soft optical cable main suppliers, competition in this area is mainly between traditional cable companies, and professional soft cable companies due to lack of brand influence, market channels is imperfect, the lack of scale advantages, it is difficult to enter the fields. But due to the current FTTH market with a soft optical cable capacity is relatively small, so the market can not accommodate too many cable companies, the market concentration degree will be far higher than ordinary cable, over the next three to five companies expected to occupy 80% of the market share, and currently occupy the forefront of the enterprise market will likely further expand the advantages, the industry average profit margin would be in a more reasonable level.

2. The optical connector device with a soft optical cable

Unlike soft FTTH optical cables and optical connectors for flexible cable customer base is a communication device manufacturer and device class manufacturers, more than the number of such enterprises, a relatively small-scale enterprises. Before 2005 professional soft cable companies occupy the market, but after 2005 with the expansion of market demand, the traditional cable companies quickly cut into the market, by virtue of its good brand image as well as the scale of strength and technical strength, coupled together with ordinary cable cost advantages and fiber resources supporting the formation of scale procurement of raw materials, the market share of traditional cable companies in the field of rapid increase, severely squeezed the soft cable professional living space, and this trend will become more pronounced. It can be expected, a few years later, the existing professional soft cable companies will gradually withdraw from the mainstream market in the field, the market will be the preceding several traditional cable business division.

From the application point of view, the optical connectors for flexible cable market capacity will not be great, and dispersed customer base, pre-equipment and research and development into a larger, more post-market investment, and general profitability and many other reasons, so new entrants were underpowered, the future market structure will remain relatively stable.

Application of fiber optic connectors and terminals

Fiber optic connectors and A/V industry BNC connector commonly used by different, with fiber optic technology continues to mature and get progressive development. Effect of copper connector signal loss of AV systems are generally not large, but the optical connection is different, its transmission system in each interface will play a very big influence. Let's look at the physical fiber optic connection problems arising from optical fiber transmission equipment itself may direct connection, but in some cases, most or almost all connectivity options are all man-made fiber transmission personally. Semaphore fiber optic cable in the signal transmission process of the loss is mainly determined by the quality and type of use of fiber optic cables, each connecting terminal will have some signal loss. Depending on the type of fiber optic connector selected by the user, the connection end signal is lost a combined total may exceed the amount of signal loss of the fiber optic cable itself.

Maintain a normal operation

In the optical fiber system design, system to normal operation, it reached very good results, in the system design, we need to consider the system may occur some unexpected problems, and let the system has reached normal operating results. In the system design, we have to consider the worst system possible situation and plan accordingly, expecting better operating results. Fiber Optic Connector designer must keep in mind to this idea. In system design, security, stability, system connection requires smooth fiber ends, Founder. The connection between the client and the client must be accurate and correct, or even to achieve micron precision, millionths of a meter. Commonly used diameter multimode fiber from 50-62.5 microns and single-mode fiber is only 8-9 microns in diameter. This compared to the diameter of a human hair in diameter (17-180 microns), showing no trace of error can bring in catastrophic losses.

Precision optical fiber connection to the equipment requirements are very strict, so connector must be very clean. Fiber optic connectors and accessories are usually mounted on a set of house, a finger print or external dust might seriously affect connector performance, even lead to transmission failure, therefore, when the connector is not connected, it should be kept in clean protective cover in.

In connection, we should also be fiber optic connector wedge tight, in the present all the fiber optic connector design, through the "collar" to ensure accurate at the time with the connector. Viscose fiber terminals or by crimping the ferrule inside the confining, as a permanent member. After inserting a built-in optical fiber, put the smooth ferrule end mill for fiber optic connectors provide a smooth interface. Rings are usually made of relatively hard material such as ceramics, of course, it may be stainless steel, plastic or tungsten carbide material, SC, ST and FC common ferrule diameter 2.5 mm, LC universal ferrule diameter 1.25 mm. Since the feature rings can be produced in accordance with the requirements of precision, it will become the primary fiber optic connector to determine important characteristics. Among the many connections ferrule, the spring-loaded ferrule ensures the container is connected coaxially aligned between the optical fiber and LED or laser source.

