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Colleges and universities will expand campus area or add new campuses based on factors such as the number of students and teaching needs, and the ensuing problem will be campus network coverage. In order to maximize the utilization of optical fiber resources and meet the increasing demand for high performance (high speed, large capacity) and broadband of data transmission, single-mode optical fiber jumpers can be used to connect a CWDM passive wavelength division multiplexer during optical fiber cabling in the new campus. The expansion port of the user is cascaded to another CWDM passive wavelength division multiplexer, which can double the existing fiber capacity without installing or renting additional optical fibers. So how to connect the fiber jumper to the wavelength division multiplexer?   The specific connection method is as follows:   1. Splice the optical cable and pigtail, then put it into the optical fiber splicing tray of the optical fiber distribution frame, and then use the adapter and single-mode optical fiber jumper to connect the CWDM passive wavelength division multiplexer; 2. First place the two CWDM passive wavelength division multiplexers in a 1U rack-mounted fiber distribution box (for ease of management), and then use single-mode fiber jumpers to connect the two CWDM passive wavelength division multiplexers; 3. Use single-mode optical fiber jumpers and single-mode optical modules to connect the CWDM passive wavelength division multiplexer to the switch.   How to connect fiber jumpers in high-density data centers?     In the era of information construction, high-density data centers are the basic needs of large enterprises. In order to meet the needs of efficient, economical, low-loss, space-saving data centers, and to simplify multi-floor high-density wiring (since large enterprises are all in one Building offices, therefore involving multi-floor wiring), we can use optical fiber jumpers to connect wall-mounted optical fiber distribution boxes and high-density optical fiber distribution boxes to make wiring more convenient and save space for wiring. So how to use MTP/LC/MTP-LC different types of fiber optic patch cords to connect MTP/MPO high-density fiber optic distribution boxes, MTP fiber optic adapter panels, high-density fiber optic distribution boxes, and wall-mounted fiber optic distribution boxes when wiring in large enterprises What about other equipment? The specific connection methods are as follows: 1. Place the two optical fiber distribution boxes in the 1U rack-mounted optical fiber distribution box, then insert the optical module into the corresponding port of the switch, and finally use the LC single-mode fiber jumper to connect the switch; 2. Place 2 MTP fiber optic adapter panels in the wall-mounted fiber optic distribution box, and then use MTP fiber optic patch cords to connect the fiber optic distribution box to the fiber optic adapter panel; 3. Place multiple fiber optic distribution boxes (the number depends on the demand) in the high-density fiber optic distribution box (in order to meet the needs of high-density data centers), and then use MTP fiber optic jumpers to connect the fiber optic adapter panel and the fiber optic distribution box ; 4. Just use ultra-low loss LC fiber optic patch cord to connect to the server.   How to detect fiber optic patch cord?     In addition, before connecting the fiber optic jumper to the equipment, you must first check whether the fiber optic jumper is qualified. Otherwise, when the fiber optic jumper has been fully routed, it will be discovered that the fiber optic jumper fault has caused the fiber optic link to not work properly. At that time, it will cause Big trouble. So how to detect fiber jumpers? 1. Use a red light pen to check whether the fiber jumper is connected, and make sure there are no breakpoints or faults in the fiber jumper before use; 2. Use an optical return loss tester to measure the insertion loss and return loss of the optical fiber jumper. Generally, the insertion loss value is less than 0.3dB and the return loss value is greater than 45dB. It can be used if the measurement results meet the requirements; 3. Use an optical power meter to measure fiber connector loss and fiber attenuation (it can even detect fiber fault points), and it can be used as long as it meets the standards.  

With the rapid advancement of FTTH (fiber to the home) technology, the demand for optical fiber pigtails has shown an increasing trend. Due to different interface types, fiber optic pigtails can be subdivided into various types such as LC fiber optic pigtails, SC fiber optic pigtails, FC fiber optic pigtails, and ST fiber optic pigtails. In this article, we will focus on fiber optic pigtails with SC interfaces, and deeply explore their single-mode and multi-mode characteristics, connector ferrule grinding types, and comprehensive solutions for splicing and connection.   What is SC fiber pigtail?       SC optical fiber pigtail, also often called SC optical fiber pigtail, has SC/PC optical interface and is a special optical fiber connection device. One end is designed with an SC/PC connector for easy connection to a fiber optic transceiver or optical module (sometimes it needs to be used with a coupler, jumper, etc.). The other end appears as a broken end of the optical cable core. This end is mainly connected to other optical cable cores through fusion splicing technology to realize the transmission of optical signals. In optical fiber networks, SC optical fiber pigtails often appear in optical fiber terminal boxes and optical fiber splice trays. They work together to build an efficient optical data transmission path to ensure stable and rapid transmission of optical signals in the optical fiber network.   What is a single-mode /multimode SC fiber pigtail?       Single-mode SC optical fiber pigtail is a special optical fiber connection device designed for long-distance optical signal transmission. Usually, the appearance of this pigtail is yellow to distinguish it from multimode pigtails. In single-mode pigtails, optical signals are transmitted in a single mode, ensuring stability and efficiency during long-distance transmission. In particular, OS2 type SC single-mode optical fiber pigtails have been widely used in the next generation 40G/100G Ethernet standards due to their excellent performance, gradually replacing OS1 type pigtails.   Multimode SC optical fiber pigtail is another common optical fiber connection device, mainly used for short-distance optical signal transmission. This type of pigtail usually appears aqua blue for easy identification. Multimode pigtails support the transmission of optical signals in multiple modes, making it excellent in short-distance interconnect scenarios. Multi-mode OM optical modes have multiple levels, such as OM1 to OM4. Each level corresponds to a different wavelength range, ranging from 850nm to 1550nm, to meet the transmission needs in different scenarios.   SC fiber pigtail connector ferrule grinding type     The connector of SC optical fiber pigtail is designed as a standard square shape and is made of high-quality engineering plastics with excellent high temperature resistance and anti-oxidation properties. This type of connector is widely used on network equipment such as routers or switches. Regarding the connector ferrule grinding types of SC optical fiber pigtails, they can be mainly divided into two types: APC and UPC. The end face of the UPC ferrule is mainly flat, while the end face of the APC ferrule adopts a chamfered design. Among them, the APC end angle type can control light return more effectively and improve the transmission quality of optical signals.   It is worth mentioning that the SC fiber optic pigtail connector is not only affordable, but also very convenient to plug in and out without rotating. Its insertion loss fluctuation is small, the compressive strength is high, and the installation density is high, so it has become a more commonly used fiber optic connector. Whether in the field of network cabling or optical fiber communications, SC optical fiber pigtails have demonstrated their superior performance and wide application prospects.   How to splice and connect SC fiber pigtails       The splicing and connection of SC fiber pigtails is a precise and important process. First, for the fusion part, we need to peel off the outer skin of one side of the unterminated connector of the laid optical fiber and the SC fiber pigtail, cut and clean it. These processed fibers are then inserted into splice mating trays, precisely aligned, tangentially aligned, and locked to ensure a stable connection. In addition, we can also use auxiliary tools to peel off the outer skin of the optical fiber and pigtail, cut and clean them, and then use an optical fiber fusion splicer to "melt" them together under the protection of the splicing disk to achieve a seamless connection. As for the connection part, the separate optical fiber head at the other end of the pigtail is connected to the optical fiber transceiver or optical module to realize the connection between the optical fiber and the twisted pair. In this way, the optical signal can be successfully transmitted to the information socket, completing the entire communication link.   During the fiber splicing process, we will use a series of professional tools, including optical terminal boxes, fiber optic transceivers (optical modules), pigtails, couplers, special wire strippers, fiber cutters, etc. These tools not only help us efficiently complete optical fiber splicing and connection, but also ensure the quality and stability of the connection, providing a solid foundation for optical fiber communications.   SC fiber pigtail and optical cable connection solution       Optical fiber pigtails play an indispensable role in various types of network access equipment. It can realize interconnection and cross-interconnection functions and is widely used in optical fiber CATV networks, FTTH/FTTX, telecommunications networks, pre-terminated installations, etc. In this field, it provides a stable, high-speed and effective operating environment for optical fiber data transmission and LAN/WAN networks. Next, we will focus on the connection scheme between SC fiber pigtail and optical cable. The connection steps are as follows: First, we accurately splice the outdoor optical cable and SC optical fiber pigtail in the optical fiber terminal box to ensure that the optical signal can be transmitted seamlessly. Then, the fused optical fibers are led out through jumpers to prepare for subsequent connections. Next, we connect the other end of the fiber optic jumper to the fiber optic transceiver. This step is crucial because it converts optical signals into electrical signals, allowing the signals to flow smoothly in different transmission media. At this time, the optical fiber transceiver leads to electrical signals. In order to continue transmitting these signals, we need to use twisted pair jumpers as the transmission medium. The interface through which the twisted pair jumper is connected to the network device is usually a standard RJ-45 interface, thus completing the conversion process of the photoelectric signal.   It should be noted that if we need to connect the optical fiber jumper to the network, it also needs to be used with optical modules and switches. In this way, the conversion of optical signals into electrical signals can also be realized, ensuring the stable transmission of network signals.  

Fiber optic fast connectors are also called fast connectors in the industry, and are also called field-assembled fiber optic movable connectors. This type of connector is small in size and fast in termination. The basic termination process only takes 2 minutes and is widely used, such as Corridors and home entrance cables are particularly used in environments such as corridors and homes, so they are widely welcomed by the market. In this article, Plug World Network will give you a brief introduction to fiber optic fast connectors. Fiber optic fast connectors are also called fiber optic field connectors. They are the same product and are divided into one generation, two generations and three generations, also known as straight-through pre-embedded direct fusion. Their main differences are:     1. For the straight-through type, it is mainly a dry structure. This structure is very simple. The advantage is that it is easier to implement and low-cost, but it has many disadvantages: strict requirements on fiber diameter, strict requirements on cutting end face and cutting length, and strict requirements on cutting end face and cutting length. The requirements for blessing strength are more stringent; otherwise any mismatch with the product will cause parameter fluctuations; in addition, since the return loss index completely depends on the fiber cutting end face, the return loss index of the product is relatively poor, and it requires skilled operators High expectations. This type of product structure can be used for temporary optical fiber link repairs, but is not suitable for large-scale use of FTTH access links.   2. For the pre-embedded optical fiber fast connector, it belongs to the pre-embedded fiber structure. The pre-embedded fiber structure uses a section of bare fiber pre-placed into the ceramic ferrule at the factory, and the top is ground. The operator only needs to cut the other end of the optical fiber on site and insert it; since the embedded fiber in front of the embedded structure is ground in the factory and the butt joint is filled with matching fluid, it does not rely too much on the flatness of the optical fiber end face cutting, which greatly reduces the operator's skill. degree of requirements; because the end face of the connector is pre-ground, the return loss index is good; the product structure can achieve better insertion loss (below 0.5dB) and return loss (above 45dB) indexes, reliability It has relatively high stability, so it is suitable for use in indoor nodes of FTTH access links.   How to install and use optical fiber fast connector?   1、Prepare tools：Fiber stripper, drop cable stripper, fiber cleavers, fixed length tool, fiber cleaning tools. 2、Prepare all parts of the fast connector（housing、main body、screw cap）. 3、Insert the optical cable into the screw cap. 4、Use stripper to strip the outer sheath of more than 40mm. 5、Put the optical cable in the fixed length tool, the edge of the cable sheath should be flush with the scribe line in the fixed length tool(according to the specific requirements of each fast connector) 6、Stripper close to the edge of the fixed length tool, and strip the exposed fiber coating to expose φ125μm bare fiber. 7、Clean bare fiber with wiping paper. 8、Cut off excess bare fiber by fiber cleaver. 9、Insert the fiber into the mating guide groove of the connector body until the fiber is bent as shown in the above figure. 10、Keep the fiber bent by hand, and push the buckle toward the front to lock the fiber. 11、Put the boot cover down and screw the cap on the boor tightly. 12、Install the housing.     The above are the instructions for using the SC fiber optic fast connector (pre-embedded B55A/B60A type). For more information on the operation and introduction of the fiber optic fast connector, please contact JFOPT. Fiber optic fast connectors are also known as "live joints". From this name, we can appreciate its flexible and convenient use. Of course, there are many types of optical fiber fast connectors, and different types of optical fiber fast connectors have different materials, performance, stability, and service life. We will explain more relevant knowledge about optical fiber communication to you in the future. We hope you will continue to pay attention.

    A series of fiber optic products will be presented to you below, including fiber optic jumpers and pigtails, fiber optic connectors, fiber optic couplers, fiber optic splice boxes, fiber optic patch panels, and fiber optic transceivers.     01   Fiber optic jumpers and pigtails     Jumper: Used to make jumpers from equipment to fiber optic cabling links. It has a thicker protective layer and is generally used for the connection between the optical terminal and the terminal box. Pigtail: Only one end has a connector, and the other end is a broken end of the fiber core of an optical cable. It is connected to the core of other optical cables through fusion splicing. It is often found in optical fiber terminal boxes and is used to connect optical cables and optical fiber transceivers (between Couplers, jumpers, etc. are also used). → The difference in use between the two: jumpers are used to connect pigtails and terminal equipment, and pigtails are used to connect optical cables and jumpers. → The difference in appearance between the two: only one end of the pigtail has a movable connector, while both ends of the jumper have movable connectors. There are many kinds of interfaces. Different interfaces require different couplers. The jumper can be divided into two and used as a pigtail.   02   Optical fiber connector     Fiber optic couplers are also a very important part of fiber optic knowledge. Generally, according to the connector structure, they can be divided into FC, SC, ST, LC and special connectors D4, DIN, MU, MT, etc.   03   Fiber optic coupler     Many people have misunderstandings about fiber optic couplers and adapters, thinking that they are the same series. In fact, they are easy to distinguish. Just look at the picture below. If it is used to connect two optical fiber connectors of the same type (such as ST/ST SC/SC, etc.), it is called a coupler. If it is used to connect two different types of optical fiber connectors (such as ST/LC SC/LC), it is called an adapter.   ● Definition of fiber optic coupler Components used to split/combine optical signals or extend optical fiber links. ● Common classifications of fiber optic couplers   ●The role of fiber optic coupler 1. Convert optical signals into electrical signals; 2. Couple multi-mode signals into single-mode signals; 3. Make the cross-section optical fiber holes of the two optical fiber connectors conductive; 4. Connect the two sets of optical signals to each other.   04   Fiber optic terminal box     ●The function of terminal box Provide fiber-to-fiber splicing, fiber-to-pigtail splicing, and optical connector handover. It provides mechanical and environmental protection for optical fiber and its components and allows for appropriate inspection to maintain the highest standards of fiber management. ● Common styles of terminal boxes   ●Special introduction to products that match fiber optic terminal boxes   05   Fiber optic splice box   Commonly known as optical cable splice package, it belongs to the mechanical pressure sealing joint system and is a splice protection device that provides optical, sealing and mechanical strength continuity between adjacent optical cables. There are many installation tutorials for optical cable splice boxes. Here we mainly introduce the tips for fiber coiling and splicing fixation. ● Optical cable splicing box fiber discing skills 1. The optical fiber cannot be placed in small circles in the disk, and the length of the optical fiber must be appropriate. If the fiber is made in small circles or the bending radius is too small, the optical signal loss will increase; if the length of the reserved fiber is too short, it will be difficult to splice and maintain, and if it is too long, it will reduce the safety of the fiber. The length of the reserved fiber is generally used during splicing. Before rolling 2~4 circles in the pallet, if you use the same type of pallet for a long time, you can also measure the length that should be reserved first. 2. The fiber optic splice is the most fragile place. If the heat shrinkable tube vibrates due to external force, the joint will break. The optical fibers on both sides of the heat shrinkable tube are also easily broken. Therefore, the heat shrinkable tube must be embedded in the tube holder and fixed, and be careful not to press on the optical fiber. superior. 3. After the optical fiber is coiled, use soft adhesive paper with good stickiness to fix it. It is not suitable to use hard or poor quality adhesive paper such as double-sided tape. Otherwise, over time, the adhesive paper will age and the fiber will become loose and the fiber will become loose when exposed to wind or wind. When external force vibrates, the optical fiber will break or the loss will increase.   ● Tips for fixing optical cable splice boxes 1. The most important thing when fixing the splice box is its sealing. When closing the shell of the splice box, check whether it is sealed. Pay special attention to the sealing of the optical cable inlet. It is best to use glue on each port. 2. After the splice box is fixed, the optical cables on both sides should be wound several times and tied firmly. If the optical cable on one side of the splice box is straightened, due to thermal expansion and cold contraction, the inner tube of the splice box will separate from the tray or even retract into the outer sheath of the optical cable. Cause fiber breakage.   06   Optical fiber distribution frame     Optical fiber distribution frame is an important supporting equipment in the optical transmission system. It is mainly used for fiber splicing of optical cable terminals, installation of optical connectors, optical path adjustment, storage of excess pigtails and protection of optical cables.   ●Four basic functions 1. Fixing function (the outer sheath and reinforcing core must be mechanically fixed); 2. Splicing function (after the optical fiber led out of the optical cable and the tail cable are spliced, the excess optical fiber is coiled and stored); 3. Deployment function (plug the connector on the tail cable into the adapter and realize optical path docking with the optical connector on the other side of the adapter); 4. Storage function (provides storage for various cross-connected optical cables between racks, with clear wiring and easy adjustment).   07   Optical fiber transceiver     The optical fiber transceiver is an Ethernet transmission media conversion unit that exchanges short-distance twisted pair electrical signals and long-distance optical signals. It is also called a photoelectric converter in many places.     ●The role of optical fiber transceiver 1. Extend the transmission distance; 2. Can convert between 10M, 100M or 1000M Ethernet electrical interface and optical interface; 3. Save network investment; 4. Microprocessor and diagnostic interface to detect data link performance; 5. Make the interconnection between servers, repeaters, hubs, terminals and terminals faster.   ●The difference between single-fiber transceiver and dual-fiber transceiver When the optical fiber transceiver is embedded with an optical module, the optical fiber transceiver is divided into a single-fiber transceiver and a dual-fiber transceiver according to the number of fiber cores of the connected optical fiber jumper. The linearity of the optical fiber jumper connected to the single-fiber transceiver is one fiber core, which is responsible for both transmitting and receiving data; while the linearity of the optical fiber jumper connected to the dual-fiber transceiver is two fiber cores, where One fiber core is responsible for transmitting data, and the other fiber core is responsible for receiving data.     When the optical fiber transceiver does not have an embedded optical module, it needs to be distinguished according to the inserted optical module. When a single-fiber bidirectional optical module is inserted into the optical fiber converter, that is, when the interface is a simplex type, the optical fiber transceiver is single-fiber. Transceiver; when a dual-fiber bidirectional optical module is inserted into the optical fiber transceiver, that is, when the interface is of duplex type, the transceiver is a dual-fiber transceiver.

In broadband optical fiber access projects, we often see the terms optical cable transfer box, optical cable distribution box, optical cable distribution box, multimedia box, and home distribution box. What are the differences between these boxes? Let’s first look at the positions of various boxes in ODN (optical distribution network). 01   Optical cable transfer box (OCC)   According to the definition of YD/T 988-2015, the optical cable transfer box is an interface device used to connect trunk optical cables and distribution optical cables outdoors. Optical cable junction boxes are often referred to as "optical junctions" and are often installed indoors (such as basements). Depending on the location in the ODN, optical switching is divided into "backbone optical switching" and "distribution optical switching". In some provinces, in order to distinguish the backbone optical exchange and the distribution optical exchange, the backbone optical exchange is called optical exchange, and the distribution optical exchange is called optical distribution (optical cable distribution box).   1.1 Backbone optical communication   The trunk optical traffic usually does not have an optical splitter, and the cores of the trunk optical cable and the distribution optical cable are connected through single-core fiber jumpers. However, in some metropolitan area networks, in order to facilitate the access of peripheral services to the backbone optical switch, optical cables are directly connected to the backbone optical switch, and a small number of optical splitters are placed in the junction box. Correspondingly, the backbone optical switch adopts A model that places a small number of optical splitters. In some metropolitan area networks, the backbone optical switching adopts a jump-free method to reduce fiber link attenuation. The so-called "jump-free" refers to the way in which the upstream optical cable and the downstream optical cable are connected not through fiber jumpers, but through pigtails (including optical splitter pigtails).   1.2 Wiring optical crossover   The main function of the distribution optical switch is to realize the connection of "distribution optical cable → optical splitter → drop-in optical cable". In order to reduce the number of active connections in the optical fiber link, the distribution optical switch mainly adopts the jumper-free method. Optical splitters are mainly divided into two types: box type and plug-in type. Depending on the type of splitter installed, wiring optical switches can also be divided into two types. One uses a box-type optical splitter, and uses the pigtail of the optical splitter to connect uplink and downlink optical fiber links. The splitter is usually placed on the side of the junction box. Or place it in the top area of the transfer box.   The other uses a plug-in optical splitter, which uses the pigtails of the upstream and downstream optical cables to connect the ports of the optical splitter. Distribution optical switches used for co-construction and sharing mainly use plug-in optical splitters. As shown in the figure below, the upper part of the box is divided into 3 areas. Each area is divided into terminals for distribution optical cables from each operator and corresponding optical splitters are installed. The lower part of the box is for incoming optical cables to be terminated. Shared by multiple operators.     02   Optical cable distribution box   It is an interface device used to connect incoming optical cables and butterfly optical cables indoors, outdoors, and in corridors, or to connect vertical optical cables and horizontal optical cables in buildings. The optical fiber distribution box contains optical cable terminals, optical fiber splicing or mechanical splicing protection units. Optical fiber distribution boxes are usually equipped with plug-in optical splitters. Only a small number of fiber distribution boxes use box-type optical splitters.   When ODN adopts the first-level optical splitting method, no optical splitter is installed in the optical fiber distribution box, and the fiber core of the incoming optical cable is directly terminated. This method was often used in early FTTH construction, but it is now rare.   03   Multimedia box   The multimedia box is also called a comprehensive wiring box for broadband access. It is a box used to install active communication equipment such as ONUs, optical (electrical) cable terminals and other supporting facilities outdoors or in corridors to provide a normal working environment for communication equipment. Multimedia boxes are mainly used for FTTB access methods.   04   Home wiring box   The multi-functional wiring box installed in a household is the dividing point between outdoor and indoor weak current (communications, television) lines. The butterfly optical cable that enters the home in a shared community usually terminates here, so the user's ONT is often installed here.  

MPO/MTP optical cable jumper assembly products are now widely used in LAN cabling projects of major enterprises, especially in optical link interconnection of optical active equipment between different buildings, communication base station wiring, distribution box wiring, and residential areas, Optical signal connections in computer rooms of industrial parks and commercial buildings. These components play an important role in building dense cabling systems, fiber optic communication systems, cable television networks, and telecommunications networks such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and FTTX. It is worth mentioning that MTP is the MPO connector brand of USconec, which specifically refers to the high-performance MPO connectors it manufactures. This connector not only complies with the EIA/TIA-604-5 FOCIS 5 standard, but also meets the IEC-61754-7 MPO fiber optic connector standard, fully demonstrating its excellent performance and quality.     01   Ensure the quality and flexibility of the wiring system   MPO optical cable jumper assembly products not only greatly improve the efficiency of data center cabling, but also ensure excellent network performance. All pre-terminated optical fiber cabling products are rigorously tested before leaving the factory, ensuring reliability and performance stability from production to deployment. In addition, pre-terminated optical fiber cabling products, with their excellent flexibility and scalability, perfectly adapt to the needs of future network upgrades and show strong development potential.     02   High-density wiring greatly saves space   With its modular design concept, MPO pre-terminated optical cable wiring products significantly reduce the space occupied by wire ports and cables, making it possible to achieve higher density wiring in a limited space. At the same time, this box-type structure shows excellent flexibility, plug and play, and the wiring process is simple and fast, providing users with great convenience.     03   Improve the quality of weak current projects and save labor costs and wiring time   Data centers support speeds up to 40G/100G. However, if traditional on-site termination cabling is used, a large number of fiber splicing and cable management tasks will be involved. This is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but the cabling effect is often difficult to meet expectations. In comparison, MPO pre-terminated optical cable cabling products can greatly reduce wiring time and labor costs due to their plug-and-play characteristics without the need for any additional tools. More importantly, the use of MPO optical cable jumper assembly products can ensure stable and reliable performance of the wiring system, providing a strong guarantee for the efficient operation of the data center.

