acclAIM to Fame: Revolutionizing Data Center Architecture
April 27, 2022
Data center complexity is on the rise. Hyperscale, edge and cloud computing are experiencing rampant growth. To address emerging infrastructure design challenges, data center managers’ mantra has become “less is more.” “Less” in the data center environment is defined by density – putting more efficient equipment and associated cabling and connectivity in a smaller footprint. “Less” also refers to lower system loss, which result in higher performance. The need to minimize OPEX and CAPEX costs, while increasing the efficiency of the data center, is causing a drive towards reimagining and redesigning the infrastructure to maximize connectivity to every port.
Recognizing this challenge, Legrand has introduced an innovative cabling infrastructure to replace the cumbersome MPO cassettes with a small form factor connector and adapter called the Alignment Independent Multifiber (AIM) fiber interconnect system. Known as the new Infinium acclAIM fiber solution, its main concept is to mate the trunk cable directly to an array of twin-fiber patch cord connectors by means of a “conversion adapter.” This system is based on the sum of its parts working together – the acclAIM connector, conversion adapter and the new MDC (mini duplex connector) patch cord. Together this system will revolutionize the data center architecture, resulting into a near “lossless” cable channel.
Cut Your Losses – No More Cassettes
Here’s how the new Infinium acclAIM fiber solution works. The MPO cassettes are replaced with the acclAIM fiber interconnect adapter between the trunk cable and the smaller MDC patch cord. Replacing the MPO cassette with an adapter reduces the number of components and connection points from four to two within one fiber link.
A fiber link is defined as the path of the cable between the transmitter and receiver. Link loss budgets are measured based on the amount of attenuation (or signal loss) related to the cable distance and number of connections in the link. Data center applications are now asking for more information to be moved at much higher speeds. This ask requires higher bandwidths, which in turn, means that link loss budgets are becoming tighter and tighter. In an MPO scenario, the losses of both the back end (trunk side) and front end (patch cord side) are calculated into the entire fiber link which is the link loss budget.
The chart below lists the standards from 10 Gigabit Ethernet through 400 Gigabit demonstrating reduced length and allowable system link loss budgets. This chart reflects moving into the 400 Gigabit range, the maximum channel loss, which totals the specified losses for the cable and all the connections, is now defined at 1.9 dB. Standards recognize that MPO connections are .75 dB loss for single mode and 1.5 dB loss for multimode. That leaves very little acceptable loss for the cable and the patch cords. The poor performance of the MPO used to be tolerable but with hyperscale data centers continuing to grow with multiple connections, this insertion loss is no longer acceptable.
With the Infinium acclAIM solution, the two mated pair connections in an MPO cassette are now replaced by a single connection in the adapter. As a result, the low-performance, high loss MPO cassettes are eliminated. With 800 Gigabit Ethernet applications hovering on the horizon, no longer are the losses resulting from MPOs allowable and the entire fiber system will need to be “ripped and replaced”.
Cut the Complexity
The issue with multifiber connectors, such as those used in an MPO cassette, is that all the fibers are combined in a fixed array position within a single ferrule. A fixed array can present imperfections in the form of a bad polish of one fiber, which will detrimentally affect the performance of the other fibers in the same connector. This also leads to incompatibility with single-fiber connectors. The “cause and effect” of this scenario results in designing a high-density multifiber connector with an independent spring-loaded ferrule.
The MDC patch cords used in the acclAIM solution provide more connections in a smaller footprint and can easily replace LC patch cords for higher bandwidths and higher density connections. MDC patch cords are more flexible yet more robust and are faster to install and remove, when needed, further saving substantial installation time. In addition, reversing polarity takes seconds, not minutes. The pair reversal procedure is simply achieved by pulling down the polarity clip, flipping it 180 degrees and easily pushing it back in place.
The acclAIM connector is the first multifiber to use traditional 1.25mm ferrules in a manner in which all positions have independence, resulting in better overall performance. In addition, the use of a 1.25 mm ferrule enables direct mating breakout from a multifiber connector to duplex fiber connectors.
