LC Connector

LC Connector A High Density Fiber Optic Network Solution

Paul Kolesar

Lucent Technologies,

Bell Laboratories

IEEE 802.3z Gigabit Ethernet

March, 1997

LC Connector

LC Connector Outline

◆ Design Background and Goals

◆ Product Family Overview

◆ Features

◆ Feature Advantages

◆ Adapters, Transceivers, Cordage

◆ Standards, Licensing and Availability

◆ Performance

◆ Summary & Conclusion

LC Connector

LC Connector Background

◆ Bell Labs was challenged with developing a next generation optical connection product family that would meet the changing needs of both the singlemode and multimode markets

◆ MM and SM teams developed similar conclusions

◆ Developed design criteria based on market trends

Ð Lower system cost

Ð Smaller size

Ð User friendliness

Ð Excellent mechanical and optical performance

LC Connector

LC ConnectorDesign Goals

◆ Develop one connector/optical interface for ALL applications in the network

Ð High volume = low cost

Ð Fewer equipment designs

È lower cost

È less R&D expense for xcvr. manuf. and OEMs

Ð Specialty connectors traditionally not successful

È high price

È low volume, not accepted by total market

◆ No Cost shifting to ANY network components!

◆ Develop a complete product family

◆ Broadly license for multiple sources

LC Connector

LC ConnectorProduct Family

LC Connector

LC Product Family Multimode and Singlemode

Initial Product Offering◆ Patch Cords and pigtails

Ð Duplex and simplex

Ð MiniCordTM (1.6 mm) and 900 µm

Ð Hybrid Patch Cords

◆ Field-mountable on buffered-fiber & cordage

◆ Duplex adapters

Ð standard and reduced height

◆ Panels for outlets and cabinets

◆ Mounting Collar for RJ-45 cutout

LC Connector

LC ConnectorFeatures

◆ RJ-45 Style

◆ Small Size

◆ Polarized

◆ Color Coded

◆ Pull-Proof

◆ Cable Compatible

◆ Excellent Performance

◆ High Reliability

LC Connector

LC ConnectorFeature Advantages

◆ RJ-45 StyleÐ User friendly (intuitively obvious operation)

Ð Familiarity of copper modular plugs

Ð No tools

Ð Easy insertion and extraction

Ð Audible click assures full insertion

Ð Low-cost plastic housing

Ð Improved anti-snag latch

LC Connector

LC ConnectorLatch Enhancements

◆ Patch CordsÐ Anti-snag feature on latch

Ð Easy to disengage simplex

Ð Simultaneous disengagement of duplex

◆ Buffered Fiber Connector and PigtailÐ Finger catch on latch

Ð Extended latching beam

Ð Easy to locate and disengage

◆ Robust LatchÐ Flex tested 7000 times

LC Connector

LC ConnectorFeature Advantages

◆ Small SizeÐ Smaller than RJ-45

Ð Half size of duplex SC

Ð PCI mezzanine compliant for NICs

Ð Lower system costÈ double density panels and hubs

È fewer panels and racks, less floor and closet space

È same interface for MM and SM

È designed for automated manufacturing

È alternate ferrule and sleeve materials

È no cost shift

LC Connector

LC ConnectorFeature Advantages

◆ PolarizedÐ Obvious orientation to adapter

Ð Installs in only one orientation

Ð Maintains Tx/Rx directions

Ð No keying

Ð Repeatable performance

Ð A / B polarity markings

Ð Meets TIA 568-A and ISO 11801

LC Connector

LC ConnectorFeature Advantages

◆ Color CodedÐ Meets TIA 568-A and ISO 11801

È SM blue

È MM beige

Ð Easily identifiable fiber type

◆ Pull-proofÐ Side and axial load tolerant

Ð Eliminates accidental disconnections

Ð Increases reliability

LC Connector

LC ConnectorFeature Advantages

◆ Cable CompatibleÐ Works readily with installed base

È 900 µm buffered (indoor cable)

È 250 µm coated (ribbon, loose tube OSP)

