EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022

Fibre optic communication subsystem test procedures - Part 4-3: Installed passive optical networks - Attenuation and optical return loss measurements

IEC 61280-4-3: 2022 describes the measurement of attenuation, optical return loss and optical power in installed passive optical networks (PONs) using single-mode fibre. This document specifies two methods for measuring the attenuation before activation of the PON:  method A: one-cord method using a light source and a power meter (LSPM); method B: optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) method in upstream direction only, with reduction of uncertainties due to the variation of backscatter coefficient.  In addition, method C, which is described in informative Annex C, provides an estimate of the attenuation after partial activation of the PON by using a U band filtered optical time-domain reflectometer (FOTDR) in an upstream direction. This publication contains an attached file titled "Supplemental Data" in the form of an Excel spread sheet. This file is intended to be used as a complement and does not form an integral part of the standard.

Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiter-Kommunikationsuntersysteme - Teil 4-3: Installierte passive optische Netze - Messung von Dämpfung und optischer Rückflussdämpfung

Procédures d’essai des sous-systèmes de télécommunications fibroniques - Partie 4-3: Installations de réseau optique passif - Mesures de l’affaiblissement et de l’affaiblissement de réflexion optique

IEC 61280-4-3: 2022 décrit la mesure de l’affaiblissement, de l’affaiblissement de réflexion optique et de la puissance optique dans des installations de réseau optique passif (PON) utilisant de la fibre unimodale. Le présent document spécifie deux méthodes pour mesurer l’affaiblissement avant l’activation du PON:  méthode A: méthode à cordon unique utilisant une source optique et un mesureur de puissance (LSPM); méthode B: méthode au réflectomètre optique dans le domaine temporel (OTDR), uniquement dans le sens ascendant, offrant une réduction des incertitudes associées à la variation du coefficient de rétrodiffusion.  En outre, une méthode C, décrite à l’Annexe C informative, donne une estimation de l’affaiblissement après activation partielle du PON, en utilisant un réflectomètre optique dans le domaine temporel à port filtré (FOTDR, Filtered Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer), fonctionnant sur la bande U dans le sens ascendant. Cette publication contient un fichier joint intitulé "Données complémentaires", sous forme de feuille de calcul Excel. Ce fichier est destiné à être utilisé comme complément, et ne fait pas partie intégrante de la norme.

Postopki preskušanja optičnega komunikacijskega podsistema - 4-3. del: Vgrajena pasivna optična omrežja - Meritve slabljenja in optičnih povratnih izgub (IEC 61280-4-3:2022)

Ta del standarda IEC 61280 opisuje meritve slabljenja, optične povratne izgube in optične moči v nameščenih pasivnih optičnih omrežjih (PON) z enorodnimi vlakni. Ta dokument določa dve metodi merjenja slabljenja pred aktiviranjem PON: • metoda A: enorodna metoda z uporabo vira svetlobe in merilnika moči (LSPM); • metoda B: metoda optičnega reflektometra v časovni domeni (OTDR) samo v smeri proti toku, z zmanjšanjem negotovosti zaradi variacije koeficienta povratnega razprševanja. Poleg tega metoda C, ki je opisana v informativnem dodatku C, zagotavlja oceno slabljenja po delni aktivaciji PON z uporabo optičnega reflektometra v časovni domeni (FOTDR) s filtriranim pasom U v smeri proti toku.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 15-Sep-2022
• ICS: 33.180.01 - Fibre optic systems in general
• Technical Committee: CLC/SR 86C - Fibre optic systems and active devices
• Drafting Committee: IEC/SC 86C - IEC_SC_86C
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 16-Sep-2022
• Due Date: 14-Jun-2019
• Completion Date: 16-Sep-2022
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022 - Fibre-optic communication subsystem test procedures - Part 4-3: Installed passive optical networks - Attenuation and optical return loss measurements (IEC 61280-4-3:2022)

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
01-november-2022
Postopki preskušanja optičnega komunikacijskega podsistema - 4-3. del: Vgrajena

pasivna optična omrežja - Meritve slabljenja in optičnih povratnih izgub (IEC 61280

-4-3:2022)

Fibre-optic communication subsystem test procedures - Part 4-3: Installed passive

optical networks - Attenuation and optical return loss measurements (IEC 61280-4-

3:2022)

Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiter-Kommunikationsuntersysteme - Teil 4-3: Installierte

passive optische Netze - Messung von Dämpfung und optischer Rückflussdämpfung
(IEC 61280-4-3:2022)

Procédures d’essai des sous-systèmes de télécommunications fibroniques - Partie 4-3:

Installations de réseau optique passif - Mesures de l’affaiblissement et de
l’affaiblissement de réflexion optique (IEC 61280-4-3:2022)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
ICS:
33.180.01 Sistemi z optičnimi vlakni na Fibre optic systems in
splošno general
SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022 en

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
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SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 61280-4-3
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM September 2022
ICS 33.180.01
English Version
Fibre optic communication subsystem test procedures - Part 4-3:
Installed passive optical networks - Attenuation and optical
return loss measurements
(IEC 61280-4-3:2022)
Procédures d'essai des sous-systèmes de Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiter-

télécommunications fibroniques - Partie 4-3: Installations de Kommunikationsuntersysteme - Teil 4-3: Installierte passive

réseau optique passif - Mesures de l'affaiblissement et de optische Netze - Messung von Dämpfung und optischer

l'affaiblissement de réflexion optique Rückflussdämpfung
(IEC 61280-4-3:2022) (IEC 61280-4-3:2022)

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2022-09-02. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC

Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC

Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation

under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the

same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,

Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the

Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,

Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2022 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.

Ref. No. EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022 E
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SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022 (E)
European foreword

The text of document 86C/1749A/CDV, future edition 1 of IEC 61280-4-3, prepared by SC 86C "Fibre

optic systems and active devices" of IEC/TC 86 "Fibre optics" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC

parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022.
The following dates are fixed:

• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2023-06-02

level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement

• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2025-09-02

document have to be withdrawn

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of

patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A

complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice

The text of the International Standard IEC 61280-4-3:2022 was approved by CENELEC as a

European Standard without any modification.

In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards

indicated:
IEC 60875-1:2015 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60875-1:2015 (not modified)
IEC 61280-1-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61280-1-1
IEC 61746-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61746-2
1 2
IEC 61755-3-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61755-3-1
3 4
IEC 61755-3-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61755-3-2
IEC 62074-1:2014 NOTE Harmonized as EN 62074-1:2014 (not modified)
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: IEC 61755-3-1/CD:2022.
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: prEN IEC 61755-3-1:2020.
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: IEC 61755-3-2/CD:2022.
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: prEN IEC 61755-3-2:2020.
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SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022 (E)
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content

constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For

undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)

applies.

NOTE 1 Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the

relevant EN/HD applies.

NOTE 2 Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available

here: www.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60793-2-50 - Optical fibres - Part 2-50: Product EN IEC 60793-2-50 -
specifications - Sectional specification for
class B single-mode fibres
IEC 61280-1-3 - Fibre optic communication subsystem test EN IEC 61280-1-3 -
procedures - Part 1-3: General
communication subsystems -
Measurement of central wavelength,
spectral width and additional spectral
characteristics
IEC 61280-4-2 - Fibre-optic communication subsystem test EN 61280-4-2 -
procedures - Part 4-2: Installed cable plant
- Single-mode attenuation and optical
return loss measurement
IEC/TR 61282-14 2019 Fibre optic communication system design - -
guidelines - Part 14: Determination of the
uncertainties of attenuation measurements
in fibre plants
IEC 61300-3-35 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and EN 61300-3-35 -
passive components - Basic test and
measurement procedures - Part 3-35:
Examinations and measurements - Visual
inspection of fibre optic connectors and
fibre-stub transceivers
IEC 61315 - Calibration of fibre-optic power meters EN IEC 61315 -
IEC 61746-1 2009 Calibration of optical time-domain EN 61746-1 2011
reflectometers (OTDR) - Part 1: OTDR for
single mode fibres
+ AC 2014
IEC 61753-031-2 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and EN 61753-031-2 -
passive components - Performance
standard - Part 031-2: Non-connectorized
single-mode 1 × N and 2 × N non-
wavelength-selective branching devices for
Category C - Controlled environment
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SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022 (E)
IEC 61753-031-3 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and EN 61753-031-3 -
passive components - Performance
standard - Part 031-3: Non-connectorized
single-mode 1×N and 2×N non-
wavelength-selective branching devices for
Category U - Uncontrolled environment
IEC 61753-031-6 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and EN 61753-031-6 -
passive components - Performance
standard - Part 031-6: Non-connectorized
single-mode 1×N and 2×N non-
wavelength-selective branching devices for
Category O - Uncontrolled environment
IEC 61753-1 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and EN IEC 61753-1 -
passive components - Performance
standard - Part 1: General and guidance
IEC/TR 62627-01 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and - -
passive components - Part 01: Fibre optic
connector cleaning methods
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SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
IEC 61280-4-3
Edition 1.0 2022-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Fibre optic communication subsystem test procedures –

Part 4-3: Installed passive optical networks – Attenuation and optical return loss

measurements
Procédures d’essai des sous-systèmes de télécommunications fibroniques –

Partie 4-3: Installations de réseau optique passif – Mesures de l’affaiblissement

et de l’affaiblissement de réflexion optique
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.01 ISBN 978-2-8322-4801-0

Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
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SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
– 2 – IEC 61280-4-3:2022 © IEC 2022
CONTENTS

FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................... 6

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 8

1 Scope .............................................................................................................................. 9

2 Normative references ...................................................................................................... 9

3 Terms, definitions, and abbreviated terms ..................................................................... 10

3.1 Terms and definitions ............................................................................................ 10

3.2 Abbreviated terms ................................................................................................. 12

4 Basic PON architecture ................................................................................................. 13

5 Attenuation measurement .............................................................................................. 13

5.1 General ................................................................................................................. 13

5.2 Methods ................................................................................................................ 14

5.3 Cabling configurations .......................................................................................... 14

5.4 RTM for attenuation measurement ........................................................................ 14

6 Apparatus for attenuation measurement ........................................................................ 14

6.1 General ................................................................................................................. 14

6.2 Light source .......................................................................................................... 15

6.2.1 Stability ......................................................................................................... 15

6.2.2 Light source spectral characteristics .............................................................. 15

6.3 Launch cord .......................................................................................................... 15

6.4 Receive or tail cord ............................................................................................... 15

6.5 Power meter – LSPM method only ........................................................................ 16

6.6 OTDR apparatus ................................................................................................... 16

6.6.1 General ......................................................................................................... 16

6.6.2 OTDR spectral characteristics ....................................................................... 16

6.7 Connector end face cleaning and inspection equipment ........................................ 17

7 Overview of uncertainties .............................................................................................. 17

7.1 General ................................................................................................................. 17

7.2 Typical uncertainty values for method A ................................................................ 17

7.3 Typical uncertainty values for method B ................................................................ 18

8 Optical return loss measurements.................................................................................. 19

8.1 General ................................................................................................................. 19

8.2 ORL measurements using CW .............................................................................. 19

8.3 Reflectance measurement using an OTDR ............................................................ 19

Annex A (normative) LSPM one-cord reference method ....................................................... 20

A.1 Applicability of test method ................................................................................... 20

A.2 Apparatus ............................................................................................................. 20

A.3 Procedure ............................................................................................................. 20

A.4 Calculation ............................................................................................................ 21

A.5 Components of reported attenuation ..................................................................... 21

Annex B (normative) Optical time-domain reflectometer method .......................................... 22

B.1 Applicability of test method ................................................................................... 22

B.2 Apparatus ............................................................................................................. 22

B.2.1 General ......................................................................................................... 22

B.2.2 OTDR ............................................................................................................ 22

B.2.3 Test cords ..................................................................................................... 22

B.3 Procedure (test method) ....................................................................................... 23

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SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
IEC 61280-4-3:2022 © IEC 2022 – 3 –

B.4 Calculation of attenuation ..................................................................................... 24

B.4.1 General ......................................................................................................... 24

B.4.2 Connection location ....................................................................................... 24

B.4.3 Definition of the power levels F and F ........................................................ 25

1 2

B.5 Testing launch and tail cords ................................................................................ 25

B.5.1 General ......................................................................................................... 25

B.5.2 Launch and tail cords test procedure ............................................................. 26

Annex C (informative) Filtered optical time-domain reflectometer ......................................... 27

C.1 General ................................................................................................................. 27

C.2 Applicability of the method .................................................................................... 27

C.3 Apparatus ............................................................................................................. 27

C.3.1 FOTDR .......................................................................................................... 27

C.3.2 Test cords ..................................................................................................... 27

C.4 Test method .......................................................................................................... 28

