A comprehensive understanding of fiber optic connectors

Optical fiber connectors are used most often to transmit light by connecting two optical fibers instead of splicing. It is a flexible device that widely used in fiber-optic communications systems. Optical fiber connectors ensure precisely connections between the two ends of the fibers so that the optical energy output from the transmitting fiber can be coupled to the receiving fiber to the maximum extent. Better connectors will have little impact on the system due to its involvement. Since the outer diameter of the optical fiber is the only 125um, and the light passing core is smaller. The cores of single-mode fiber are only 9um, and the multi-mode optical fiber has 50um and 62.5um. So it is important to ensure the properly aligned.

Main component: Ferrule
One of the most important main components of fiber optic connector is ferrule. The quality of the ferrule directly affects the precision connections of the two fibers. Ferrule is usually made of different materials such as ceramic, metal or plastic. Most of the ferrules used in optical connectors are made of ceramic material (zirconia) due to its hardened characteristics, such as good thermal stability, high hardness, high melting point, wear-resistance, and high processing precision. The inner diameter of the ceramic sleeve is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ferrule, and the slitted sleeve tightens the two ferrules for precise alignment.

In order to make the end faces of the two fibers better contact, the ends of the ferrules are usually poshing into different structures. PC, UPC, and APC are the polish styles of ferrules inside the fiber optic connectors. PC is Physical Contact. The two end faces are polished to be slightly curved or microspherical, and the fiber core is at the highest point of the bending. This eliminates the air gap and forces the fibers into physical contact. APC is Angled Physical Contact. The end face of APC is usually ground into an 8-degree angle. The 8° angled bevel makes the fiber end face tighter and reflects light through its beveled angle to the cladding instead of returning directly to the source, providing better connection performance. UPC (Ultra Physical Contact) is based on the PC to optimize the end face polishing and surface finish, the end face looks more dome-shaped. Connector connections need to be in the same end face structure, for example, APC and UPC cannot be combined, resulting in poor connector performance.

Basic parameters: insertion loss, return loss
Due to the different ferrule end faces, the performance of the connector loss is also different. The optical performance of fiber optic connectors is primarily measured by two basic parameters: insertion loss and return loss. So what is the insertion loss? Insertion Loss (“IL”) is the loss of optical power caused by the connection. It is mainly used to measure the optical loss between two fixed points in optical fiber, which is usually caused by the transverse deviation between two optical fibers, the longitudinal gap in optical fiber joints, the end mass, etc. The unit is expressed in decibels (dB). Lower the insertion loss, better the performance. The general requirement should be no more than 0.5dB.

Return Loss (“RL”) refers to the parameter of signal reflection performance. It describes the power loss of optical signal return/reflection. The value is usually expressed in decibels (dB). The larger, the better. The typical RL value of APC connector is about -60db, and that of PC connector is about -30db.

Except for the two optical performance parameters of insertion loss and return loss, there are also other parameters should be considered including the interchangeability, repeatability, tensile strength and operating temperature of the fiber optic connector.

Fiber optic connector types
There are various fiber connector types in the market, such as LC, SC, FC, ST, MU, MT, MPO/MTP and so on.

LC connector
The LC optical connector is made with an easy-to-use modular jack (RJ) latch mechanism. The size of the pins and sleeves used in the LC connector is 1.25 mm, which is the half-size of SC, FC, etc..

SC connector
SC fiber optic connector (‘Subscriber Connector’ or ‘Standard Connector’) is a snap-on standard square connector, which features a push-pull coupling mechanism, and does not need to be rotated. This type of connector is usually made of engineering plastics, which are inexpensive and easy to insert and remove.

FC connector
FC fiber connector (Ferrule Connector) and the SC connector are the same sizes, except that the FC is made of a metal sleeve and the fastening method is a turnbuckle. It has the advantages of simple structure, convenient operation, easy manufacture, and durability, and can be used in a high vibration environment.

ST connector
The ST fiber optic connector (Straight Tip) has a rounded outer that made by a 2.5mm ring-shaped plastic or metal. The bayonet-style keyed coupling mechanism, which is commonly used in fiber distribution frames.

MTP/MPO connector
The MTP/MPO fiber optic connector is a special type of multi-fiber connector. The structure of the MPO connector is complex, connecting 12 or 24 fibers in a rectangular fiber ferrule.