È standard strength fiber

Ð Special fiber or cable not required

Ð Easy to mountÈ buffered fiber or cordage

È familiar procedure

È less polishing

Ð Lower costÈ no cost shifting

LC Connector

LC ConnectorFeature Advantages

◆ Excellent PerformanceÐ Meets industry opt., mech. and env. standards

È TIA 568-A

È ISO 11801

È Bellcore GR-326

Ð Design guarantees end-face contactÈ easily meets 20 / 26 dB return loss

Ð Pull-proof

LC Connector

LC ConnectorFeature Advantages

◆ High ReliabilityÐ Proven technology

Ð No inherent fiber bends

Ð Durable materialsÈ 500 re-matings

È 7000 latch flexures

Ð Easily cleaned

Ð Low Risk means Lower Cost

LC Connector

LC AdaptersFeatures and Advantages

◆ Self adjusting panel latchÐ Adapts to panel thickness

◆ Square cross sectionÐ Choice of mounting orientation

◆ Compact duplex designsÐ Panel and board mount

Ð 4-piece snap assembly

◆ Fits standard RJ-45 cutoutÐ M81 LC mounting collar

◆ Labeled polarityÐ Meets TIA 568A and ISO 11801

LC Connector

LC ConnectorTransceiver Interface

◆ Maximize hub densityÐ Needs less panel space than UTP jack

◆ PCI mezzanine compliantÐ Compatible with PC NICs

◆ No cost shiftingÐ Familiar, miniaturized design

◆ Low insertion and withdrawal force

◆ LC transceiver suppliersÐ Finisar

Ð Working with others

LC Connector

LC ConnectorMiniCordage

◆ Small diameter - 1.6 mm simplexÐ Alleviates trough congestion

Ð Simplex, duplex zipcord, and quad

Ð Duplex size 66% of 2.9 mm ribbon cord

◆ Excellent performanceÐ Made for pull-proof connectors

Ð Tight bend radius (1inch)

Ð GR- 409 Bellcore compliant

◆ Lower cost than 3.0 mm zipcord3.5 mm

1.6 mm 0.9 mm

Duplex Minicord

LC Connector

LC Standards,Licensing and Availability

◆ StandardsÐ Actively working standards

È TIA FO6.3 FOCIS work item approved

È IEC 86B WG 6: submission approved by USTAG

◆ Broadly LicensingÐ Actively negotiating with several companies

◆ AvailabilityÐ Limited production September 1996

Ð Full Production March 1997

Ð 3 beta sites in progress (> 10,000 connectors)

LC Connector

LC Performance

◆ Optical

◆ Environmental

◆ Mechanical

LC Connector

Optical PerformanceMultimode - Insertion Loss

MM Insertion Loss

Avg. = 0.10 dB

Std. Dev. = 0.07 dB

N = 100

Specification: ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A

Max. <= 0.75 dB

Avg. <= 0.5 dB

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00Loss (dB)

cy

GOOD

0.00ÊÊÊÊÊ0.20ÊÊÊÊÊ0.40ÊÊÊÊÊ0.60ÊÊÊÊÊ0.80ÊÊÊÊÊ1.00

Freq

uenc

y

LC Connector

Optical PerformanceMultimode - Return Loss

MM Return Loss

Avg. = 33 dB

Std. Dev. = 2.4 dB

N = 100

Specification:

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A

Min. >= 20 dB0

20

40

60

80

Reflectance (dB)

en

cy

GOOD

Return Loss (dB)

20ÊÊÊÊÊÊ24ÊÊÊÊÊÊ28ÊÊÊÊÊÊ32ÊÊÊÊÊÊ36ÊÊÊÊÊÊ40ÊÊÊÊÊÊ44

Freq

uenc

y

LC Connector

Optical PerformanceSinglemode

SM Reflectance (dB)

0102030

Reflectance (dB)

SM Return LossAvg. = 53 dBStd. Dev. = 1.9 dBN = 100Specification : ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A Min. >= 26 dB

GOOD

SM Insertion Loss (dB)

01020304050

00 0 20 30 40

Loss (dB)

Fre

quen

cy

SM LossAvg. = 0.09 dBStd. Dev. = 0.05 dBN = 100Specification : ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A Max. <= 0.75 dB Avg. <= 0.5 dB

GOOD

SM Return Loss (dB)

Return Loss (dB)