The latest TIA-568 standard specifies that the loss limit for a mated pair of reference-grade to standard-grade connectors, such as LC, is ≤ 0.50 dB for multimode and ≤ 0.50 dB for single-mode. When connected to an MPO cassette, the standards allow an additional loss of .75 dB. Therefore, each side of the link would have a 1.25 dB loss totaling 2.50 dB factoring in both ends. By employing the acclAIM adapter, the overall channel loss is as close to “lossless” as possible. The Infinium Core results in a .60 dB loss for Single-mode and 1.0 dB for multimode, which are huge savings over the allowable TIA standards’ specifications. Think about how this affects the overall system loss – giving 1.50 dB additional headroom over the specified TIA standards, which is a game changer for the current and emerging Ethernet data applications defined by IEEE.
| IEEE Standard | Application | Fiber | Rated Reach | Max Channel Loss at Reach | Connection Loss at Rated Reach |
| 10GBASE-SR | 10-Gigabit Ethernet | MM OM4 | 400 m | 2.9 dB | 1.5 dB |
| 100GBASE-SR | 100-Gigabit Ethernet | MM OM4 | 150 m | 1.5 dB | 1.0 dB |
| 200GBASE-SR | 200-Gigabit Ethernet | MM OM4 | 100 m | 1.9 dB | 1.5 dB |
| 400GBASE-SR | 400-Gigabit Ethernet | MM OM4 | 100 m | 1.9 dB | 1.5 dB |
With the Infinium acclAIM solution, the two mated pair connections in an MPO cassette are now replaced by a single connection in the adapter. As a result, the low-performance, high loss MPO cassettes are eliminated. With 800 Gigabit Ethernet applications hovering on the horizon, no longer are the losses resulting from MPOs allowable and the entire fiber system will need to be “ripped and replaced”.
Cut the Complexity
The issue with multifiber connectors, such as those used in an MPO cassette, is that all the fibers are combined in a fixed array position within a single ferrule. A fixed array can present imperfections in the form of a bad polish of one fiber, which will detrimentally affect the performance of the other fibers in the same connector. This also leads to incompatibility with single-fiber connectors. The “cause and effect” of this scenario results in designing a high-density multifiber connector with an independent spring-loaded ferrule.
The MDC patch cords used in the acclAIM solution provide more connections in a smaller footprint and can easily replace LC patch cords for higher bandwidths and higher density connections. MDC patch cords are more flexible yet more robust and are faster to install and remove, when needed, further saving substantial installation time. In addition, reversing polarity takes seconds, not minutes. The pair reversal procedure is simply achieved by pulling down the polarity clip, flipping it 180 degrees and easily pushing it back in place.
The acclAIM connector is the first multifiber to use traditional 1.25mm ferrules in a manner in which all positions have independence, resulting in better overall performance. In addition, the use of a 1.25 mm ferrule enables direct mating breakout from a multifiber connector to duplex fiber connectors.
The latest TIA-568 standard specifies that the loss limit for a mated pair of reference-grade to standard-grade connectors, such as LC, is ≤ 0.50 dB for multimode and ≤ 0.50 dB for single-mode. When connected to an MPO cassette, the standards allow an additional loss of .75 dB. Therefore, each side of the link would have a 1.25 dB loss totaling 2.50 dB factoring in both ends. By employing the acclAIM adapter, the overall channel loss is as close to “lossless” as possible. The Infinium Core results in a .60 dB loss for Single-mode and 1.0 dB for multimode, which are huge savings over the allowable TIA standards’ specifications. Think about how this affects the overall system loss – giving 1.50 dB additional headroom over the specified TIA standards, which is a game changer for the current and emerging Ethernet data applications defined by IEEE.