In addition to the above, the connector types include MU connectors, MT connectors, MTRJ connectors, E2000 connectors, etc. Due to low cost-benefit, SC connector is probably the most commonly used fiber optic connector. LC fiber optic connectors are also a commonly used fiber optic connector, especially for connection to SFP and SFP+ fiber optic transceivers. FC connector is mostly used in single-mode and is relatively rare in multimode fiber. Complex designs and metal housing makes it more expensive. ST fiber optic connectors are typically used in long and short-range applications such as campus and architectural multimode fiber applications, enterprise network environments, and military applications.

Choosing the appropriate connector for a fiber network depends on things such as network design and function. HYC(HYC Co., Ltd)offers a variety of fiber optic connectors of various specifications and types, including SC, FC, LC, ST, MPO, MTP and so on.

SC Secure Lockable Connector For Highly Sensitive Applications

Introducing HYC new SC secure lockable connector designed to prevent unauthorized access or changes.

These SC secure lockable connectors are used in a variety of highly sensitive applications such as military, government and financial where multiple operation groups may exist. Once the connector is locked, it can only be removed with the matching color key. Five coloured locking options are available for the connector with matching coloured keys, which is designed to suit various network applications. It gives you design flexibility and provides fast and easy network identification. Each color connector corresponds to a key. Improper plugging and unplugging can be avoided by unauthorized users with the access to the networking room. It is the keyed to prevent network interruption or error.

It is very important to ensure fiber connectivity’s stably and security in large volume traffic areas that are accessed by multiple people. There is some environments where contains different independent networks for multiple managers or departments. The secure lockable connectors help to reduce the risk of accidental cross-connections and unauthorized changes.

These SC secure lockable connectors are fully compatible with Industry Standard SC adapters. And it has 2.0/3.0mm cable types for the most demanding network performance.

The dust cap also has a lock function to prevent access to unused ports. Port protection plugs are used to lock out ports from unauthorized access or tampering. Access to empty or unassigned ports can be prevented with the use of color locking dust cap.

Prevent unauthorized or accidental disconnects or cross-connections to help you manage your network. By using SC secure lockable connector, networks can effectively be limited to certain groups, access levels in a co-location environment. By using the SC secure lockable connector, the networks can effectively be limited to authorized groups or access levels in a collaborative network environment. Different colored connectors and keys are easy to be identified during cable installation and maintenance which saves lots of time.

HYC Co., Ltd（HYC）is a national Hi-tech optoelectronics company engaged in R&D, manufacture, and marketing of fiber optical products. Providing professional product and service for fiber connectivity, WDM, PLC splitter, and high-density datacom cabling. HYC products and solutions widely applied in 4G/5G, Data Center and Cloud Computing industry, etc.
http://www.hyc-system.com
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Three Features of SC Field Assembly Connector

In fiber optic cabling, it is required a connector assembly on-site in some situations. Typical examples are peer-to-peer installations, field installations or repair. Field assmebly connector(FAOC) is also called fast/quick connector, is pre-embedded fiber type connector, which can be installed and connected in the field. It is widely used for where need to quick connection, providing a quick assembly and stable performance. The construction tools are simple and portable, without power supply, and easy to operate, which greatly improves the construction efficiency and reduces the labor cost of FTTH.

SC field assembly connectors are a common type of field assembly connectors for FTTx cabling networks. What’s the features of SC field assembly connector?

Field-installable, flexible cabling

SC field assembly connector increases the flexibility of optical wiring design of FTTH network. Quick and easy fibre termination in the field. The simple assembly process offers convenience in assembling and flexible cabling. And it is also simply and easy to fix fiber or cable. The Field assembly connectors have already been widely used in optical distribution cabinet, optical testing instrument and optical transmission network.

High performance and high reliability

The FAOC is made with precision and high quality Zirconia ferrules and provides a highly reliable connection in most network applications.

Easy installation

The field assembly connector can be assembled directly on the end of cable just within minutes. And the field assembly connectors can be assembled easily and quickly in the field without the additional fiber termination tools. No epoxy, no polishing, no adhesive, no electricity required. Which makes the installation process easy and fast.

SC field assembly connector allows simple optical core connection without any additional practices, or adhesives. It is widely used in all fiber interconnection, such as telecom distribution, FTTH and FTTx, passive optical networks [ATM, WDM, Ethernet], Broadband, Cable TV(CATV) and so on.

HYC provides high reliability SC field assembly connectors, with 0.9mm, 2.0mm, 3.0mm single mode and multimode fiber types.