Fiber optic connectors have been around for many years, nearly since the creation of optical fiber itself. A key component of optical fiber is its ability to transmit light signals over long distances without attenuation, in other words without light lost along the optical path. There are many types of connectors to choose from as well as methods to connectorize fiber cables.

1. Fiber Optic Connectors
Designs, Applications, Choices
November 21, 2013
Dave Cook – RCDD
Product Marketing Manager
Communication Markets Division

2. Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
• Overview:
• Part of the Telecommunications Industry Association
(www.tiaonline.org)
• Formed 19 years ago as the Fiber Optics LAN Section
• Mission: to provide current, reliable, and vendor
neutral information about fiber optics and related
technologies for advancing new and better
communications solutions.
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium

3. Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
Current Members
• 3M
• AFL/Noyes Fiber Systems
• Berk-Tek, a Nexans
Company
• Corning
• CommScope
• Fluke Networks
• General Cable
• Leviton
• OFS
• Ortronics/legrand
• Panduit
• Sumitomo Electric
Lightwave
• Superior Essex
• TE Connectivity
• Tellabs
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium

4. Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
• Recent Webinars Available on Demand
– Standards-based design & testing of Passive Optical LAN
Solutions
– The Future VSCEL-LOMMF landscape in data centers
– Optical Fiber & Cabling Standards for tomorrow’s data center
• Visit www.tiafotc.org or our channel on BrightTalk
Webinars are eligible for CEC credit for up to two years after they
are first broadcast. Email liz@goldsmithpr.com if you have
completed a webinar and want to receive your CEC.
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium

5. Outline of Topics
• Introduction
• Intro to optical fiber construction
• Parameters of a clear fiber connection
• Methods to achieve an acceptable fiber end face
• Alphabet Soup, the popular connectors used in the US
• Methods of termination
• The tools and training required
• Testing and acceptance of the connector
• Summary
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium

6. Core
900 micron
Tight Buffered Fiber
Introduction to Optical Fiber Construction
• Light transmits down the core, within the cladding
• Fibers are protected by a primary coating
• Cable protects the fiber with buffer, aramid yarn and jacketing
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
CORE / CLADDING (microns)
62.5 / 125
50 / 125
50 / 125 Laser-optimized
9 / 125
Multimode
Singlemode
Fiber
Buffer
Yarn
Jacket

7. www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
TIA-568-C Recognized Fibers
and Supported Distances
Source TIA-568-C.0-2
August 2012
Application 850 1300 850 1300 850 1300 850 1300 1310 1490 1550
Ethernet
10/100BASE-SX
300
(984)
-
300
(984)
-
300
(984)
-
300
(984)
-
Ethernet
1000BASE-LX
-
550
(1804)
-
550
(1804)
-
550
(1804)
-
550
(1804)
5,000
(16405)
- -
GPON Class B+
(ITU-T G.984)
Ethernet
10GBASE-S
33
(108)
-
82
(269)
-
300
(984)
-
400
(1312)
-
Ethernet
10GBASE-LX4
-
300
(984)
-
300
(984)
-
300
(984)
-
300
(984)
10,000
(32810)
- -
TIA 492CAAA (OS1)
and
TIA 492CAAB (OS2)
20,000
(65620)
Dispersion unshifted
singlemode and low-water-
peak
50/125 um62.5/125 um
TIA 492AAAA
(OM1)
TIA 492AAAB
(OM2)
TIA 492AAAC
(OM3)
TIA 492AAAD
(OM4)
SupportableDistancem(ft)
Fiber Type
Fiber Standard
(ISO Category)
Nominal
Wavelength (nm)
850 nm laser-optimized
50/125

8. Parameters of a clear fiber connection
• The optical fiber end face finish
• Impediments to clear light transmission
– Fiber alignment is most critical
– Air gap results in a 0.35 dB loss at least, growing worse from there
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
/ CRACK
Issues affecting splice performance Issues affecting connector performance

