High-density solutions drive fiber-optic interconnects R&D

More fiber-optic connectors and cable assembly makers are expected to release MPO and other advanced types in preparation for 5G deployment.

China manufacturers of fiber-optic connectors and cable assemblies will continue to target the trends for higher speed and capacity, especially in next-generation data centers. Ultrahigh density is a requirement as the ramp-up from 200G to 400G gets under way on the road to 5G deployment.

To meet this, more suppliers are looking to adopt multicore technology, which entails the use of optical fiber containing four, eight, 12, 24 or 48 cores and Multi-fiber Push On or MPO connectors. The combination has advantages of low insertion loss, in addition to small size that simplifies cabling and reduced installation cost. Such interconnects, which are already widely tapped for 40/100G systems, are anticipated to become more popular in advanced connectivity solutions.

MPO products are available from some midsize and large domestic makers at present. The shipment share of such products is more than 30 percent and will rise by end-2018 and 2019.

The other interface being watched is MXC, a proprietary technology supported mainly by foreign companies such as Molex. This type is compatible with up to 64-core fiber for 800Gbps transmission.

Only a few large China manufacturers have ventured into the category. One of them is AVIC Jonhon, which has presented a series of expanded beam connectors with a similar contactless structure as the MXC.

The use of plastic instead of glass fiber will continue to attract local attention because of the former's advantages not only in terms of strength, flexibility and weight but also for its low cost. Cable assemblies based on the material suit automotive, smart home and security applications. The type represents about 80 percent of makers' production.

The majority of domestic enterprises will keep increasing their output in the next two or three years, spurred by upbeat outlook for the line and China's hub status in it. TTI Fiber Communication Tech Co. Ltd plans to keep the same 30 percent yield expansion in the next two years. The line, including connectors and cable assemblies, accounts for 60 percent of shipments. The supplier exports 70 percent of output, which is also expected to climb.

Globally, the revenue of the fiber-optic connectors and cable assembly industry will hit $13.9 billion by 2021 or register nearly 6 percent CAGR, according to Absolute Market Insights. In 2017, the value reached $11.1 billion, with up to $6.3 billion coming from the Asia-Pacific region.

As the world's largest production center, responsible for more than half of shipments, China stands to continue benefiting from the sector's sustained growth. In fact, it has been exceeding the global rate, realizing an annual sales increase of 10 percent in the past several years. The telecom, medical, automotive, aviation and military segments will ensure this steady advance.

In the connectors segment, China's aggregate sales value reached $1.2 billion in 2017 and will hit $2.1 billion in 2021 at almost 11 percent CAGR, according to China Fiber Optics Online.

There are more than 400 manufacturers of fiber-optic connectors and cable assemblies in China. Over 70 percent of the companies are locally owned. The key players include Zhejiang Yingfeng and Shenzhen SDG.

Some enterprises specialize in connectors or cable assemblies. Others such as Hangzhou Daytai Network Technologies Co. Ltd, Shenzhen KOC Communication Co. Ltd, Shenzhen Optostar Optoelectronics Co. Ltd and TTI have both.

The majority of suppliers also offer related components, including fiber-optic adapters, attenuators, and DWDM, WDM and CWDM products. In terms of shipments, fiber-optic connectors and cable assemblies account for 30 to 90 percent of the total.

As with other sectors in the electronics industry, the line's main production centers are in the coastal provinces of Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu. There are also factories in central provinces such as Shaanxi and Sichuan.

Mainstream selection

Single- and multimode fiber-optic connectors and cable assemblies are widely available from China companies.

In connectors, there are FC, SC, ST, LC, MU, MT, MPO, MTRJ and E2000 types, with the first four structures forming the bulk of shipments. The range by endface has PC (UPC) and APC kinds.

Cable assemblies are categorized based on the connectors and the fiber material used. These come in 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10m or custom lengths.

The key materials and components include ferrules, V-groove parts, index-matching fluid, optical fiber and PVC. Many makers source the first from foreign companies, while the other inputs are mostly from local providers.

The cost of these materials and components has been flat and will remain so until next year. Product prices will therefore stay unchanged.

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

LC fiber-optic connector suits FTTH drop cables

Hangzhou Daytai Network Technologies Co. Ltd offers its LC-UPC Fast Connector model, which has 20N tensile strength and is compatible with 2x3mm drop cables used in FTTH applications. It has ≤0.3dB insertion loss and ≥50dB return loss. Operating temperature is -40 to 85 C.

The minimum order quantity is 500 units. Delivery lead time is 5 days.

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SC single-mode fiber-optic connector

This SC single-mode fiber-optic connector from Shenzhen KOC Communication Co. Ltd, Connector-smsc-210-1-#6823 model, supports 1,000 mating cycles with ≤0.2dB typical change. At test wavelengths of 1,310 and 1,550nm, the usual insertion loss is ≤0.2dB and the maximum ≤0.30dB, while the return loss with a UPC endface is ≥50dB or with APC ≥60dB.

The unit with a green, blue or black strain-relief boot accepts a cable with a 0.9, 2 or 3mm outer diameter. It operates in -40 to 85 C.

The minimum order is 100 sets for delivery within 5 days.

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LC fiber-optic connector in single-, multimode types

From Shenzhen Optostar Optoelectronics Co. Ltd, model LC Type fiber-optic connector comes in single- and multimode variants. The IEC 60874-compliant unit has ≤0.2dB insertion loss with a PC or UPC endface, while the echo return loss is ≥45dB with PC or ≥50dB with UPC. Repeatability is 0.1dB with a UPC. The product supports -40 to 75 C.

Delivery is within 3 days.

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Fiber-optic cable with MPO-to-LC plugs

The MPO-3M J model from TTI Fiber Communication Tech Co. Ltd is a fiber-optic cable has an MPO plug on one end and LC plugs on the other. It has ≤0.2dB insertion loss with a PC or UPC connector, or ≤0.3dB with APC.

The single-mode variant has ≥50dB PC, ≥55dB UPC or ≥65dB APC return loss, while that of the multimode counterpart is ≥35dB PC or ≥35dB UPC. The product has ≤0.2dB interchangeability, ≤0.1dB repeatability in 1,000 cycles and ≤0.1dB vibration at 550Hz, 1.5mm. It operates in -40 to 80 C.

The order quantity is negotiable. Delivery lead time is 4 days.

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