US Conec reveals that the MXC multi-fiber connector that it developed for use in Intel’s silicon photonics friendly Rack Scale Architecture (RSA). [The original version of this article reported that US Conec was offering "its own version" of the connector and that Intel and Corning had developed it; these statements were incorrect and we apologize for the confusion.] The connector will be on display at OFC 2014 in San Francisco March 11-13.
The MXC fiber-optic connector has a plug and receptacle design (see below) that provides increased density, lower cost, and fewer components in implementations of embedded, mid-board optics modules, US Conec says. The traditional adapter and on-card plug is combined into a simple, condensed, single-piece housing.
The company says the MXC isn’t meant to replace MTP connectors, but is optimized for expanded beam PRIZM MT ferrules to provide a more robust and debris-insensitive interface compared to existing approaches. That said, the MXC is compatible with traditional physical contact MT ferrules as well.
US Conec expects future variants of the MXC will support a variety of configurations, including strain relief at the individual ferrule level or mass strain relief of multiple ferrules within a single fiber cable unit. The company asserts its alignment design will enable scaling to eight or more ferrules in a single connector unit for front-panel bulkhead or blind mating.
The company says that it will offer both the connector and associated training to cable assembly manufacturers worldwide. Corning has already been announced as the first cable assembly manufacturer. Certified cable assembly manufacturers in addition to Corning will be announced in the near future, US Conec says.
Samples of the single port version of the MXC are available upon request.
For more information on fiber-optic connectors and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.