The new tML-tde Modular Link extension from trans data elektronik enables 192 LC-based fiber-optic connections in a single rack unit. The company's chief executive officer Andre Engel commented, "Due to the compact, space-saving design of the tML HD patch cable we can accommodate 192 fibers in one rack unit of our modular plug-and-play system tML instead of the previous 96 fibers. This means the users can install twice as many ports within the same space."
That all sounds great, but with LC connections so dense, how is a user supposed to plug and unplug the connectors? tde thought of that as well. "With conventional LC connectors a release mechanism is pressed down to release the plug from the adapter," the company explains. "Since this is done with the fingers, space between the adapters is required for a convenient handling. The centerpiece of the new tML HD patch cable is the compact LC High Density connector," tde says. "Pulling the integrated trigger tab is all it takes to release this connector from the adapter. The bar requires less space than conventional LC connectors and in the tML HD module these adapters can be directly stacked on top of each other. There is no need to calculate with extra space for convenient handling as the available space in the module is used to its full extent."
tde explains that thanks to this approach, one tML module can be used instead of 6x LC duplex ports, thereby doubling the density of a single unit to 12 LC duplex ports. "A higher packing density is also more energy efficient, because less space must be air conditioned," Engel added. The tML HD also reduces connector length from the adapter, to 15 mm. tde also notes that the trigger tabs are available in various lengths and colors.