C.5 Calculation of attenuation ..................................................................................... 28

C.5.1 General ......................................................................................................... 28

C.5.2 Connection location ....................................................................................... 29

C.5.3 Definition of the power levels F and F ........................................................ 29

1 2

C.6 Uncertainties......................................................................................................... 30

C.7 Consideration relative to the measurement of an unused branch of the ODN

while at least one branch is active ........................................................................ 31

C.7.1 Context .......................................................................................................... 31

C.7.2 Evaluation of the risk of perturbation of the network....................................... 31

Annex D (informative) PON configuration ............................................................................. 33

D.1 General ................................................................................................................. 33

D.2 Basic configuration ............................................................................................... 33

D.3 Coexistence of different PON systems .................................................................. 34

D.4 Wavelength multiplexing ....................................................................................... 35

Annex E (informative) Basic uncertainty analysis for methods B and C ................................ 37

E.1 General ................................................................................................................. 37

E.2 Uncertainties due to measuring instrument ........................................................... 37

E.3 Uncertainties due to the setup .............................................................................. 38

E.4 Uncertainties due to cabling .................................................................................. 39

E.5 Relative uncertainty arising from the uncertainty of the OTDR wavelength ............ 39

E.5.1 Impact of the lack of knowledge of the wavelength of the OTDR .................... 39

E.5.2 Impact of using wavelength in the U band ...................................................... 40

E.6 Relative uncertainty arising from non-linearity of the OTDR .................................. 41

E.7 Uncertainty arising from OTDR noise .................................................................... 41

E.7.1 General ......................................................................................................... 41

E.7.2 Linear regression ........................................................................................... 42

E.7.3 Practical determination of uncertainty arising from OTDR noise ..................... 44

E.8 Relative uncertainty arising from OTDR cursor placement ..................................... 47

E.9 Considerations on backscatter coefficient ............................................................. 47

E.10 Sensitivity coefficients .......................................................................................... 48

E.10.1 General ......................................................................................................... 48

E.10.2 Sensitivity coefficients values ........................................................................ 48

E.10.3 Sensitivity for relative uncertainty arising from OTDR noise (tail

regression) .................................................................................................... 49

Annex F (informative) OTDR configuration information ........................................................ 51

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SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
– 4 – IEC 61280-4-3:2022 © IEC 2022

F.1 General ................................................................................................................. 51

F.2 Fundamental parameters that define the operational capability of an OTDR .......... 52

F.2.1 Dynamic range .............................................................................................. 52

F.2.2 Dynamic margin ............................................................................................. 52

F.2.3 Pulse width .................................................................................................... 52

F.2.4 Averaging time .............................................................................................. 52

F.2.5 Dead zone ..................................................................................................... 52

F.2.6 Distance sampling ......................................................................................... 53

Bibliography .......................................................................................................................... 54

Figure 1 – Single stage conventional ODN structure ............................................................. 13

Figure 2 – Cabling configuration – Start and end of measured losses in reference test

method ................................................................................................................................. 14

Figure 3 – Typical OTDR schematic ...................................................................................... 16

Figure A.1 – One-cord reference measurement ..................................................................... 21

Figure A.2 – One-cord test measurement .............................................................................. 21

Figure B.1 – Test measurement for method B ....................................................................... 23

Figure B.2 – Location of the connector ports of the cabling under test .................................. 24

Figure B.3 – Graphic determination of F and F .................................................................. 25

1 2

Figure C.1 – Location of the connector ports of the cabling under test .................................. 28

Figure C.2 – Graphic determination of F and F .................................................................. 30

1 2

Figure C.3 – OLT structure and signal wavelengths .............................................................. 31

Figure C.4 – WDM filter response ......................................................................................... 32

Figure D.1 – Single stage conventional ODN structure .......................................................... 33

Figure D.2 – Multiple stage conventional ODN structure ....................................................... 34

Figure D.3 – Implementation of coexistence PON systems .................................................... 34

Figure D.4 – Single-stage PtP WDM ODN structure .............................................................. 35

Figure D.5 – Multiple-stage PtP WDM ODN structure ............................................................ 36

Figure D.6 – Example of ODN structure for TWDM ............................................................... 36

Figure E.1 – Observed PLC splitter wavelength dependency and mathematical model .......... 40

Figure E.2 – Spectral attenuation .......................................................................................... 40

