Technical Information on Connector Performance
Singlemode UPC connector
UPC stands for hyperphysical contact. It is an improvement on PC fiber optic connector, which has a better surface finish after a long polishing, and a better return loss than PC structure, close to -50dB or higher. Although it has a relatively low back reflection compared to PC connector, it is not robust enough. Note that repeated connections and disconnections can lead to reduced surface quality and eventual performance.
For applications where there is no particular attention to return loss, SingleMode UPC connector comes into play. SingleMode UPC connectors are popular in Ethernet networking equipment (such as ODF fiber distribution frames, media converters and data centers, etc.), digital, cable, and telecom systems.
Singlemode APC connector
In pursuit of low back reflection, APC fiber optic connectors were developed. APC is an angular physical connection with a core end radius polished at an 8° angle to minimize back reflection. Due to the addition of a slanted end face, the reflected light will leak into the cladding rather than remain in the fiber core. It should be noted that APC connectors can only be used with connectors that are polished at other angles, not with connectors that are not polished at other angles, or it can cause high insertion losses. APC connectors have an optical return loss of -60dB or higher, which is superior to other types of connectors.
SingleMode APC connector is widely used in applications which are more sensitive to return loss, for example, in the higher wavelength range, such as APC connectors for RF video signals are preferred, especially for FTTx applications as well as passive optical networks and other applications using high bandwidth WDM systems, SingleMode APC connectors are preferred.
Multimode PC connector
PC optical fiber connector is a connector that is polished by physical contact. It is the most common type of polish on OM1 to OM5 multimode fibers. PC fiber optic connector was developed to remove the air gap between the two surfaces to overcome the tiny defects in the original flat fiber optic connector. In PC fiber optic connector design, there is a slightly cylindrical conical head designed to eliminate air gaps, so typical return losses in single-mode applications are about -40dB, higher than the original flat polished style (-14dB or about 4%).
For applications where there is no particular attention to return loss, multi-mode PC connector comes into play. Multimode PC connectors are commonly found in telecom carrier equipment.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
