Page 143 - Optical Communications Essentials

Connectors and Splices

Connectors and Splices 133

TABLE 8.1. Popular Fiber Optic Connectors with Their Features and Applications
Connector type Features Applications
ST Uses a ceramic ferrule and a Designed for distribution
rugged metal housing. It is applications using either
latched in place by twisting multimode or single-mode
fibers
SC Designed by NTT for snap-in Widely used in Gigabit
connection in tight spaces. Uses a Ethernet, ATM, LAN, MAN,
ceramic ferrule in simplex or WAN, data communication,
duplex plastic housings for either Fibre Channel, and
multimode or single-mode fibers telecommunication networks
FC The preassembled, one-piece Designed for terminating
body design and prepolished jumper and other cables in Fibre
ferrules enable fast, low-loss, and Channel and other
inexpensive terminations telecommunication applications
SMA Based on the threaded metallic Designed for multimode data
housing of the proven SMA communication applications;
electrical connector also used for instrumentation
connections
LC SFF connector that uses a Available in simplex and duplex
standard RJ-45 telephone plug configurations for CATV, LAN,
housing and ceramic ferrules MAN, and WAN applications
MU SFF connector based on a 1.25-mm Suitable for board-mounted
ceramic ferrule and a single applications and for
free-floating ferrule distribution-cable assemblies
MT-RJ SFF connector with two fibers in Applications are for MANs and
one molded plastic ferrule and an LANs, such as horizontal
improved RJ-45 latch mechanism optical cabling to the desktop
ESCON Has a shockproof plastic housing Designed by IBM for connections
with a retractable shroud to between mainframe computers
protect the ceramic ferrules from and peripheral networks
damage and equipment
MPO Can house up to 12 multimode or Allows high-density connections
single-mode optical fibers in a between network equipment
single compact ferrule in telecommunication rooms

method or 0.2dB when using an automated fiber polisher. Single-mode connectors
typically achieve a 0.3-dB insertion loss and a 40-dB return loss using a simple
manual polishing method.
The ST connector employs a rugged metal bayonet coupling ring with
radial ramps to allow easy engagement to the studs of the mating adapter.
Pairs of ST connectors are available in two colors for jacketed fiber, one with a
beige boot and the other with a black boot (shown as the flexible black sleeve
in Fig. 8.12). These two colors allow easy identification of the fibers in forming
a duplex jumper cable. The connector is mated by pushing it into place and
then twisting it to engage a spring-loaded bayonet socket.

Downloaded from Digital Engineering Library @ McGraw-Hill (www.digitalengineeringlibrary.com)
Copyright © 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved.
Any use is subject to the Terms of Use as given at the website.