Figure E.3 – Linear regression location for each measurement method ................................. 42

Figure E.4 – Confidence band of the linear regression .......................................................... 43

Figure E.5 – OTDR trace and noise ...................................................................................... 44

Figure E.6 – Noise asymmetry function of DM ....................................................................... 46

Figure E.7 – Measurement validity limits ............................................................................... 47

Figure E.8 – Graphic representation of the amplification of the confidence interval ............... 50

Table 1 – Light source spectral requirements ........................................................................ 15

Table 2 – OTDR spectral requirements ................................................................................. 17

Table 3 – Uncertainty for a given attenuation at 1 310 nm and 1 550 nm using the

same photodetector .............................................................................................................. 18

Table 4 – Uncertainty for a given attenuation at 1 310 nm and 1 550 nm using different

photodetectors ...................................................................................................................... 18

Table 5 – Uncertainty for a given attenuation at 1 310 nm and 1 550 nm using OTDR........... 19

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SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
IEC 61280-4-3:2022 © IEC 2022 – 5 –

Table C.1 – Uncertainty for a given attenuation at 1 625 nm and 1 650 nm using OTDR ....... 31

Table E.1 – Uncertainties due to measuring instruments ....................................................... 38

Table E.2 – Uncertainties due to the setup ............................................................................ 38

Table E.3 – Uncertainties due to cabling ............................................................................... 39

Table E.4 – Difference of attenuation coefficient ................................................................... 41

Table E.5 – Sensitivity coefficients ........................................................................................ 49

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SIST EN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
– 6 – IEC 61280-4-3:2022 © IEC 2022
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIBRE OPTIC COMMUNICATION SUBSYSTEM TEST PROCEDURES –
Part 4-3: Installed passive optical networks –
Attenuation and optical return loss measurements
FOREWORD

1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising

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assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of co
...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
01-februar-2022
Postopki preskušanja optičnega komunikacijskega podsistema - 4-3. del: Vgrajena
pasivna optična omrežja - Meritve slabljenja in optičnih povratnih izgub

Fibre-optic communication subsystem test procedures - Part 4-3: Installed passive

optical networks - Attenuation and optical return loss measurements
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 61280-4-3:2021
ICS:
33.180.01 Sistemi z optičnimi vlakni na Fibre optic systems in
splošno general
oSIST prEN IEC 61280-4-3:2022 en

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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oSIST prEN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
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oSIST prEN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
86C/1749A/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 61280-4-3 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
(2021-12-03) 2022-02-25*
2021-12-17
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86C/1733/CD, 86C/1748/CC
IEC SC 86C : FIBRE OPTIC SYSTEMS AND ACTIVE DEVICES
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
United States of America Mr Fred Heismann
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: PROPOSED HORIZONTAL STANDARD:
SC 86B,ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 25
Other TC/SCs are requested to indicate their interest, if
any, in this CDV to the secretary.
FUNCTIONS CONCERNED:
EMC ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SAFETY

SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING

Attention IEC-CENELEC parallel voting
The attention of IEC National Committees, members of
CENELEC, is drawn to the fact that this Committee Draft
for Vote (CDV) is submitted for parallel voting.
The CENELEC members are invited to vote through the
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TITLE:

Fibre-optic communication subsystem test procedures – Part 4-3: Installed passive optical

networks – Attenuation and optical return loss measurements
PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2025
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:

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oSIST prEN IEC 61280-4-3:2022
IEC CDV 61280-4-3/Ed1  IEC:2021 – 2 – 86C/1749A/CDV
1 CONTENTS

3 FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................... 6

4 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 8

5 1 Scope .............................................................................................................................. 9

6 2 Normative references ...................................................................................................... 9

7 3 Terms, definitions, and abbreviated terms ..................................................................... 10

8 3.1 Definitions ............................................................................................................ 10

9 3.2 Abbreviated terms ................................................................................................. 12

10 4 Basic PON architecture ................................................................................................. 13

11 5 Attenuation measurement .............................................................................................. 13

12 5.1 General ................................................................................................................. 13

13 5.2 Methods ................................................................................................................ 13

14 5.3 Cabling configurations .......................................................................................... 14

15 5.4 RTM for attenuation measurement ........................................................................ 14

16 6 Apparatus for attenuation measurement ........................................................................ 14

17 6.1 General ................................................................................................................. 14

18 6.2 Light source .......................................................................................................... 14

