IEC 61300-3-4 Fiber Optic Interconnect Devices and Passive Components - Part 3-4: Reviews and Measurements - Attenuation

Material Testing

IEC 61300-3-4 Fiber Optic Interconnect Devices and Passive Components - Part 3-4: Reviews and Measurements - Attenuation

EUROLAB laboratory provides testing and compliance services within the scope of IEC 61300-3-4 standard. This part of the IEC 61300 standard describes the various methods that can be used to measure the attenuation of optical components. However, it does not apply to dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) components where IEC 61300-3-29 must be used.

IEC 61300-3-4 Fiber Optic Interconnect Devices and Passive Components - Part 3-4: Reviews and Measurements - Attenuation

The attenuation is intended to give a value for the reduction of useful power, expressed in decibels, resulting from placing a device under test (DUT) within a length of fiber optic cable. The term insertion loss is sometimes used interchangeably with attenuation.

The DUT can have more than two optical ports. However, since an attenuation measurement is made over only two ports, DUTs in this standard will be defined as having two ports. Eight different DUT configurations are described. The differences between these configurations are primarily in the termination of the optical ports. Terminations may consist of bare fiber, a connector plug, or a receptacle.

The reference method for measuring attenuation is an optical power meter. Optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) measurements are offered as an alternative method. Three variations of attenuation measurement are offered with a power meter.

Reference and alternative methods to be used for each DUT configuration are defined. Different test configurations and methods will result in different accuracy of measured attenuation. In case of disagreement, the reference test method should be used.

The power in the fiber will not be high enough to produce nonlinear scattering effects. The position of the fibers in the test should be fixed between P₀ and P₁ measurement to avoid changes in attenuation due to loss of twist. In multimode measurements, a change in the mode distribution in the measurement system due to fiber degradation will affect the attenuation measurement.

Loss components due to polarization will show different attenuation depending on the input state of the polarization from the source. If the PDL component can exceed acceptable uncertainty in the attenuation measurement, a non-polarized or polarization-encoded source can be used to measure polarization-averaged attenuation, or IEC 61300-3-2 methods should be used to measure PDL and attenuation together.

The source unit consists of an optical emitter, associated driver electronics, and fiber braid (if applicable). Preferred welding conditions are given. The stability of the single-mode fiber source at 23 °C will be ±0,01 dB during the measurement period. The stability of the multimode fiber source at 23 °C should be ± 0,05 dB over the measurement period. The source output power shall be ≥ 20 dB above the minimum measurable power level.

Optical Power Meter (D)

The power meter unit consists of an optical detector, its coupling mechanism and associated sensing electronics. Connection to the detector will be via an adapter that accepts bare fiber or a properly designed connector plug.

The measuring system must be stable within certain limits for the time required to measure P₀ and P₁. For measurements that require the detector disconnection between the P₀ and P₁ measurement, the measurement repeatability should be within 0,02 dB. A detector with a large sensitive area can be used to achieve this.

The exact specifications of the detector must be compatible with the measurement requirements. The dynamic range of the power meter should be able to measure the power level coming out of the DUT at the measured wavelength. Preferred power meter parameters are given. The power meter will be calibrated for the operational wavelength and power level. Power meter stability should be ≤ 0,01 dB over the measurement time and operating temperature range. The stability and validity of dark current corrections from zero calibration can affect this.

Temporary Joint (TJ)

It is a method, device, or mechanical fixture for temporarily aligning two fiber ends in a stable, repeatable, low-loss connection. It is used when the direct connection of the DUT to the measuring system cannot be achieved with a standard connector. For example, it could be a precision V-groove, vacuum mirror, a micromanipulator, or a fusion or mechanical joint. The transient connection must be stable within ± 10% of the required measurement accuracy in dB during the time it takes to measure P₀ and P₁. A suitable refractive index matched material can be used to improve the stability of the TJ.

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