MTP CONVERSION MODULES

The Fibernet STAR MTP® Conversion modules are high-density, pre-terminated cassettes that bridge Base-12 backbone cabling to Base-8 equipment ports: 12-fiber MTP® adapters in the rear mate to existing backbone trunks, and 8-fiber MTP® adapters in the front connect directly to 40G/100G transceiver ports. Available in 2×3 (two 12-fiber rear to three 8-fiber front) and double-density 4×6 (four 12-fiber rear to six 8-fiber front) configurations, in the standard STAR module form factor.

Here is the problem they solve: 40G-SR4 and 100G-SR4 optics use 8 fibers per link, while traditional trunks carry 12 – so patching Base-12 trunks straight to Base-8 ports leaves 4 of every 12 fibers dark. That is 33% of the backbone investment doing nothing. The STAR Conversion modules regroup the fibers so that every trunk fiber reaches a port: two 12-fiber trunks (24 fibers) become exactly three 8-fiber links – 100% fiber utilization, a 33% saving in cabling volume, and a 40G/100G migration that reuses the trunks you already own instead of pulling new cable.

Choose Configuration

2×3

Part NumberFSTAR-C-[Fiber]MTUL23

Two 12-fiber MTP® rear connections convert to three 8-fiber MTP® front connections for Base-12 to Base-8 migration with 100% utilization of 24 fibers.

12-fiber MTP® connections (rear)
2
8-fiber MTP® connections (front)
3
Fibers Utilized
24 of 24 (100%)
Module Insertion Loss (max.)
0.5dB
Max. Insertion Loss / Connection
0.3dB
Fiber Support
OM3 / OM4 / OM5 Bend-Insensitive
Operating Temperature
-10 to +60°C
Dimensions (D × W × H)
180 × 98 × 12mm
  • 100% trunk fiber utilization – conversion regrouping puts all 12 fibers of every trunk to work, recovering the 33% that Base-12-to-Base-8 patching leaves dark
  • Migrate without re-cabling – existing Base-12 MTP® trunk cables connect at the rear; 40G/100G ports connect at the front – no new backbone pulls
  • Two densities – 2×3 configuration (24 fibers to 3 ports) or double-density 4×6 (48 fibers to 6 ports) in the same compact module
  • Fits all STAR ODF series – standard STAR form factor slides into any tray of the 1U, 1U-FX, 2U and 4U, alongside other STAR modules
  • Low-loss optical path – 0.5 dB maximum module insertion loss, 0.3 dB maximum per connection, with ferrule geometry and IL & RL testing on every module
  • Bend-insensitive fibers – OM3, OM4 and OM5 multimode allow tight routing in constrained space without risk of fiber damage
  • Instant fiber identification – individual MTP® port numbering, color-coded adapters (aqua for OM3/OM4, lemon green for OM5) and dust caps
  • Protected by design – MTP® adapters with internal shutters block dust and debris and eliminate eye exposure to lasers
  • Serviceable in live racks – sliding pull-out trays give front, side and rear access for quick loading and removal with minimum downtime
  • Verified performance – ETL lab verified up to 100G Ethernet per IEEE 802.3ab-2010

The MTP® conversion module shall be a pre-terminated Base-12 to Base-8 conversion cassette in a modular enclosure format. The module shall meet the following requirements:

  • Shall be mechanically compatible with all Fibernet STAR ODF series enclosures
  • Shall provide 12-fiber MTP® adapters in the rear for mating to backbone trunks and 8-fiber MTP® adapters in the front for connectivity to 40G/100G ports
  • Shall be available in a 2×3 configuration (two 12-fiber rear adapters, three 8-fiber front adapters) and a 4×6 double-density configuration (four 12-fiber rear adapters, six 8-fiber front adapters)
  • Shall fully utilize all 12 fibers of each backbone trunk
  • Shall provide a maximum module insertion loss of 0.5 dB and a maximum insertion loss per connection of 0.3 dB
  • Shall undergo ferrule geometry testing and insertion loss and return loss (IL & RL) testing
  • Shall use bend-insensitive fibers: OM3, OM4 and OM5 per IEC 60793-2-10:2019
  • Shall provide color-coded adapters: aqua for OM3/OM4, lemon green for OM5
  • Shall provide individual MTP® port numbering and dust caps
  • Shall provide MTP® adapters with internal shutters protecting from dust and debris and eliminating eye exposure to lasers
  • Shall operate at -10°C to +60°C
  • Shall have dimensions of 180 x 98 x 12 mm (D x W x H)
  • Shall be ETL lab verified per IEEE 802.3ab-2010 up to 100G Ethernet
  • Shall comply with IEEE 802.3ae, IEEE 802.3ba, IEC 11801, TIA-604-5 (MPO FOCIS 5), TIA-568-C.3, TIA-942-A, GR-449-CORE, ITU-T G.651, UL94 V-0, EIA-310 and RoHS
Parameter 2×3 4×6
12-fiber MTP® connections (rear) 2 4
8-fiber MTP® connections (front) 3 6
Fibers utilized 24 of 24 (100%) 48 of 48 (100%)
Adapter color Aqua for OM3/OM4; lemon green for OM5
Module insertion loss (max.) 0.5 dB
Max. insertion loss per connection 0.3 dB
Fiber support Bend-insensitive OM3 / OM4 / OM5 (IEC 60793-2-10:2019)
Operating temperature -10°C to +60°C
Dimensions (D x W x H) 180 x 98 x 12 mm
Packed weight 0.22 kg (0.5 lbs.)
Compliance IEEE 802.3ab-2010 (ETL verified up to 100G) / 802.3ae / 802.3ba, IEC 11801, TIA-604-5, TIA-568-C.3, TIA-942-A, GR-449-CORE, UL94 V-0, EIA-310, RoHS

Build your part number: FSTAR-C-[Fiber]MTUL[Type]

Position Options
Fiber type O = OM3 BI  |  G = OM4 BI  |  W = OM5 BI
Configuration 23 = 2 x 12F MTP® to 3 x 8F MTP®  |  46 = 4 x 12F MTP® to 6 x 8F MTP®

Examples: FSTAR-C-GMTUL23 = OM4, 2x12F to 3x8F conversion module; FSTAR-C-GMTUL46 = OM4, 4x12F to 6x8F double-density conversion module.

Frequently Asked Questions