19 6.2.1 Stability ......................................................................................................... 14

20 6.2.2 Light source spectral characteristics .............................................................. 15

21 6.3 Launch cord .......................................................................................................... 15

22 6.4 Receive or tail cord ............................................................................................... 15

23 6.5 Power meter – LSPM method only ........................................................................ 15

24 6.6 OTDR apparatus ................................................................................................... 16

25 6.6.1 General ......................................................................................................... 16

26 6.6.2 OTDR spectral characteristics ....................................................................... 16

27 6.7 Connector end face cleaning and inspection equipment ........................................ 17

28 7 Overview of uncertainties .............................................................................................. 17

29 7.1 General ................................................................................................................. 17

30 7.2 Typical uncertainty values for method A ................................................................ 17

31 7.3 Typical uncertainty values for method B ................................................................ 18

32 8 Optical return loss measurements ................................................................................. 19

33 8.1 General ................................................................................................................. 19

34 8.2 ORL measurements using CW .............................................................................. 19

35 8.3 Reflectance measurement using an OTDR ............................................................ 19

36 Annex A (normative) LSPM one-cord reference method ....................................................... 20

37 A.1 Applicability of test method ................................................................................... 20

38 A.2 Apparatus ............................................................................................................. 20

39 A.3 Procedure ............................................................................................................. 20

40 A.4 Calculation ............................................................................................................ 21

41 A.5 Components of reported attenuation ..................................................................... 21

42 Annex B (normative) Optical time-domain reflectometer method .......................................... 22

43 B.1 Applicability of test method ................................................................................... 22

44 B.2 Apparatus ............................................................................................................. 22

45 B.2.1 General ......................................................................................................... 22

46 B.2.2 OTDR ............................................................................................................ 22

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47 B.2.3 Test cords ..................................................................................................... 22

48 B.3 Procedure (test method) ....................................................................................... 23

49 B.4 Calculation of attenuation ..................................................................................... 24

50 B.4.1 General ......................................................................................................... 24

51 B.4.2 Connection location ....................................................................................... 24

52 B.4.3 Definition of the power levels F and F ........................................................ 25

1 2

53 B.5 Testing launch and tail cords ................................................................................ 25

54 B.5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 25

55 B.5.2 Launch and tail cords test procedure ............................................................. 26

56 Annex C (informative) Filtered optical time-domain reflectometer ......................................... 27

57 C.1 General ................................................................................................................. 27

58 C.2 Applicability of the method .................................................................................... 27

59 C.3 Apparatus ............................................................................................................. 27

60 C.3.1 FOTDR .......................................................................................................... 27

61 C.3.2 Test cords ..................................................................................................... 28

62 C.4 Test method .......................................................................................................... 28

63 C.5 Calculation of attenuation ..................................................................................... 28

64 C.5.1 General ......................................................................................................... 28

65 C.5.2 Connection location ....................................................................................... 29

66 C.5.3 Definition of the power levels F and F ........................................................ 29

1 2

67 C.6 Uncertainties ........................................................................................................ 30

68 C.7 Consideration relative to the measurement of an unused branch of the ODN

69 while at least one branch is active ........................................................................ 31

70 C.7.1 Context .......................................................................................................... 31

71 C.7.2 Evaluation of the risk of perturbation of the network ...................................... 31

72 Annex D (informative) PON configuration ............................................................................. 33

73 D.1 General ................................................................................................................. 33

74 D.2 Basic configuration ............................................................................................... 33

75 D.3 Coexistence of different PON systems .................................................................. 34

76 D.4 Wavelength multiplexing ....................................................................................... 35

77 Annex E (informative) Basic uncertainty analysis for methods B and C ................................ 37

78 E.1 General ................................................................................................................. 37

79 E.2 Uncertainties due to measuring instrument ........................................................... 37

80 E.3 Uncertainties due to the setup .............................................................................. 38

81 E.4 Uncertainties due to cabling .................................................................................. 38

82 E.5 Relative uncertainty arising from the uncertainty of the OTDR wavelength ............ 39

83 E.5.1 Impact of the lack of knowledge of the wavelength of the OTDR .................... 39

84 E.5.2 Impact of using wavelength in the U band. ..................................................... 40

85 E.6 Relative uncertainty arising from non-linearity of the OTDR .................................. 41

86 E.7 Uncertainty arising from OTDR noise .................................................................... 41

87 E.7.1 General ......................................................................................................... 41

