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MPO (Multi-fiber Push On) is a type of optical connector that has been the primary multiple fiber connector for high-speed telecom and data communications networks. It has been standardized within the IEC 61754-7 and TIA 604-5.
This connector and cabling system first supported telecommunications systems especially in the Central and Branch offices. Later it became the primary connectivity used in HPC or high-performance computing labs and enterprise datacenters.
MPO connectors increase your data capacity with a highly efficient use of space. But users have faced challenges such as extra complexities and time required for testing and troubleshooting multi-fiber networks.
While MPO connectors have many benefits and advantages over typical single fiber connectors, there are also differences that introduce new challenges for technicians. This resource page provides an overview of the essential information technicians must understand when testing MPO connectors.
The MPO connector family has evolved to support a wider range of applications and system packaging requirements. Originally a single row 12-fiber connector, there are now 8 and 16 single row fiber types that can be stacked together to form 24, 36 and 72 fiber connectors using multiple precision ferrules.
However, the wider row and stacked ferrules have had insertion loss and reflection issues due to the difficulty of holding alignment tolerances on the outer fibers versus the center fibers. The MPO connector is available in Male and Female types.
MTP/MPO harness cable, also called MTP/MPO breakout cable or MTP/MPO fan-out cable, is a fiber optic cable terminated with MTP/MPO connectors on one end and MTP/ MPO/ LC/ FC/ SC/ ST/ MTRJ connectors (generally MTP to LC) on the other end. The main cable is usually 3.0mm LSZH Round cable, breakout 2.0mm cable. Female and Male MPO/MTP Connector is available and Male type connector has pins.
MTP/MPO harness cables are designed for high density applications requiring high performance and speedy installation. Harness cables provide a transition from multi-fibers cables to individual fibers or duplex connectors. They are terminated with MTP/MPO connectors on one end and standard LC/FC/SC/ST/MTRJ connectors (generally MTP to LC) on the other end, meeting a variety of fiber cabling requirements.
| Type | Single Mode (APC Polish) | Single Mode (UPC Polish) | Multi Mode (PC Polish) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber Count | 8, 12, 24 etc. | 8, 12, 24 etc. | 8, 12, 24 etc. | |||
| Fiber Type | G652D, G657A1 etc. | G652D, G657A1 etc. | OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, OM5, etc. | |||
| Max. Insertion Loss | Elite (Low Loss) | Standard | Elite (Low Loss) | Standard | Elite (Low Loss) | Standard |
| Loss Values | ≤ 0.35 dB | ≤ 0.75 dB | ≤ 0.35 dB | ≤ 0.75 dB | ≤ 0.35 dB | ≤ 0.60 dB |
| Return Loss | ≥ 60 dB | ≥ 60 dB | NA | |||
| Durability | ≥ 500 times | ≥ 500 times | ≥ 500 times | |||
| Operating Temp | -40°C ~ +80°C | -40°C ~ +80°C | -40°C ~ +80°C | |||
| Test Wavelength | 1310nm | 1310nm | 1310nm | |||
| Insert-pull test | 1000 times < 0.5 dB | |||||
| Interchange | < 0.5 dB | |||||
| Anti-tensile force | 15kgf | |||||
Single Mode fiber optic cable has a small diametral core that allows only one mode of light to propagate. Because of this, the number of light reflections created as the light passes through the core decreases, lowering attenuation and creating the ability for the signal to travel further. This application is typically used in long distance, higher bandwidth runs by Telcos, CATV companies, and Colleges and Universities.
MPO connectors are standardized internationally within the IEC 61754-7 and TIA 604-5 (FOCIS-5) standards, ensuring interoperability across compliant systems.
The primary physical difference is the alignment mechanism: Male type MPO/MTP connectors are designed with alignment pins, while Female type connectors do not have pins.
Initially starting as single row 12-fiber connectors, modern MPO connectors support 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, and 48, up to 72 fibers by stacking multiple precision ferrules together.
MTP/MPO harness cables (breakout or fan-out cables) are designed to transition from a multi-fiber MPO backbone trunk to individual fibers or duplex connectors, such as LC, SC, FC, ST, or MTRJ, making them ideal for high-density architectures.
Single Mode fiber features a much smaller diametral core that allows only a single mode of light to propagate. This drastically reduces light reflections within the core, lowering signal attenuation and allowing data to travel over much longer distances.
Elite (low loss) MPO connectors offer a significantly lower maximum insertion loss of ≤ 0.35 dB for both Single Mode and Multimode, compared to Standard connectors which have a maximum insertion loss of ≤ 0.75 dB (Single Mode) and ≤ 0.60 dB (Multimode).
