Taking a Closer Look at Fibre Optic Jumper Assemblies FIA Summer Seminar 2012

Transcription

1 Taking a Closer Look at Fibre Optic Jumper Assemblies FIA Summer Seminar 2012

2 Optical Network Performance Issues Network performance problems (at the physical layer) can be directly attributed to cable assembly quality Field testing can identify several issues, but it is not inclusive of all potential issues. In other words, field testing can deliver a false sense of security to the fibre installer and also to the end client

3 Optical Performance Testing For example a single passing result for insertion loss does & will not guarantee long term reliability, optical performance of an optical channel or its components. To address this Siemon has performed a series of comprehensive benchmark testing of fibre assemblies that are commercially available Samples: 36 Duplex OM3 LC Assemblies from nine different suppliers. Every cord was tested against Siemon requirements and those specified by IEC for end face geometry, optical performance, cleanliness, insertion loss, return loss across two wavelengths (850nm & 1300nm) and in both directions.

4 Optical Performance Testing Optical reflections degrade signal to noise ratio and are commonly presented using eye diagrams, with a lower return loss (higher reflectance) resulting in smaller eye openings (i.e. height and peak to peak). Testing in both directions and at both wavelengths will detect abnormalities that degrade optical performance of cabling channels

5 Insertion Loss & Return Loss Results Industry Standard (IEC ) Manufacturer IL (.75dB) RL (20dB) IL (.25dB) Siemon Specification RL (30dB) Siemon Pass Pass Pass Pass # 1 Global Manufacturer Pass Pass Pass Pass # 2 Global Manufacturer Pass Pass Pass Pass # 3 Global Manufacturer Pass Pass Pass Pass # 4 Global Manufacturer Pass Pass Pass Pass # 5 Generic Pass Fail Fail Fail # 6 Generic Pass Pass Pass Pass # 7 Generic Pass Fail Pass Fail # 8 Generic Pass Fail Fail Fail

6 End Face Geometry Testing Insertion Loss is typically the only field measurement, but not the only parameter that can affect network performance and reliability Control of end face geometry, cleanliness, surface defects and mechanical integrity should all be considered to ensure long-term reliability End Face Geometry Overall performance of the fibre optic connectivity depends on the mechanical characteristics that control alignment and physical contact of the fibre cores. Maintaining excellent end face geometry is an essential characteristic of repeatable and reliable optical fibre connections

7 End Face Geometry Testing The three critical parameters for connector end-face are: Radius of curvature (ROC): the roundedness of the ferrule s end-face surface Apex Offset: The degree to which the end face dome is centered Fibre Undercut/Protrusion: the height or depth that the fibre core protrudes or undercuts the ferrule surface

8 End Face Geometry Testing Siemon Labs have performed extensive research on the effect of end face variation on performance and intermateability Because the quality and consistency of the physical contact between fibre cores depends on end-face geometry, it must be rigorously controlled to support the premise that cabling are fully Intermateable & interoperable. Otherwise, the percentage of mated connections that do not conform with optical performance requirements will statistically increase. In other words, poor end face control poses increased risk that a day-one pass will be followed by trouble on day-two

9 End Face Geometry Testing Manufacturer ROC (5-30mm) Industry Standard (IEC ) Apex 70µm Fibre Height (-100nm-500nm) ROC (7-25mm) Siemon Specification Apex 50µm Fibre Height (-100nm-50nm) Siemon Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass # 1 Global Manufacturer Pass Fail Pass Fail Fail Fail # 2 Global Manufacturer Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass # 3 Global Manufacturer Pass Pass Pass Pass Fail Pass # 4 Global Manufacturer Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass # 5 Generic Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail # 6 Generic Pass Fail Fail Pass Fail Fail # 7 Generic Pass Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail # 8 Generic Pass Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail

10 Apex & ROC Test Examples

11 Apex & ROC Test Examples A connection between a jumper having non compliant end-face geometry and one that is standards compliant will exhibit inconsistent test results. For example: Test completed with a compliant reference cord will exhibit lower optical loss and greater repeatability. Whereas testing with non-standards compliant cords will results in higher losses and greater variability as a cabling channel when replacing the reference cords non-compliant jumpers

12 Contamination & Sub/Surface Defects Fibre core fractures and the presence of contamination on ferrules, alignment sleeves or dust caps cause wide variations in both insertion loss and return loss performance. These issues are separate from end face geometry, but have an equally high impact on first pass yield for cabling acceptance testing. More importantly, these irregularities undermine network integrity because the degree to which undetected, uncorrected contamination or fractures interfere with optical performance is highly variable and completely unpredictable.

13 End Face Visual Inspection Surface defects and cleanliness are critical, but will not always be detected with insertion loss or end face geometry testing. A smooth but fractured fibre will not necessarily fail end face geometry checks for radius of curvature, apex and fibre height Because proper cleanliness of the fibre jumper during manufacturing and installation is critical to reliability and optical performance.

14 End Face Visual Inspection

15 End Face Visual Inspection Results All random samples under test except for Siemon were received with some form of contaminated end face and failed the automated visual test against IEC After properly cleaning; 75% passed with some defects. 25% failed after cleaning Non compliant end-face geometry and contamination are the leading causes for erratic optical test results in the field and are responsible for wasted time and effort in trouble-shooting optical fibre cabling These issues translate to low first pass yield on acceptance testing of installed fibre cabling channels. Faced with time constraints, installers will sometimes retest until they achieve a passing result. Unless the non-compliant jumpers are replaced, they pose a risk of unacceptably high insertion loss for the channel on day two

16 Mechanical Reliability There are several tests required as part of industry standard specifications for mechanical reliability Mechanical reliability parameters include: Flex Testing Twist Testing Proof Testing Cable Retention Impact Testing Vibration Testing Durability Transmission with an Applied Load. These mechanical tests verify that a fibre jumper can endure the installation and maintenance performed in a typical fibre optic network, and that they can dependably withstand the internal stresses imposed by spring loaded physical contact over time under in a variety of environmental conditions.

17 Mechanical Reliability Test Results Mechanical tests performed on each assembly were Cable Pull, Flex, Torsion & Retention.

18 Failures 90 O Degree Pull Test

19 Conclusion High concern & emphasis on end face geometry, cleanliness, surface/subsurface integrity and mechanical performance specifically because field testing of optical fibre links is necessary But field testing techniques/ equipment is largely not sufficient enough to guarantee the integrity of installed optical fibre cabling A) One reason it is insufficient is because link testing does not include the fibre jumpers used for equipment connections on either end of the link B) Another reason is that insertion loss is the only required transmission parameter for optical fibre cabling based on industry standards. It is for these reasons, it is absolutely essential to ensure that optical fibre cables, components and assemblies are fully standards compliant

20 Conclusion While most any fibre optic patch cords & assemblies can pass insertion loss, other critical parameters that are equally important include end face geometry, return loss, mechanical reliability, surface defects and cleanliness According to this study, generic fibre jumpers from generic assembly houses are least likely to pass these critical parameters which can result in product failures and costly network down time. All Siemon jumpers & pigtails are fully tested in-line with the requirements

21 One Last Thing... Question: Are the costs savings from using lower cost, substandard fibre jumpers assemblies worth putting critical network performance and reliability at risk?

22 End...