Fiber optic patch cord, simply put, is like a "bridge" connecting various devices and fiber optic cabling equipment. It has a thick protective layer to ensure the safety of transmission. We commonly use it for the connection between optical transceivers and terminal boxes, allowing data to flow unimpeded in fields such as optical fiber communication systems, optical fiber access networks, optical fiber data transmission, and local area networks. So, what is MPO fiber optic patch cord? MPO fiber optic patch cord is actually a special member of the fiber optic patch cord family. It has higher integration and more powerful performance, and can meet more complex transmission requirements. So, what types of MPO fiber optic patch cords are there? We will introduce you to the relevant knowledge of MPO optical fiber jumpers in detail.     01   What is MPO fiber optic patch cord?   MPO (Multi-fiber Push-On) connector, which is one of the MT series connectors. A major feature of the MT series connector is its ferrule design. There are two guide holes with a diameter of 0.7mm on the end face of the ferrule to achieve stable connection through precise guide pins (also called PIN pins). After fine processing with optical fiber cables, we can produce various forms of MPO jumpers. The design of MPO jumper is very flexible, it can have a variety of choices from 2 to 12 cores, and even up to 24 cores. In practical applications, the 12-core MPO connector has become the most common choice due to its moderate number of cores and performance. It is worth mentioning that the compact design of the MPO connector makes the MPO jumper very small in size while having a large number of cores, which undoubtedly brings great convenience to wiring work.   02   Application scenarios of MPO optical fiber jumpers   MPO optical fiber jumpers play a key role in LAN cabling between different buildings in an enterprise. It can efficiently connect optical links in active optical equipment and ensure stable transmission of optical signals. MPO optical fiber jumpers are widely used in building dense wiring systems and support various network types such as optical fiber communication systems, cable TV networks, and telecommunications networks. Whether it is local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) or FTTx and other application scenarios, MPO fiber optic patch cords can provide efficient and stable fiber optic connections to meet various complex wiring needs.     03   When using MPO jumpers during the wiring process, pay attention to the following points:   1. Before docking the MPO jumper, please try to avoid opening the dust cap, especially for the adapter interface that has been connected to the adapter panel but has not been docked. Try to keep the dust cap intact.   2. In addition to normal docking, please ensure that the ground end face of the connector does not contact or scratch with any object to keep it clean and intact.   3. If you find signs of dirt on the end face, please use special cleaning tools or dust-free paper soaked in absolute ethanol to clean. Avoid using paper towels, cotton wool, ordinary cotton swabs and other items to avoid damaging the end face.   4. When docking connectors, please confirm the direction of the positioning key and then insert smoothly along the axial direction of the adapter or socket panel to avoid repeated insertion and removal without being able to view the end face.   5. When inserting the MPO connector into the adapter, please hold the connector tail sleeve part, and when pulling out, hold the connector shell part to ensure the stability of the operation.   6. When bending cables, please ensure that the bending radius is at least 20 times the outer diameter of the cable to avoid cable damage caused by excessive bending.   7. When bundling cables, please adjust the tightness appropriately to avoid serious deformation of the cable sheath to ensure the integrity and performance of the cables.   8. When piercing cables or threading pipes, please push and pull at the same time to avoid dragging or pushing the cables vigorously to prevent scratches that may cause the cables to break or break.     04   The following are common MPO fiber optic patch cord types:     Nowadays, the application of MPO optical fiber jumpers plays a decisive role in R&D and practical projects. It has penetrated into our daily lives and greatly promoted the popularization and development of optical networks.

  Armored patch cord are a new type of fiber optic jumpers that are specially designed with a layer of stainless steel casing to protect the optical fiber. They have the advantages and functions of standard fiber optic jumpers, but at the same time have the durability of armor. It can be laid directly in computer rooms and various harsh environments without the need for protective casing, saving space, reducing construction costs, and greatly improving the convenience of network maintenance.   01   Structure of armored patch cord   Armored optical fiber jumper refers to a sheathed optical cable wrapped with a layer of stainless steel armor tube and aramid, and the outermost layer is extruded with layers of PVC/LSZH sheath material to form a cable.   Ordinary optical cable VS armored optical cable A layer of micro-diameter spiral stainless steel sheathing tube is mainly added outside the optical fiber, which not only enhances the pressure resistance, but also ensures the same flexibility as the standard optical fiber jumper and the various superior optical properties of the optical fiber itself. The micro-diameter stainless steel hose serves as the protective layer closest to the optical fiber, preventing damage caused by mechanical forces.     High-strength aramid reinforcement ensures that the optical fiber has no tensile strain. The outer diameter is a standard optical cable. It is suitable for the application of various connector components. It uses flame-retardant, environmentally friendly, or high-temperature-resistant optical cable covering materials, and the outer diameter is small. , light weight, good bending performance and high flexibility. Some armored fiber optic jumpers also use high-strength PVC as the surface material, which is flame retardant, chemically resistant, and tear-resistant, and also increases the softness and elasticity of the armored fiber optic jumpers.   02   Features of armored patch cord   Armored fiber optic patch cords have the characteristics of high strength, tensile strength, compression resistance, anti-rat bites, and are not easily damaged by stepping on them. Armored jumpers can be laid directly outdoors and in various harsh environments without the use of protective sleeves. The bending and diameter of optical cables are not greatly restricted, which saves space to a large extent and increases the ease of construction and deployment. , reducing construction costs. Although armored fiber optic cables are strong, they are actually as flexible as standard fiber optic patch cords and can be bent at will without breaking.     03   Applications of armored patch cord   Armored fiber optic patch cords can have connector interface types such as SC/LC/FC/ST. It can be applied to complex environments such as building wiring, optical connection of key computer room equipment, field operations, sensor detection, fiber-to-the-home, and community backbone network wiring. Stainless steel sheathing tubes protect fiber optic patch cords from being squeezed and rodent penetration. Another application for armored fiber optic patch cords is in data centers, where they can provide flexible interconnections for active equipment, passive optical equipment, and cross-connects.

  Fiber optic jumpers are essential connecting wires in fiber optic cabling. When purchasing fiber optic jumpers, we will always see the words PC/APC/UPC, such as LC/APC fiber optic jumpers, FC/APC fiber optic jumpers, SC/PC fiber optic patch cord, ST/UPC fiber optic patch cord, etc. Do you know what PC/APC/UPC stands for? Are SFP optical modules compatible with PC/APC/UPC optical fiber jumpers? Through the detailed introduction in this article, I believe you will find the answer.     01   What is PC/APC/UPC?     PC/APC/UPC refers to the different grinding methods of optical fiber connectors on fiber jumpers, and different grinding methods determine the quality of optical fiber transmission, which is mainly reflected in return loss and insertion loss. So what are the differences between these three grinding methods?   PC (Physical Contact) is the most common grinding method for fiber optic connectors on fiber optic patch cords and is widely used in telecom operator equipment. Although the end face of the optical fiber connector appears to be flat, in fact the end face is slightly bent and polished, and the highest bending point is the center of the fiber core. This can effectively reduce the air gap between the optical fiber components. In general, PC polished optical fibers are used The return loss of the jumper is -40dB.   UPC (Ultra Physical Contact) is evolved from PC. It optimizes the end surface polishing to obtain better surface finish. UPC is the same as PC, its highest bending point is at the center of the fiber core, but UPC return loss is higher than PC, generally -50dB (or even higher). It is usually used in Ethernet network equipment (such as ODF fiber optic distribution frames, media converters and fiber optic switches, etc.), and is also used in telephone systems.   APC (Angled Physical Contact) is the latest technology for optical fiber end face grinding. The end face adopts an 8-degree angle grinding method to make the end face grinding more precise and effectively reduce reflections. The return loss is about -60dB. APC is generally used in high wavelength range optical RF applications such as CATV.   Note: Return loss (reflection loss) refers to the reflection caused by impedance mismatch in the optical fiber link, which is the reflection of a pair of lines themselves. This percentage of reflected light is usually expressed in -dB, with higher values being better.       02   What are the differences between PC/APC/UPC?   After the above detailed introduction to PC/APC/UPC, you will find that PC/APC/UPC have differences in end faces, return loss, applications, etc.   PC and UPC are both planar interface types. PC is the earliest grinding method and has poor return loss. UPC is based on the PC structure and has better return loss than PC. APC is an end-face tape. There is an 8-degree angle grinding method that can effectively reduce reflections. The return loss is better than PC and UPC, making it more suitable for use in high-bandwidth and long-distance links.   03   How to correctly select PC/APC/UPC optical fiber jumpers for SFP optical modules?   As we all know, the SFP optical module has two transmission channel ports, one of which is used to send signals and the other is used to receive signals. Normally, signal transmission needs to be achieved through optical fiber jumpers. The above mentioned three types of fiber jumpers with different grinding types: PC/APC/UPC. Can these three types of fiber jumpers be used with SFP optical modules? In fact, this is not the case. Since the connection port of the SFP optical module is flat, it can only be connected to the optical fiber jumper of PC and UPC. If it is connected to the optical fiber jumper of APC, it will cause invalid connection or network failure.     In principle, PC/APC/UPC fiber optic connectors with three different polishing methods cannot be interconnected, but since the fiber end face structures of PC and UPC are both flat (with slight bends) structures, they can They are compatible and interchangeable, but there will be polishing quality issues, but they will not cause any damage to the connector. Although SFP optical modules can be connected to PCs and UPC fiber optic jumpers, in order to ensure the integrity of the fiber link, it is recommended that your SFP optical module be used with UPC fiber optic jumpers. The fiber end face structure of APC is completely different from that of PC and UPC, so APC cannot be interconnected and compatible with them. If the connection is forced, the connector will be damaged; if you want to connect APC to UPC/PC, you must connect the two through APC-UPC/APC-PC conversion fiber jumper, but considering the waste of resources and the difficulty of wiring, For other reasons, FS does not recommend that you do this, so it is best not to use APC fiber jumpers on SFP optical modules. Unless the instructions of the SFP optical module say that APC fiber jumpers are allowed, it is still recommended that you use UPC fiber jumpers.   All in all, PC and UPC fiber optic patch cords can be used on Ethernet equipment such as fiber optic switches and used with SFP optical modules; APC fiber optic patch cords are mainly used for FTTx, Passive Optical Network (PON) and Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) , it is best not to use it with SFP optical modules. The specific choice depends on your network needs.    

Fiber optic patch cords are used as jumper cables connecting devices to fiber optic cabling links. They have a thicker protective layer and are generally used for connections between optical transmitters and terminal boxes.   Pigtails, also known as pigtail cables, have a connector at one end and a severed end of an optical fiber cable at the other. They are connected to other optical fiber cables through fusion splicing and are often found inside fiber optic terminal boxes, used to connect optical cables to fiber optic transceivers (with the use of couplers, patch cords, etc.). Fiber optic connector is a detachable (movable) device used for connecting fibers to each other. It precisely aligns the two end faces of the fibers to maximize the coupling of the light energy emitted by the transmitting fiber into the receiving fiber and minimize the impact on the system due to its intervention in the optical link. This is the basic requirement for a fiber optic connector. To a certain extent, fiber optic connector also affects the reliability and various performances of the optical transmission system.   First, the optical cable comes in from outdoors and needs to be spliced in the optical cable box, which is the terminal box you mentioned. Optical cable splicing is a technical task that requires stripping the cable and splicing the thin fibers inside the cable with pigtails. After the splicing is completed, it is placed in the box, and then our pigtails emerge. The ends of the optical fibers are connected to the ODF (a rack connected with couplers). The other side of the rack also uses pigtails (or fiber optic patch cords, which are actually used for fiber optic patching) to connect to the optical-electrical converter. The optical-electrical transceiver then outputs a network cable that connects to the router, switch, local area network, and finally the host.   In the above steps, the fiber distribution frame can be omitted, and the pigtails can be directly connected to the fiber optic transceiver, thus eliminating the need for a coupler. A coupler is a device that connects two pigtails (or fiber optic patch cords).   A fiber optic coupler is commonly referred to as a flange for the movable connection of two optical fibers or pigtails. A fiber optic terminal box is the termination point of a fiber optic cable. One end is the fiber optic cable, and the other end is the pigtail. It is effectively a device that splits a fiber optic cable into individual optical fibers. A fiber optic splicing box is used to splice two fiber optic cables together to form a longer cable.   Can I understand the terminal box and the splicing box in this way? They are both used for splicing the two ends of optical fibers, with the former being the splicing of optical cables and pigtails, and the latter being the splicing between optical cables. This basic understanding is correct. Are the splice box and the terminal box the same?   No, they are not the same. The splice box is fully sealed and waterproof, but it cannot fix the pigtails. The terminal box is not waterproof, and its internal structure allows for fixing optical cables on one side and pigtails on the other.   Can I understand that the coupler is used to connect optical fibers or pigtails, but the connection part is movable and not spliced? Yes, this understanding is correct. The coupler can only connect two pigtails and comes with different interfaces such as SC/PC and FC/PC. On the other hand, the connection between an optical cable and a pigtail is achieved through splicing using a fusion splicer, which is a permanent connection.   What is the difference between a pigtail and a patch cord? Can a patch cord be divided into two halves and used as a pigtail? A pigtail has only one end with a movable connector, while a patch cord has movable connectors on both ends. There are many different types of connectors, and different couplers are needed for different interfaces. A patch cord can indeed be divided into two halves and used as a pigtail, and this is a common practice.          

