Understanding MTP®/MPO-16 Fiber Optic Cables: The Future of Next-Generation Networking
Updated at Aug 26th 20241 min read
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the demand for faster and more reliable data transmission has never been higher. One innovation to meet these escalating needs is the MTP®/MPO-16 fiber optic cable in high-density connectivity. This solution supports 400G transmission and offers exceptional performance, density, and flexibility. Let's delve deeper into the world of MTP®/MPO-16 fiber optic cables and explore their key features and typical applications.
What is an MTP®/MPO-16 Fiber Connector?
The MTP®/MPO-16 Fiber connector is a high-density fiber optic connector that supports 16 fibers within a single connector, offering a significant increase in fiber count compared to traditional 8 or 12-fiber connectors. To prevent accidental connections with standard MPO hardware, the MTP®/MPO-16 connector incorporates a distinct offset keying feature, ensuring correct mating and high performance in high-density, high-speed networking environments like 400GbE and 800GbE systems.
What is MTP®/ MPO-16 Fiber Optic Cable?
The MTP®/MPO-16 fiber optic cable is a high-performance solution featuring MTP®/MPO-16 connectors at both ends, available in configurations such as MTP to MTP. Designed for high-speed data transmission, these cables are commonly deployed in advanced networking environments like data centers. Additionally, MTP®/MPO-16 to LC configurations are available, where one end is equipped with an MTP®/MPO-16 connector and the other end terminates in multiple LC connectors. This allows for seamless integration between high-density trunk cables and lower-density devices or panels. MTP®/MPO-16 fiber optic cables are crucial for next-generation applications such as 400G and 800G Ethernet, offering reliable, high-performance connectivity while reducing space and simplifying cable management.
Typical Applications of MTP®/MPO-16 Fiber Optic Cables
QDD-SR8-400G to QDD-SR8-400G Connections
NO. | FS P/N | Product |
① | MTP®-16 APC to MTP®-16 APC OM4 Multimode Elite Jumper Cable | |
② | QSFP-DD 400GBASE-SR8 PAM4 850nm 100m DOM MPO-16/APC MMF Optical Transceiver Module |
OSFP800-XDR8-B1 to OSFP800-XDR8-B1 800G Connections
NO. | FS P/N | Product |
① | MTP®-16 APC (Female) to MTP®-16 APC (Female) OS2 Single Mode Standard IL Jumper Cable | |
② | OSFP 800GBASE-XDR8 PAM4 1310nm 2km DOM MPO-16/APC SMF Optical Transceiver Module |
400G-SR8 to 8 x 50G-SR Connections
NO. | FS P/N | Product |
① | MTP®-16 APC (Female) to 8 LC UPC Duplex OM4 Multimode Elite Breakout Cable | |
② | QSFP-DD 400GBASE-SR8 PAM4 850nm 100m DOM MPO-16/APC MMF Optical Transceiver Module | |
③ | SFP56 50GBASE-SR 850nm 100m DOM Duplex LC/UPC MMF Optical Transceiver Modul |
MTP®/MPO-8 vs MTP®/MPO-12 vs MTP®/MPO-16 Cable: What's the Difference?
Number of Fibers
When comparing MTP®/MPO-8, MTP®/MPO-12, and MTP®/MPO-16 fiber optic cables, the primary difference lies in the number of fibers within each connector, directly impacting their performance and application in modern networking environments. MTP®/MPO-16 stands out by fully utilizing all 16 fibers in the connector, eliminating dark fibers, and maximizing data transmission efficiency, especially in high-bandwidth scenarios like 400G-SR8 and 800G-DR8.
Connector Design
The MTP®/MPO-16 connector features an offset key and distinctive alignment pin spacing that set it apart from the MTP®/MPO-8 and MTP®/MPO-12 connectors. Additionally, it is equipped with Angled Physical Contact (APC) connectors, which are essential for minimizing back reflection and optical return loss, ensuring superior performance in both multimode (MMF) and single-mode (SMF) applications. This offset key design ensures that the MTP®/MPO-16 connector is compatible only with other Base-16 components, preventing direct compatibility with Base-8 or Base-12 components without some form of conversion medium.
Application Flexibility and Scalability
Finally, the application flexibility of MTP®/MPO-16 cable is enhanced by its ability to seamlessly replicate switch ports in high-density environments, such as 16, 32, or 48-port switches. This makes it a more scalable option as network speeds increase to 40G and beyond, offering better fiber utilization and lower attenuation than MTP®/MPO-12 cable. However, due to its unique design, MTP®/MPO-16 cable components are not directly interoperable with MTP®/MPO-12 cable without conversion cables or components, making careful planning essential for network upgrades.
Conclusion
With its diverse applications, such as OSFP/QSFP-DD to OSFP/QSFP-DD 400G-SR8 connections and OSFP/QSFP-DD to SFP connections, base-16 fiber optic cable provides different solutions for various networking needs. FS.com offers industry-leading 16-core MTP®/MPO fiber cable assemblies and customized 32-core MTP®/MPO fiber cable assemblies. Visit our website today and unlock the power of the MTP®/MPO-16 fiber optic cable for your networking.