INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

IEC TC86: Committee for Fibre Optics Standards

Umberto RossiChairman, IEC TC86rossiu@teletu.it

Summary

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)StructureMissionGlobal Relevance The IECQ Quality Assessment System The System Approach

Technical Committee 86: “Fibre Optics”Scope and ObjectivesAssets and ProductsComposition and Structure Liaisons Future Work and Challenges

Conclusions2

The IEC Structure

3

The IEC mission

4

“… to promote international cooperation on all questions of standardization ….in the fields of electricity, electronics and related technologies … which arespecified for the purpose of trade and commerce … and to meet expectationsfor an improved quality of life.”

IEC Stakeholders: the NATIONAL COMMITTEES:

CLIENTS

publish mandatory National Standards based on IEC publications

SUPPLIERS

Esperts are nominated by NCs

NCs finance IEC activity

NCs are responsible to mediate among different interests

The IEC adopts a VOLUNTARY CONSENSUS process

The CONSENSUS concept

CONSENSUS: General agreement characterized by theabsence of sustained opposition to substantial issues by anyimportant part of the concerned interests and by a processthat involves seeking to take into account the views of allparties concerned and to reconcile any conflicting arguments.

NOTE: Consensus need not imply unanimity.

Customer - supplier agreement

Consistent standard quality level

Product and service interoperability

Competitive, fair and democratic process (1 Country - 1 Vote)

Effective Management of technical meetings5

The strength of the IEC: 162 countries

81 Members 81 Affiliates

> 90% world population> 95% world PIL> 98% world electrical power

6

The role of Standards

To supply “trusted” answers in the field of appliedtechnologies

To respond toneeds of users and suppliers in a global

context of use

To define products, protocols and interfaces (“common languages”) toallow and promote the exchange of

products and services in a safe, interoperable and effective way.

7

Two contrasting needs…

“GLOBAL RELEVANCE”

To publish standards up-to-date with technological evolution, to avoid the proliferation of “de facto” standards which may result difficult to eradicate

To avoid publishing premature (or immature) standards, which may slow down technological progress or block the market

8

To publish “relevant” and “global” standards with the objective to direct manufacturers and users toward safe, flexible, interoperable and cheap products, suited to:

avoid proliferating limited-use (“parochial”) standards

guarantee transverse compatibility

stimulate competition in a multivendor environment

guarantee time to market for standards

broaden the market (“trade and commerce”)

Global Relevance

9

Global Relevance

IS’s should not give preference to characteristics or requirements of specific countries or regions when different needs or interests exist in other countries or regions

IS’s should be performance based rather than based on design or descriptive characteristics

IS’s need to be relevant and to effectively respond to regulatory and market needs

IIS’s should not distort the global market, have adverse effects on fair competition, or stifle innovation and technological development

10

Basic Specifications: common to multiple product families(terminology, definitions, test procedures, etc.)

optical connectors

The IECQ Quality Assessment System

11

The IECQ Quality Assessment System

12

Basic Specifications: common to multiple product families(terminology, definitions, test procedures, etc.)

optical connectors

Generic Specifications: common to a single product family SC optical connectors

The IECQ Quality Assessment System

13

Basic Specifications: common to multiple product families(terminology, definitions, test procedures, etc.)

optical connectors

Generic Specifications: common to a single product family SC optical connectors

Intermediate Specifications: referred to a specific product sub-family (test severity, acceptance criteria, performances, etc.)

SC angled optical connectors

The IECQ Quality Assessment System

14

Basic Specifications: common to multiple product families(terminology, definitions, test procedures, etc.)

optical connectors

Generic Specifications: common to a single product family SC optical connectors

Intermediate Specifications: referred to a specific product sub-family (test severity, acceptance criteria, performances, etc.)

SC angled optical connectors

Blank Detail Specifications: guidance for preparation of productdetail specifications

The IECQ QualityAssessment System

15

Basic Specifications: common to multiple product families(terminology, definitions, test procedures, etc.)

optical connectors

Generic Specifications: common to a single product family SC optical connectors

Intermediate Specifications: referred to a specific product sub-family (test severity, acceptance criteria, performances, etc.)

