Male MTP® Elite to LC/UPC Fanout | Base-12 | Single Mode G657.A2 | 3.0/1.8mm

Overview

The Male MTP® Elite to LC UPC Base-12 Fanout Cable is engineered for high-performance data center connectivity, enabling a seamless transition from high-density multi-fiber MTP® interfaces to standard LC connections. This cable features a pinned Male MTP® Elite connector, designed to plug directly into active equipment like transceivers (QSFP, CFP) and adapter panels. The other end fans out to twelve LC UPC simplex connectors (arranged as six duplex pairs), providing versatile breakout options for patching into switches, servers, and patch panels.

Constructed with superior G.657.A2 single-mode bend-insensitive fiber, this cable offers exceptional resilience against signal loss caused by tight bends and challenging cable routing. This makes it a perfect choice for densely packed racks and cable trays where maintaining signal integrity is paramount. The Base-12 configuration is a versatile standard for distributing up to six duplex single-mode channels from a single source port.

Key Features

• Male MTP® Connector: Pinned for direct connection to transceivers and MTP® adapter panels, simplifying equipment patching.
• Superior Bend Performance: Utilizes ITU-T G.657.A2 single-mode fiber, minimizing macrobending loss and ensuring reliable performance in tight spaces.
• Versatile Base-12 Configuration: Breaks out a 12-fiber MTP® connection into six duplex LC channels, ideal for high-density 10G/25G distribution.
• MTP® Elite Low Loss: The premium MTP® Elite connector guarantees a very low insertion loss (IL ≤ 0.35dB) for maximum signal power and link reach.
• High-Quality LC UPC Connectors: Provides reliable connectivity with a return loss (RL) of ≥50dB, suitable for a wide range of single-mode enterprise and data center applications.
• Robust and Manageable Design: A durable 3.0mm main cable transitions to clearly numbered 1.8mm fanout legs for easy identification and management.

Applications

This breakout cable is ideal for connecting high-speed backbone ports directly to lower-speed equipment.

• Connecting 100G/400G MTP®-based transceivers to multiple 10G/25G SFP+ or SFP28 ports.
• High-density fiber distribution from MTP® cassettes to switch line cards.
• Data center interconnects within Equipment Distribution Areas (EDA).
• Connecting aggregation switches to access layer switches in a top-of-rack (ToR) architecture.
• Telecommunications networks requiring breakout from a central office MUX/DEMUX.

Specifications

Cross-Platform Compatibility

This MTP® to LC fanout cable is manufactured to exceed all TIA/EIA and IEC industry standards, ensuring full interoperability with any standards-compliant structured cabling system and networking hardware. Its universal design guarantees seamless performance when connecting to equipment from all major vendors, including:

• Cisco
• Juniper
• Arista
• HPE/Aruba
• Brocade
• Dell/Force10
• Finisar
• Intel

Advantages of G.657.A2 Fiber

The G.657.A2 fiber in this cable is a significant advantage over standard G.652.D fiber in high-density environments. It is specifically engineered to handle tight bend radii (down to 7.5mm) with virtually no increase in attenuation. This allows for confident installation in crowded server racks, wall-mounted enclosures, and complex cable pathways without risking performance degradation or network downtime.

FAQ (Technical & Product Questions)

1. What is the primary use for this Male MTP® fanout cable?

The primary use is to connect directly from a high-density port on a piece of active equipment, like a switch or transceiver module (e.g., QSFP, CFP), and break out the signal into multiple, lower-speed LC connections for patching to other devices.

2. Why choose G.657.A2 bend-insensitive fiber?

G.657.A2 fiber offers superior protection against signal loss when the cable is bent. This is critical in high-density racks and cable trays where cables are often routed around sharp corners. It ensures a more robust and reliable link compared to standard single-mode fiber.

3. When is a UPC polish appropriate for single-mode fiber?

UPC (Ultra Physical Contact) polish provides a high-quality connection with a return loss of 50dB or better. It is ideal for most single-mode data center and telecom applications, including Ethernet and Fibre Channel. APC (Angled Physical Contact) is typically required only for highly reflection-sensitive applications like FTTx, DWDM, and video.

4. What does the “Base-12” designation mean?

“Base-12” refers to the MTP® connector being populated with 12 fibers. This allows it to carry six separate duplex (transmit/receive) channels or twelve simplex channels, making it a versatile standard for high-density fiber distribution.

5. Can I connect this Male MTP® connector to another Male MTP® cable?

No. Male-to-Male connections are not possible as the guide pins on both connectors would clash, preventing a proper mate and potentially damaging the connectors. A Male connector must always mate with a Female connector.