AI-Ready Connectors for Facilities of Any Size

Connector selection can help operators improve their network performance and speed-to-revenue.

In his Data Center World 2025 Keynote, Nvidia’s Wade Vinson said, “Today, the world economy – across computing, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing – AI is touching every single sector,” adding, “If we get even a 10% boost in productivity from AI over the next 15 years, that’s a $100 trillion value creation. That’s more than the electrification of the planet.”

To realize this value, the global data center market is projected to more than double from $269.79 billion in 2025 to $584.86 billion by 2032.

This investment translates at the optical infrastructure level to exponential growth in cabling – whether at the scale of an AI factory; ultra-high-density (UHD) hyperscale data center; or small- to-mid-sized enterprise. Industry estimates range from 2x to 10x increases in the cabling needed to connect AI clusters as compared to traditional data center connectivity.

With an understanding of AI-ready connectors, operators can select the “right” connector to reap benefits that go beyond simply connecting termination point A to termination point B. Connector selection can help operators improve their network performance and speed-to-revenue.

Key to these benefits is familiarization with each connector’s differences and strengths for any project’s given variables, such as: application, fiber specs, link loss, budget, and ease-of-use or time-to-install requirements. Within UHD environments and AI clusters, operators often place a higher emphasis on network performance and installation speed.

Data center connector options include tried-and-true LC, LC duplex, and MPO/MTP® connectors that have long proven their worth in low-loss, high-density environments. More recent innovations include the very-small-form-factor (VSFF) MMC and MDC connectors from US Conec as well as 3M™ Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) interconnect technology.

A snapshot of the current state of the industry’s most popular AI-ready connectors follows:

LC Duplex Connectors

Long the go-to connectivity for enterprise networks and data centers, LC duplex connectors are an established high-performance, compact choice with a decades-strong track record for reliability.

The single-fiber LC connector’s small-form-factor design resembles the shape of the once-popular SC connector but is significantly smaller and features an easy snap-latch mechanism for fast connections and disconnections. The duplex design combines two LC connectors into one unit to save installation time and achieve double the capacity or density of its larger predecessors.

LC Duplex Connectors Attached to Cable Assembly

MPO and MTP® Connectors

MPO (multi-fiber push-on) connectors were a leap forward from single-fiber terminations, offering high-density connectivity of multiple fibers in a single connector body. US Conec’s enhanced MTP® branded version of MPO connectors were introduced in 1996 for 4-, 8-, and 12-fiber terminations in data centers, central offices, and indoor LAN applications.

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave developed the ultra-low-loss (ULL) MPO connector for the high-performance termination of 8-, 12-, 16-, or 24-fibers. ULL MPO assemblies are a popular choice for data centers, hyperscale computing, and enterprise networks because they have the same optical performance as single-fiber low-loss LC connectors but with faster installations and reduced cable congestion for improved airflow between racks.

MPO and MTP® 12 Fiber Male (left) and Female (right) Connector Examples

MMC Connectors

Combining US Conec’s reduced footprint multi-fiber ferrule and a very small form factor (VSFF) connector footprint, the MMC connector builds on the strengths of proven MPO technology with a significant leap forward in density. MMCs increase MPO density by 3x, enabling up to 5184-fiber interconnects within a 1U space using an ultra-high-density panel or an ultra-high-fiber-count pre-connectorized cable.

MMC (micro multi-channel) push-pull connectivity is compatible with MPO systems for seamless integration into existing facilities for AI-readiness. With their low insertion loss, 16- and 24-fiber MMCs are ideal for hyperscale environments requiring easy termination of high-bandwidth, high-fiber-count cabling.

MMC® 24 Fiber Male Connector

MDC Connectors

Another very small form factor innovation from US Conec, the 2-fiber MDC connector leverages the proven 1.25mm ferrule technology used in industry-standard LC connectors. Three-port MDC (mini duplex connector) adapters fit directly into standard panel openings for duplex LC adapters, increasing fiber density by 3x in the same footprint. This density increase equates to 432 fibers within a 1U space with MDC connectors vs. 144 fibers using duplex LCs.

MDC connectors support port breakout architectures for emerging transceiver multisource agreements. With their compact size, push-pull connectivity, and easy field-polarity changes, MDCs are well-suited for data center operators seeking high density and installation ease.

MDC® 24 Fiber Male Connector (Image Source: US Conec MDC connector)

EBO Connectors

3M™ Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) Interconnect technology is a high-performance solution to meet the scalability needs of next-generation data centers and advanced network architectures. EBO technology features a non-physical contact optical coupling that expands the beam between 12- or 16-fiber connectors, reducing the connection point’s sensitivity to contamination and the need for frequent cleaning.

EBO technology from 3M enables data center operators to provision their equipment more quickly and lower their ongoing maintenance costs. An early test at one U.S.-based hyperscale suggests that EBO connectivity can be deployed in three days as compared to the traditional six-month installation. EBO is optimal for hyperscale data centers and edge computing environments where rapid scale and speed-to-revenue are primary considerations.

Image Source: 3M™ Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) Interconnect

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave partners with industry leaders like 3M and US Conec to develop integrated end-to-end connectivity for your data center at any scale. Connect with our network professionals to design an AI-ready solution that uniquely fits your needs.

About the author: Kotaro Namba serves as the Director of Product Management for DC Connectivity at Sumitomo Electric Lightwave. With over five years of experience at the company, he is actively involved in product management and cultivating strong relationships with both customers and industry partners.