IEC PAS 63267-3-31:2020

Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Fibre optic connector optical interfaces - Part 3-31: End face geometry - Flat PC PPS rectangular ferrule multimode fibres

IEC PAS 63267-3-31:2020 defines certain dimensional limits of a flat PC rectangular polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) ferrule optical interface in order to meet specific longitudinal offset requirements for fibre-to-fibre interconnection. Ferrules made from the material specified in this PAS are suitable for use in categories C, U, E, and O as defined in IEC 61753-1.
Ferrule interface dimensions and features are contained in IEC 61754 (all parts), which deals with fibre optic connector interfaces.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 06-Feb-2020
• ICS: 33.180.20 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices
• Technical Committee: SC 86B - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 07-Feb-2020
• Completion Date: 21-Jan-2020

Overview

IEC PAS 63267-3-31:2020 specifies end-face geometry and dimensional limits for flat PC rectangular polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) ferrule optical interfaces used with multimode fibres. It targets a single-row 12‑fibre ferrule (interface variant 1112, nominal ferrule cross-section 2.45 mm × 6.4 mm, 0.25 mm pitch) and defines the end‑face parameters needed to meet longitudinal‑offset requirements for reliable fibre‑to‑fibre interconnection. Ferrules in this PAS are suitable for use in performance categories C, U, E, and O as per IEC 61753‑1.

Key topics and technical requirements

• End‑face geometry parameters: Defines the measurable features that affect longitudinal offset including fibre protrusion, fibre array minus‑coplanarity, adjacent fibre height differential, end‑face X/Y angles and radii, fibre tip spherical radius, and core dip.
• Dimensional limits and tolerances: The PAS specifies limits applicable to the central end‑face region around the 12 fibres (nominal pitch 0.25 mm). Representative limits in the document include:
  • X‑angle (ferrule surface slope): ±0.15°
  • Y‑angle: ±0.2°
  • Fibre height (protrusion): 1 – 3.5 µm
  • Adjacent fibre height differential: 0 – 0.3 µm
  • Core dip control: ~120 nm (document reference)
• Material and mechanical context: Applies to PPS ferrules with Young’s modulus ~15–20 GPa and specifies recommended ferrule compression (axial force) range (≈7.8 N to 11.8 N) for mating.
• Measurement method: End‑face geometry shall be measured in accordance with IEC 61300‑3‑30 (polish angle and fibre position measurement procedures).
• Performance considerations: Separate geometry limits are provided depending on whether fewer or greater than 50% of the fibres show core dip; minus‑coplanarity and geometry limits are defined to control longitudinal offset during mating.

Applications and who uses it

• Connector and ferrule manufacturers: for design, tooling, and production tolerances of PPS rectangular ferrules.
• Quality and test laboratories: to verify end‑face geometry and ensure compliance using IEC 61300‑3‑30 test methods.
• System integrators and spec writers: to select compatible connectors and to specify intermateability and loss expectations for multimode links in data centers, enterprise cabling and telecom premises.
• Procurement and compliance teams: to ensure sourced components meet required IEC interface and performance categories.

Related standards

• IEC 61754 series - ferrule and connector interface dimensions
• IEC 61300‑3‑30 - end‑face measurements (polish angle, fibre position)
• IEC 61753‑1 - performance categories for fibre optic interconnecting devices
• IEC 61755‑1 - connector performance intermateability (referenced for mating rules)

Keywords: IEC PAS 63267‑3‑31:2020, fibre optic connector, flat PC PPS rectangular ferrule, end face geometry, longitudinal offset, multimode fibres, ferrule dimensions, IEC 61754, IEC 61300‑3‑30.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC PAS 63267-3-31 ®
Edition 1.0 2020-02
PUBLICLY AVAILABLE
SPECIFICATION
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Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Fibre optic
connector optical interfaces –
Part 3-31: End face geometry – Flat PC PPS rectangular ferrule multimode fibres
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IEC PAS 63267-3-31 ®
Edition 1.0 2020-02
PUBLICLY AVAILABLE
SPECIFICATION
colour
inside
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Fibre optic

connector optical interfaces –

Part 3-31: End face geometry – Flat PC PPS rectangular ferrule multimode fibres

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.180.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-7814-7

