VECTOR program touts ferrule-less fiber-optic connectors

Members of VECTOR (Versatile Easy installable Connector implementing new Technologies for accelerated fiber Optic network Roll-outs in Europe), a research and innovation initiative the European Commission funded to develop a low-cost, field-installable fiber-optic connector technology, say they have achieved their objective. The approach leverages a variety of technologies, including heat-shrinkable materials, nano-materials, high-tech gels, micro-fabrication, and micro-mechanical alignment systems.

CommScope coordinated the VECTOR project. Other members included DEMCON Advanced Mechatronics BV (The Netherlands), Celoplás – Plásticos para a Indústria SA (Portugal), Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Universiteit Gent (Belgium), Telecom Italia S.p.A. (Italy), and Telekom Deutschland GmbH (Germany).

The technology involves a ferrule-less connector and a fully automated installation tool that enables field installation by a general-skill technician. The ferrule-less connector achieves a performance that exceeds the "Grade B" insertion loss specifications of the International Electrotechnical Commission’s IEC 61300-3-34 international standard for random mated connectors. The connectors do not require cleaning between mating/unmating cycles, says the VECTOR members. Instead, a self-cleaning feature keeps the fiber tip dust free and ensures low connection loss and high repeatability, the group explains.

Telecom Italia and Telekom Deutschland tested the connector in their labs. "We measured optical connectors and we obtained results that were only achievable with optical splices so far," according to Paolo Pellegrino from Telecom Italia.

The optical performance values obtained during extensive laboratory tests on a large set of assembled VECTOR connectors in the facilities of the network operators were very good to excellent," agreed Elmar Pellenz from Telekom Deutschland. "The requirements laid down in Grade B and even better can be met with this technology."

A video of the technology in action is available on YouTube.

For more information on fiber-optic connectors and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.