New “Mini” LC Connector?September 14, 2010 by Pete Belyea

That’s Right there is a new fiber connector on the market…

Brocade has developed the FC8-64 high density 64 port blade for the DCX Backbone family. 64 ports in one module! How do they manage to get that many fiber ports in that small piece of real estate? By developing a new SFP…. Called the mSFP. The “m” stands for mini. It’s cable counterpart is the mSFP cable assembly or mini-LC.

To the naked eye, this mSFP and mini-LC look identical to a standard LC. Under closer scrutiny it is not. The “pitch” is 1mm closer than a standard LC. While a “small” change, it makes a “Big” difference in density!

The new ‘tight pitch’ LC assembly is also referred to as the

mSFP or mini Small Form factor Pluggable. The pitch is defined by the on center distance between ferrules of a duplex LC. These picture below illustrates this. The connector with the black housing is the Mini LC, they beige is a standard LC.

Regular LC duplex pitch distance is 6.25mm

New mSFP duplex pitch distance is 5.25mm

Currently there are no patch panels that accept this form factor. In order to use this module in accordance with a TIA-942 structured cabling system you must purchase a hybrid cable. Contact CABLExpress to order or obtain more information on this product.

Category: CABLExpress News and Info, Cool Problem Solvers, Ever Wonder?, Fiber Optic Cables, ReferenceTags: cable connectors, LC connector, mini-LC connector, mSFP |

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Leviton adds Mini LC Connector to fiber cable assemblies make-to-order programSeptember 26, 2010

SEPTEMBER 26 2010 -- Leviton has added the Mini LC Connector to the company’s make-to-order (MTO) program. The new connectors, which can be configured with any Leviton patch cord, trunk, or harness, are designed to work with Brocade’s FC8-64 High Density 64-port Fibre Channel blade.

Mini LC connectors are compatible with the small footprint mini SFP (mSFP) ports developed by Brocade and its partners to enable high-density port configurations that minimize physical footprint without compromising performance. Cable assemblies with Mini LC Connectors enable connection between two FC8-64 blade ports, between one FC8-64 and other active equipment or patch panels, or between an MPO/MTP module and multiple mSFP ports.

Leviton’s MTO program enables customers to custom configure fiber cable assemblies, as well as fiber enclosures, MTP modules, copper trunks, and rack power distribution units (PDUs), to their specifications. Cable assembly configuration options include fiber type and count; cable type and length; first and second end termination type; breakout length and alignment; polarity; and pulling eye.

To accomadate high density switch ports, a new mini-LC connector has recently been introduced. The new connector is a modified version of the standard LC Duplex connector, and spaces the ferrules closer together while reducing the overall connector width.

The higher density mini connector introduces the issue of incompatible LC connectors (mini vs. standard). To resolve the incompatibility issue, Centric Solutions introduces the VP-LC All Purpose connector. This connector will mate with the new mini-LC ports, and standard LC ports.

Features of the VP-LC All Purpose connector:

Variable ferrule pitch -- 6.25mm to 5.25mm spacing Reversible polarity Smaller cable outside diameter (2.4mm for high density applications) Increased airflow, reduced cooling costs Simplified cable management Eliminates the need to inventory mini-LC, standard LC, and/or hybrid LC

cables Quick release latch (improved LC latch push-pull design)

In addition to the connector, an easy to use VP-LC All Purpose tool has been developed.

This versatile tool allows unlatching the connector in high-density applications.

The tool also aids in reversing the polarity of the connector.

1) release the boot

2) swing the fiber connectors 180 degrees

3) re-position the boot (polarity indicator appears)

This solution will minimize errors, reduce costs, and eliminate purchasing, stocking, and inventorying hybrid cables. The VP-LC connector is available on trunks, jumpers, and Ribbon Array harnesses.

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