9. Methods to Achieve
Acceptable Fiber End Face
• Optical fiber cleaving (splice)
• Optical fiber polishing (connector)
• End face finishes
– Physical Contact (PC)
– Ultra Physical Contact (UPC)
– 8 Angled Physical Contact (APC)
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
UPC end face
APC end face
Cleaver
Field Polish Factory Machine Polish

10. Connector Ferrule and Fiber End-Face Geometry
• Geometry is critical to the
fiber to fiber connector
interface
• Connector spring force
with proper geometry
provides optical contact
• Assures contact in extreme
conditions, -40C to +85C
• Geometry of ferrule is
factory produced
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
End-Face Dome
Ferrule
Undercut FiberProtruding Fiber
Apex Offset
Radius
Fiber Center
Dome Center

11. Main Components in Connector Anatomy
Ferrule
Ferrule / Collar Assembly
Yarn and / or cable strain relief
Strain relief boot
Fiber capillary
Connector Body
Outer Coupling Shell
• Ferrule to Ferrule connection for low loss fiber alignment. Support of fiber for end face finishing.
• Connector body materials chosen for stable temperature performance
• Body and Coupling shell provides robust connection to equipment and coupling/adapter
• Cable strain relief for robust cable tensile load, and twist resistance
• Strain relief boot for side pull bend control
• Consider size and type of cable to be terminated to chose proper part number
– 900 um Buffered, 1.6 mm to 3.0 mm jacketed with Aramid Yarn

12. Connector Performance Requirements
ANSI/TIA-568-C.3
• Attenuation (Light Loss)
– Multimode and Singlemode maximum 0.75 dB
• Return Loss (Reflection)
– Multimode minimum 20 dB
– Singlemode minimum 26 dB
– Singlemode broadband analog video minimum 55 dB
• Low Temperature -10 C (14 F)
• Temperature Life +60 C (140 F)
• Humidity
• Impact
• Strength of coupling mechanism
• Durability
• Cable Retention
• Flex
• Twist
Fiber to Fiber End Face Alignment
Ferrule
Ferrule / Collar Assembly
Yarn and / or cable strain relief
Strain relief boot
Fiber capillary
Connector Body
Outer Coupling Shell

13. www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
Typical Connector Types Field Termination
• ST connector, 2.5mm ceramic ferrule, bayonet
• SC connector, 2.5mm ceramic ferrule, push/pull
• LC connector, 1.25mm ceramic ferrule, push/latch
– ½ size of SC for greater density
• MPO connector, rectangular ferrule for typ. 12/24 fibers, push/pull
• UPC – Ultra Physical Contact < -55dB reflection
• APC – Angle Physical Contact < -65dB reflection
SC / UPC
SC / APCLC / UPC
ST
MPO

14. Methods of Field Termination
• Adhesive polish
• Fusion splice-on
• Mechanical splice-on
• Cleave and Crimp
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium

15. Connector Termination Methods
• SC Adhesive and Polish
• Two part Epoxy injected with syringe
• Hot Melt adhesive factory injected
• Two part Anaerobic adhesive
Press button by thumb
to activate splice
Figure-eight Polish
Adhesive Strain relief boot
Cable Crimp
Field cable with stripped and
cleaved fiber
Ceramic Ferrule and Collar
Adhesive bead

16. • SC Fusion Splice-On
AFL FuseConnectCleaver
Connector Termination Methods
Pre-polished ferrule and fiber
Factory cleaved fiber
Splice protection sleeve
Fusion splice point
Yarn and / or cable strain relief
Field cable with stripped and
cleaved fiber
Strain relief boot

17. Grip cable jacket
with screw on, hard
shell boot
• SC Mechanical Splice-On
Grip aramid fiber
in boot threads
Press button by thumb
to activate splice
Connector Termination Methods
Pre-polished ferrule and fiber
Factory cleaved fiber
Mechanical splice element
Mechanical splice point
Yarn and / or cable strain relief
Strain relief boot
Buffer Clamp
Field cable with stripped and
cleaved fiber