SC angled optical connectors

Blank Detail Specifications: guidance for preparation of productdetail specifications

Detail (Product) Specifications: detailed description of allcharacteristics and requirements needed to assess conformity and quality of a specific product

SC angled optical connectorsmanufactured by the xyz supplier

The TC86 innovation: from “product” standards…

… proliferation ofspecific standards

related to single products and

single suppliers

… freezingdevelopment in rapidly evolving

technologies

… increasing the time to develop

and publishstandards

… impeding a global approach to

standardization

16

Interface standards: to guarantee transverse

compatibility(interexchangeability) among products from

different suppliers

Performance standards: to define minimum

performance of productsas a function of the

application and of the envioronment

Test and measurementstandards:

to define test and measurement

procedures valid fordifferent products

Reliability standardsto assess test severitywith the objective tosimulate use and to

evaluate productcapability of end-of-life

performance

… to the global standards system

17

TC/SCs can have different functions:Product function – role of a supplierSystem function – role of a customerTCs/SCs may have both product and system functions

depending on the system(s) in which they operateNo hierarchy between TC/SCs with different functions

Encourage TC/SCs to better understand the standardization environment in which they operate

Promote communication, reciprocity and cooperation between TC/SCs

Minimize conflicts between TC/SCs

The “System Approach” in the IEC

18

The TC86 “family”

TC 86FIBRE OPTICS

SC86AFibres and Cables

SC86BInterconnecting Devices& Passive Components

SC86CFibre Optic Systems& Active Devices

WG4 – Test EquipmentCalibration

JWG9 (w/ TC91) –Optical Functionality for Electronic Assemblies

WG1 – Optical Fibres

WG3 – Optical Cables

WG4 – Test & Measurement Methods

WG6 – InterconnectingDevices

JWG8 – TerminatedCable Assemblies

WG7 – PassiveComponents

WG1 – Optical Commun.Systems & Subsystems

WG3 – OpticalAmplifiers

WG5 – DynamicModules

WG4 – Active Devices

19

TC86 Scope

To prepare International Standards foroptical fibres and cables, passive and activeoptical components, optical dynamicmodules, optical devices, sub-systems andsystems (primarily for use in TLC)

Broad application spectrum (TLC, Testing &calibration, Structured cabling, Automotive,Transportation, Sensors, Military, Industrialautomation, ....)

20

TC86 Objectives

Supply homogeneous standards to FibreOptics industry

Support international trade and commerce

Provide solutions for all industrial applications, covering all key needs

TC86 is a typical “Product“ Committee

Standardization process must follow market needs and technical development

System Committees are perceived as “Customers”

21

TC86 Assets

22

Unique global source for the standards industry needs

“one-stop-shop” for fibre optics

Add value through synergy of extensive complementary expertise: optical fibres, cables, passive and active components, systems

Market and technology development to encourage and facilitate applications

Established cooperation / liaisons with key Groups and bodies

TerminologyPhysical, optical,

mechanical, environmental characteristics

Test methods and

instrumentcalibration

Optical and functional interfacesOptical, transmission

and environmental performance

Active components, dynamic modules,

sub-systems

Passive optical components

Quality and Reliability

FibreOptics

Technology

TC86 “Products"

23

TC86: Productivity (2009)

24

TC86 Composition

AUSTRIA (AT) CANADA (CA) CHINA (CN) DENMARK (DK) FINLAND (FI) FRANCE (FR) GERMANY (DE) HUNGARY (HU) INDIA (IN) ITALY (IT) JAPAN (JP) KOREA (REP. OF)

(KR) MEXICO (MX) NETHERLANDS (NL)

PAKISTAN (PK) POLAND (PL) PORTUGAL (PT) ROMANIA (RO) RUSSIAN FEDERATION

(RU) SAUDI ARABIA (SA) SOUTH AFRICA (ZA) SPAIN (ES) SWEDEN (SE) SWITZERLAND (CH) THAILAND (TH) UNITED KINGDOM (GB) UNITED STATES OF

AMERICA (US)

AUSTRALIA (AU) BELGIUM (BE) BRAZIL (BR) BULGARIA (BG) CZECH REPUBLIC (CZ) GREECE (GR) INDONESIA (ID) IRELAND (IE) ISRAEL (IL) NEW ZEALAND (NZ) NORWAY (NO) SERBIA (RS) SLOVENIA (SI) TURKEY (TR) UKRAINE (UA)

25

TC86: Fibre Optics

Chairman: Umberto Rossi (Italy)Secretariat: U.S.A.

