Octopus Fanout Cables

Octopus Fanout Cable Assemblies

Octopus or fanout cable assemblies are used to solve port densification problems. A single higher circuit count and higher density cable IO connector is used in approximately the same volumetric space as a standard single port connector. Multiple cable legs extend from the fanout connector with the standard or custom cable IO connectors on each single cable leg end.


Typically each leg carries the signaling of one serial interface link like a 4Gbs FibreChannel storage link or a 5Gbs InfiniBand server link. Thus a smaller footprint can be used to concentrate several links on a host controller blade or a 1U switch box. Fanouts usually have multiple link legs carrying the same type of IO interface.

Some fanouts carry multiple data rates and serial interfaces like Myrinet, Ethernet, SATA and SAS in heterogenous systems. Cable legs can be different lengths and wire gauges depending on various cabling topologies. Cable construction can be varied including twinaxial, coaxial, twisted pair, shielded or non-shielded. Cable legs can be used for application specific functions such as System Management, Failover and Sense/Control Power.


12x and 4x standard connectors are typically used for 2.5Gbs thru 12.8Gbs per differential pair data rate interfaces. These connectors are typically used with single link leg connectors such HSSDC-2, SFP or newer cable IO connectors specified within industry standards such SATA-II and PCI-E.


2mm cPCI standard and defacto standard CP-50 ruggedized connectors are typically used for .155Gbs thru 3.2Gbs per differential pair data rate interfaces. The single cable leg end connectors usually used are mini-BNC, HSSDC-2, SFP, RJ-11, RJ-21 and various category RJ-45s. These applications include various telephony interfaces like DSL, ATM, SONET,T1, T3, E1, E3, DSL, SS7, Frame Relay and Utopia.


Some applications include video interfaces like SMPTE SDI, H110, DFP,  LVDS, IEEE-1394 and HDMI. Ethernet, FibreChannel, Infiniband, Interlaken  and RapidIO are also supported. Industrial control applications include  KVM, USB, GPIB, PXI, MXI and LXI.

Product Details

  • APPLICATIONS USING 4X & 12X STANDARD CONNECTORS

    Octopus style assemblies utilizing the 4X & 12X standard connectors are typically used for 2.5 Gbs thru 12.8 Gbs per differential pair data rate interfaces. Examples include:


    • 12x to SMA fanouts
    • 12x to 3 – 4x connectors
    • 12x to 12 – SFP plugs
    • 12x to 12 – HSSDC2 connectors
    • 4x to 4 – SFP plugs
    • 4x to 4 – HSSDC2 connectors

  • APPLICATIONS USING 2MM CPCI & CONNECTORS

    Octopus style assemblies utilizing the 2mm cPCI standard & the MXI2 (CP50) ruggedized connectors are typically used for .1555 Gbs thru 3.2 Gbs per differential pair data rate interfaces. Examples include:


    • 2mm to multiple BNC connectors
    • 2mm to multiple HSSDC2 connectors
    • 2mm to multiple SFP connectors
    • 2mm to multiple SMA connectors
    • 2mm to multiple USB connectors
    • 2mm to multiple RJ-45 connectors
    • CP50 to multiple HSSDC2 connectors
    • CP50 to multiple CP50 connectors
    • CP50 to multiple SFP connectors

Supporting Documents

MERITEC-12X-(3) 4X Pinouts

RELATED PRODUCTS

 VPX Plus

Test Connector

ZIF Jumpers

NEED HELP?

ASK AN EXPERT

If you would like to talk to someone about a product or technical advice, contact one of experts for assistance.

Contact Us

Share by: