Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 11.2
Fiber-Optic Connector Types
Connector
Style
Assembled cost
Attributes
Originator
Biconic
Conic ferrule,
High
Good fiber
AT&T
threaded
alignment
SMA
Cylindrical ferrule, Medium high
Smaller size,
Amphenol
threaded
standard RF
hardware
ST
Cylindrical ferrule, Medium
Small size,
AT&T
bayonet
quicker
connection
SC
Tapered square,
Low
Quick-connect
NEC
push/pull
568SC
Dual tapered
Low
Duplex,
NEC
square, push/pull
quick-connect
OptiJack
Dual ferrule,
Low
Duplex,
Panduit
modular clip-in,
quick-connect,
plastic
SFF
LC
Dual ferrule,
Low
Duplex,
Lucent
modular clip-in,
quick-connect,
Technologies
plastic
SFF
MT-RJ
Dual cylindrical
Low
Duplex,
Alcoa/AMP
ferrule, modular
quick-connect,
/Siecor
clip-in
SFF
WF-45
Dual ferrule-less
Low
Duplex, quick-
3M
V channel, modular
disconnect,
clip-in
SFF
or color coded, it was quite possible for the connectors to be reversed, mixing up trans-
mit and receive, and causing a link failure. As all fiber interfaces consisted of two con-
nections, a connector type that could be paired was needed. The initial solution was the
SC connector, which was designed as the preferred connector in the TIA/EIA-568-A
revision to the standard. The SC connector had the advantage of a push-to-mate/pull-
to-unmate connection that allowed two connectors to simultaneously plug into an
interface. When two SC connectors are linked by a clip, which aligns the pair and
allows them to be plugged as a unit, the assembly is designated 568SC.
The SC connector also continues the trend toward quick-termination fiber con-
nectors. Such connectors typically use a combination of no-polish, crimp-on con-
struction to speed termination time to as little as 60 seconds per connector. These
quick-termination connectors drop the time-consuming step of epoxy-bonding the
fiber to the connector by using a crimp-on system, somewhat similar to coaxial cable-
connector assembly. The main difference is that the fragile glass fiber absolutely must
not be deformed during the crimping process, or it may fracture or break.
