Advantages of CS Connector over LC Duplex Connector with QSFP-DD or OSFP Optical Transceivers

As data centers continue to grow and demand higher bandwidth, the choice of optical connectors plays a critical role in optimizing space, performance, and scalability. The QSFP-DD (Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable Double Density) and OSFP (Octal Small Form-Factor Pluggable) optical transceivers are designed to support high-speed data rates up to 400G and beyond. When paired with these transceivers, the CS connector offers several distinct advantages over the traditional LC duplex connector, making it the preferred choice for next-generation network infrastructure.

 

Higher Port Density

The CS connector is designed to be more compact than the LC duplex connector, allowing for significantly higher port density. A CS connector occupies almost half the space of an LC duplex connector, enabling network operators to maximize the number of connections per rack unit.

LC duplex connectors are used in standard QSFP transceiver modules, especially for WDM base duplex modules. However, in QSFP-DD modules, they limit bandwidth and increase cost and cooling needs due to a single WDM engine design using 1:4 or 1:8 Mux/DeMux. A smaller connector like CS® is needed to double connectivity while keeping the same footprint. CS® connectors fit two per QSFP-DD module, enabling dual WDM engines and achieving up to 2x200GbE transmission. They also work with OSFP and COBO modules.

Ease of Operation in High Density Faceplate

CS connectors are designed with a push-pull tab mechanism that simplifies insertion and removal, even in high-density configurations. The smaller size and streamlined design of CS connectors facilitate better cable management, reducing clutter and improving airflow within the data center.

To further enhance usability in high-density environments, the CS connector is available in four push-pull tab length variants. These variants allow for easier operation by providing different tab lengths to allow cascading tab lengths across the front of the faceplate in multi-row configurations where connectors in the middle rows can be harder to reach, allowing more efficient connector access. This feature not only simplifies the process of insertion and removal but also helps in identifying specific connections quickly, reducing the likelihood of errors during installation or maintenance.

Advantages over Belly-to-Belly Transceivers Using LC Duplex Connectors

When using transceivers requiring belly-to-belly configuration with LC duplex connectors, specially designed low profile LC duplex connectors, such as SENKO’s EZ-Way, are needed. Using standard LC duplex connectors in a belly-to-belly transceiver configuration will risk impacting adjacent connectors during installation or removal.

Inexperienced or inattentive operators may still physically plug a standard LC duplex connector into the transceiver, but the locking latch will remain depressed. This will also be the case for the adjacent connector, thus leaving unsecured connections that may still work but this can lead to disconnections, degraded signal performance, or even physical damage to the connectors or transceivers.

In contrast, the CS connector mitigates this risk as only CS connectors can be plugged into the transceiver thus fully eliminating the concern of disturbing adjacent connections, ensuring reliable performance and reducing potential maintenance issues in high-density environments. The EZ-Way series is also available with a CS connector variant which features a user-friendly push-pull boot to be compatible with transceivers with pull tabs.

Conclusione

The CS connector offers numerous advantages over the LC duplex connector when used with QSFP-DD and OSFP optical transceivers. Its compact size, superior performance, and ease of use make it an ideal choice for modern data centers striving to meet the demands of high-speed, high-density networking. As the industry continues to push the boundaries of optical communication, the adoption of CS connectors will play a pivotal role in enabling scalable, efficient, and future-ready network infrastructure.