      What is an OM5 Fiber Optic Patch Cord? A fiber optic patch cord is a jumper cable used to connect devices to fiber optic cabling links. It features a thicker protective layer and is typically used for connections between optical transmitters and receivers and terminal boxes. It is applied in various fields such as fiber-optic communication systems, fiber-optic access networks, fiber-optic data transmission, and local area networks. As data centers continue to demand higher transmission rates, OM5 fiber optic patch cords have begun to gain increasing usage.   Initially, the OM5 fiber optic patch cord was known as Wideband Multimode Fiber (WBMMF), a new standard for fiber optic patch cords defined by TIA and IEC with a fiber diameter of 50/125μm. Compared to previous OM3 and OM4 fiber optic patch cords, the OM5 fiber optic patch cord can be used for higher bandwidth applications. Thanks to significant improvements in the manufacturing process of OM5 fiber preforms, it can support even higher bandwidths. Structurally, it does not differ significantly from OM3 and OM4 fiber optic patch cords, making it fully backward compatible with traditional OM3 and OM4 multimode fiber optic patch cords. In February 2017, TIA officially designated the identification color of the OM5 fiber optic patch cord as aqua green, while the outer jackets of OM3 and OM4 fiber optic patch cords are lake blue and purple, respectively. OM3 and OM4 fiber optic patch cords can still be used in conjunction with OM5 fiber optic patch cords, with the only difference being the color of the outer jacket, which allows for easy identification of OM5 connections.         Three Core Advantages of OM5 Fiber Optic Patch Cord The OM5 fiber optic patch cord boasts three major core advantages. Firstly, its prime advantage lies in its exceptional scalability. The OM5 fiber optic patch cord can combine short-wavelength division multiplexing (SWDM) with parallel transmission technology, supporting 200/400G Ethernet applications with just 8 cores of wideband multimode fiber (WBMMF), demonstrating immense potential for future applications.   Secondly, the use of OM5 fiber optic patch cord effectively reduces construction and operational costs. By leveraging wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology from single-mode fiber, the OM5 fiber optic patch cord extends the available wavelength range for network transmission, supporting four wavelengths on a single multimode fiber core. This significantly reduces the number of fiber cores required to one-quarter of the previous amount, greatly reducing the cost of network cabling and serving as one of the fundamental reasons for its widespread acceptance.   Thirdly, the OM5 fiber optic patch cord excels in compatibility and interoperability, supporting traditional applications as well as OM3 and OM4 fiber optic patch cords. Furthermore, it is fully compatible with traditional OM3 and OM4 fiber optic patch cords, exhibiting strong interoperability between them.           Meeting High-Speed Data Center Transmission Needs The OM5 fiber optic patch cord breathes new life into super-large data centers, breaking through the bottlenecks of traditional parallel transmission technology and low transmission rates used by multimode fibers. It not only supports higher-speed network transmission with fewer multimode fiber cores, but also utilizes lower-cost short-wavelengths, resulting in significantly lower costs and power consumption for optical modules compared to single-mode fibers that use long-wave laser sources. Therefore, as the demand for higher transmission rates continues to increase, the OM5 fiber optic patch cord will have a broad application prospect in future 100G/400G/1T super-large data centers.   Take the future first-generation 400G Ethernet fiber optic cabling as an example. A total of 16 fiber cores are needed for transmitting signals and another 16 for receiving signals, totaling 32 fiber cores of multimode fiber. This means that data centers need to deploy cabling systems with 32-core MPO/MTP interfaces. Consequently, the high cabling costs will undoubtedly bring tremendous pressure to data center operators.   If the OM5 fiber optic patch cord and short-wavelength division multiplexing optical modules are adopted, only 8 cores of multimode fiber are required in total, with 4 cores for transmitting signals and another 4 cores for receiving signals. Each fiber can transmit 4 wavelengths, with a transmission rate of 25Gbps per wavelength. Therefore, each fiber core of the OM5 fiber optic patch cord can transmit 100Gbps of data. By adopting this technology of short-wavelength division multiplexing and parallel transmission, the cabling costs of data centers will be greatly reduced. It is believed that the OM5 fiber optic patch cord will be widely used in the near future.        

As is well known, when installing fiber optic jumpers, it is crucial to ensure that the bending radius of the cable does not exceed its specified limit, as excessive bending can lead to optical leakage and signal loss. As shown in the diagram below, the greater the bending radius, the higher the signal loss. Therefore, such fiber jumpers are not ideal for high-density wiring areas in data centers. To address the high-density wiring challenges in data centers, bend-insensitive fiber jumpers offer an ideal solution. They possess excellent resistance to bending while maintaining the same mechanical and optical performance as regular fiber jumpers.         What is the bending radius? The bending radius refers to the maximum degree of bending at which the optical cable can maintain its normal operational performance. The smaller the bending radius, the better the cable's resistance to bending. Typically, the static bending radius of an optical cable is 10 times the outer diameter of the cable, while the dynamic bending radius is 20 times the outer diameter. In the market, the bending radius of regular fiber jumpers is generally around 30mm, whereas for bend-insensitive fiber jumpers, it is much smaller, typically only a few millimeters. Bend-insensitive fiber jumpers are mainly available in two types: bend-insensitive single-mode fiber jumpers and bend-insensitive multimode fiber jumpers.       Bend-insensitive single-mode fiber jumpers Bend-insensitive single-mode fiber jumpers greatly improve their bending performance through optimized design. The ITU standard G.657 defines two different types of bend-insensitive single-mode fiber jumpers: G.657 A and G.657 B. These fiber jumpers can further be subdivided into G.657.A1, G.657.A2, G.657.B1, and G.657.B2. The minimum bending radius for G.657.A1 jumpers is 10mm, for G.657.A2 and G.657.B1 jumpers, it is 7.5mm, and for G.657.B2 jumpers, it can reach up to 5mm.     Compared to G.652 jumpers, G.657 bend-insensitive single-mode jumpers offer more flexibility in installation, allowing for various mounting configurations. As a result, they are widely used in today's data centers.     Bend-insensitive multimode fiber jumpers The minimum bending radius of bend-insensitive multimode fiber jumpers is 7.5mm. They feature a special optical 'trench' design between the core and cladding, which allows for the retention of more light compared to traditional multimode fiber jumpers. It is worth noting that the design intention of bend-insensitive multimode fiber jumpers was initially to meet the demands of FTTH applications. However, nowadays, these jumpers are increasingly being used in high-density wiring areas of data centers.   Bend insensitivity is crucial, especially for fiber-to-the-home installations, where bend-insensitive multimode fiber jumpers ensure normal transmission of optical signals even when the jumper is bent. They are suitable for indoor wiring, short-distance transmission, and are particularly advantageous in data center environments.   With the increasing popularity of high-density applications, bend-insensitive fiber jumpers are playing an increasingly important role.  

  Fiber jumpers, in simple terms, are the carriers for transmitting optical signals. They are used for jumper connections in data centers, fiber entry into buildings, and fiber-to-the-home installations. They come in various lengths, ranging from short ones at 1 meter to longer ones that can stretch to hundreds of meters or even kilometers.     When installing and using fiber jumpers, it's important to note:     01 The optical modules at both ends of the fiber jumper must have matching transmit and receive wavelengths. In other words, the fiber jumper's ends must be connected to optical modules with the same wavelength. A simple way to distinguish them is by matching the colors of the optical modules. Generally, short-wave optical modules use multimode fibers (orange-colored fibers), while long-wave optical modules use single-mode fibers (yellow-colored fibers), ensuring the accuracy of data transmission.       02 Before use, the ceramic ferrules and ferrule end faces of the fiber jumper must be cleaned with alcohol and lint-free wipes.     03 When installing fiber optics, insert and remove them gently; excessive force can cause the fiber optic ferrule to shift, thereby affecting the quality of optical communication.     04 After use, it is essential to protect fiber optic connectors with protective sleeves to prevent dust and oil contamination, which can damage the fiber optic coupling.     05 After use, it's crucial to protect the fiber optic connectors with protective sleeves to prevent dust and oil contamination, which can damage the fiber optic coupling.     06 Do not stare directly at the fiber optic endface when transmitting laser signals.     07 If the fiber optic connectors get dirty, you can clean them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol; otherwise, it may affect the communication quality.     08 Ensure usage within the operating temperature range of -40°C to +80°C and relative humidity range of 5% to 90%.     09 When damage occurs due to human factors or other uncontrollable factors, damaged fiber jumpers should be replaced promptly.     10 Before installation, carefully read the instruction manual and perform installation and debugging under the guidance of the manufacturer's or dealer's engineers.    

  Why are fiber jumpers classified into telecommunications-grade and network-grade? To make it clear for everyone the differences between these two grades of products, let's delve into understanding their distinctions!   Fiber jumpers are used to connect equipment to fiber optic cabling links. They have thicker protective layers and are typically used to connect between optical terminals and terminal boxes, applied in fields such as optical communication systems, fiber access networks, fiber data transmission, and local area networks.       Network-grade fiber jumpers:     Network-grade fiber jumpers are slightly inferior to telecommunications-grade jumpers because they exhibit higher attenuation. These jumpers typically have low requirements and may experience packet loss during transmission, with attenuation usually greater than 0.3dB.       Telecommunications-grade fiber jumpers:     Telecommunications-grade fiber jumpers are superior to network-grade ones because they have lower attenuation and are less prone to data loss. Companies like China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, and Nokia primarily use telecommunications-grade fiber jumpers for their servers.     People often say that telecommunications-grade fiber jumpers are better than network-grade ones, so what are the differences between them?   1. Attenuation: Telecommunications-grade fiber jumpers have lower attenuation compared to network-grade fiber jumpers, resulting in more stable data transmission and less likelihood of loss.   2. Polishing Frequency: The polishing process for telecommunications-grade fiber jumpers typically involves 5 times, while network-grade fiber jumpers usually undergo 4 times of polishing.   3. Price: Due to differences in manufacturing processes and other factors, the market price of telecommunications-grade fiber jumpers is slightly higher than that of network-grade fiber jumpers.    