SM Insertion Loss (dB)Fr

eque

ncy

Freq

uenc

y

0.00ÊÊ ÊÊ0.10ÊÊ ÊÊ0.20ÊÊÊ Ê0.30ÊÊÊ Ê0.40ÊÊ ÊÊ0.50

45ÊÊÊ Ê47Ê ÊÊÊ49ÊÊÊÊ 51ÊÊÊ Ê53ÊÊ ÊÊ55Ê ÊÊÊ57ÊÊÊ Ê59

LC Connector

Environmental PerformanceMultimode

----0000....1111

0000

0000....1111

0000....2222

0000....3333

0000....4444

0000....5555

0000....6666

0000....7777

0000....8888

0000 55550000 111100000000 111155550000 222200000000 222255550000 333300000000 333355550000

TTTTIIIIMMMMEEEE ((((hhhhrrrr....

OOOOSSSS

SSSS (

((( ddddBBBB

)))) TTTTEEEESSSSTTTT DDDDUUUURRRRAAAATTTTIIIIOOOONNNN:::: AAAApppppppprrrrooooxxxxiiiimmmmaaaatttteeeellllyyyy 11114444 ddddaaaayyyyssss ----44440000ooooCCCC ttttoooo 88885555ooooCCCC

22223333ooooCCCC

88885555ooooCCCC

----44440000ooooCCCC1111 hhhhrrrr.... 1111 hhhhrrrr.... 1111 hhhhrrrr....

Representative Results

Requirement: < 0.3 dB change

–40°C to 85°C

MM

CH

AN

GE

IN L

OS

S (

dB)

LC Connector

Mechanical PerformanceMating Durability

Multimode 62.5 Micron Fiber

0

0.25

0.5

0.75

1

0 100 200 300 400 500Matings

, 130

0 nm

Spec. = 0.75 dB max.

Representative Results

Requirement: < 0.2 dB change

Los

s (d

B),

130

0 nm

LC Connector

Mechanical PerformanceTensile Load - Singlemode

LC Connectors SM Transmission with Applied Tensile Load

90o Side Load

Requirement: < 0.5 dB Change

-0.5

-0.4

-0.3

-0.2

-0.1

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Load lb. [N]

ge

dB

SM 1310 nm

SM 1550 nm

[ 5] [ 10] [ 15] [20] [ 25]

Representative Results

Opt

ical

Los

s C

hang

e dB

LC Connector

Performance SpecificationMultimode

◆ Insertion LossÐ 0.10 dB average, 0.10 dB standard deviation

◆ Return LossÐ 33 dB average

◆ Temperature CyclingÐ -40 to +85 C; loss change < 0.30 dB

◆ Mating DurabilityÐ 500 matings; loss change < 0.2 dB

◆ Tensile Loading Ð 0 deg, 10 lbs < 0.2 dB

Ð 90 deg, 5 lbs < 0.2 dB

LC Connector

Performance SpecificationSinglemode

◆ Insertion LossÐ 0.10 dB average, 0.07 dB standard deviation

◆ Return LossÐ 50 dB minimum

◆ Temperature CyclingÐ -40 to +85 C; loss change < 0.30 dB

◆ Mating DurabilityÐ 500 matings; loss change < 0.2 dB

◆ Tensile Loading Ð 0 deg, 10 lbs < 0.2 dB

Ð 90 deg, 5 lbs < 0.2 dB

LC Connector

LC ConnectorSummary

◆ Lower system cost

◆ RJ-45 housing Ð The most user friendly

Ð 1/2 size of duplex MM SC

◆ Proven, reliable technology

◆ Compatible with embedded fiber base

◆ Will broadly license

◆ Actively working standards

LC Connector

LC ConnectorConclusion

◆ Bell Labs invented the ST connectorÐ Standard for 10BASE-F

Ð Grandfathered in TIA 568-A and ISO 11801

Ð Most popular optical connector in the world

◆ Bell Labs also invented the modular plugÐ Most prevalent copper connector worldwide

◆ The LC combines the best of bothÐ Proven technology of the ST

Ð Miniaturized and embodied in a modular plug

◆ Examine all facts from a total system perspectiveÐ The LC is the best choice