IEC TR 63367:2021

Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Summarising results of round robin on connector end face scratch recognition and verification by automated microscopes

IEC TR 63367:2021 which is a technical report, summarises the results of a round robin on connector end face scratch recognition and verification by automated microscopes. The prime objectives of the study were:
determine the amount of variability (repeatability and reproducibility) when different state-of-the-art inspection systems are assessed against IEC 61300-3-35:2015;
evaluate any system-to-system variation in the quantity of reported scratches;
provide recommendations to improve the repeatability and reproducibility of fibre optic inspection systems.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 21-Nov-2021
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: SC 86B - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 22-Nov-2021
• Completion Date: 24-Dec-2021

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC TR 63367 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-11
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Summarising
results of round robin on connector end face scratch recognition and
verification by automated microscopes
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IEC TR 63367 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-11
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Summarising

results of round robin on connector end face scratch recognition and

verification by automated microscopes

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-1053-5

– 2 – IEC TR 63367:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Round robin procedure . 8
5 Specimen preparation . 9
5.1 General . 9
5.2 Multimode specimens . 9
5.3 Single-mode specimens . 11
6 Results . 13
6.1 Reported data . 13
6.2 Multimode specimens . 13
Observations of specimen MM20-2 . 14
Observations of specimen MM12 . 15
Observations of MM14-4 . 16
6.3 Single-mode specimens . 16
Observations of specimen SM9 . 17
Observations of specimen SM15-4 . 18
7 Observations and conclusions . 18
7.1 Multimode observations . 18
Remarks . 19
7.2 Single-mode observations . 19
Remarks . 19
7.3 Conclusions . 19
8 Items to be studied . 20
Annex A (informative) Measurement procedure . 21
Annex B (informative) Performance and geometry data of test specimens . 23
Annex C (informative) Reported scratch results for all specimens . 35
Bibliography . 40

Figure 1 – Multimode single-fibre test specimen grouping . 10
Figure 2 – Multimode multi-fibre test specimen grouping . 11
Figure 3 – Single-mode single-fibre test specimen grouping . 12
Figure 4 – Single-mode multi-fibre test specimen grouping . 13
Figure 5 – Image of specimen end face MM20-2 . 14
Figure 6 – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for multimode multi-fibre
specimen MM20-2, zone A . 14
Figure 7 – Image of specimen end face MM12 . 15
Figure 8 – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for multimode single-
fibre specimen MM12, zone A . 15
Figure 9 – Image of specimen end face MM14-4 . 16
Figure 10 – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for multimode multi-
fibre specimen MM14-4, zone A . 16
Figure 11 – Image of specimen end face SM9 . 17

Figure 12 – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for single-mode single-
fibre specimen SM9, zone A . 17
Figure 13 – Image of specimen end face SM15-4 . 18
Figure 14 – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for single-mode multi-
fibre specimen SM15-4, zone A . 18
Figure A.1 – Measurement procedure workflow . 22
Figure B.1 – Initial attenuation of multimode single-fibre specimens . 24
Figure B.2 – Initial return loss of multimode single-fibre specimens . 24
Figure B.3 – Multimode multi-fibre test interface identification key . 25
Figure B.4 – Initial attenuation of multimode multi-fibre specimens . 27
Figure B.5 – Initial return loss of multimode multi-fibre specimens . 27
Figure B.6 – Initial attenuation of single-mode single-fibre specimens . 29
Figure B.7 – Initial return loss of single-mode single-fibre specimens . 30
Figure B.8 – Single-mode multi-fibre test interface identification key . 31
Figure B.9 – Initial attenuation of single-mode multi-fibre specimens . 32
Figure B.10 – Initial return loss of single-mode multi-fibre specimens . 33
Figure C.1 – (All specimens) – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for
multimode single-fibre specimens, zone A . 35
Figure C.2 – (All specimens) – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for
multimode single-fibre specimens, zone B . 36
Figure C.3 – (All specimens) – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for

multimode multi-fibre specimens, zone A . 36
Figure C.4 – (All specimens) – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for
multimode multi-fibre specimens, zone B . 37
Figure C.5 – (All specimens) – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for
single-mode single-fibre specimens, zone A . 37
Figure C.6 – (All specimens) – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for

single-mode single-fibre specimens, zone B . 38
Figure C.7 – (All specimens) – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for
single-mode multi-fibre specimens, zone A . 38
Figure C.8 – (All specimens) – Number of out-of-specification scratches reported for
single-mode multi-fibre specimens, zone B . 39

