One end of the patch cord uses an MT connector (or called MT ferrule) and the other end uses an MPO connector, which is mainly designed based on differences in physical size, application scenarios, and functional positioning.
Difference between MT and MPO connector
The core difference between MT and MPO are different sizes and application scenarios.
Physical size and integration difference
- MT connector: Miniaturized design (Mini-MT is smaller), usually used inside optical modules or in compact spaces, with small ferrule size (such as Mini MT is half the size of standard MT), supports 2~24 cores of optical fiber, suitable for short-distance optical path connection inside equipment.
- MPO connector: Standard size (6.4mmx2.5mm rectangular ferrule), similar to the size of SC connector but with higher density, can accommodate 12/24/48 cores of optical fiber, suitable for high-density wiring environments such as cabinets and patch panels.
Both connector use MT ferrule technology (guide holes and guide pins are precisely aligned), but the packaging forms are different to meet different space requirements.
Application positioning difference
- MT patch cord: Mainly used for internal connection of optical modules, such as QSFP-DD, OSFP and other high-speed optical modules, connecting lasers/detectors with external interfaces, emphasizing low latency and high stability.
- MPO patch cord: For data center backbone wiring and interconnection between devices, supports 40G/100G/400G high-speed transmission, and simplifies deployment through pre-termination.
Typical application cases of MT to MPO patch cords
MT to MPO patch cords mainly serve as a bridge for optical path conversion inside and outside the module. The following are two practical application cases:
High-speed optical module docking
Example 1: The MT interface of the QSFP+ SR4 optical module is connected to the MPO patch panel through the MT to MPO patch cord to achieve 40G transmission. The MT end is inserted into the module, and the MPO end is connected to the cabinet optical fiber link. The MT-MPO patch cord can avoid direct welding of optical fibers on the module, improve the maintainability of the module, shorten the optical path length, and reduce signal loss.
High-density cabling expansion
In the data center, the MT-MPO patch cord can branch the MPO interface of the switch optical port into multiple LC/SC links (through fan-out patch cords), adapt to different device interfaces, and achieve high-density fiber optic cabling.
Example 2: The 24 fiber MPO trunk cable is converted into 12 sets of duplex LC connections through the MT-MPO patch cord + splitter to serve multiple servers.
Precautions for using MT to MPO patch cords
1. The MPO end needs to be selected according to the polarity of Type A/B/C (such as Type B for 40G multimode optical modules) to ensure that the transceiver channels correspond correctly. The male connector (with guide pins) and the female connector (with guide holes) must be used in pairs.
2. Even slight contamination on the end face of the MT ferrule can cause signal attenuation, which requires regular cleaning; MPO needs to be protected with a dust cap after connection.
Read more: How to clean MPO connectors to avoid misjudgment?
3. Due to its precise structure, the guide holes are easily damaged by repeated plugging and unplugging, and are mostly used for semi-permanent connections; the MPO end supports frequent plugging and unplugging to meet operation and maintenance needs.
Conclusion
The essence of MT to MPO patch cord is the product of spatial adaptation and functional division of labor. The MT end solves the internal miniaturization connection requirements of the equipment, and the MPO end meets the high-density wiring requirements. The standardized interface connects the two types of scenarios, significantly improving the deployment efficiency and flexibility of high-speed optical networks. In actual applications, attention should be paid to polarity, cleanliness and interface life management to ensure performance.
MT to MPO Patch Cords FAQ
What is the lifespan of MT to MPO patch cords?
MT patch cords are generally used in optical modules. According to various parameters, their lifespan is about 5 years, while MPO patch cords are generally used in data centers, with a lifespan of about 8-10 years. If the two are combined into one patch cord, the actual lifespan is less than 5 years based on the lowest one.
What are the standards for MT MPO patch cords?
The general standards for MT MPO patch cords mainly cover the following three categories:
Reliability verification: GR-1435-CORE (Telcordia), IEC 61300-3-34
Insert production: IEC 61754-7 (MT interface definition)
Wiring system: TIA/EIA-568-C.3, ISO/IEC 11801
How to clean and maintain MT to MPO patch cords?
Use a professional MPO cleaner or MTP cleaner pen, pay attention to distinguishing between male and female connectors, and regularly check the loss and connector appearance. If any abnormality is found, clean and replace it in time.
Transmission rate comparison between MT and MPO patch cords
There is no essential difference between MT and MPO in terms of speed, both support 400G-1.6T high-speed transmission.
How to choose the right MT or MPO patch cord?
Generally, Yingda recommend that you choose MT patch cords for internal connections of optical modules, and MPO/MTP patch cords for high-density wiring between cabinets and outdoor industrial environments.
Which one is more expensive, MT patch cord or MPO patch cord?
MT ferrules are more expensive due to production capacity shortage and technical barriers, while MPO patch cords are more cost-effective due to large-scale production of basic models.
