Four Fibers. One Cable. Zero Compromise.
MCF FIFO Multi-Core Fiber Solution — Break the density bottleneck in AI training clusters with 4-core (or 7-core) fiber backbones.
One cable carries four times the traffic, reducing physical cable volume by 75% while breaking out to standard LC/SC connectors for your current 400G/800G hardware. Factory-precision rotational alignment means plug-and-play deployment without field splicing complexity.
Development Stage
4-Core/7-Core
≤1° Factory Alignment
≤0.7dB IL
LC/SC Breakout
75% Less Cable Volume
AI training clusters demand massive fiber counts between GPU racks—often thousands of fibers in confined cable trays and underfloor pathways. Multi-Core Fiber packs 4 independent optical paths (or 7) into a single cladding, reducing cable diameter and congestion by 75% versus traditional single-fiber cables. Same bandwidth, one-fourth the physical space. Ideal for retrofitting dense AI backbones where conduit fill is already maxed out.
≤1° Rotational Alignment, Pre-Locked
MCF deployment fails if rotational alignment between cores isn’t perfect. We’ve solved the hard part in the factory—each FIFO device is precision-aligned to ≤1° rotational tolerance and permanently locked. Field technicians don’t need specialized MCF splicing equipment or rotational microscopes. The FIFO arrives as a sealed 55mm PLC-style device: MCF cable enters one side, four standard LC/SC connectors exit the other. Zero-touch deployment for complex multi-core technology.
MCF Backbone, Single-Core Hardware
You don’t need to wait for MCF-native transceivers. Deploy MCF as your backbone infrastructure today, using our FIFO assemblies to break out into standard LC/SC connectors that plug directly into existing 400GBASE-DR4/FR4 transceivers and switches. When MCF-native hardware arrives, simply remove the FIFO—your cable plant is already future-proofed. No forklift upgrades, no stranded assets, just a migration path that starts saving space immediately.
≤50dB Crosstalk for QKD Applications
Beyond density, the ultra-low inter-core crosstalk (≤50dB) enables quantum key distribution (QKD) networks where separate cores carry data and quantum encryption keys without interference. While optimized for AI training density, the same precision makes MCF FIFO suitable for government and financial networks requiring physical-layer security. One infrastructure, dual-purpose capability.
Technical Specifications
MCF FIFO is currently in development stage with pilot samples available for evaluation. Specifications represent pre-production targets. Contact our engineering team for current sample availability and roadmap timing.
Standards Compliance:
Draft IEC PAS 63503-3-30 (MCF connectivity standards)
Rotational alignment per emerging industry benchmarks
PLC footprint compatible with standard optical distribution frames
Future Roadmap:
Direct MCF connector assemblies (pre-terminated cables)
Micro-optic solutions (MT/TMT/FA interfaces)
Parallel optic breakouts (SN, CS, MDC) for next-gen 800G/1.6T
Optical Performance (Development Targets):
Parameter
4-Core Configuration
7-Core Configuration
Insertion Loss (IL)
≤0.7 dB
≤1.0 dB
Return Loss (RL)
≤-50 dB
≤-50 dB
Channel Crosstalk
≤-50 dB
≤-50 dB
Rotational Alignment
≤1° (factory-set)
≤1° (factory-set)
Physical & Environmental:
Parameter
Specification
FIFO Device Dimensions
55mm x 7.3mm x 4.1mm (PLC-style footprint)
Enclosure Type
Metal enclosure, steel tube option
Fiber Count
4-core or 7-core (customized available)
Operating Temperature
-40°C to +70°C
Breakout Connectors
LC, SC (brand agnostic)
MCF Cable Length
Customized to project requirements
Deployment Configurations
Density for GPU Scale-Out
Training large language models requires thousands of GPUs interconnected via high-bandwidth fiber. Traditional single-fiber cables congest cable trays and create airflow blockages. MCF FIFO delivers 4x the fiber count in the same physical pathway—run 400G/800G links between GPU racks without adding cable management chaos. The factory-aligned FIFO breaks out to standard LC connectors at each end, integrating seamlessly with existing InfiniBand or Ethernet switches while you prepare for next-gen MCF-native hardware.
Maximize Conduit Fill
Campus and metro DCI links often face physical constraints—underground ducts, aerial pathways, and leased fiber with limited capacity. MCF quadruples the capacity per fiber strand without digging new trenches or leasing additional dark fiber. The compact 55mm FIFO device fits standard splice trays and ODFs, making it compatible with existing termination infrastructure. Deploy MCF between buildings now; upgrade to native MCF transceivers later without touching the cable plant.
Bridge Today, Native Tomorrow
MCF represents the physical layer for future 800G and 1.6T parallel optics—but the cables can be deployed today. Our FIFO solution lets you install MCF backbones during current build-outs, use them with existing LC/SC-based 400G hardware, and simply remove the FIFO devices when MCF-native transceivers become available. No stranded assets, no rip-and-replace. The 75% space savings start immediately; the protocol upgrades come when you’re ready.
top Splicing at the Endpoint
Ready to deploy fiber faster through micro-ducts? Request a SlimRun Jet evaluation kit with SC and LC variants, 1.2mm jetting cable samples, and blowing compatibility guidelines. Our application engineers will validate duct specifications for your specific FTTH infrastructure.