| Cabling Channel Loss | Description | TIA-568 Maximum Loss | With Infinium acclAIM Loss |
| Cable Attenuation | Multimode OM4, 850nm (1km) | 3.0 dB/km | 3.0 dB/km |
| Connector Mated Pair (A) | LC/MPO | 0.50 dB / 0.75 dB | - |
| Connector Mated Pair (B) | LC/MPO | 0.50 dB / 0.75 dB | - |
| Connector Mated Pair (A) | acclAIM | - | 0.50 dB |
| Connector Mated Pair (B) | acclAIM | - | 0.50 dB |
| Total Channel Loss | 5.5 dB | 4 dB |
One of the biggest complexities in installing cassettes is assuring the correct gender and polarity considerations are taken into effect. In a cassette architecture there is a single trunk with MPO connectors on each end and two cassettes. MPO connectors utilize a Pin to Non-Pinned mating scheme to ensure proper fiber alignment. This consideration must be accounted for when designing and ordering these components. Polarity must also be considered to ensure that the transmitted signal reaches the intended receive port on the other end. The acclAIM solution eliminates the Gender consideration because there are no pins required for fiber alignment. As for Polarity, the standard acclAIM solution, including the acclAIM trunks and MDC patch cords, are factory configured for correct polarity. However, if polarity changes are required in the field, the MDC design makes these changes extremely quick and easy.
Cut the Cost
Cost advantages in utilizing the acclAIM solution include lower component pricing, less installation time, reduced maintenance and ease of future upgrades. The cost of the acclAIM solution versus a cassette-based solution is typically 15% lower. And based on the simple design of the acclAIM solution, it is fast and easy to manufacture and readily available. The lead time for a customized cassette can be weeks, even months as it is built to include a specific type and count of fibers as well as assuring the correct polarity and gender methods.
With the reduction of components and connections, the acclAIM system saves on labor as it takes about two minutes to install an adapter panel versus at least 10 minutes for a cassette. Furthermore, Infinium acclAIM requires a single inspection and test with install unlike cassettes which require inspections and tests for both connection points.
Maintenance is also greatly streamlined since each patch field contains only one connection. Whereas troubleshooting a cassette, the technician must determine whether the issue is on the front or back of the connection.
Make The Most Of Every Rack Unit – Increase Density
With the small footprint of the acclAIM adapter and MDC patch cord (the highly flexible, more robust faster to install patch cord) results in a much higher density at the patching fields – Improving Density more than 33% unlocking Ultra-High Density Plus (UHD+), which accommodates 192 fibers per RU. Infinium acclAIM is also available in High Density, accommodating 96 fibers per RU.
Cut to the chase
As new technologies and IoT applications continue to evolve and become attached to data centers, network designers have to take a proactive approach to quickly address any infrastructure challenges. Simplifying link complexity with Legrand’s Infinium acclAIM will be a major “a-ha” moment where data center managers will wonder why this new configuration hadn’t been realized before. In doing so, the acclAIM fiber solution will revolutionize data center standards by ensuring innovation, increasing reliability and flexibility, all while saving costs and complexity.
Cut the Cost
Cost advantages in utilizing the acclAIM solution include lower component pricing, less installation time, reduced maintenance and ease of future upgrades. The cost of the acclAIM solution versus a cassette-based solution is typically 15% lower. And based on the simple design of the acclAIM solution, it is fast and easy to manufacture and readily available. The lead time for a customized cassette can be weeks, even months as it is built to include a specific type and count of fibers as well as assuring the correct polarity and gender methods.
With the reduction of components and connections, the acclAIM system saves on labor as it takes about two minutes to install an adapter panel versus at least 10 minutes for a cassette. Furthermore, Infinium acclAIM requires a single inspection and test with install unlike cassettes which require inspections and tests for both connection points.
Maintenance is also greatly streamlined since each patch field contains only one connection. Whereas troubleshooting a cassette, the technician must determine whether the issue is on the front or back of the connection.
Make The Most Of Every Rack Unit – Increase Density
With the small footprint of the acclAIM adapter and MDC patch cord (the highly flexible, more robust faster to install patch cord) results in a much higher density at the patching fields – Improving Density more than 33% unlocking Ultra-High Density Plus (UHD+), which accommodates 192 fibers per RU. Infinium acclAIM is also available in High Density, accommodating 96 fibers per RU.
Cut to the chase
As new technologies and IoT applications continue to evolve and become attached to data centers, network designers have to take a proactive approach to quickly address any infrastructure challenges. Simplifying link complexity with Legrand’s Infinium acclAIM will be a major “a-ha” moment where data center managers will wonder why this new configuration hadn’t been realized before. In doing so, the acclAIM fiber solution will revolutionize data center standards by ensuring innovation, increasing reliability and flexibility, all while saving costs and complexity.