  We know that different colors of the outer sheath of fiber optic jumpers represent different types of fiber optic jumpers. Do you often have this confusion and don’t know how to distinguish fiber optic jumpers based on the color of the outer sheath? This article will focus on the outer sheath colors of different fiber optic jumpers and how to distinguish fiber jumper types through the outer sheath of fiber optic jumpers.     01Sheath color standards for fiber optic patch cords   TIA-598C is a color coding standard for fiber optic patch cords developed by the Telecommunications Industry Association of the United States. This standard defines the identification scheme for optical fibers and fiber optic patch cords. Below are the colors and corresponding fiber optic patch cord types for non-military and military applications. Sheath color Types of Fiber Optic Patch Cords for Non-Military Applications Types of Fiber Optic Patch Cords for Military Applications orange OM1 62.5um multi-mode fiber optic patch cord OM2 50um multimode fiber optic patch cord OM2 50um multimode fiber optic patch cord aqua green OM3 50um multimode fiber optic patch cord final definition aqua/purple Aqua green is used for OM3/OM4 fiber optic patch cords (and high-grade OM2 fiber optic patch cords); purple is used for OM4 fiber optic patch cords in Europe and is becoming more and more common in North America. final definition yellow OS1/OS2 single mode fiber optic patch cord OS1/OS2 single mode fiber optic patch cord blue Polarization Maintaining (PM) Single Mode Fiber Patch Cable final definition grey final definition 62.5um multimode fiber optic patch cord green final definition 100/140um multimode fiber optic patch cord   02Fiber color code of fiber optic jumper   As shown in the table below, each fiber in the fiber jumper sleeve has its own unique fiber code and color. When you clearly know the fiber code and color of the fiber jumper, you can easily identify the fiber jumper and quickly manage and Maintain fiber optic links. Fiber code Fiber color Sheath marking 1 blue 1 or BL or 1-BL 2 orange 2 or OR or 2-OR 3 green 3 or GR or 3-GR 4 brown 3 or GR or 3-GR 5 grey 5 or SL or 5-SL 6 white 6 or WH or 6-WH 7 red 7 or RD or 7-RD 8 black 8 or BK or 8-BK 9 yellow 9 or YL or 9-YL 10 purple 10 or V or 10-VI 11 rose red 11 or RS or 11-RS 12 aqua green 12 or AQ or 12-AQ   03Color standards for connectors and adapters of fiber optic patch cords   In addition to the color of the optical fiber and sheath, you can also distinguish them by the color of the connectors and adapters of the optical fiber jumpers. The following table shows the information about the different colors of optical fiber connectors and adapters corresponding to different optical fiber jumpers. Fiber type Connector color Adapter color OM1 62.5um beige/black/aqua beige OM2 50um beige/black/aqua black OM3 50um beige/black/aqua aqua green SMF blue blue SMF APC green green     Adapters are also color-coded to indicate how the fiber end face is polished, as shown in the table below: Adapter color End grinding method Fiber type blue UPC SMF green APC SMF black UPC OM2 50um grey/beige UPC OM1 62.5um white UPC OM3 50um     In conclusion This article details how to distinguish different fiber optic patch cords by the colors of their jackets, optical fibers, connectors and adapters. However, there are many types and colors of fiber optic patch cords on the market, and sometimes it is not possible to distinguish based on this information alone. At this time, you can check the model and specifications of the fiber jumper to help you better distinguish the fiber jumper.  

Customers often request fiber optic patch cords with extremely low insertion loss. For example, a few days ago, a customer ordered APC fiber optic patch cords with an insertion loss of less than 0.16dB. Only a few fiber optic patch cord manufacturers can produce such high-grade patch cords, but the cost is much higher than that of telecom-grade patch cords. So, is it better for fiber optic patch cords to have lower insertion loss?   The answer is negative！   As a device for jump connection signals and connecting optical paths, while lower insertion loss in fiber optic patch cords results in less attenuation, blindly pursuing excessively high optical parameter requirements requires a significant improvement in the materials and processes of fiber optic patch cords, leading to high costs and inappropriate cost-effectiveness. In the design of optical systems, the design power of the light source will have a reserved amount, which is greater than the actual applied power. By using optical attenuators, splitters, and other devices, the power is reduced to the actual power value required for use.     So, for fiber optic patch cords serving as connectors, meeting telecom-grade requirements for insertion loss is sufficient. A patch cord with insertion loss ≤0.3dB is completely qualified and can meet the usage needs of most customers. If you want to improve the performance of fiber optic patch cords, such as interchangeability, reliability, and consistency, fiber optic patch cord manufacturers recommend using patch cords with interferometric (3D) end faces. This is the current international standard for high-quality fiber optic patch cords.       Finally, when selecting fiber optic patch cords, it's important to determine the parameter requirements based on the usage scenario and choose the most suitable product!  

When using optical modules, we definitely consider their wiring issues. How do we choose the right fiber optic patch cord based on the optical module? We have summarized this.         1. Transmission Distance and Data Rate     Optical modules come with various transmission rates and distances. When selecting fiber optic patch cords for optical modules, it's essential to choose cords that match their specifications. The Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) provides detailed specifications for different optical modules, including operating wavelengths, transmission distances, data rates, and recommended fiber types. This information serves as a reference for selecting fiber optic patch cords. Below is a table detailing the specifics of optical modules. Optical Module Types Operating Wavelength Fiber Type Data Rate Transmission Distance SR 850nm Multimode 10G 300m LR 1310nm Single mode 10G 10Km ER 1550nm Single mode 10G 40Km ZR 1550nm Single mode 40G 80Km SR4 850nm Multimode 40G 100m SR10 850nm Multimode 100G 100m       2. Interface Style     OM1 62.5/125 multimode fiber optic cable, dual-core LC/LC   When choosing fiber optic patch cords, the interface is an essential consideration. Typically, optical modules have two ports (one for receiving optical signals and one for transmitting optical signals), either duplex SC or duplex LC. Therefore, duplex SC/LC fiber optic patch cords are needed. However, in recent years, newly introduced optical modules have only one port (capable of both receiving and transmitting optical signals), hence requiring simplex fiber optic cables. Different connectors can be inserted into different devices. If the ports at both ends of the equipment are the same, we can use MPO-MPO/LC-LC/SC-SC fiber optic patch cords. If connecting devices with different port types, LC-SC/LC/ST/LC-FC fiber optic patch cords can be used. Interface Type Application 56.4mm MPO/MTP Interface Multifiber Transceivers, 40G QSFP+/100G QSFP+ Optical Modules 2.5mm SC Interface Data communication, electronic communication, GPON, EPON, X2, XENPAK optical modules 2.5mm ST Interface Data communication, FTTH, military, campus, corporate networks 2.5mm FC Interface Data communication, electronic communication, measurement equipment, single-mode lasers 1.25mm LC Interface High-density cabling, SFP SFP+ optical modules, XFP optical modules     3. Common Fiber Optic Patch Cords for Optical Modules       Fiber Optic Patch Cord Name Applicable Optical Modules 24 core MPO/F-MPO/，F50/125 Multimode Fiber Optic Patch Cord CFP2-100G-SR10，CXP-100G-SR1 12 core MPO/F-MPO/F，50/125 Multimode 10 Gigabit Fiber Optic Patch Cord QSFP-100G-SR4，QSFP-40G-SR4，QSFP-40G-eSR4，QSFP-40G-CSR4 12 core MPO/F-MPO/F，9/125 Single mode Fiber Optic Patch Cord QSFP-100G-PSM4，QSFP-40G-PLR4L，QSFP-40G-IR4，QSFP-40G-LR4 Dual-core LC-LC，9/125 Single mode Fiber Optic Patch Cord SFP-XG-LH-SM1550，SFP-XG-LX-SM1310 QSFP-40G-BIDI-WDM1310，QSFP-40G-LR4 QSFP-40G-ER4，CFP-40G-LR4，CFP2-100G-LR4，CFP-100G-ER4，CFP-100G-LR4，QSFP-100G-LR4 Dual-core LC-LC，50/125 Multimode 10 Gigabit Fiber Optic Patch Cord QSFP-40G-BIDI-SR-MM850，QSFP-40G-UNIV，SFP-XG-SX-MM850，SFP-XG-LX220-MM1310   MPO/LC fan-out, 0.9mm diameter, 12-core, multimode OM3 50/125μm   After considering these three factors, let's take an example. The transmission rate of the optical module QSFP-100G-SR4-MM850 is 100Gbps, typically used with multimode fiber (MMF), with a central wavelength of 850nm, and a connector type of MPO. In this case, a 12-core MPO/F-MPO/F fiber optic patch cord can be used, with a fiber diameter of 50/125um and a transmission distance of 70m.  

  The MPO fiber optic patch cord has MPO connectors at both ends and can be directly used for connecting 40 or 100G equipment. It is widely used for upgrading data centers from 10G to 40/100G. The cable diameter is typically 3.0mm, with various branch cable diameters available such as 0.9mm, 2.0mm, etc., to meet different wiring needs. MPO backbone fiber jumpers have extremely low insertion loss and reflection loss, compact design, and excellent performance. They are commonly used in high-density data center environments, fiber to the building (FTTB), and internal connections of fiber optic equipment.   So, what is MPO?     MPO fiber optic patch cords are composed of MPO connectors and fiber optic cables. The types of MPO connectors are distinguished based on several factors as specified by the IEC 61754-7 standard: fiber count, gender, polarity, and end-face type (PC or APC).     Product Features     1. Low Insertion Loss, High Stability Utilizing new materials and high-standard production techniques for connectors, ensuring high durability and resolving issues such as high attenuation, network congestion, and smoothness.   2. Telecom Grade Quality, Excellent Interchangeability Sturdy and durable, resistant to deformation, with excellent interchangeability.   3. Fiber Dust Protection Cover Each interface at both ends of the fiber optic cable is equipped with a dust protection cover to prevent damage to the connectors and ensure product quality.   4. Long Tail Protection Integrated long tail design process, with good flexibility, allowing for moderate bending, sturdy and durable without breaking.     MPO-MPO 12-Core Ribbon Cable Configuration     The first fiber in the first core corresponds to the 12th fiber position in the connector at the other end, the second fiber in the first core corresponds to the 11th fiber position in the connector at the other end, and so on. For Type C polarity, the first fiber in the first core corresponds to the second fiber position in the connector at the other end, the second fiber in the first core corresponds to the first fiber position in the connector at the other end.   Product parameters Name MPO OM3/OM4 fiber optic patch cord Interface MPO-MPO female to female Optical fiber type 10G Plugging and unplugging times ≥1000 times Outer quilt material Low smoke halogen-free outer quilt Working temperature Industrial grade -40°C~85°C     Difference between OM3/OM4 bandwidth     OM3 multimode 10 Gigabit fiber optic bandwidth, 2000MHz.km, capable of reaching 10 Gigabits within 150 meters.   OM4 multimode 10 Gigabit fiber optic bandwidth, 4700MHz.km, capable of reaching 10 Gigabits within 500 meters.       Product Applications     Strong Compatibility, Wide Applications Fiber optic patch cords are widely used in fiber optic communication systems, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), fiber optic data transmission, fiber optic sensors, optical testing instruments, fiber optic CATV, local area network (LAN) equipment, and more.    

Fiber distribution frame is an essential accessory in optical transmission systems. It is mainly used for fiber fusion splicing at the end of optical cables, installation of optical connectors, optical path adjustment, storage of excess pigtails, and protection of optical cables. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the secure operation and flexible utilization of optical communication networks.       Characteristics of Fiber Distribution Frames     In recent years, in the practical work of optical communication construction, through the comparison of several products, we believe that the selection of fiber distribution frames should focus on the following aspects. 1）Fiber Core Capacity A fiber distribution frame should be able to accommodate the maximum number of cores of optical cables within a facility. Whenever possible, multiple cables that are interconnected should be housed in the same frame to facilitate optical path deployment. Additionally, the capacity of the distribution frame should correspond to the series of commonly used fiber core counts. This helps reduce or avoid wastage of capacity in the distribution frame due to improper matching during usage.   2) Functional Types As a terminal equipment for optical cable lines, a fiber distribution frame should have four basic functions: Fixation Function: After optical cables enter the frame, their outer sheaths and strength members should be mechanically secured, grounding protection components should be installed, end protection treatment should be performed, and fibers should be grouped and protected. Termination Function: After fusion splicing the fibers led out from the cable with pigtail fibers, any excess fibers should be coiled and stored, and the spliced joints should be protected. Deployment Function: Connectors on the pigtail cables should be plugged into adapters, and the optical connectors on the other side of the adapters should be connected to achieve optical path alignment. Adapters and connectors should allow for flexible insertion and removal, and the optical paths should be freely deployable and testable. Storage Function: Provide storage for optical patch cords between racks, allowing them to be neatly arranged. The fiber distribution frame should have appropriate space and methods for clear routing of these optical patch cords, easy adjustment, and compliance with the minimum bend radius requirements.   With the development of fiber optic networks, the existing functions of fiber distribution frames cannot meet many new requirements. Some manufacturers are integrating additional fiber optic network components such as splitters, wavelength division multiplexers, and optical switches directly onto fiber distribution frames. This approach not only facilitates the application of these components into the network but also adds functionality and flexibility to the fiber distribution frame. Fiber distribution frames are mainly categorized into: 12-port fiber distribution frames, 24-port fiber distribution frames, 48-port fiber distribution frames, 72-port fiber distribution frames, 96-port fiber distribution frames, and 144-port fiber distribution frames.       The common core counts of ODF distribution frames     （12 core）   （24 core）   （36 core）   （48 core）   （72 core）   （96 core）   （144 core）    

