Male MTP® Elite to LC/UPC Fanout | Base-8 | Single Mode G657.A2 | 3.0/1.8mm

Overview

This is a Male MPO/MTP® to LC UPC Fanout Cable designed for high-performance single mode networks. It provides a simple and effective method for breaking out a parallel optic signal from a single MPO/MTP® interface into eight discrete LC UPC connections. This assembly is crucial for connecting high-speed transceivers to multiple lower-speed ports within data centers and enterprise environments.

Engineered with bend-insensitive G.657.A2 fiber, this cable offers superior resilience in tight spaces. Its Base-8 configuration is perfectly aligned with 40G/100G PSM4 applications, ensuring 100% fiber utilization. A genuine MTP® Elite connector guarantees low insertion loss and dependable performance for critical network links, making it a premium choice for modern data infrastructure.

Key Features

• Features one Male MTP® Elite connector (with pins) and eight simplex LC UPC connectors.
• Built with bend-insensitive G.657.A2 single mode fiber for minimal loss in tight installations.
• Optimized Base-8 fiber configuration for native support of PSM4 applications.
• Equipped with a genuine US Conec MTP® Elite low-loss connector for enhanced performance.
• LC connectors feature an Ultra Physical Contact (UPC) polish suitable for specific equipment needs.
• Factory-terminated and 100% tested to ensure low insertion loss and high return loss.
• Ideal for breaking out 40G/100G PSM4 ports to 10G/25G LR links.
• Yellow, LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) jacket for standard single mode identification and safety.

Applications

The primary use for this single mode fanout cable is in Parallel Single Mode (PSM4) applications. It connects a QSFP-PSM4 transceiver directly to four separate SFP+ or SFP28 transceivers. The Male MTP® connector plugs into the PSM4 module, and the eight LC UPC connectors provide four independent transmit/receive channels for connecting to switches, servers, or other 10G/25G devices over single mode fiber infrastructure.

Specifications

Cross-Platform Compatibility

This cable’s compatibility is governed by international standards, making it interoperable with any hardware that adheres to the same specifications. It is not limited to a specific vendor’s equipment. Always verify your device requires a UPC-polished connector.

Advantages

The key advantage of this cable lies in its use of G.657.A2 bend-insensitive fiber. This allows the cable to be routed around sharp corners and in crowded racks with a much lower risk of signal degradation compared to standard single mode fiber. This feature dramatically improves installation flexibility and link reliability in dense, space-constrained environments like data center cabinets.

By utilizing a Base-8 MPO/MTP® design, the cable perfectly matches the 8-fiber requirement of PSM4 transceivers. This direct alignment ensures there are no unused fibers, providing a more cost-effective and efficient infrastructure. The combination of an MTP® Elite connector and factory-controlled termination delivers consistent, high-quality performance for demanding high-speed links.

FAQ (Technical & Product Questions)

1. What is this single mode MPO/MTP® fanout cable used for?

It is used to break out a single 40G or 100G PSM4 (Parallel Single Mode) signal into four separate 10G or 25G channels. It connects a PSM4 transceiver to four devices with standard LC duplex single mode ports.

2. Why is bend-insensitive G.657.A2 fiber important?

G.657.A2 fiber can be bent and routed in tight spaces with minimal signal loss. This makes it ideal for high-density patch panels, cabinets, and complex cable pathways where standard fiber might fail or suffer performance issues.

3. Can I use this LC/UPC cable with LC/APC connectors?

No. You must never connect a UPC (Ultra Physical Contact) connector to an APC (Angled Physical Contact) connector. The different polish types are physically incompatible and mating them will cause high insertion loss and can permanently damage both connectors.

4. Why does this single mode cable use UPC instead of APC connectors?

While APC is more common for single mode to minimize back reflection, some specific networking equipment, test devices, or legacy systems are designed with LC/UPC interfaces. This cable is made to meet the requirements of those specific systems.

5. What is a Male MTP® connector used for?

The Male MTP® connector has alignment pins and is designed to plug directly into a female MPO/MTP® port, which is typically found on a transceiver (like a QSFP-PSM4) or an adapter in a patch panel, ensuring a precise and stable connection.

6. What is the benefit of a Base-8 configuration?

Base-8 wiring uses 8 fibers, which directly corresponds to the 4 transmit and 4 receive lanes of a PSM4 transceiver. This ensures 100% fiber utilization, eliminates the cost of unused fibers found in 12-fiber cables, and simplifies network design.

7. What does PSM4 mean?

PSM4 stands for Parallel Single Mode 4-lane. It is an optical standard that uses four parallel single mode fibers for transmitting and four for receiving to achieve 40G or 100G data rates over distances up to 500 meters or more.

8. Is this cable compatible with all brands of PSM4 transceivers?

Yes. As long as the transceiver follows the IEEE standard for PSM4 and has a female MPO/MTP® interface, this cable will be compatible, regardless of the brand (e.g., Cisco, Arista, Juniper), provided the receiving end also uses LC/UPC interfaces.