• Two new very small form factor (VSFF) connector formats have recently been added to the IEC standard and used primarily in hyperscale and AI datacenters: º SAC connectors, which use a duplex (two optical fiber) connector interface, are standardized around the SN ® type small form factor duplex design. º MDC connectors, which use a duplex, 1.25 mm ferrule, VSFF connector design. Connector selection is often dictated by the equipment interfaces and existing infrastructure. Connector trends do not move uniformly across all markets. Industrial, utility, and certain campus environments may retain legacy connector types for extended periods due to installed base and
environmental requirements. As a result, installers are often required to support multiple connector types simultaneously, reinforcing the need for flexible termination approaches that can adapt to different connector interfaces without sacrificing performance. Termination Methods For the past four decades, field termination methods have evolved in step with changing network demands. Epoxy and polish connectors defined early field installations in the 1980s and became the market standard in the 1990s by enabling reliable, on-site termination. As optical fiber networks scaled and installation timelines compressed, factory-polished mechanical connectors emerged as a faster, more repeatable alternative, reducing installation time and
dependence on highly skilled labor. More recently, splice-on connectors and fusion- spliced pigtails and cassettes have gained momentum, driven by their performance and the growing accessibility of portable fusion splicing equipment. As higher speed applications leave less margin for error, termination trends continue to move toward solutions that prioritize low loss, consistency, ease of installation, and long term reliability. Epoxy-and-polish connectors secure the optical fiber within the connector ferrule using adhesive, followed by onsite curing and end-face polishing. This approach does not require fusion splicing equipment, but it is time-consuming and highly dependent on the installer’s skill. While optimal performance is typical when executed correctly, variability in end face quality and high-skilled labor requirements have driven a decline in favor of faster, more repeatable termination methods. Today, epoxy-and-polish connectors are primarily used in legacy systems, specialized environments, or applications like those of the gas and oil industries, where arcs can be detrimental. Mechanical factory-polished connectors (Figure 10) eliminate the epoxy curing and polishing by mechanically aligning the field-prepared optical fiber to an internal pre-polished stub. Index-matching gel helps reduce insertion loss and delivers consistent performance. These connectors enable faster installation with minimal tooling and reduced reliance on specialized skills. Factory-polished end faces typically have lower reflectance, making these well-suited for higher-bandwidth applications (i.e., 1G and above). Mechanical field-installable connectors remain valuable where flexibility and speed are critical, supported by a relatively short learning curve. However, their performance can be sensitive to installation variables such as optical fiber preparation, cleave quality, and proper use of fan-out kits. Splice-on connectors combine factory-polished connector end faces with fusion-splicing technology (Figure 11). Fusion splicing permanently joins optical fibers by precisely aligning and fusing them with an electric arc, creating a low loss, low reflectance connection that closely matches the performance of a continuous optical fiber. Splice-on connectors
FIGURE 8 : Example of an MTP connector. Source: Corning
FIGURE 9 : Field-installable connectivity trends. Source: Corning
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ICT TODAY
April/May/June 2026
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