Table 1 – Multimode test specimen categorisation . 9
Table 2 – Single-mode test specimen categorisation . 12
Table A.1 – Scratch size limits . 21
Table B.1 – Initial optical performance of multimode single-fibre specimens . 23
Table B.2 – End-face geometry of multimode single-fibre specimens . 25
Table B.3 – Attenuation of multimode multi-fibre specimens . 26
Table B.4 – Return loss of multimode multi-fibre specimens . 26
Table B.5 – End-face geometry parameter of multimode multi-fibre specimens . 28
Table B.6 – Fibre height of multimode multi-fibre specimens . 28
Table B.7 – Core dip of multimode multi-fibre specimens . 28
Table B.8 – Initial optical performance of single-mode single-fibre specimens . 29
Table B.9 – End-face geometry of single-mode single-fibre specimens . 30
Table B.10 – Attenuation of single-mode multi-fibre specimens at 1 310 nm wavelength . 31

– 4 – IEC TR 63367:2021 © IEC 2021
Table B.11 – Attenuation of single-mode multi-fibre specimens at 1 550 nm wavelength . 31
Table B.12 – Return Loss of single-mode multi-fibre specimens at 1 310 nm
wavelength . 32
Table B.13 – Return loss of single-mode multi-fibre specimens at 1 550 nm wavelength . 32
Table B.14 – End-face geometry parameter of single-mode multi-fibre specimens . 33
Table B.15 – Fibre height of single-mode multi-fibre specimens . 33
Table B.16 – Fibre tip radii of single-mode multi-fibre specimens . 34

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – SUMMARISING RESULTS OF ROUND ROBIN
ON CONNECTOR END FACE SCRATCH RECOGNITION AND
VERIFICATION BY AUTOMATED MICROSCOPES

FOREWORD
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IEC TR 63367 has been prepared by subcommittee 86B: Fibre optic interconnecting devices
and passive components, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics. It is a Technical Report.
The text of this Technical Report is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86B/4492/DTR 86B/4521/RVDTR
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this Technical Report is English.

– 6 – IEC TR 63367:2021 © IEC 2021
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INTRODUCTION
It is known that contamination and scratches on connector end face can result in degradation
of optical performance as described in IEC TR 62627-05. It is important to inspect and clean,
when necessary, each connector before mating with another connector to ensure they are fit
for function. The visual inspection methods and criteria for fibre optic connectors and fibre-stub
transceivers are defined in IEC 61300-3-35. Three different methods can be used for visual
inspection: direct view optical microscopy (method A), video microscopy (method B) and
automated analysis microscopy (method C). All methods are susceptible to system variability:
methods A and B are operator dependent; method C is operator independent but relies on
software analysis for measurement results. The uncertainty inherent to imaging equipment,
processing methods, and detection software can lead to measurement variability among
different brands and even the same types of microscopy. For all methods, the fibre microscopes
can be certified for use in either low- and high-resolution applications with a purpose-built
certification artefact.
There is industry concern about the veracity of the results of the visual inspection of the same
part using different automated inspection equipment and software for method C. The IEC
SC 86B task force group on scratch recognition was organized to investigate automated
inspection system variability and provide recommendations to improve repeatability and
reproducibility of the inspection. The task force group specifically limited its investigation to
inspection using method C.
The task force group consisted of the following members (in alphabetical order): Arden,
CommScope, Corning, Data Pixel, Exfo, Fibre QA, Fluke Corporation, Sumix, University College
of London, and decided to perform this investigation by means of a round robin. The round robin
involved inspection systems from multiple vendors in a blind study to determine the baseline
performance of the systems with regard to automated scratch detection relative to IEC criteria
of pre-selected samples.
This report summarizes the results (data collection and analysis) of end face scratch recognition
and verification round robin performed by the following task force contributors (5 fibre inspection
system manufactures). The following sequence in which the contributors are listed does not
represent the order in which the data is presented in the results section. One contributor
provided results from four unique inspection systems, each having their own participant ID
(eight ID’s in total):
• Data-Pixel;
• Exfo;
• FiberQA;
• Fluke Corporation;
• Sumix.
– 8 – IEC TR 63367:2021 © IEC 2021
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – SUMMARISING RESULTS OF ROUND ROBIN
ON CONNECTOR END FACE SCRATCH RECOGNITION AND
VERIFICATION BY AUTOMATED MICROSCOPES

1 Scope
This document summarises the results of a round robin on connector end face scratch
recognition and verification by automated microscopes. The prime objectives of the study were:
• determine the amount of variability (repeatability and reproducibility) when different state-
of-the-art inspection systems are assessed against IEC 61300-3-35:2015;
• evaluate any system-to-system variation in the quantity of reported scratches;
• provide recommendations to improve the repeatability and reproducibility of fibre optic
inspection systems.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
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:
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
4 Round robin procedure
The round robin workflow consisted of the following steps.
a) Specimen preparation (see Clause 5): Multimode and single-mode single-fibre and multi-
fibre test specimens were produced. An image of each end face was captured by high
resolution microscope, attenuation and return loss were measured for each fibre, and end-
face geometry was determined to verify that the specimens met the IEC interface
requirements.
b) Circulation initiation: Measurement procedure and results template (see Annex A) were
developed and approved by the group. The order of participants for specimen circulation
was agreed.
c) Measurements: Specimens were circulated among round robin participants. Every
participant performed measurements and collected image data according to the agreed
procedure.
d) Analysis of results: The results were gathered from all participants. Data analysis was
performed, and the synthesis report was composed.

