A Closer Look at Differences Between MTP and MPO Cables

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Date: 2024-12-19 15:14:09

There is more demand for higher transmission speed and capacity in data center applications. As an alternative to MPO cables, MTP cables provide better performance in 40/100G or even 200/400G networks and have been the inevitable trend in data center cabling. This article covers the differences between MTP and MPO cables.

What are MPO and MTP Cables?
MPO (Multi-Fiber Push-On) cable is a multi-fiber cable with MPO connectors on both ends. It provides high bandwidth and density for cabling system applications. In addition, it is available with 8, 12, 16, or 24 fibers for data center and LAN and 32, 48, 60, and 72 fiber counts for use in large-scale optical switches for ultra-high-density multi-fiber arrays.

MTP (Multi-Fiber Pull-Off) cable is a multi-fiber cable with MTP connectors on both ends. MTP connectors are fully compatible with all generic MPO connectors and can interconnect directly with other MPO-based infrastructures. In contrast to an MPO connector, an MTP connector is a high-performance fiber optic connector with multiple engineered product enhancements to improve optical and mechanical performance.

MTP vs. MPO Cables
1) Mechanical Design
Pin Clamp
MPO connector has plastic pin clamps, which can lead to easy pin breakage during constant cable mating. MTP connector has a metal pin clamp, which securely holds the pins and minimizes any unexpected breaking when mating connectors. Also, the oval spring in the MTP connector allows for maximizing the clearance gap between the fiber ribbon and the spring. The MTP connector design includes a recessed pin clamp and oval spring to reduce the risk of damage to the MTP cable.

Floating Ferrule
MTP connector has a floating ferrule that can float inside to keep physical contact over a mated pair under an applied load. In contrast, the MPO connector does not have a floating ferrule, making the floating ferrule feature of the MTP connector particularly beneficial for Tx/Rx device connections in emerging parallel optics applications.

Guide Pins
The guide pin is critical for accurate alignment when mating two MT ferrules. The MTP connector uses tightly held tolerance stainless steel elliptical guide pin tips to reduce the amount of debris that may fall into the guide pin holes or on the ferrule end face. MPO connector has chamfered-shaped guide pins, which will produce more debris when used.

Removable Housing
MPO connectors do not have removable housing, while MTP connectors have a removable housing that enables users to re-work and re-polish the MT ferrule and change the gender after assembly or even in the field.

2) Optical Performance
Insertion-Loss
MTP connector is the improved version of the MPO connector, with lower optical loss, packet loss rate, and so on. MTP connectors in MTP cables can ensure precision alignment of the male and female sides, reducing insert and return loss when transmitting data in high-density cabling systems.

Reliability
MPO cables provide more stable signal transmission than MPO cables because the latest MTP cables support lossless insertion and signal instability caused by bumps during insertion. The internal component of the MTP connector was redesigned to ensure perfectly centered normal forces between the mating ferrules, ensuring physical contact of all polished fiber tips in the ferrule. Besides, the lead-in on the precision alignment guide pins to an elliptical shape has also been optimized, reducing the wear and tear and debris generation from plugging and re-plugging the connector multiple times. These additional improvements to the precision of MTP connector components resulted in increased stability and boosted durability performance while continuing to enhance the connectors' overall reliability.

Conclusion
In conclusion, MTP and MPO cables are used for high-density fiber patching in data centers and other high-fiber environments that require space-saving and reduced cable management issues. MTP connector achieves higher performance levels when compared to generic MPO connectors.

Sun Telecom specializes in providing one-stop total fiber optic solutions for all fiber optic application industries worldwide. Contact us if you have any needs.

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