Fiber distribution frames, terminal boxes, distribution boxes, and ODF distribution frames are essential accessories in fiber optic installations. At first glance, these accessories may appear similar in appearance, and even their usage may seem similar, leading to confusion. This article will compare and contrast these four accessories, highlighting their similarities and differences.     01   Four Similarities   These four connectors have four obvious similarities, such as their main functions, which can be summarized as follows: 1.They all serve to secure fiber optic cables into racks, mechanically fixing their outer jackets and strength members, installing grounding protection components, performing end protection treatment, and grouping and protecting the fibers. 2.They all involve fusion splicing, where the fibers led out from the cable are spliced with pigtail fibers, and any excess fibers are coiled and stored, with the spliced joints protected. 3.Adapters and connectors allow for flexible insertion and removal; the optical paths can be freely deployed and tested. 4.They provide adequate space and methods to meet the requirements of the minimum bend radius.   02   Differences Between the Four   Since there are many similarities in their functions, the differences lie in their appearance and installation. Let's summarize and introduce each of the four connectors:   1. Fiber Distribution Frame (FDF): Features: Equipped with guide pins, MPO male push-pull distribution frame, with 4 LGX splice trays, and 48 LC multimode OM4 fiber optic connection ports. Standard Port Counts: 24 ports, 48 ports. Usage Environment: Typically installed in standard cabinets. Fiber distribution frames are used to connect vertical trunks and horizontal cables. They are usually 1U high 19-inch rack-mounted units, typically with a minimum of 12 ports.   2.Terminal Box: Standard Port Counts: 8 ports, 12 ports. Usage Environment: Wall-mounted or placed on a desktop. Fiber optic terminal boxes are typically placed at the end of horizontal cables. Devices connected via patch cords from the couplers inside the fiber optic terminal box serve as the closest connection point to the terminal (switching equipment or PC). These boxes typically have 8 ports.     3.Distribution Box: Standard Port Counts: 24 ports, 48 ports. Usage Environment: Typically installed in corridors. Fiber optic distribution boxes are interface devices used to connect trunk cables and distribution cables outdoors, in corridors, or indoors. They are commonly found in the deployment of FTTH (Fiber to the Home) networks and are frequently seen as small boxes in the corridors of our daily lives.   4.ODF Distribution Frame: Standard Port Counts: 12-1440 cores. Usage Environment: Data centers, regional distribution, residential areas for FTTH (Fiber to the Home), and other large-scale fiber optic wiring scenarios. ODF (Optical Distribution Frame) distribution frames are fiber optic distribution equipment designed for fiber optic communication rooms. They feature functions such as cable fixing and protection, cable termination, patching, and fiber core and pigtail protection. These devices offer flexible configurations, easy installation and use, simple maintenance, and easy management. They are essential equipment for achieving fiber optic cable network terminal or relay point fiber arrangement, patching, cable fusion splicing, and access.     03   Conclusion   In summary, we can conclude that the main differences between these four products lie in two aspects: the number of interfaces and the usage environment. They themselves do not directly participate in data transmission but primarily serve different services based on the application environment and required ports. They are installed in places where they are needed.

  Regarding how to connect fiber optic cables, optical fiber is an excellent solution for various network applications. This is because it can transmit large amounts of data over long distances and at impressive speeds. However, if you want to fully harness the potential of fiber optics, it's crucial to connect everything correctly. Generally, there are three methods to connect fiber optic cables. Our guide will cover them so that you can choose the most suitable option.   01   How to Connect Fiber Optic Cables - Connectors   The purpose of these devices is to connect the cable to another component in the network setup. Additionally, you can use connectors to create a joint between two fiber optic cables. You'll find many types of connectors on the market. However, they differ in terms of back reflection and optical loss. Therefore, you should choose the best option for your application. Commonly, ST connectors are found in campuses and office buildings. Additionally, you'll find them in other facilities using multimode networks. On the other hand, FC and SC connectors are suitable for single-mode systems.     02   How to Connect Fiber Optic Cables - Splicing You can use splicing to join two cables together. Additionally, this technique is a great way to connect fiber optics. This is because it minimizes back reflection and optical loss. Therefore, it's a suitable choice for connecting two types of cables or if a single cable is pulled too long. Check out the main types of fiber optic splices below!     Mechanical Splicing This technique involves using an alignment sleeve. Therefore, your goal is to place the sleeve between the ends of two fiber optic cables. This device secures both ends in place while ensuring that light passes through between the cables. Experts estimate that with this method, you can expect a loss of around 0.3dB. The main advantage of this method is its cost-effectiveness. On the other hand, while the initial investment is lower, the cost per mechanical splice will be higher than fusion splicing. This makes mechanical splicing less suitable for large-scale projects. Additionally, you wouldn't want them in applications where you aim to achieve as little optical loss as possible.   Fusion Splicing Fusion technology involves two steps. This method is excellent for maintaining a stable connection between two fiber optic cables. Therefore, the estimated loss is only 0.1dB. This ensures better performance than mechanical splicing. However, the initial investment for fusion splicing is higher. Thus, the setup might cost you three times as much. On the other hand, the cost per splice can be cheaper by 20 times. Therefore, fusion splicing is a wise choice for large-scale and long-term projects.     03   How to Connect Fiber Optic Cables - Pre-Terminated Fiber Pre-terminated fiber optic cables mean that the manufacturer has processed them before sending them to the destination. Depending on your preference, there are two termination methods to choose from! Pre-connection and Field Installation/Splicing The first option is the so-called 50/50 method. Thus, you get a cable with one end pre-terminated. On the other hand, there is a connector on the other end that needs to be terminated in the field. This method ensures that you always have the optimal cable length. So, you don't have to worry about having overly long cables that strain the eyes. However, the downside is that you need a qualified technician to handle the on-site termination. Thus, installation time will be longer, and labor costs will increase.   Pre-terminated or Factory-terminated If you want to simplify things, you can opt for factory-terminated fiber assemblies. This method means that the manufacturer has addressed the termination issue before shipping. Fortunately, most brands do this in state-of-the-art facilities to ensure no shards or other issues. Therefore, the staff ensures that the cable terminations are smooth to ensure optimal performance. Additionally, they typically test the cables before shipping them to the destination. The main advantage of factory termination is that no work needs to be done on-site. Thus, this speeds up the entire installation process, increasing efficiency. Furthermore, it reduces labor costs, allowing you to offer better prices to customers. On the other hand, the downside of factory-terminated cables is their length. Therefore, you need to carefully select the required distance. Otherwise, you may end up with overly long cables, which detracts from aesthetics. Additionally, if the cable ends up being too short, it may not be usable for the project.     Have you found the fiber optic cable connection method you like? Well, it depends on the application, budget, and other specific details. If you need help determining the best solution for your project, don't hesitate to contact us. We have a skilled team ready to assist, ensuring you get fiber optic components that are best suited to your needs.

With the rapid growth of data traffic, fiber optic communication, as an emerging technology, has developed rapidly and is widely used, becoming one of the main pillars of modern communication and playing a crucial role in telecommunications networks. This article will introduce the structure and classification of fiber optic patch cables.   Fiber optic patch cables, refer to cables with connector plugs at both ends and a thick protective layer, used to connect equipment to fiber optic cabling systems for active optical connections. They are primarily used in fiber optic communication systems, fiber optic access networks, fiber optic data transmission, and local area networks, and are suitable for cable television networks, telecommunications networks, computer fiber optic networks, and optical testing equipment.   The structure of fiber optic patch cables is similar to that of coaxial cables, but without a mesh shielding layer. In the center is the glass core for optical transmission, which can be categorized into multimode fiber and single-mode fiber based on core diameter. The core is surrounded by a glass cladding layer with a lower refractive index, and then covered with a thin layer of plastic sheath (usually made of PVC or fluorinated ethylene propylene material) on the outside. It is important to note that fiber optic patch cables and pigtails are different. A pigtail has a connector plug at one end and the other end is a bare fiber optic core, which is spliced to other fiber optic cores typically inside a fiber optic termination box to connect fiber optic cables with transceivers (where couplers, patch cords, etc., may also be used). On the other hand, fiber optic patch cables have active connectors at both ends, with various interface types requiring different couplers. Fiber optic patch cables can be separated and used individually, functioning as pigtails.   There are various standards for classifying fiber optic patch cables:   1、Classified by connector types, there are FC, ST, SC, LC, MU, DIN, MPO/MTP, E2000, MTRJ, SMA, etc. The connector end-face types include PC, UPC, and APC. The connectors mainly used for connecting optical modules are LC, SC, and MPO/MTP. Connector type is an important factor to consider when purchasing fiber optic patch cables.   2、Classified by connector colors, they can be blue (commonly used for single-mode connectors), beige, and gray (commonly used for multimode connectors).   3、Classified by boot colors, they can be gray, blue, green, white, red, black, and aqua.   4、Classified by the number of fiber cores, they can be single-core, dual-core, 4-core, 6-core, 8-core, 12-core, 24-core, 48-core, 72-core, or customized according to customer requirements.   5、Classified by the diameter of fiber cores, they can be multimode fiber (50μm-65μm) suitable for short-distance optical communication systems, and single-mode fiber (9μm) suitable for long-distance communication.   6、According to ITU-T standards, communication fibers are classified from G.651 to G.657, where G.651 is multimode fiber and G.651 to G.657 are single-mode fibers. ISO/IEC divides multimode fiber into OM1 to OM5, mainly used in local area networks (LAN) and data centers (DCN).   7、The length of fiber optic cables can be customized according to customer requirements.   8、Classified by the material of the cable outer sheath, they can be ordinary type, ordinary flame-retardant type, low smoke zero halogen (LZSH) type, low smoke zero halogen flame-retardant type, and armored type. Armored patch cables, as a new type of fiber optic patch cables, are suitable for data centers or harsh environments, with high compression and tensile performance. The common types of fiber optic patch cables in the market include single-mode OS2 patch cables, as well as multimode OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5 patch cables.

The translation in English would be: "Fiber optics are fibers made of glass or plastic, which are inherently fragile and prone to breakage. By encapsulating fine optical fibers in plastic sheaths, they can bend without breaking. Cables packaged in this way are known as fiber optic cables. However, can fiber optic cables be bent freely?   Due to the sensitivity of optical fibers to stress, bending the fibers can cause light signals to escape the fiber cladding, especially when the bend becomes sharp, resulting in more leakage. Additionally, bending can lead to microcracks, permanently damaging the fibers. Finding points of microbending is difficult and requires expensive testing equipment, so at least cleaning or replacing fiber optic patch cables is necessary. Bending optical fibers causes attenuation, with the amount of attenuation increasing as the bending radius decreases. At 1550 nm, the attenuation caused by bending is greater than at 1310 nm, and even greater at 1625 nm. Therefore, when installing fiber optic patch cables, especially in high-density wiring environments, it is important to ensure that the bending of the cables does not exceed their tolerable bending radius. So, what is the appropriate bending radius?   The bending radius of a fiber optic cable refers to the angle at which the cable can safely bend within a specific range. The minimum bending radius varies for each type of cable or patch cord and may depend on the cable's type or manufacturing method. Typically, the minimum bending radius is determined by the diameter and type of the cable, calculated using the formula: Minimum Bending Radius = Cable Outer Diameter × Cable Multiple.   The ANSI/TIA/EIA-568B.3 standard defines the minimum bending radius and maximum tensile strength for 50/125 micron and 62.5/125 micron fiber optic cables. The minimum bending radius of a cable depends on its specific type. Under no tension, it generally should not be less than ten times the cable's outer diameter (OD); under tension, it should be fifteen times the cable's outer diameter. Traditional single-mode patch cords typically define the minimum bending radius as ten times the outer diameter of the sheathed cable or 1.5 inches (38mm), whichever is greater. Currently, the minimum bending radius for commonly used G652 fiber optic cable is 30mm.     In recent years, the G657 fiber optic series, which has begun to be widely used, features smaller bending radii, including G657A1, G657A2, and G657B3. The minimum bending radius for G657A1 is 10mm, G657A2 is 7.5mm, and G657B3 is 5mm. These fibers, based on G652D fibers, have improved bending attenuation characteristics and enhanced geometric properties, thus improving fiber connectivity performance. They are also known as bend-insensitive fibers. Primarily used in FTTx and FTTH, they are suitable for indoor narrow spaces or corner applications.   Fiber breakage and increased attenuation can significantly affect long-term network reliability, network operating costs, and the ability to maintain and grow customer base. Therefore, it is important to have a clear understanding of the minimum fiber optic bending radius to ensure that fiber cables or patch cords remain in good working condition.    

