As the quest for higher bandwidth continues to grow and the number of fiber-optic connections in data centers and fiber-optic networks increases, these challenges must be met by choosing the right type of connection. All this is driven by the need for additional switching and routing, storage, virtualization, convergence, video on demand (VoD) and high-performance cloud computing. All of these applications, along with other bandwidth-intensive applications, will increase the need for short-range transfer speeds and data volumes. 

The optical fiber 10G transmission system is getting more and more widely used and accepted, has been designated for the fiber 40G and 100G migration path.

The IEEE 802.3ba 40G / 100G Ethernet standard provides guidance for 40G / 100G transmission using multimode fiber. OM3 and OM4 are the only multimode fibers included in this standard.

Parallel optics technology has become the preferred transportation choice for many data centers and labs because it supports 10G, 40G, and 100G transmission. For parallel optics to work effectively, it requires the correct choice of cables and connectors.

Parallel optical interfaces differ from traditional optical communications because data is transmitted and received simultaneously through multiple optical fibers. In traditional (serial) optical communications, the transceivers at both ends of the link contain a transmitter and a receiver. For example, on a duplex channel, the transmitter on terminal A communicates with the receiver on terminal B and the other fiber is connected between the transmitter on terminal B and the receiver on terminal A.

In parallel optical communications, devices on both sides of the link contain multiple transmitters and receivers, and four transmitters on port A communicate with four receivers on port B. This extends the data flow to four fibers. This configuration will allow parallel optical transceivers using four 2.5Gb / s transmitters to transmit 10Gb / s signals from A to B. In essence, parallel optical communications use multiple paths for greater data rates than single-electron products can support this type of connection using a ribbon cable design with all fibers in a straight, 12-core or 24-core fiber configuration.
In addition to cable performance, the choice of physical connection interface is also important. Since parallel optics require data transmission on multiple fibers at the same time, multi-fiber connectors are required. Factory terminated MPO / MTP connectors can support 12 or 24 fiber arrays. For example, a 10G system will use one MPO / MTP (12 fiber) connector between two switches. Place the module at the end of the MPO connector to convert from the MPO connector to 12 fiber branch LC duplex or SC duplex cable assemblies. This makes the connection to the switch. 40G and 100G systems require a slightly different configuration.


Image 1 – Optic fiber 40G MPO system – An MPO connector (12 Fibre) is used. 10G is sent along each channel/fiber strand in a send and receive direction. This ‘lights up’ 8 of the 12 fibers providing 40G parallel transmission.
Image 2 – Optic Fibre 100G MPO system – An MPO connector (24 Fibre) is used (or alternatively 2 x 12F MPO Connector). 10G is sent along each channel/fiber strand in a send and receive direction. This ‘lights up’ 20 of the 24 fibers providing 100G parallel transmission.
Utilising MPO / MTP connectivity has many benefits including:
  • High Density – multifibre connector and compact dimension of cable save space in costly data centre environments.
  • Reduces cable load in raised floors to existing active server/switch/storage equipment with LC Duplex interface (less cable OD, lessconnections.
  • Pre-connectorised solution, no splicing required on site.
  • Reliability -100% tested factory tested in a controlled environment
  • Latest active equipment by Cisco / IBM / HP /Sun Microsystems has the MPO-SFP connectivity interface for Gigabit Network transmission
  • Rapid Deployment – factory terminated modular system saves installation and reconfiguration time during moves, ads and changes.
  • Next Generation Network Proof – emerging high speed protocol are going to use MTP interface- your cabling infrastructure remains unchanged.

Difference between MPO and MTP connectors

The main difference is the optical and mechanical properties. MTP is a registered trademark and design of UsConnec that offers several advantages over normal MPO connectors. Because MPO / MTP fiber alignment is crucial to ensure accurate connections, there are some benefits to using MTP connectors. The MTP connector is a high-performance MPO connector that offers several engineering product enhancements over conventional MPO connectors to improve optical and mechanical performance.
MTP fiber optic connectors have floating internal ferrules that allow two mating ferrules to stay in contact under load. In addition, the MTP connector spring design maximizes the use of twelve optical and multicore ribbons to prevent fiber damage.

Overall, it provides a more reliable and accurate connection.

In addition, it is also important to specify the MPO / MTP system to ensure the correct polarity options and which cables and sockets have female or male pins.

Cabling to Active equipment

There are multiple ways in order to route cabling to equipment and to areas within a data center or comms room.
The main methods are:
  1. MTP – LC Duplex Fanout cable to optional LDP (Fibre patch panel-patch only). Duplex LC patch cords direct to Equipment Outlet
  2. MTP to LC breakout cable direct to Equipment Outlet. This option reduces flexibility. Cord length needs to be exact
  3. MTP Trunk cable to MTP cassette. LC Duplex Patchcords from Cassette to Equipment Outlet
Main Distribution cabling to Zone cabling is via MTP Trunk cable.
Next step is to connect to equipment.
Example of MTP passive cabling schematic:


Parallel optics in Structured Cabling Applications

Structured cabling fully supports 1G and 10G systems today and if the correct multimode fiber is utilized in parallel optics along with a multi-fiber push on connector (MPO or MTP), can also support 40GB / 100GB communications. OM3 Multimode (2000MH2 / RM bandwidth at 800Nm) fiber is the minimum cable requirement in order to ensure a performance level of a high quality and to support 10G up to 100 meters.
Part of the MTP cabling solution is a variety of fiber optic connectivity components. There are 2 unique types of cables used in this solution. The first option is a standard MTP Trunk which has and MPO/MTP connector on either end of a 12 or 24 fiber ribbon cable. The connector construction can vary to the point where the 24 fibers are terminated into a single MTP/MPO connector or they can be terminated into 2 separate 12 Fibre MPO/MTP connectors.
Another type of cable used in this cabling configuration is a fanout cable. This cable has an MTP connector on one end while the other end of the cable can have a variety of standard optic fiber interfaces such as LC or SC connectors.
These can connect directly into patch panels, MTP cassettes, and active equipment. The MPO/MTP cassettes provide a central patching and fiber optic breakout point where the MTP interface can be changed to SC or LC type interface. MPO/MTP cassettes are typically housed in the patch panel or fiber storage tray.



Summary

As a result, parallel fiber and MTP cabling have proven to be an excellent solution, delivering 10G, 40G and 100G transmission, especially in datacenter environments. It provides a flexible, high-density option for fast connection services and is a reliable high-speed solution for many data networks.

Comments

Post a Comment