5 Specimen preparation
5.1 General
The round-robin test specimens were fabricated to consider various interface configurations
and conditions. Specimens were arranged into both cylindrical ferrule single fibre (1,25 mm
zirconia material) and rectangular ferrule multi-fibre types (12-fibre MT with polyphenylene
sulphide [PPS] material). Both multimode (50 µm core diameter) and single-mode specimens
were produced.
5.2 Multimode specimens
The multimode specimens were further organised into categories that had pristine fibre end-
face surface quality, and ones with low-level, light scratches (produced with a 1 µm diamond
film) which still meet functional performance criteria. Furthermore, specimens were created with
1 to 3 heavy scratches (produced with a 5 µm diamond suspension), as well as a control without
detectable heavy scratches. A summary describing all of the multimode variants is provided in
Table 1. A total of twelve multimode single-fibre specimens and twelve multi-fibre specimens
(with three specimens per group) were produced. Images for each of the specimens are given
in Figure 1 for the single-fibre and Figure 2 for the multi-fibre groups. All images were taken
with an end face inspection system utilizing blue-light illumination, an objective having an NA
of 0,40 and a magnification of 400 x (see Figure 1 to Figure 4).
Table 1 – Multimode test specimen categorisation
Group Ferrule type Ferrule material Light scratches Heavy scratches
identification
A MM 1,25 mm Zirconia No No
B MM 1,25 mm Zirconia No Yes
C MM 1,25 mm Zirconia Yes No
D MM 1,25 mm Zirconia Yes Yes
E MM MT (PPS) PPS No No
F MM MT (PPS) PPS No Yes
G MM MT (PPS) PPS Yes No
H MM MT (PPS) PPS Yes Yes
– 10 – IEC TR 63367:2021 © IEC 2021

Figure 1 – Multimode single-fibre test specimen grouping
Following visual inspection, the optical performance of each specimen was qualified at 850 nm
wavelength and the end-face geometry was determined. The attenuation and return loss were
measured per IEC 61300-3-4, insertion method (B), and IEC 61300-3-6, method 1: OCWR,
respectively. The results for the single-fibre specimens is reported in Annex B (Table B.1 and
Figure B.1 to Figure B.2). End face geometry of the single-fibre specimens was estimated using
IEC 61300-3-47 and summarized in Annex B (Table B.2).
The multi-fibre specimens had specific fibres of each ferrule identified for the study. However,
attenuation, return loss, and geometry measurements were made across all fibres of the
interconnection. A key to identify the fibre specimen inspected during the round robin is
provided in Annex B (Figure B.3). Attenuation and return loss values are given in Annex B
(Table B.3 to Table B.4 and Figure B.4 to Figure B.5), with the round robin fibre inspection

interfaces highlighted. The end-face geometry of the multi-fibre interfaces was determined
using IEC 61300-3-30. The relevant geometric parameters, fibre heights, and core dip results
are summarised in Annex B (Table B.5 to Table B.7).

Figure 2 – Multimode multi-fibre test specimen grouping
5.3 Single-mode specimens
The single-mode end faces were binned into categories, which either had 1 to 3 scratches that
pass through the fibre core or pass through zone A (without intersecting the core). These
scratches were approximately 1 µm width. In addition, a single-mode specimen group without
any observable scratches was produced. A summary describing all of the single-mode variants
is provided in Table 2. A total of nine single-mode, single-fibre specimens were produced and
nine multi-fibre interfaces (with three specimens per group). Images for each of the specimens
are given in Figure 3 for single-fibre and Figure 4 for the multi-fibre groups.

– 12 – IEC TR 63367:2021 © IEC 2021
Table 2 – Single-mode test specimen categorisation
Group Ferrule type Ferrule material Core scratches Zone A scratches
identification
A SM 1,25 mm Zirconia No No
B SM 1,25 mm Zirconia No Yes
C SM 1,25 mm Zirconia Yes Yes
D SM MT PPS No No
E SM MT PPS No Yes
F SM MT PPS Yes Yes
Figure 3 – Single-mode single-fibre test specimen grouping
Following visual inspection, the optical performance of each specimen was qualified at
1 310 nm and 1 550 nm wavelengths, and the end-face geometry was determined. The
attenuation and return loss was measured per IEC 61300-3-4, insertion method (B), and
IEC 61300-3-6, method 1: OCWR, respectively. The results for the single-fibre specimens are
reported in Annex B (Table B.8 and Figure
...