Press release · September 21, 2026 · prnewswire.com
Molex Announces VersaBeam Mini to Advance Ultra-Dense, Eye-Safe Optical Interconnects for Next-Generation AI Data Centers
- About Molex
- Also names 3M
- specialized
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Summary
Molex introduced VersaBeam Mini, a 16-fiber Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) connector designed for space-limited optical deployments. The company said the connector targets high-density environments where physical panel space, thermal constraints, and maintenance requirements affect deployment and uptime.
Molex described VersaBeam Mini as part of its VersaBeam EBO interconnect family and as intended for front-panel use with an optical backplane, including support for co-packaged optics and optical backbones. The company also said the approach uses zero-touch EBO to reduce dust-and-debris sensitivity and lower deployment and maintenance overhead.
VersaBeam Mini packs 16 fibers into a 3.5 x 9 mm Very Small Form Factor (VSFF) footprint. Molex said the design provides 3x density improvement over VersaBeam 16 connectivity, enabling up to 3,456 fibers in a standard 1RU panel, and it includes a 9x reduction in blast radius through 16-fiber granularity. An optional mass-insertion capability supports engaging up to nine connectors (144 fibers total) with a single push.
“With VersaBeam Mini, we are providing a 'less is more' solution that pairs a VSFF footprint with zero-touch EBO technology, delivering less contamination risk, reduced downtime and a smaller blast radius without needing specialized technical expertise.”
Molex said the connector uses the groove-based design of the 3M EBO Ferrule and removes the need for guide pins and holes, supporting automated assembly. The company stated limited customer sampling would begin in Q4 2026, with general production slated for the first half of 2027.
Our summary. The original keeps its own byline.