Sumitomo Electric, Senko unveil AirMT noncontact multi-fiber optical connector technology
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. and Senko Advanced Components have partnered to introduce AirMT multi-fiber optical connectors. The fiber-optic connectors are based on a Sumitomo-developed noncontact multi-fiber optical ferrule technology that the company has licensed to Senko; the AirMT name is a jointly registered trademark of the two companies.
The AirMT offers an alternative to physical contact multi-fiber optical connectivity as found in such formats as MPO connectors. The MPO connector, say the partners, requires high spring force to achieve physical contact for MT-to-MT ferrules and suffers from high sensitivity to dust contamination. The contamination problem is exacerbated by the difficulty in ensuring a pristine condition for the fiber endface, the companies add.
The AirMT offers an insertion loss of <0.5 dB and return loss of <55 dB (guaranteed in the FlexAirConnecT housing, one of two initial formats alongside MPO housing; see photo above), which Sumitomo and Senko say are comparable to the regular physical contact MPO connectors. The company sees the AirMT fiber connectors finding use for in-equipment fiber management and backplane as well as harsh environments with high levels of vibration.
For related articles, visit the Optical Technologies Topic Center.
For more information on optical connectors and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.
To stay abreast of optical communications technology, subscribe to Lightwave’s Enabling Technologies Newsletter.
Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.