With the expansion of technology development and application of fiber optic connectors are also developing rapidly. Fiber optic connectors used now on the market there are about 12 kinds and even more, each of which is to meet the specific needs and came into being, of course, there are some technical limitations. Now the market trend is mainly towards the moderate price, compact connector model development to support greater transmission density of new transmission distribution system requirements. As user expectations, as the continuous development of the telecommunications industry also contributed to the large-scale application of optical fibers is due to various types of communication and entertainment services on fiber-optic connections due to the rapid growth in demand largely.

Consider terminal

Traditionally, fiber optic terminal is generally slower, the price is higher, the equipment requirements and technical requirements are high. When considering a single-mode fiber optic cable in the terminal, you should take into account several factors in this regard. In some cases, we can choose some already set in accordance with various fiber types good terminal cables.

Tailor-mount applications, we can select a specific terminal, however, adopted after splicing tools, you can reduce on-site terminal extension of the length of the single-mode fiber, reducing the use of the equipment and technology of the quantity demanded. After the multimode fiber optic cable, the new splicing method using a simple optical fiber cutting method, will be assembled into a pre-designed cable connector / cable. This method is very simple, but the fiber-to-fiber connectors butt joints usually uses a special optical gel, so that fiber optic terminal curdle.

MPO Connector and MTP connector

With the rapid development of data centers, cloud computing, cloud storage and other applications gradually penetrated the bandwidth requirements of each industry, network communication also will increase rapidly, while the high speed, high capacity, high-bandwidth often requires more space and higher costs, which exist this long-term contradiction, MTP/MPO fiber optic wiring standard has become the best solution for the current density and high bandwidth. MTP and MPO market today exist two kinds of fiber optic connection system, they are very similar to some extent, mutually compatible, and that they really tell the difference.

MPO (Multi-fiber Pull Off) is Japan's NTT Communications designed the first generation of shrapnel clamping type multi-core optical fiber connector, is the name of several companies now produce a multi-pin connector head. The MTP, by the United States USConec company registered the brand, specifically refers to the production of unique MPO connector type.

What is the MPO connector?

MPO is a "multi-fiber pull off" the abbreviation. This connector ferrule has more than one core, by mechanical means snaps into place.
Now various manufacturers on a market multiple MPO design, different types of connectivity products, its performance and cost are very different. Some of the performance characteristics of the product to make it more prominent, and some MPO connector can be matched with many different brands of products, but some are not, this depends on how close the interworking of these connector design with standard products. MPO connector complete definition, refer to the implementation of IEC-61754-7 and EIA / TIA-604-5 (aka FOCIS 5).

What is a MTP connector?

MTP connector is an innovative design with multiple high performance MPO connector with respect to the average for the MPO connector, MTP fiber optic connector on the optical and mechanical properties have been strengthened. MTP connectors are fully compliant with all MPO connector professional standards, including EIA / TIA-604-5 FOCIS 5 and IEC-61754-7.

MPO connector is consistent with industry standards mutual pairable MTP connector, which means replacing the MPO connector with MTP connector for better performance is possible. Most follow the MPO connector of old design performance is quite limited, it can not provide the same high performance with MTP connector.

Why MTP connector is described as a high performance MPO connector?

Through a specially designed MTP connector performance and availability were improved compared with MPO connectors. This design feature MTP is unique and protected by patents. The main features are as follows:

1, MTP fiber optic connector sleeve frame parts can be easily removed.

MT ferrule design can be reworked and re-grinding in the production of energy to ensure that performance is not lost. Yin and Yang in the field even after assembly flexible to change, ferrule assembly can be over after interference detection.