88 E.7.2 Linear regression ........................................................................................... 42

89 E.7.3 Practical determination of uncertainty arising from OTDR noise ..................... 43

90 E.8 Relative uncertainty arising from OTDR cursor placement ..................................... 46

91 E.9 Considerations on backscatter coefficient ............................................................. 47

92 E.10 Sensitivity coefficients .......................................................................................... 47

93 E.10.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 47

94 E.10.2 Sensitivity coefficients values ........................................................................ 47

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95 E.10.3 Sensitivity for relative uncertainty arising from OTDR noise. (tail

96 regression) .................................................................................................... 48

97 Annex F (informative) OTDR configuration information........................................................ 50

98 F.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 50

99 F.2 Fundamental parameters that define the operational capability of an OTDR .......... 51

100 F.2.1 Dynamic range .............................................................................................. 51

101 F.2.2 Dynamic margin ............................................................................................. 51

102 F.2.3 Pulse width .................................................................................................... 51

103 F.2.4 Averaging time .............................................................................................. 51

104 F.2.5 Dead zone ..................................................................................................... 51

105 F.2.6 Distance sampling ......................................................................................... 52

106 Bibliography .......................................................................................................................... 53

107

108 Figure 1 – Single stage conventional ODN structure ............................................................. 13

109 Figure 2 – Cabling configuration – Start and end of measured losses in reference test

110 method ................................................................................................................................. 14

111 Figure 3 – Typical OTDR schematic ...................................................................................... 16

112 Figure A.1 − One-cord reference measurement ..................................................................... 21

113 Figure A.2 − One-cord test measurement .............................................................................. 21

114 Figure B.1 – Test measurement for method B ....................................................................... 23

115 Figure B.2 – Location of the connector ports of the cabling under test .................................. 24

116 Figure B.3 – Graphic determination of F and F .................................................................. 25

1 2

117 Figure C.1 – Location of the connector ports of the cabling under test .................................. 28

118 Figure C.2 – Graphic determination of F and F ................................................................. 30

1 2

119 Figure C.3 – OLT structure and signal wavelengths .............................................................. 31

120 Figure C.4 – WDM filter response ......................................................................................... 32

121 Figure D.1 – Single stage conventional ODN structure .......................................................... 33

122 Figure D.2 – Multiple stage conventional ODN structure ....................................................... 34

123 Figure D.3 – Implementation of coexistence PON systems .................................................... 34

124 Figure D.4 – Single-stage PtP WDM ODN structure .............................................................. 35

125 Figure D.5 – Multiple-stage PtP WDM ODN structure ............................................................ 36

126 Figure D.6 – Example of ODN structure for TWDM ............................................................... 36

127 Figure E.1 – Observed PLC splitter wavelength dependency and mathematical model .......... 40

128 Figure E.2 – Spectral attenuation .......................................................................................... 40

129 Figure E.3 – Linear regression location for each measurement method ................................. 41

130 Figure E.4 – Confidence band of the linear regression .......................................................... 43

131 Figure E.5 – OTDR trace and noise ...................................................................................... 44

132 Figure E.6 – Noise asymmetry function of DM ....................................................................... 46

133 Figure E.7 – Measurement validity limits ............................................................................... 46

134 Figure E.8 – Graphic representation of the amplification of the confidence interval ............... 49

135

136 Table 1 – Spectral requirements ........................................................................................... 15

137 Table 2 – Spectral requirements ........................................................................................... 16

138 Table 3 – Uncertainty for a given attenuation at 1 310 nm and 1 550 nm using the

139 same photodetector .............................................................................................................. 18

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140 Table 4 – Uncertainty for a given attenuation at 1 310 nm and 1 550 nm using different

141 photodetectors ...................................................................................................................... 18

142 Table 5 – Uncertainty for a given attenuation at 1 310 nm and 1 550 nm using OTDR .......... 19

143 Table C.1 – Uncertainty for a given attenuation at 1 625 nm and 1 650 nm using OTDR ....... 30

144 Table E.1 – Uncertainties due to measuring instruments ....................................................... 37

145 Table E.2 – Uncertainties due to the setup............................................................................ 38

146 Table E.3 – Uncertainties due to cabling ............................................................................... 38

147 Table E.4 – Difference of attenuation coefficient ................................................................... 41

148 Table E.5 – Sensitivity coefficients ........................................................................................ 48

149
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150
151 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
152 ____________
153
154 FIBRE-OPTIC COMMUNICATION SUBSYSTEM TEST PROCEDURES –
155
156 Part 4-3: Installed passive optical networks –
157 Attenuation and optical return loss measurements
158
159 FOREWORD

160 1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising

161 all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international

162 co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and

163 in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,

164 Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their

165 preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with

166 may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising

167 with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for

168 Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.

