Performance comparison of small form factor fiber optic connectors

Author

Trewhella, Jean M. ; DeCusatis, Casimer M. ; Fox, John

Author_Institution

IBM Thomas J. Watson Res. Center, Yorktown Heights, NY, USA

Volume

23

Issue

2

fYear

2000

fDate

5/1/2000 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

188

Lastpage

196

Abstract

A comparison of small form factor (SFF) fiber optic connectors is presented for LC, MT-RJ, SC-DC, and VF-45. Multimode jumper cables were tested using industry standard test procedures and bench marked against the industry standard SC Duplex connector. Initial loss data as well as stress testing was performed. Variations were found in the performance of the connectors types and between connectors of the same type from different suppliers. In some cases the connectors out performed the SC Duplex on some tests but no connectors out performed the SC Duplex on all tests with the mechanical stress tests of axial and off-axial pull being the most difficult to exceed. These connectors are rapidly developing and are at different levels of maturity but none of them tested out to be a fully mature replacement for the SC Duplex connector yet

Keywords

environmental testing; optical cables; optical fibre couplers; optical fibre losses; optical fibre testing; SC Duplex connector; alignment; axial pull; ceramic ferrules; dual connect; loss data; multimode jumper cables; off-axial pull; performance comparison; quad connect; small form factor fiber optic connectors; stress testing; thermal cycling; Connectors; Costs; Manufacturing; Optical design; Optical fiber devices; Optical fibers; Performance evaluation; Stress; Testing; Transceivers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Advanced Packaging, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1521-3323

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/6040.846632

Filename

846632