Miniature multi-fiber ferrule

A multi-fiber ferrule comprising:

• a main body having a top portion and a bottom portion, a first side portion extending between the top portion and the bottom portion and a second side portion extending between the top portion and the bottom portion on opposites sides of the main body, an end face at a front end of the main body, and a rear face at a rear end of the main body;
• a rear central opening extending into the main body from the rear face and configured to receive at least three optical fibers;
• the top portion having a top cut-out therein to form a first forward facing surface to orient the multi-fiber ferrule for mating, the top cut-out extending rearwardly from the end face, wherein the top portion between the top cut-out and the rear face lies in a single plane;
• and
• the bottom portion also having a bottom cut-out therein to form a second forward facing surface also to orient the multi-fiber ferrule for mating, the bottom cut-out also extending rearwardly from the end face, wherein the top portion between the top cut-out and the rear face lies in a single plane.