Differences between MPO and MTP connectors

Differences between MPO and MTP connectors

Neofibo, John Yang, 30-Apr-2019

MTP® or MPO, what’s in a name?
The term MPO stands for Multi-fiber Push On and is a specific interface type. MPO (Multi-fiber Push On) is one of the MT series connectors. The MPO interface was developed to enable multi-fiber connectivity for higher density, higher bandwidth based applications requiring parallel or channel based optics. 12 and 24 fiber versions are currently used to direct connect into 40G and 100G transceivers and also used in high density fiber distribution areas. Higher fiber versions are also available (48, 72 fiber) but their use and deployment is currently limited.

MTP®

The MTP® connector is specifically a brand of MPO interface connector that is owned by the leading US based optical R&D Company US Conec. Like MPO it is based on the MT (mechanical transfer) ferrule technology which was developed by Nippon Telephone and Telegraph (NTT) during the 1980s.

MPO has two different definition standards: the international standard is “IEC-61754-7”, and the American standard is “TIA-604-5 ( FOCIS5) “, MPO connector meet the “IEC-61754-7” standards, MTP connector meet the “IEC-61754-7” standards and “TIA-604-5 (FOCIS5)” standards.

The MPO connector and MTP connector can be interoperable in the optical link, but MTP connector more expensive than MPO connector.

What are the obvious differences between MPO and MTP?