The difference between MPO and MTP fiber optic connection standards

With the rapid development of data centers, cloud computing, cloud storage and other applications have gradually penetrated into various industries, and the bandwidth requirements of network communication have also increased rapidly. High-speed, high-capacity and high-bandwidth often require larger space and higher costs. This long-term contradiction, the MTP/MPO fiber optic wiring standard has become the best solution for high-density and high-bandwidth. There are two fiber optic connection systems, MTP and MPO, on the market today. They are very similar and are compatible with each other to a certain extent. So what is the difference between them.

MPO (Multi-fiber Pull Off) is the first-generation shrapnel-type multi-core optical fiber connector designed by Japan's NTT Communication Company, and is now the name of a multi-core connector produced by several companies. And MTP, a brand registered by USConec, specifically refers to the unique type of MPO connectors it produces.

What is an MPO connector?

MPO is the abbreviation of "multi-fiber pull off". The ferrule of this connector has more than 1 core that is mechanically snapped into place.

At present, various manufacturers in the market have a variety of MPO designs, and the performance and cost of different types of connection products are very different. Some products have features that make them more performant. Some MPO connectors can be matched with many different brands of products, but some cannot. This intermateability depends on how close the design of these connectors is to standard products. For a complete definition of MPO connectors please refer to the implementation of IEC-61754-7 and EIA/TIA-604-5 (aka FOCIS 5).

What is an MT ferrule?

MT is mechanical butt transmission, and the ferrule is multi-core (usually 12 cores). The performance of the connector is determined by the alignment accuracy of the fiber and whether the alignment accuracy continues to stabilize after connection. Ultimately, this alignment accuracy is determined by the eccentricity and spacing of the fiber and the matching accuracy of the guide pin and fiber. The performance of any MPO connector can be improved if variations in the guide pins and molding process can be reduced during production.

What is MTP? Fiber Optic Connectors?

MTP connector is a high-performance MPO connector with multiple innovative designs. Compared with general MPO connectors, MTP fiber optic connectors have been enhanced in both optical and mechanical properties. MTP connectors are fully compliant with all MPO connector professional standards, including EIA/TIA-604-5 FOCIS 5 and IEC-61754-7.

MPO-type connectors are industry-standard intermateable MTP connectors, which means it is possible to replace MPO connectors with MTP connectors for better performance. The performance of most MPO connectors that follow the old design is quite limited and cannot provide the same high performance as MTP fiber optic connectors.