MPO Trunks and Fanouts

MPO (Multi-fibre Push-On) is the general industry standard for multi-fibre connectivity. MTP® is a specific brand of MPO connector manufactured by US Conec that is optimised for high-performance applications. Both are fully compatible; however, the real difference lies in the build quality. At ScaleFibre, we prioritise network reliability by using only premium-grade MPO components from industry leaders, including US Conec and Senko. By utilising high-precision ferrules and superior housing materials, our assemblies ensure stable, low-loss connections for critical 400G and 800G data centre links.

An MPO trunk cable features MPO connectors at both ends and acts as the ‘backbone’ for high-density permanent links between patch panels. In contrast, an MPO fanout assembly (or breakout cable) transitions from a single MPO connector to multiple individual connectors (like LC or SC). This allows a high-speed parallel optic port (e.g., 40G/100G) to connect directly to multiple lower-speed duplex ports, maximising switch port utilisation.

High-performance AI clusters require specialised connectivity. We offer MPO 1:2 Splitter Cables specifically designed for NDR InfiniBand and Spectrum Ethernet. These cables feature the bespoke polarity and ultra-low-loss performance (APC) required to support 200G/400G and 800G twin-port OSFP transceivers, ensuring seamless integration with NVIDIA Quantum-2 switch architectures.

High fibre count MPO trunks are engineered to reduce cable bulk and improve airflow in congested data centre pathways. By consolidating up to 576 fibres into a single micro-core jacket, you significantly reduce tray occupancy compared to multiple smaller cables. This ‘single-pull’ installation method lowers labour costs and simplifies management in hyperscale spine-leaf architectures.

Polarity defines the mapping of transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) signals. ScaleFibre assemblies are available in Method B (Reversed), the industry standard for 40G/100G parallel optics, as it naturally aligns Tx to Rx. We also provide Method A (Straight-through) and Method C (Pair-flipped) to match legacy infrastructure or specific modular cassette requirements. Using the incorrect polarity will result in a complete link failure.

MPO connections always require one Male (with pins) and one Female (without pins) connector to ensure precise alignment. Typically, MPO trunk cables are Female-to-Female to protect the pins during installation, while the transceivers and patch panel cassettes feature Male ports. However, our Small Fibre Count Trunks can be customised with pinned connectors for direct switch-to-switch links.

Our NVIDIA-compatible MPO patch cables utilise an APC (Angled Physical Contact) 8-degree polish. This reflects back-reflection light into the cladding, achieving a much higher return loss (>60dB). This is essential for high-speed single-mode systems and PAM4 modulation used in 400G/800G networks, where signal-to-noise ratios are extremely tight.