Small Form Factor Multi-Fiber Connector

Abstract

A fiber optic connector has a housing and a ferrule contained within the housing. The ferrule has a base portion, an endface portion protruding from the base, and at least one alignment tower extending from the base portion parallel to the endface portion. In one embodiment, the ferrule can have one alignment tower on each side of the endface portion. In one embodiment. The alignment towers extend the same distance from the base portion as the endface portion. In another embodiment, the alignment towers may be connected to the endface portion via webbing.

1 . A fiber optic connector system comprising:
 an adapter;   a first fiber optic connector with a first ferrule; and   a second fiber optic connector with a second ferrule wherein each of the first ferrule and the second ferrule has a base portion, an endface portion protruding from the base portion, and an alignment tower on one side of the endface portion that stands proud of the endface portion such that when the connectors are mated through the adapter the alignment towers will be on opposite sides of the endface portions of the ferrules.   
     
     
         2 . The fiber optic connector system of  claim 1  wherein the alignment towers are inserted through split sleeves in the adapter when mating the connectors.