169 2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international

170 consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all

171 interested IEC National Committees.

172 3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National

173 Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC

174 Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any

175 misinterpretation by any end user.

176 4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications

177 transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between

178 any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.

179 5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity

180 assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any

181 services carried out by independent certification bodies.

182 6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.

183 7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and

184 members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or

185 other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and

186 expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC

187 Publications.

188 8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is

189 indispensable for the correct application of this publication.

190 9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent

191 rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

192 IEC 61280-4-3 has been prepared by subcommittee SC86C: Fibre optic systems and active

193 devices, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.

194 This publication contains an attached file titled "Supplemental Data" in the form of an Excel

195 spread sheet. This file is intended to be used as a complement and does not form an integral

196 part of the standard.
197 The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
XX/XX/FDIS XX/XX/RVD
198

199 Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in

200 the above table.
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201 The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.

202 This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in

203 accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available

204 at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are

205 described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications.

206 The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the

207 stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to

208 the specific document. At this date, the document will be
209 • reconfirmed,
210 • withdrawn,
211 • replaced by a revised edition, or
212 • amended.
213
214
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215 INTRODUCTION

216 IEC has developed a large set of standards for measurement of fibre optic cable plants. These

217 standards are applicable to passive optical networks (PON) if specifics of these networks are

218 known and understood. This document provides dedicated procedures for attenuation

219 measurements in PONs as well as additional information.

220 For the purpose of this document, a PON is a point-to-multipoint network that includes optical

221 line terminals (OLTs), optical network terminals (ONTs), and an optical fibre infrastructure that

222 is entirely passive and is represented by a single-rooted point-to-multipoint tree of optical fibres

223 with splitters, combiners, filters, and other passive components.

224 PONs are commonly used in fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and fibre-to-the-building (FTTB) optical

225 access networks (OAN). In addition, the measurement principles described in this document

226 may also apply to PONs used in other applications, like passive optical local area networks

227 (PO-LANs).
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228 FIBRE-OPTIC COMMUNICATION SUBSYSTEM TEST PROCEDURES –
229
230 Part 4-3: Installed passive optical networks –
231 Attenuation and optical return loss measurements
232
233
234 1 Scope

235 This part of IEC 61280-4 describes the measurement of attenuation, optical return loss and

236 optical power in installed passive optical networks (PON) using single-mode fibre.

237 This document specifies two methods for measuring the attenuation before activation of the

238 PON:
239 • Method A: One-cord method using a light source and a power meter (LSPM);

240 • Method B: Optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) method in upstream direction only,

241 with reduction of uncertainties due to the variation of backscatter coefficient.

242 In addition, method C, which is described in informative Annex C, provides an estimate of the

243 attenuation after partial activation of the PON by using a U band filtered optical time-domain

244 reflectometer (FOTDR) in an upstream direction.
245 2 Normative references

246 The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content

247 constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.

248 For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any

249 amendments) applies.

250 IEC 60793-2-50, Optical fibres – Part 2-50: Product specifications – Sectional specification for

251 class B single-mode fibres

252 IEC 61280-1-3, Fibre-optic communication subsystem test procedures – Part 1-3: General

253 communication subsystems – Measurement of central wavelength, spectral width and additional

254 spectral characteristics

255 IEC 61280-4-2, Fibre-optic communication subsystem test procedures – Part 4-2: Installed

256 cable plant – Single-mode attenuation and optical return loss measurement

257 IEC TR 61282-14:2019, Fibre optic communication system design guidelines – Part 14:

258 Determination of the uncertainties of attenuation measurements in fibre plants

259 IEC 61300-3-35, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and

260 measurement procedures – Part 3-35: Examinations and measurements – Visual inspection of

261 fibre optic connectors and fibre-stub transceivers
262 IEC 61315, Calibration of fibre-opt
...