MXC™ Multi-fiber optical interconnect platform: New, ultra high density, connector hardware design
HICKORY, NC – March 4, 2014 – US Conec announces that the general market availability of the MXC™ multi-fiber connector will coincide with OFC/NFOEC 2014 beginning next week. Compared to existing optical connector solutions, the unique plug and receptacle design provides increased density, lower cost, and fewer components making it ideal for new equipment card edge requirements driven by implementation of embedded, mid-board optics modules. PCB space consumption on the inside of the equipment is minimized by combining the traditional adapter and on-card plug into one simple, condensed, single piece housing.
The MXC™ connector has previously been highlighted in various announcements between Corning, as the initial cable assembly manufacturer, and Intel, as a lead adopter. However, US Conec will continue its traditional business model with this new technology in that components will be sold and training will be provided to cable assembly manufacturers worldwide. Other certified cable assembly manufacturers, aside from Corning, are to be announced in the near future.
While not intended to be a replacement for MTP® connectors, which are typically used in data center cabling infrastructures, the new connector provides many benefits relative to this proven design. The MXC™ connector platform is optimized for next-generation, expanded beam, PRIZM® MT ferrules providing a more robust and debris insensitive interface compared to existing solutions. However, the platform is also compatible with traditional physical contact MT ferrules making it ideal for a wide variety of equipment interface applications.
Future variants of the platform support a wide variety of configurations including strain relief at the individual ferrule level or mass strain relief of multiple ferrules within a single cable unit. US Conec’s novel alignment design enables scaling to 8 or more ferrules in a single connector embodiment for front panel bulkhead or blind mating.
Samples of the single port version are readily available upon request.