2, MTP fiber optic connector ferrule float to improve transmission performance when mechanical docking. It allows two connectors under the influence of external forces make matched ferrule to maintain good physical contact.

3, MTP fiber optic connector elliptical guide pin is used in stainless steel, oval docking guide pin can improve the accuracy and reduce the wear of the guide hole, such that the optical fiber connector MTP more durable to maintain high performance transmission.

4, in the MTP fiber optic connector has a metal clip for fixing the push pin ring. Specific features:

Prevent the loss of the guide pin;

Concentrated pressure generated by the spring;

Prevent the spring from touching the fiber friction in the mechanical expansion process caused damage to the optical fiber;

5, MTP fiber optic connector spring design maximizes ribbon clearance 12 core and multi-core optical fiber ribbon applications to prevent damage.

6, MTP fiber optic connector having at least four standard matching parts, can be adapted to different types of cable, more practical, including:

Round cable loose tube structure;

Oval coat of ribbon cable;

Strip bare fiber;

Short tail cuff connector parts, very suitable for use in a small space, reduction of 45% of the volume.

Select SFF small fiber optic connector of a few tricks

In the mature markets, the clear winner with excellent technology, and also to promote the continuous development of competing technologies. In the optical fiber interconnection market, this situation will appear in a small form factor optical connectors in the field. Over the past three decades, many of the optical connector blossom, as short-lived, and LC and MTP * / MPO interconnection system will emerge as the clear leader in the global scope enables users, system designers and The optical component and transceiver designers become beneficiaries.

LC connector can provide optimal performance and ease of use on ceramic sleeve connector. MTP / MPO interconnect interface between the optical properties of the fiber port concentration to make a certain balance with optimal density. Although the original SC connectors for low-density patch panels and light modules, FC connector is designed for a more robust environment test equipment. In most applications, in view of the obvious advantages LC and MTP / MPO connector, the amount of ST, SC and FC connector is declining.

LC fiber optic interconnect system can support a variety of diameters, strain relief boots or limit benders. LC tab can help to achieve maximum density patch panel, while maintaining the ease of use. For single-mode applications, APC (angle polish) version to help achieve excellent back reflection performance. LC connector optional six rotating bushing tuning, when needed to provide the lowest insertion loss performance.

Despite the need for more high fiber density, the solution is usually based on the requirements of the transition from the ceramic sleeve is connected directly to the Precision Mold, MT-based multi-fiber connector ferrule. This makes the situation increasingly complex. Now let's step back and explain terms:

● MT Barrel - Precision Mold casing can support 2-72 fiber, used as MTP / MPO fiber optic connector on the device

● guide pin - pin hole MT sleeve utilized a part of the organization, can provide precise function of the plurality of optical fibers between two paired MT casing

● MPO connector - Rectangular industry standard multi-fiber push-pull connector interface, the public side (with guide pins) / female side (no guide pin) configuration can accommodate MT casing

● MTP connector - The optical and mechanical properties and vendor-specific versions of the MPO as a trademark connector interface, especially after pairing with optical module can be improved optical interface

According to the number of rays and specific applications, MTP / MPO interface supports both multimode and single-mode optical fiber having different numbers of optical fiber, optical cable construction and the cable diameter. The optical performance of the interface from the MT ferrule Precision Mold technology and polishing of glass fiber, these two processes in the past few years have been a large degree of improvement. Singlemode MT angle polished casing through improved return loss performance, multimode sleeve is through PC (plane) polished. For specific optical modules MTP / MPO, such as QSFP (eight functional fiber, four central fiber is not used) or CXP (24 fibers), there are a series of standards to promote the growth of the number of optical fibers. The new standard will be 16 and 32 to make the definition of fiber optic version.

Compared with the connector based on LC ceramic sleeve, MTP / MPO fiber optic technology at the level of the number of ports per significantly improved density. However, this requires designers, installers and end users to manage fiber careful assessment, so that during the life of the cable infrastructure of moves, adds and changes.