  Fiber optic patch cables are widely used in the fields of optical communication and optoelectronics, with insertion loss (IL) and return loss (RL) being key indicators. Insertion loss weakens the optical power in the light link, reducing receiver sensitivity; while return loss alters the spectral width of the light source's laser diode, introducing noise and potentially causing changes in the operating wavelength of the light source. The following will analyze the meaning and impact of insertion loss and return loss of fiber optic patch cables.   Insertion loss refers to the signal power loss caused by the insertion of a component into the transmission cable, typically manifested as attenuation. It is expressed in decibels as the ratio of output optical power to input optical power. Insertion loss is one of the key indicators for evaluating the quality of fiber optic patch cables, with lower values indicating better performance.   Return loss is caused by the discontinuity of the transmission link, resulting in power loss as some signals reflect back to the signal source during transmission. This discontinuity may be due to mismatched terminal loads or mismatched devices inserted in the line. Return loss is expressed in decibels as the ratio of reflected wave power at the transmission line port to the incident wave power, typically as a positive value.   Therefore, the higher the absolute value of return loss, the smaller the reflection, leading to greater signal power transmission. In other words, higher return loss values indicate better performance of fiber optic connectors. Factors affecting insertion loss and return loss of fiber optic patch cables mainly include the following:       The cleanliness and defects of fiber optic end faces have a significant impact on insertion loss and return loss. For example, scratches, pits, cracks, or particle contamination can all lead to higher losses.   The precision of end face alignment is also crucial. If the fiber cores are not accurately aligned, deviations during connector insertion will directly affect the level of loss.   Another key factor is the type of fiber optic end face. Physical Contact (PC), Ultra Physical Contact (UPC), and Angled Physical Contact (APC) are common types. UPC connectors have the lowest insertion loss due to minimal air gaps at the end face, while APC connectors achieve higher return loss using angled end faces.   In conclusion, understanding the insertion loss and return loss of fiber optic patch cables contributes to building higher-quality optical transmission networks. Therefore, when purchasing fiber optic patch cables, it is crucial to ensure that the measured insertion loss and return loss indicators meet the requirements to ensure the proper operation of the fiber optic system.          

With the increasing demand for high bandwidth in data centers, high-speed connectivity has become a trend in data center cabling systems. Adopting MTP/MPO components for MTP cabling to achieve fast and efficient network connectivity has become a common solution in data centers. This article will elaborate on the necessity and significance of high-density MTP cabling systems and provide a detailed introduction to MTP components.           Background of MTP Cabling       Typically, experienced technicians are required to terminate MicroCore fiber optic cables at both ends. Advanced MTP jumpers, however, utilize pre-terminated connectors on both ends, accommodating multiple fibers. Currently, the most common types of pre-terminated MTP jumpers are 12-core and 24-core, with a maximum capacity of 72 cores, available in male (with pins) and female (without pins) variants. The application of MTP technology meets the requirements of high-capacity fiber optic systems, making it an ideal choice for data centers seeking high-density, high-performance solutions.         MTP Cabling Solution - The New Trend in Data Center Cabling       Traditional LC cabling systems are no longer able to meet the demands of large data centers for high transmission rates and high density. As a result, many IT designers are turning to MTP cabling solutions. Unlike LC cabling, MTP cabling is perfectly suited to the requirements of high speed, high density, and structured cabling, offering the following advantages:   ①Stable and Durable The design of the MTP connector's sleeve reduces the likelihood of signal instability to some extent, enhancing durability. ②High Density and Scalability MTP connectors comply with telecommunications-grade Telcordia standards (formerly Bellcore standards) and have been used in various environments for over a decade, solving the challenge of carrying multiple fibers in small capacities. For example, while an LC duplex connection in a 1U chassis can accommodate 144 fiber cores, MTP can accommodate up to 864 fiber cores, nearly six times the capacity. ③Time-saving, Hassle-free, and High Deployment Efficiency Terminating and testing 144 fibers may take a whole day for network installation personnel. However, using pre-terminated MTP jumpers with tool-less connectors for 12 or 24 fibers significantly reduces the required time. Using plug-and-play pre-installed cables saves even more time and hassle, while also reducing maintenance costs in the long run. ④Preparedness for Network Upgrades MTP cabling can be used for direct connections ranging from 40G to 400G, as well as for upgrades and uplink connections. Upgrading a 10G network to higher-speed Ethernet using MTP cabling systems is an economically reliable choice. Additionally, MTP cabling systems can facilitate uplink connections between devices with different speeds, such as 25G-100G, 50G-200G/400G, 100G-400G, and 200G-400G. ⑤Structured Rack Cabling MTP structured cabling provides a layered structure for networks, offering multiple connection options through aggregation layers to reduce cable clutter. When future expansion is needed in data centers, installing a structured MTP cabling system can establish a long-term solution to meet your requirements.         MTP Jumpers: Diverse Demands, Multiple Options       The MTP cabling product series offers a wide range of options to meet various application needs. This includes MTP jumpers, MTP distribution boxes, and MTP-LC branch cables.         MTP Backbone Jumpers       MTP backbone jumpers consist of a fiber optic cable with connectors on both ends, enabling the connection of optical modules to form a complete link. They typically accommodate 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, or even 72 fiber cores, meeting high-density cabling requirements. They are primarily used in two scenarios: direct connection of optical modules, such as connecting 40GBASE-SR4/PLR4, 100GBASE-SR4/SR10, 200GBASE-SR8, and 400GBASE-SR8; and for structured cabling in distribution boxes and panels, facilitating the rapid deployment of backbone networks in high-density environments.           MTP Branch Jumpers       MTP branch jumpers feature an MTP connector on one end, branching out into multiple LC connectors, with quantities ranging from 4, 6, 8 to 12. Connector types can include LC, SC, ST, etc., capable of converting multi-core jumpers into single-mode or multi-mode connectors. MTP branch jumpers are available in single-mode and multi-mode variants, with transmission distances ranging from a few meters to longer distances, making them an ideal choice for network conversions such as 10G-40G, 25G-100G, and 10G-120G.           MTP Conversion Jumpers       MTP conversion jumpers, like MTP branch jumpers, feature a fan-out design, but with MTP connectors on both ends. The fiber core counts and types of connectors on both ends are different, providing various connection possibilities for 24-core cabling systems. This enables multiple applications such as converting 24 cores to 2x12 cores, 24 cores to 3x8 cores, 3x8 cores to 2x12 cores, and so on.           MTP Adapter and MTP Adapter Panel       The MTP adapter is a supplementary product for MTP fiber jumpers, available in two key orientations: key up-key up and key up-key down. Both types of adapters are suitable for connecting MTP jumpers between each other or to devices, making them common in backbone cabling and distribution box applications. MTP adapter panels can accommodate more adapters and feature an upgraded structure with a safety plate. By pre-installing adapters, the adapter panel can serve as an intermediary between backbone networks and jumpers, providing a more stable and compact network solution.             MTP Fiber Distribution Box       The MTP fiber distribution box is a closed-box structure typically containing 12 or 24 fiber cores internally. It is equipped with LC or other types of connectors at the front, while MTP connectors are located at the rear. This allows for the splitting of fiber cores from the backbone cable into duplex jumpers. When used with racks, the MTP distribution box facilitates the rapid deployment of high-density data center infrastructure and allows for troubleshooting and reconfiguration during management.           MTP-LC Rack-Mount Adapter Panel       The 96-core pre-terminated MTP-LC rack-mount adapter panel can be installed on a standard 19-inch wide patch panel, allowing for the direct deployment of 96 fiber cores in a 1U rack without the need for additional equipment. When deploying 10G-40G or 25G-100G connections, MTP jumpers can be used to connect from the 40G/100G switch ports to the rear ports of the panel, followed by duplex LC jumpers to connect the 10G/25G devices to the front ports of the panel. The rear of this MTP-LC rack-mount adapter panel features a flexible detachable cable management panel, greatly simplifying backbone cable management, enhancing installation efficiency, and optimizing cable layout.       It is evident that with the deployment of 40G/100G/200G/400G data center networks, high-speed and high-density have become trends, and traditional LC cabling is no longer sufficient to meet the demands. However, the MTP cabling solution aligns perfectly with this trend, offering advantages in time-saving, space-saving, and cost-effectiveness, along with superior stability and high-density features, paving the way for building high-performance data center networks. Undoubtedly, MTP cabling solutions and components are the optimal choice for data interconnection and high-speed migration.

  The MPO/MTP backbone fiber optic patch cord, comprised of multi-core cables and MPO connectors, features low insertion loss, high return loss, and excellent durability. It is widely used in high-density integrated fiber optic environments, such as data center server rooms.   01 Product Showcase   02 Product Features ◆Low insertion loss ◆High return loss ◆Excellent durability ◆100% pre-termination and testing to ensure good performance ◆Quick configuration and networking to reduce installation time ◆Supports 40G and 100G network applications   03 Product Applications ◆High-density environments in data centers ◆Internal use in QSFP and CFP optical modules ◆FTTX (Fiber to the X) applications   04 Compliant with standards ◆Compliant with TIA/EIA standards ◆Passed ISO9001:2015 ◆Compliant with ROHS certification standards ◆Compliant with industry standards such as IEC   05 Technical Specifications   06 Outer Jacket Color   07 Illustration of Appearance   08 MPO Polarity 1). 12-core MPO Polarity 12-core MPO Type A Polarity   12-core MPO Type B Polarity   12-core MPO Type C Polarity   2). 24-core MPO Polarity 24-core MPO Type A Polarity     24-core MPO Type B Polarity   24-core MPO Type C Polarity   09 MPO Adapter Polarity Type A Polarity   Type B Polarity   10 MPO Fiber Optic Patch Cord Connection Instructions

01The differences between single-mode fiber and multi-mode fiber?   (1) Single-mode fiber uses solid-state lasers as the light source, while multi-mode fiber uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs). (2) Single-mode fiber has a wider transmission bandwidth and longer transmission distance capability, but requires high-cost laser sources. On the other hand, multi-mode fiber has lower transmission speed and shorter distance capability, but is more cost-effective. (3) Single-mode fiber has a smaller core diameter and dispersion, supporting only single-mode transmission. (4) Multi-mode fiber has a larger core diameter and dispersion, allowing for multiple mode transmissions.   The core of multi-mode fiber optic cable is thicker, hence the relatively higher price.     02The differences between single-mode and multi-mode optical modules are as follows？   (1)The operating wavelength of multi-mode optical modules is 850nm, while single-mode optical modules operate at wavelengths of 1310nm and 1550nm respectively. (2)The number of components used in single-mode optical modules is double that of multi-mode optical modules, resulting in higher overall costs for single-mode modules compared to multi-mode modules. (3)The transmission distance of single-mode optical modules can reach up to 100km, whereas multi-mode optical modules typically have a transmission distance of only 2km. 03In which fields are single-mode and multi-mode optical fibers, as well as single-mode and multi-mode optical modules, applied?   (1) Single-mode fiber is typically used for long-distance data transmission because it can directly transmit light signals to the center, while multi-mode fiber is commonly used for short-distance data transmission because light signals propagate through multiple paths. (2) Single-mode optical modules are commonly found in metropolitan area networks (MANs), suitable for long-distance transmission and high-speed requirements. Multi-mode optical modules are primarily used for short-distance transmission.   04Can single-mode/multi-mode fibers be used with single-mode/multi-mode optical modules?   (1) The results of mixing single-mode/multi-mode fibers with single-mode/multi-mode optical modules are shown in the table below. Please take a look first.   05Can multi-mode fiber be used with single-mode optical modules?   No. In the test results table, we found that although connecting single-mode optical modules to multi-mode fibers may seem feasible, it cannot guarantee their working effectiveness in reality. Therefore, it is best to pair multi-mode fibers with multi-mode optical modules. This is because the conversion between fiber and optical modules must meet corresponding wavelength and light transmission and reception functions to ensure the functionality and effectiveness of optoelectronic conversion.   Let's summarize again: The main differences between single-mode and multi-mode fibers lie in transmission distance, transmission mode, and cost; while single-mode and multi-mode optical modules must be used together with matching fibers and cannot be mixed.  