18. • SC Mechanical Crimp - On
Cleaver
Connector Termination Methods
Fast field finish
Mechanical gripping element
No splice
No adhesive
Strain relief boot
Buffer Clamp
Field cable with stripped and
cleaved fiber

19. The Tools and Training Required
• Connector tool kits
– Most often kits are specific to the vendor’s connector products
– Usually contain common fiber prep tools and vendor specific tools
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium

20. The Tools and Training Required
• Termination training
– Read and follow the instruction manual
– Many times different vendors have similar processes but likely also
have differences
• Training
– FOTC Seminar
– BICSI Cert. Trainers
– Independent Schools
– Vendors
– On-line videos

21. MPO Connectors
o Multimode and Singlemode
o Multi-fiber backbone cable
o Data Center
o Parallel Optics
o 10 G Fibre Channel
o 40 G and 100 G IEEE standard
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
FerruleBoot Key
Alignment Pins
Adapter Sleeve 12 Fiber End Face

22. TIA568-C.3 Standards
MPO Polarity
Patch cords shown are unpinned on both ends
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
Key Up
Key UpKey Up
Key Up
Key Down
Key Down
Fiber Position Fiber Position
1
12
1
12
1
12
1
12
1
12
Type A
Type B
Type C
2
1
4
3
6
5
8
7
10
9
12
11

23. Pre-terminated Cable Assemblies
ADVANTAGES
o Factory built and tested
o Factory test results included
o No field tools required
o Minimal training / skill
o Efficient installation
FEATURES
o Various lengths available
o Factory terminated without splicing
o Usually include pulling eye and
protection sock over connectors
o Multi-fiber backbone cable, Data Center
o Parallel Optics
o 10 G Fibre Channel
o 40 G and 100 G IEEE standard
MPO to SC/APC MPO to MPO

24. Clean and Inspect
• Cleaning kits with specialized fluids
and wipes
• Inspection scopes
• Always before testing and
connecting
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
www.TIAFOTC.org
Preventing Network Failure by Inspecting and Cleaning Fiber Optic Connectors

25. Testing and Acceptance of the Connector
• OLTS – Optical Loss Test Set
– Measure attenuation (light loss)
• OTDR – Optical Time Domain Reflectometer
– Measure distance, attenuation and return loss of fiber
events (connectors and splices)
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
www.TIAFOTC.org
Tier 1 and Tier 2 Testing, Troubleshooting and Documentation

26. Testing and Acceptance of the Connector
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
TIA Accepted Performance Vendors Typical Performance
Attenuation (Light Loss)
Multimode Max 0.75 dB 0.20 to 0.30 dB
Singlemode Max 0.75 dB 0.20 to 0.30 dB
Return Loss (Reflection)
Multimode Min 20.0 dB 30.0 dB
Singlemode Min
PC
Field Mount PC 26.0 dB 40.0 to 55.0 dB
Factory UPC 26.0 dB 55.0 dB
APC
Field Mount APC 26.0 dB 55.0 to 65.0 dB
Factory APC 26.0 dB 65.0 dB

27. Summary
• Choose the connector ST, SC, LC, MPO
• Singlemode or Multimode
– Multimode 62.5, 50, 50 laser optimized
• Termination Method and Tools
– Adhesive, Splice-on, Crimp-on
• Pre-terminated (factory termination)
• TIA -568-C.3 performance compliance
• Clean, Clean, Clean
• Test
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium
Dave Cook
Communication Markets Division
ddcook@mmm.com

28. Q&A
• Please ask your questions using the tab at the
top of your screen.
• You can download a copy of this presentation
from the attachments tab.
To receive your CEC, please email
Liz@goldsmithpr.com
www.tiafotc.org TIA Fiber Optics Technology Consortium