What is MPO / MTP ? - Multiple-Fiber Push-On/Pull-Off Overview

What is MPO / MTP ? – A short overview

MPO stands for Multiple-Fiber Push-On/Pull-Off and is a standard for a fiber optic connector. The mechanical and technical values of the connector are defined in IEC61754-7:2014.

MTP stands for Multifiber Termination Push-On and is a trademarke of USCONEC for MPO Connectors.

MTP is very popular in the United States while MPO is much more common in Europe. MPO and MTP brand connectors are 100% compatible.

What are the differences between MPO and MTP ?

MTP connectors are going further in their definition compared to the MPO Standard to increase the matting and raise the signal quality.

The biggest change is the form of the Guide-Pin. While MPO uses a canted Guido-Pin, MTP uses a rounded Guide Pin. This has the advantage, that the Guide-Pin-Hole of the MPO/MTP socket is less weniger loaded. It can be connected more often and can increase the contact of any single fiber used in the cable.

How many cores has a MPO/MTP Connector?

A normal fiber patch cord uses for every fiber a single connector. And this is where the MPO/MTP connector is completly different.

MPO/MTP connectors can come with 12 or 24 cores in a single connector. This has the big advantage to get a bigger port density in different applications. CBO also offers custom solutions with up to 144 cores in one connector.

In a 12 core MPO/MTP connector all fibers a ordered in a row. In the 24 core MPO/MTP connector, its two rows with each 12 fibers. Both connectors (depending on their construction) have 2 Guide-Pins or 2 Guide-Pin-Holes.

What is important when i choose a MPO/MTP Trunkcable?

Because MPO/MTP cable have many cores there are also diffent polaritys. MPO/MTP cables have different polaity according to their application.

Type	Internal connection	Connector
Type A	1:1	Key Up to Key Down
Type B	Crossed	Key Up to Key Up
Type C	Pairs crossed	Key Up to Key Down

Type A MPO/MTP Cable are known as 1:1 or straight cable.

Connector	Fiber arrangement(with Key Up view)
A	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
B	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12

Typ B MPO/MTP Kabel are crossed. Pin 1 is connected to Pin 12 and the other way around. This type (with 12 cores) must be use, if you want to connect a QSFP transceiver.

Connector	Fiber arrangement(with Key Up view)
A	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
B	12	11	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1

Typ C uses crossed fiber pairs.

Connector	Fiber arrangement(with Key Up view)
A	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
B	2	1	4	3	6	5	8	7	10	9	12	11

The connector is available in a male version (with Guide-Pins) or in a female version (with Guide-Pin-Holes).

Summary:

There are different types of MPO/MTP cables depending on the application. CBO offer for all application the right solution inluding QSFP Transceiver. For fruther inforation contact your account manager.