Fiber Optic Patch Cable: A fiber optic patch cable is created by fixing fiber optic connectors to both ends of a fiber optic cable through a specific process, resulting in a cable with fiber optic connectors at both ends and a fiber optic cable in between.       Classification of Optical Fiber Patch Cables     Classification by Mode: Divided into Single-mode Fiber and Multi-mode Fiber   Single-mode Fiber: Typically, single-mode fiber patch cables are yellow in color, with blue connectors and protective jackets. They are capable of transmitting signals over longer distances.   Multimode Fiber: OM1 and OM2 patch cables are typically orange, while OM3 and OM4 patch cables are aqua. Under gigabit rates, OM1 and OM2 have a transmission distance of 550 meters, while under 10-gigabit rates, OM3 has a transmission distance of 300 meters, and OM4 has a transmission distance of 400 meters. Connectors and protective jackets are usually beige or black.   Classified by connector types:   The commonly used types of optical fiber patch cables include LC patch cables, SC patch cables, FC patch cables, and ST patch cables.     The commonly used types of optical fiber patch cables include LC patch cables, SC patch cables, FC patch cables, and ST patch cables.   ①LC Optical Fiber Patch Cable: It is made with a convenient modular jack (RJ) locking mechanism, used for connecting SFP optical modules, commonly used in routers. ②SC Optical Fiber Patch Cable: Its shell is rectangular, secured with a plug-and-latch mechanism without requiring rotation. It is used for connecting GBIC optical modules, most commonly used in routers and switches, known for its low cost and minimal insertion loss fluctuations. ③FC Optical Fiber Patch Cable: The external protective sheath is made of metal, secured with screw-on connectors, widely used in patch panels. It features strong fastening and dust resistance. ④ST Optical Fiber Patch Cable: Its shell is circular, secured with screw-on connectors, with the fiber core exposed. After insertion, it is rotated half a turn to secure it with a latch. It is often used in fiber patch panels.     Classified by application:   ① MTP/MPO Fiber Optic Patch Cables: Commonly used in environments requiring high-density integrated fiber optic circuits during cabling processes. Their advantages include a simple push-pull locking structure for easy installation and removal, saving time and cost, and maximizing lifespan. ③ Conventional Fiber Optic Patch Cables: Compared to MTP/MPO and armored fiber optic patch cables, conventional ones offer strong scalability, compatibility, and interoperability, effectively reducing costs.  

In today's rapidly advancing information age, fiber optic communication technology has become the primary means of modern communication. Within fiber optic communication systems, fiber patch cords and pigtails are two common components. However, despite their similar appearance, they differ significantly in practice.     First, let's understand fiber patch cords. A fiber patch cord is a cable used to connect fiber optic equipment, typically consisting of two connectors and a length of fiber optic cable. The purpose of a fiber patch cord is to establish connections between different devices for the transmission of optical signals. It offers high flexibility and can be customized based on the distance between devices and specific connection requirements.       In contrast to fiber patch cords, pigtails are short fiber optic cables used to connect optical cables to equipment. One end of the pigtail typically features a connector for device connection, while the other end consists of bare optical fiber for connection to the optical cable. The primary function of a pigtail is to transmit optical signals from the optical cable to the equipment, often employed for terminal connections of optical cables.   Although fiber patch cords and pigtails share some similarities in functionality, they exhibit significant differences in several key aspects. Firstly, fiber patch cords are typically longer than pigtails and offer greater customization capabilities. This allows fiber patch cords to adapt to varying distances and connection requirements between different devices, whereas pigtails are primarily used for short-distance connections.   Additionally, fiber patch cords and pigtails serve different purposes in various application scenarios. Fiber patch cords are primarily used for connecting devices, such as between switches and routers, or between optical modules and transceivers. They facilitate the transmission of optical signals between devices, enabling high-speed data transfer. On the other hand, pigtails are mainly utilized for the termination of optical cables, allowing the introduction of optical signals from the cable into equipment.   In practical applications, the choice between fiber patch cords and pigtails depends on specific requirements. Fiber patch cords may be more suitable if there is a need for flexible connections between different devices or if the devices are located at a considerable distance from each other. On the other hand, pigtails might be more appropriate for connections at the end of optical cables or when compatibility with specific devices is necessary.  

In order to ensure the provision of high-quality fiber optic patch cords to customers, manufacturers conduct a series of tests during the design and production processes. These tests are crucial for any type of fiber optic network. It's important not only for suppliers but also for end-users to understand these tests to better assess the quality of fiber optic patch cords and ensure the reliability of their applications. This article will introduce four key tests: 3D testing, Insertion Loss (IL) testing, Return Loss (RL) testing, and End-face testing. Through these four tests, the quality of fiber optic patch cords can be effectively validated, providing peace of mind for end-users.     3D testing: Key Step in Ensuring High-Quality Connector End-faces   3D testing is a critical validation of fiber optic connector performance. During the production of fiber optic patch cord assemblies, suppliers employ 3D interferometers to inspect connector end-faces, rigorously controlling their dimensions. This test primarily measures curvature radius, apex offset, and fiber height. Details are as follows:   Curvature Radius: The curvature radius refers to the radius from the core axis to the end-face, representing the curvature radius of the ferrule end-face. For high-quality fiber optic patch cord connectors, the curvature radius should be controlled within a certain range. If it is too small, it will exert excessive pressure on the fiber, while if it is too large, it may not apply enough pressure, potentially causing gaps between the connector and the fiber end-face. Both excessively small and excessively large curvature radii will affect transmission performance. Only an appropriate curvature radius can ensure optimal transmission performance and connection quality. Apex Offset: Apex offset refers to the distance from the highest point of the polished ferrule end-face curve to the axis of the fiber core. This metric is crucial during the polishing process, as imprecise polishing can result in apex offset. According to technical standards, the apex offset of fiber optic patch cords should generally be maintained at ≤50μm. Larger apex offset may lead to the formation of gaps, thereby increasing insertion loss (IL) and return loss (RL). Ideally, the apex offset for PC and UPC type fiber optic connectors is almost zero because they align the ferrule end-face perpendicular to the polishing surface during the polishing process, ensuring alignment with the fiber core axis. In contrast, APC type fiber optic connectors have an end-face angled at 8 degrees to the fiber axis, rather than being completely perpendicular.   Fiber Height: Fiber height refers to the distance from the fiber end-face to the ferrule cross-section, which is the extension height from the fiber core to the ferrule end-face. Similarly, the fiber height should not be too low or too high. If the fiber height is too high, it may increase pressure inside the fiber when connecting two fiber optic connectors, leading to fiber damage. If the fiber height is too low, it may create gaps during connection, increasing insertion loss. This is a situation that must be avoided, especially for transmissions with strict requirements on insertion loss. While the values obtained from testing fiber optic patch cords with a 3D interferometer may vary depending on different polishing methods and types, all tested fiber optic patch cords should meet or exceed industry-recognized end-face geometry standards. Below is a summary of the geometric requirements for MTP single-mode fiber optic connector end-faces based on IEC / PAS 61755-3-31 and IEC / PAS 61755-3-32:   Fiber Curvature Radius（RF）     IL and RL Testing: Crucial Tests for Optical Deployment     Insertion Loss (IL) refers to the loss of signal power caused by the insertion of a component into the transmission system. Return Loss (RL) is the power loss resulting from the reflection of some signal back to the signal source due to the discontinuity of the transmission link. For more information on the definitions of insertion loss and return loss, please visit "An Analysis of Fiber Optic Connector Insertion Loss and Return Loss." During manufacturing and installation, IL and RL testing are crucial. Fiber optic patch cords provided by cable suppliers should comply with relevant standards. For instance, TIA standards specify a maximum insertion loss of 0.75dB for fiber optic patch cords. The insertion loss of most fiber optic patch cords in the market typically ranges from 0.3dB to 0.5dB, while some high-quality products can achieve as low as 0.15dB to 0.2dB. Fiber optic manufacturers usually utilize insertion loss testers and return loss testers to ensure product quality. In addition to referring to insertion loss and return loss values in product specifications to design fiber optic links and select equipment, end-users can also perform self-testing using available tools. Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs) and Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometers (OFDRs) are commonly used instruments for measuring return loss and insertion loss, helping installation personnel to quickly troubleshoot and identify faulty system components.       End-face Testing: Ensuring Cleanliness and Smoothness of End-faces     Fiber optic cleaning has always been about cleaning the end-faces of fiber optic connectors, whether in the past or present, it remains a necessary step in fiber maintenance. Manufacturers typically use fiber end-face inspection tools to inspect end-faces, ensuring there are no contaminants, scratches, or damages. Fiber optic engineers commonly use fiber cleaning tools (such as fiber cleaning pens, cassette-style cleaning boxes, etc.) during installations to ensure end-faces remain uncontaminated. Why is end-face testing necessary? Because having well-maintained end-faces of fiber optic connectors is fundamental to ensuring high-quality connections. End-face contamination, scratches, or even deformities can increase return loss and may even permanently damage the connector, affecting its usability. Additionally, dust between end-faces can scratch surfaces, causing misalignment or misalignment of fiber cores, thereby reducing transmission quality. Since these contaminants are difficult to identify with the naked eye, without testing and cleaning end-faces, connectors can become contaminated every time they are plugged in. Therefore, even if the supplier has tested and cleaned the end-faces, it is necessary to clean them before each connector insertion and to protect the end-faces with dust caps when not in use.     In summary, the fiber optic industry improves the quality of fiber optic connectors by identifying key parameters, while industry organizations continually strive to establish manufacturing standards for fiber optic quality assurance. If fiber optic patch cords pass the four tests mentioned above and the results meet the standards, they will ensure high-quality optical signal transmission. End-users need to ensure that suppliers perform these tests and provide relevant test reports to confirm that the parameter values are within the correct range.

On July 25, 2023, market research firm Dell'Oro Group released its latest report, projecting that the global optical transmission equipment market will reach $83 billion over the next five years. This represents a 10% increase in cumulative revenue compared to the previous five years, with a significant portion of the revenue coming from the sales of coherent DWDM systems. Jimmy Yu, Vice President of Dell'Oro Group, stated, "We have slightly raised our outlook for optical transmission equipment. During the report's compilation, we discovered a stronger demand for long-distance equipment than initially anticipated, leading us to believe that there is more potential for increased market revenue rather than being confined to low-revenue projects. Despite year-to-year fluctuations in optical equipment spending, we believe the direction of bandwidth consumption remains stable—continuously upward and to the right." The July 2023 five-year report on optical transmission also highlighted the following key points: ●The optical transmission market is expected to approach $180 billion by 2027. ●The demand for DWDM long-distance system equipment is projected to increase due to the continuous growth in network capacity demand and widespread adoption of C+L band fiber line systems. ●The demand for WDM equipment in metropolitan and long-distance data center interconnections (DCI) is expected to grow during the forecast period, with a significant portion of the growth coming from long-distance systems. ●The new generation of coherent DSP (Digital Signal Processor) shipments is set to begin by the end of 2023, and by 2027, nearly one-third of shipments will consist of DSPs capable of transmitting 1.2Tbps and 1.6Tbps signals on a single wavelength.   These report findings provide important insights into the future development of the optical transmission equipment market, making them valuable references for industry participants and investors.

CCTV News: On July 21st, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) held a special press conference. Deputy Director of the Employment Department at the NDRC, Chang Tiewei, stated during the conference that China is determined to increase investment and support in the construction of new infrastructure such as optical fiber networks, 5G, and artificial intelligence. The aim is to provide a more superior application environment for continuously upgrading and advancing electronic products. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, in the first half of 2023, demand for intelligent consumer goods in China has continued to rise, leading to a 12% increase in the value-added growth rate of industries related to the manufacturing of smart consumer devices. Today, the ability of electronic products to be interconnected and integrated with other devices has become a crucial factor for consumers when purchasing electronic products. Notably, the emerging 5G network technology has shown remarkable advantages in high-speed transmission, low latency, and large connectivity. With the widespread adoption of 5G networks, the networked capabilities of electronic products will become more convenient and reliable. Looking to the future, China is sparing no effort to promote the development of new infrastructures like 5G, aiming to open up broader application prospects for electronic products.