Skip to main content
Expanded Beam Connector

Fiber Optic Connectors and Adapters

VersaBeam Expanded Beam Connectors and Cables

VersaBeam EBO Expanded Beam Fiber Connectors and Cables use lensed technology to deliver high-performance, low-maintenance, reliable and scalable fiber connectivity for tomorrow’s data centers. Innovative expanded beam connector options integrate 12, 16 or 144 fibers into a single connector, helping simplify cable routing, speed data center deployments and lower total cost of ownership.

Find Parts Contact Us
Connector Type Connector Insertion Loss Connector Return Loss Operating Temperature
12F/16F Push-Pull, 144F High-Density <0.7 dB (single-mode), <0.3 dB (multi-mode) >55 dB (single-mode), >25 dB (multi-mode) -10 to +60°C

EXPANDED BEAM CONNECTORS

Find Parts
Expanded Beam Connector

EXPANDED BEAM CABLE ASSEMBLIES

Find Parts

Features and Benefits

To address the need for AI-driven capacity increases, data centers must upgrade bandwidth capabilities while minimizing infrastructure changes. To enable long-term efficiencies, data centers need interconnect solutions that are scalable, economical, easy to deploy and require minimal maintenance.

Versatile optical connection solutions that are scalable and modular can provide efficient, future-proofed capabilities for high-performance data centers. By using optical connectors that are easy to install and designed to minimize inspection requirements, data centers can limit system downtime, improve reliability and cut costs by reducing the demand for highly skilled maintenance staff. Utilizing high-density solutions also minimizes space requirements, reducing costs and making upgrades more efficient.

High-capacity VersaBeam EBO Fiber Interconnect Solutions fit more fibers into a smaller form factor, maximizing rack density and reducing space requirements. These connectors reduce maintenance requirements by leveraging easily installed connectors and expanded beam technology that requires less inspection. Scalable and modular, VersaBeam EBO Expanded Beam Connectors support future upgrades by using high-density connections to improve reliability and reduce the total cost of ownership.

Improves Performance for High-Speed Applications

The innovative EBO design utilizes a total internal reflection (TIR) collimation lens to expand the optical path, reducing lateral offset effects and enhancing insertion loss (IL) and return loss (RL) performance.

Expanded Beam Connector

Enhances Reliability and Simplifies Maintenance

The expanded beam of the EBO system, together with a connector design that minimizes dust and the potential for physical damage to the interface, reduces sensitivity to contamination and simplifies cleaning and inspection requirements.

Expanded Beam Connector

Provides Versatility and Scalability up to 144 Fibers

The EBO system offers single-mode and multi-mode options, including 12- and 16-fiber connectors that are compatible with some SC-footprint MPO adapters, streamlining upgrades. High-density EBO connectors with as many as 144 fibers per connector simplify system design and help ease cable routing challenges in space-constrained environments.

Expanded Beam Connector

VersaBeam EBO Expanded Beam Connectors

Simplifies cleaning and inspection
Using EBO technology improves reliability and minimizes sensitivity to dust, reducing the need for cleaning by specially trained staff.

Speeds deployment and turn-up
The plug-and-play connector makes assembly and maintenance easier, reducing downtime and lowering the total cost of ownership.

Reduces mating/unmating forces to ease assembly operations
The ferrules are mated using fiber suspension, enabling low mating and unmating forces even for high fiber counts.

Delivers exceptional signal integrity for high-performance applications
Low connector insertion loss and high return loss figures improve system operation.

Enables flexible, scalable designs
Single-mode and multi-mode fiber options available with a selection of compact, high-density form factors support scalable and upgradable architectures.

12- and 16-Fiber Push-Pull Connector

Speeds installation​
The proven push-pull boot technology eases assembly and maintenance on high-density panels.

Streamlines upgrades
The footprint is compatible with select SC-footprint MPO adapters, making patch panel upgrades easier and more cost-effective.

Supports reliable mating
The familiar MPO-style connector latching mechanism helps ensure proper mating and reduces assembly errors.

144-Fiber High-Density Connector

Simplifies design and maintenance by reducing the number of connectors
The high-density design consolidates more fibers into fewer connectors, requiring nine times fewer connectors than MPO-16 interconnects.

Enables use in space-constrained applications
The receptacle is designed to minimize protrusion from the front panel.

Eases maintenance operations
The ergonomic design features a pull sleeve to quickly and easily remove the plug from the receptacle.

Datasheets and Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How do VersaBeam EBO Expanded Beam Connectors minimize downtime?
VersaBeam EBO Expanded Beam Connectors are less sensitive to dust and contamination than standard direct-contact optical connectors, which means they are more reliable. They also require less frequent inspection and cleaning. 

What is the advantage of VersaBeam EBO Expanded Beam Connectors over alternative fiber optic connectors?
VersaBeam EBO Expanded Beam Connectors offer more repeatable and stable insertion and return losses due to the debris-insensitive total internal reflection (TIR) lens. This allows for a plug-and-play type connector which requires less cleaning and inspection when compared to other multi-fiber connectors on the market.

What is the relative cost difference of VersaBeam EBO Expanded Beam Connectors in comparison to MPO connectors?
Due to the VersaBeam EBO Expanded Beam Connector’s innovative design, termination times and component counts are reduced, resulting in minimal initial cost differences between the two connector systems. Additionally, the operational expense reductions and turn-up-time savings result in significant total cost of ownership improvements. 

What are expanded beam fiber connectors?
VersaBeam EBO Expanded Beam Connectors use a TIR collimation lens to expand the optical path. This reduces lateral offset effects, enhances IL and RL performance, minimizes contamination, reduces the need for cleaning and inspection, speeds deployment and installation operations, and helps minimize system downtime.