Sumitomo Electric, US Conec, partner for VSFF MMC connectors

Technologies and Products

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. and US Conec, Ltd. Have signed a license agreement to jointly manufacture MMC connector and TMT ferrule components for next-generation, high-density, multi-fibre cabling solutions. US Conecʼs MMC connector combines a reduced footprint multi-fibre ferrule with a very small form factor (VSFF) connector footprint, which is 1/3 the size of the MPO format. The MMC connectors are aimed at active hyper-scale data centre cabling programs and, says Sumitomo, ensure a robust supply chain for emerging and future optical link architectures. Initial deployments include 24F single-mode, low-loss MMC connectors.

Sumitomo says the next-generation link architectures employing 400G and beyond demand higher-density fibre-optic cabling solutions that cannot be met with existing MPO technology. The VSFF MMC connector format solves these density challenges and facilitates data centre design and deployment with low-loss optical performance, use of MT-ferrule alignment structure for backward compatibility, simplified polarity and gender management, and the support of future fibre-optic cabling technologies.

“US Conec is a leader in the development of next generation VSFF multi-fibre connectivity, and we are pleased to partner with them to deliver connectivity solutions using their MMC connector, which is indispensable for building next-generation data centres. We will leverage our precision moulding technology to produce and sell solutions utilising MMC connectivity to help customers overcome their challenges for saving space and reducing installation time, thereby contributing to the realisation of an advanced information society,” said Yoshiyuki Suetsugu, deputy general manager, Info-communications Business Unit of Sumitomo Electric.

“We are excited to partner with Sumitomo Electric on next-generation high density connectivity solutions with the MMC connector platform. Their long history as a premier MT ferrule maker makes Sumitomo Electric an excellent second source partner for TMT ferrules and MMC connector components. Combining Sumitomo Electric’s proven high-performance component background with state-of-the-art cable technology will help to ensure a robust supply chain for emerging fibre optic networks built with ground-breaking MMC-based cabling solutions,” said Joe Graham, president of US Conec.

For more information, visit https://sumitomoelectric.com