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Fiber Optic Cable Guide

Technical Guide:

Contents
Assembly
General Optical Fiber
Styles &
Information Jumper Cable
Terminology
Optical Fiber
Optical Glass Assembly
Performance &
Fiber Basics Performance
Characteristics
Connector
Styles

Applications:

• Data networks
• Telecommunication systems
• Cable television transmission

Features:

• Factory assembled in controlled conditions

• End-face geometry inspection using latest interferometer techniques
• Assemblies tested using RIFOCS automated bench-top insertion loss and back reflection test methods.
Components & Assembly:

• Unless otherwise stated, all optical cable assemblies use either ceramic ferrules or MT ferrules based on NTT's form
factor polished with our proprietary termination process.
o 100% microscopic inspection of face at 200X power minimum, and many at 400X
o 100% insertion loss testing with each ferrule subject to light launch
o Loss and back-reflection data supplied with assembly (where applicable)
o Precision end face geometry process-verified by interferometric measurement of apex offset, concentricity,
radius and fiber protusion
o SPC process control checks at key stages of the assembly process

Connector Types Available Cable Available:

•ST type • Duplex zipcord style (2mm & 3mm diameter legs)
• SC simplex • Simplex (2mm & 3mm diameter)
• SC duplex • Duplex round style (2.8mm diameter)
• FC • Duplex round style (4.8mm diameter)
• MT-RJ • 900 micron buffered glass
• LC • Parallel ribbon & jacketed ribbon cable
• ESCON style duplex
• FDDI style duplex • Trunk cable up to 144 fibers

• MU

Assembly Styles:
Duplex Connector Assembly

Duplex Assembly with Simplex Connectors

Simplex Jumper Assembly

Simplex Pigtail Assembly

Optical Assembly Terminology:

Optical jumpers can take many forms. The most common form is a duplex jumper, with one fiber acting as a Tx (transmit leg)
and the other fiber acting as the Rx (Receive leg).

Optical jumper users must understand the relationship between the connectors, cable style and glass fiber. The term
"Simplex" indicates that a single optical fiber is being used in the assembly but does not mention what type of glass is to be
used (e.g. singlemode, multimode, etc...). The term "Duplex" indicates that the assembly contains two optical fibers.

"Duplex" connectors allow two fibers to be terminated while "Simplex" connectors allow just one. Some simplex connectors
can be joined together to form a quasi-duplex connector.
 Optical Fiber Jumper Cable Design Terminology:
A duplex cable contains two fibers while a simplex cable contains just one. However, jumper cable design varies based on the
primary applications. The most common jumper styles are:

Simplex Duplex Round Duplex "Zipcord" Style

Certain optical connectors require ribbon cable constructions. In such cases, ribbon cables can take jacketed or unjacketed
forms. Below, you will find the construction of a typical jacketed 12 fiber ribbon cable.

Optical Glass Fiber Basics:

An optical fiber is comprised of two inseparable sections - a core and it's cladding. Light propagates
through the core section and the cladding provides an internal reflection boundary. Light will
propagate through the cladding layer but poorly.

A multimode fiber has a large core thus allowing many light rays (modes) to propagate.

A singlemode fiber has a very small core, allowing only one mode of light to be transmitted.

Optical glass is sold based on the core / cladding dimensions. The most common multimode fiber is
62.5 /125 microns where 62.5 is the size of the core while the 125 microns is the size over the
cladding. Over the past few years, 50/125 glass has grown in popularity due to it's exceptional
performance at the 850 nm window. The core size of a singlemode fiber is called the mode diameter
To protect the glass fiber, a and ranges between 8.3 and 10 microns. It may be written 9/125 or 8.3-10/125.
coating is applied over the
glass by the fiber
manufacturer.

For additional protection, a

cable manufacturer may
apply a buffer layer (typically
900 microns diameter)

Typical Assembly Performance For Ceramic Ferrule Based

Assemblies:
Insertion Loss: Return Loss:
Multimode PC finish 0.5 dB max. >20 dB
Singlemode Super PC finish 0.30 dB max. >42 dB
Singlemode Ultra PC finish 0.30 dB max. >50 dB
Singlemode Angle (APC) finish 0.30 dB max. >55 dB
 Click thumb to enlarge

Click thumb to enlarge

Connector Styles:
SC styles:
Originally developed by NTT,
the SC connector has a
push/pull snap fit. The duplex
SC connector uses the same
mating profile as the simplex
design. A number of SC
SC Simplex Type suppliers actually clip simplex SC Duplex Type
SC connectors together to form
the duplex version.
FC style: ST style:
The FC Developed by
connector has AT&T, the ST
a screw-on connector (for
mating style. Straight Tip) has
Primarily used been a perennial
in the telecom favorite for its
industry, the termination
FC Simplex Type FC is a simplicity and ST Simplex Type
robust, highly low cost.
reliable
design.
MT-RJ style:
This connector is radically different than the other
connectors shown, in large part, due to the single
ferrule that handles two fibers. This is the first of
the Small Form Factor (SFF) connector designs to
reach a measure of market acceptance. The MT-RJ
MTRJ Duplex Type is a variation of the reliable MT-ferrule connector
series, the first major multi-fiber ferrule design.
 FDDI (MIC) ESCON style:
style: A ceramic ferrule
A ceramic based, duplex
ferrule based, connector
duplex system
connector developed by Escon Duplex Type
system. IBM for use in
FDDI Duplex Type mainframe
connectivity
systems.
LC style:
A small form factor ceramic based connector
developed by Lucent.

LC Type
MTP®/MPO Style:
The term MPO refers to an NTT developed optical
connector built around the MT ferrule. There are
different ferrules developed capable of holding
specific numbers of fibers. For example, the MPO12
connector can house up to 12 fibers. Other MPO
fiber counts exist covering the range of 4-72 fibers
currently, in one ferrule . The MTP connector,
compatible with the MPO, is an enhanced version of
MTP® Type the MPO created by USConec and is a registered
name of USConec. Though some people in the
industry use the MPO and MTP terms
interchangeably, technically speaking they should
not.
SMC style:
The SMC connector, developed by Infineon
Technologies, has been submitted to the TIA 604
standards body for review as an industry standard
connector. The SMC connector is based on the MT
ferrule and incorporates design features of the
ESCON type connector. The SMC connector has
several configuration styles, resulting in 3 body
SMC X 3 Type
lengths, to allow for internal and external
applications, on jacketed and / or unjacketed 12
fiber ribbon cable.
MMC style:
The MMC connector is the industry’s first viable 72
fiber connector. Utilizing 6 – 12 fiber MT ferrules,
the MMC connector will find its way into high
density interconnect applications in the telco and
data center cabling environment.
MMC Type
MU Connector:
The MU connector, developed by NTT in Japan, is a
Small Form Factor (SFF) connector, and can be
considered a smaller SC style connector. It is based
MU Connector on a 1.25mm ceramic ferrule and is available in
simplex, duplex and higher gangable styles.
Other Connectors (not shown):
• SMA 905/906: one of the first major connector styles used in
 optical interconnect
• Mini-BNC: a high quality optical connector but costly and rarely
used
• D4: a good optical connector used occasionally in telephony
applications

• Biconic style: the de-facto standard connector in the early years

of telephony optics

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