Information Technology Reference
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FIGURE 6.15
Another popular fiber-optic connector is the ST connector. (Courtesy of Molex Fiber Optics, Inc.)
nector looks somewhat like a miniature BNC connector. The ST connector had
begun to supplant the SMA connector in most equipment and chassis connections.
However, it still had the same single-connector problems that the SMA did. The
connections must be made one at a time and there is no practical way to bind two
fiber connections into one unit. In addition, you must orient a tab and slot on the
male and female connectors, push against a spring mechanism, and turn the locking
ferrule to complete the connection. This is a frustrating experience, at best.
A newer connector is called the SC. It allows quick connections, good fiber
alignment, and multifiber coupling so that two may be combined into a duplex con-
nector for transmit and receive. The SC connector is an unusual looking square-
tipped fiber-optic connector that is slightly cone-shaped at the tip, as shown in Fig.
6.16. The SC is a push-on, pull-off connector that uses spring retention to hold the
connector in place when mated, thus avoiding the maddening contortions necessary
for the ST. The square design and push/pull coupling mechanism make the connec-
tor usable in high-density applications. The SC connector may be coupled in duplex
sets with a coupling receptacle or duplex clip. In a keyed duplex set, the SC connec-
tor easily implements a form of polarity matching with coupling adapters in fiber-
optic outlets or patch panels. This connector was adopted by the TIA as the
officially recommended fiber-optic connector in TIA/EIA 568-A, although the -B
and -C revision accommodate other newer connectors, as well. The connector is
called the 568SC connector in the TIA-568 standard.
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