High-density fiber-optic patch cords remain on R&D agenda

Production of fiber-optic patch cords with MPO connectors is rising. More China suppliers offer 12 and 24-core units. Some are aiming for a 72-core fiber count.

As bandwidth requirement increases, especially in data centers, a shift to higher speeds to support it demands cabling solutions that are high-density. In response, China’s manufacturing industry for fiber-optic patch cords continues toward the adoption of MPO connectors and achieving greater fiber count.

Output for MPO-terminated variants has been in an upturn in recent years as a result. Suppliers, including Ningbo Ocean Communications Equipment Ltd and WebiTelecomms Co. Ltd, have introduced such products. The former offers a multimode model with a female MPO and eight LC connectors, and the second a unit in four, eight, 12 and 24-core, and ribbon, rugged and fan-out versions. But due to the comparatively high technology, not all local enterprises have the capability to offer them yet.

Strides, however, have been realized in fiber count. More makers now turn out up to 24-core units, upgrading their selections formerly dominated by one, two, four, six, eight and 12-core kinds. A few have been pursuing the development of types with 72 cores. Phenet has released fiber-optic patch cords with 72 cores and MPO-to-MPO connectors. Designed for data centers, the products support 100Gbps and comply with TIA-568C.3 (2008) and YD/T1272.5-2009 standards.

There are also manufacturers that have launched LC uniboot patch cords. FS.com presents such variants, which have interchangeable plugs for easy polarity conversion, and suit high-density data centers and special networking systems. The cables have less than 0.2dB loss, which is lower than that of conventional LC units.

In addition, some China companies plan to launch more models that use plastic fiber. These types are priced lower than mainstream glass fiber-based counterparts, and suit in-vehicle entertainment and power applications.

Driving the rise in demand are FTTH and the Internet of Things, besides data centers. This has benefited the local fiber-optic patch cords sector in the past several years, encouraging most makers to increase production by 10 percent annually. Overseas deliveries also climbed at about the same rate. Suppliers such as WebiTelecomms expect to sustain this growth in the months ahead. Others forecast up to 15 percent through 2020.

China is a major manufacturing base for the line, accounting for more than 40 percent of aggregate shipments worldwide. About 400 companies make up the pool and over 80 percent are locally owned.

Most makers, including those with foreign investment, turn out related products such as optical connectors, and fiber-optic adapters and attenuators. Patch cords represent between 20 and 90 percent of their shipments.

The key cities where many companies congregate are Shenzhen and Dongguan in Guangdong province, Ningbo and Hangzhou in Zhejiang, and Suzhou in Jiangsu. Xi'an and Chengdu respectively in the central provinces of Shaanxi and Sichuan play host to a sizeable number of makers as well.

Typical range

Common single- and multimode fiber-optic patch cords from China suppliers have termination options of FC, SC, LC, ST, MT, MU, MTRJ and E2000. Those with the first three connectors lead shipments, while MPO variants may be sourced from some companies.

By cable length, the usual choices are 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10m. These may be customized, depending on the requirement.

Products are based on EIA/TIA and Telecordia standards, and conform to RoHS.

The main materials in the manufacture of fiber-optic patch cords include ferrules, optical fibers and PVC. Connectors are produced in-house or outsourced. Some companies use ferrules from foreign providers such as Corning.

Prices stayed flat because of the stable cost of inputs in past months. The majority of makers predict the trend will persist throughout 2019.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our China-based market analyst for representing current trends in fiber-optic patch cords from China makers.

Fiber-optic patch cord exceeds 1,000 cycles

Model JBOF12 fiber-optic patch cord from Ningbo Junbo Technology Co. Ltd comes in simplex and duplex variants with ST, SC, FC or LC connectors. The single- or multimode unit has ≤0.3dB insertion loss, ≥40dB return loss for PC and ≥60dB for APC, and ≤0.3dB repeatability and compatibility. It lasts more than 1,000 cycles and operates in -25 to 70 C.

The minimum order is 1,000 units for delivery within 20 days.

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Fiber-optic patch cord has MPO, 8 LC connectors

Ningbo Ocean Communications Equipment Ltd's 3-Meter OM3 MPO to 8XLC model multimode fiber-optic patch cord has insertion loss of ≤0.6dB for MPO and ≤0.3dB for LC, and return loss of ≥20dB for MPO and ≥35dB for LC. Its operating temperature is -40 to 80 C.

The 10-unit minimum order is delivered within 10 days.

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Fiber-optic patch cord for single-mode uses

This single-mode fiber-optic patch cord from Shenzhen Yixi Electronics Co. Ltd, E2000 model, has PC, UPC, APC or PC connectors. It exhibits ≤0.2 or ≤0.3dB insertion and ≥35dBm, 45, 50 or 60dB return loss.

The negotiable minimum order has a 7-day delivery lead time.

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MPO fiber-optic patch cord

From Webitelecomms Co. Ltd, this fiber-optic patch cord, WB-MPO model, comes in versions with four, eight, 12 or 24 cores, and a ribbon, rugged or fan-out structure. The unit meets IEC 61754-7, TIA-604-5 (FOCIS 5) and Bellcore GR-143 requirements.

The maker requires a minimum order of 100 units. Delivery lead time is 10 days.

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