– 2 – IEC PAS 63267-3-31:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Description . 5
5 Interface parameters . 6
Annex A (normative)  Minus coplanarity . 10
Annex B (informative)  Minimum normal force required to achieve physical contact . 11
Bibliography . 16

Figure 1 – Fibre numbering conventions . 7
Figure 2– Interface dimensions related to longitudinal offset . 7
Figure A.1 – Illustration of fibre line and minus coplanarity parameters . 10
Figure B.1 – Geometry Limit, GL, needed to mate 12 fibres, as a function of absolute
X-angle, SX for different magnitudes of minus coplanarity and flat fibre tips . 12
Figure B.2 – Geometry Limit, GL, needed to mate 12 fibres, as a function of absolute
X-angle, SX for different magnitudes of minus coplanarity and 1 mm fibre tips . 13

Table 1 – Optical interface variant information . 6
Table 2 – Physical contact end face geometry dimensions having <50% fibres with
core dip for optical interface variant 1112 . 8
Table 3 – Physical contact end face geometry dimensions having >50% fibres with
core dip for optical interface variant 1112 . 9
Table B.1 – Parameter constants for 12-fibre optical interface variant 1112 . 15

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES
AND PASSIVE COMPONENTS –
FIBRE OPTIC CONNECTOR OPTICAL INTERFACES –

Part 3-31: End face geometry – Flat PC PPS rectangular ferrule
multimode fibres
FOREWORD
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A PAS is an intermediate specification made available to the public and needing a lower level
of consensus than an International Standard to be approved by vote (simple majority).
IEC PAS 63267-3-31 has been processed by subcommittee 86B: Fibre optic interconnecting
devices and passive components, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
The text of this PAS is based on the This PAS was approved for
following document: publication by the P-members of the
committee concerned as indicated in
the following document
Draft PAS Report on voting
86B/4231/PAS 86B/4249/RVDPAS
Following publication of this PAS, which is a pre-standard publication, the technical committee
or subcommittee concerned may transform it into an International Standard.

– 4 – IEC PAS 63267-3-31:2020 © IEC 2020
This PAS shall remain valid for an initial maximum period of 2 years starting from the publication
date. The validity may be extended for a single period up to a maximum of 2 years, at the end
of which it shall be published as another type of normative document, or shall be withdrawn.

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FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES
AND PASSIVE COMPONENTS –
FIBRE OPTIC CONNECTOR OPTICAL INTERFACES –

Part 3-31: End face geometry – Flat PC PPS rectangular ferrule
multimode fibres
1 Scope
This part of IEC 63267 defines certain dimensional limits of a flat PC rectangular polyphenylene
sulphide (PPS) ferrule optical interface in order to meet specific longitudinal offset requirements
for fibre-to-fibre interconnection. Ferrules made from the material specified in this PAS are
suitable for use in categories C, U, E, and O as defined in IEC 61753-1.
Ferrule interface dimensions and features are contained in IEC 61754 (all parts), which deals
with fibre optic connector interfaces.
2 Normative references
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.
IEC 61300-3-30, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-30: Examinations and measurements – Polish angle and
fibre position on single ferrule multifibre connectors
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
4 Description
The performance of a multimode flat PC rectangular ferrule optical interface is determined by
the accuracy with which the optical datum targets of two mating ferrules are aligned with each
other. There are three conditions affecting the alignment of the optical datum targets: lateral
offset, angular offset, and longitudinal offset.
Parameters influencing the lateral and angular offset of the optical fibre axes include the
following:
– fibre hole deviation from designated location;
– fibre cladding diameter relative to fibre hole clearance;
– fibre hole angular misalignment;
– fibre core concentricity relative to the cladding diameter;
– alignment pin diameter relative to the guide hole clearance.

– 6 – IEC PAS 63267-3-31:2020 © IEC 2020
Parameters influencing the longitudinal offset of the optical fibre axes include the following:
– fibre protrusion;
– fibre array minus coplanarity;
– adjacent fibre height differential;
...