MPO Fiber Optic Patch Cables for AI Intelligent Computing Systems

Introduction to MPO Fiber Optic Patch Cables

MPO (Multi-fiber Push-On) fiber optic patch cables are built with a high-precision rectangular ferrule design. The standard configurations include arrays of 12 or 24 optical fibers, supporting either single-row or dual-row layouts. The ferrule size measures 6.4 × 2.5 mm, incorporating a metal guide pin alignment system to ensure precise multi-fiber connections. With a snap-lock mechanism for quick plug-and-play operations, typical insertion loss is ≤0.5 dB, while return loss reaches up to -65 dB for APC types and -55 dB for UPC types.

In today’s rapidly advancing information era, the speed and stability of data transmission are critical. MPO fiber optic patch cables, as high-performance optical connectors, play an essential role in areas such as AI intelligent computing centers. This document outlines the features, types, and applications of MPO fiber optic patch cables.

Key Features of MPO Fiber Optic Patch Cables

High-Density Integration: MPO patch cables utilize a unique multi-fiber design, integrating up to 12 or 24 fibers within a compact connector. This high-density feature optimizes cabling space, which is particularly suitable for environments like data centers where space is limited and equipment is dense, thus enhancing connectivity efficiency.

Superior Transmission Performance: Thanks to precision manufacturing processes, MPO patch cables exhibit extremely low insertion loss and return loss. They ensure stable signal transmission, reduce attenuation and interference, and maintain data integrity even in ultra-high-speed transmissions such as 100G, 400G, or 800G.

High Stability and Reliability: Manufactured with high-precision molds, these cables guarantee accurate ferrule-to-fiber alignment, ensuring consistent performance with every connection. The durable housing materials and robust mechanical properties enable them to function reliably in challenging environments, such as those with significant temperature or humidity variations, reducing maintenance costs over time.

Compatibility: MPO patch cables are compatible with various optical modules and devices, including QSFP56 200G and OSFP 800G modules, as well as single-mode and multi-mode fibers. This versatility makes them ideal for constructing diverse optical communication networks.

Ease of Installation and Maintenance: The plug-and-play design simplifies installation, requiring no specialized tools or advanced skills. Moreover, disassembly and replacement during later maintenance are straightforward, reducing operational complexity and time costs.

Key Connection Applications of MPO Fiber Optic Patch Cables

In AI intelligent computing centers, extremely high data transmission rates are required. MPO fiber optic patch cables are essential for direct connections like QSFP56 200G optical modules, OSFP 800G to OSFP 400G, and branched connections between OSFP 800G and QSFP112 200G optical modules. They ensure stable, high-speed data transmission between various optical module specifications, enabling efficient operation of computing centers. For example, during large-scale parallel data processing, MPO cables can swiftly handle massive data transfers, enhancing smooth collaboration between computational devices.

Types of MPO Fiber Optic End Faces

APC End Face: The APC (Angled Physical Contact) end face features an 8-degree tilt, effectively reducing reflection and enhancing optical performance. It is suitable for high-speed transmission systems sensitive to reflection, such as 100G, 400G, or even higher-speed data center networks, ensuring data transmission accuracy by minimizing interference caused by signal reflection.

UPC End Face: The UPC (Ultra Physical Contact) end face is flatly polished for high surface smoothness and low connection loss. It is commonly used in standard optical communication systems and widely adopted in cost-sensitive scenarios that require a certain level of transmission performance, such as intra-enterprise local area networks.

MPO Fiber Cable Types

Single-Mode Fiber Cable: Common single-mode fiber cable types include G.652, G.653, G.654, and G.655. Among them, G.652 is the most widely used due to its low attenuation and dispersion characteristics, making it suitable for long-distance, high-speed data transmission in metropolitan or wide-area network backbone connections. In interactions between AI computing centers and external data centers over long distances, G.652 single-mode fiber cables paired with MPO patch cables achieve stable, high-speed data transmission.

Multi-Mode Fiber Cable: Typical multi-mode fiber cables include OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5. OM3 and above support higher bandwidths and longer transmission distances, making them suitable for short-distance, high-speed applications like interconnections within data centers. Within computing centers, OM4 multi-mode fiber cables combined with MPO patch cables meet high-bandwidth, short-distance transmission needs for server interconnectivity.

Primary Application Scenarios

Data Centers: MPO patch cables are primarily used in data centers to address the explosive growth of data. They enable high-speed interconnections between servers, storage devices, and network equipment, improving the overall performance and efficiency of data centers.

Cloud Computing: In cloud environments, MPO patch cables facilitate high-speed data transfers between cloud servers and storage devices, ensuring quick responses and stable operations for cloud computing services.

AI Intelligent Computing Centers: As mentioned earlier, MPO patch cables connect various optical module specifications in AI computing centers, supporting high-speed data transfers necessary for processing massive data during AI algorithm training and model inference tasks.

5G Communication Networks: With the high-speed and bandwidth demands of 5G networks, MPO patch cables are used for interconnections within 5G base stations and between base stations and the core network. They ensure low-latency, high-speed data transmission, providing superior communication services for users.