Secretary: Steven E. SwansonAssistant Secretary: Elaina Finger

Harmonized approach across TCsWG4: Fibre optic test equipment calibration

o Test equipment calibrationo Cooperation with metrology laboratories worldwide

JWG9(with TC 91):Optical functionality for electronic assemblieso Optical circuits and optical boards o Interconnection of equipment frames and cards

26

SC86A: Optical Fibresand Cables

President: Gerard Kuyt (Netherlands)Secretariat: France

Secretary: Guy Perrot

WG1: Fibres and associated measuring methodso Harmonization with ITU-T G.65x (recommendations)o High-performance MM fibres for high-speed links (private networks,

cabling systems, LAN, data centres, industrial cabling) o POF (Plastic Optical Fibres) o Test methods for all optical fibre parameters (geometrical

mechanical, optical and environmental)

27

SC86A: Optical Fibresand Cables (cont’d)

WG3: Optical fibre cables o All types of cables (external, internal, aerial, underground,

underwater, etc.)o Test methods for cables (mechanical, optical, environmental, etc.)o New: MDU optical cables (FTTH)o Installation techniqueso Harmonization with ITU-T L-series - recommendations (outside

plant)

JWG 8 (with 86B): Terminated cable assemblieso Performance of connectorized cable assemblies and reference

connectors (jumper, cords, etc.)

28

SC86B: Interconnecting Devices and Passive Components

President: Daniel Daems (Belgium)Secretariat: Japan

Secretary: Etsuji Sugita

WG4: Tests and measurement methods o Inspection, test and measurements of connector ferule end faceo Connector performance (geometrical, mechanical, optical and

environmental parameters)o Launch conditions for MM optical fibres

WG6: Interconnecting devices and related componentso Performance of interconnection optical componentso Interface standards for connectors and adapterso “Related” components (accessories, closures, patch-panels, etc.)

29

WG7: Fibre optic passive componentso WDMs, passive couplers , passive components for PONs and FTTH o effective and strong cooperation with ITU-T Q. 7/15

JWG 8 (with 86A): Terminated Cable Assemblies

Probably the most prolific group across the whole IEC

229 published standards

74 active projects

SC86B: Interconnecting Devices and Passive Components (cont’d)

30

SC86C: Systems and Active Devices

President: Pietro Di Vita (Italy)Secretariat: U.S.A.

Secretary: Jack Dupre

WG1: Communications systems and sub-systemso Specifications, design methodology, and test methods for physical layer

of optical fibre communication systems and sub-systemso Installed MMF cable plant measurements with “encircled flux” methodo Characterization of quality of vector-modulated signals with error vector

magnitude o Optical fibre sensors

31

SC86C: Systems and Active Devices (cont’d)

WG3: Optical amplifierso Specifications and related test procedures for relevant parameters of

optical amplifierso ALL TYPES of optical amplifiers: doped-fibre, Raman, and

semiconductor types (with WG4)o New: high-power (SAFETY), four-wave mixing, Raman amplification

WG4: Active components and deviceso Packaging, performance, interface and reliability standardso Test procedures (optical, mechanical, vibrations, etc.)o New: optical transceivers for 40Gb/s

32

SC86C: Systems and Active Devices (cont’d)

WG 5: Dynamic modules and deviceso Monitor and electronic dynamic control of optical signal characteristics

(gain equalizers, ROADMs, PMD and CD compensators, etc.)o Performance and interface standards (even SW!), test procedures,

reliability, etc.

Design guides published on several subjects:o Statistical design, safety, non linear effects, dispersion compensation,

GB Ethernet, etc.

33

TC86 Liaisons - IECTC7 - Overhead ConductorsTC20 - Electric Cables (SC20C – Burning Characteristics)TC31 - Explosive Atmospheres (WG8 – Risk of Ignition)TC46 - Metallic Cables & Wires (former parent TC ….)TC65 - Industrial ProcessTC76 - Laser SafetyTC78 - Live WorkingTC81 - Lightning ProtectionTC89 - Fire Hazard TestingTC91 - Electronics Assembly TC100 - Audio, Video and Multimedia (TA4 – Interfaces; TA5 – CATV)TC110 - Flat Panel DisplaysTC111 - EnvironmentTC113 - Nanotechnology

Sector Board 4 on TLC infrastructure (“ACT”) 34

TC86 Global Liaisons

ITU-TSG 15 Optical transport networks and access network infrastructures

ISO/IEC JTC1 SC6 (Telecommunications)

SC25 (Cabling Systems)

ISO TC172/SC9 Optics & Optical Instruments

35

TC86 Regional Liaisons

ETSI Transmission, Cables

CENELECMirror Committees of TC86

COST 270

IEEE LAN/MAN (Ethernet, GB Ethernet, etc.)

Power Engineering (OPGW)

36

TC86: future work

Products for optical access (NGAN -FTTx)

o MDU specific products: FITH

o Low cost components

o Bending resistant fibres

o Optimization of network infrastructure (“blowing”, infrastructure re-use)

o Test and commissioning of fibre outside plants (PON networks, instrumentation, test procedures, etc.)

37

TC86: future work

and, additionally…

o High capacity systems (100 GBit/s, multi-level modulation formats)

o Components for CWDM, DWDM, WDM-PON networks

o Multimedia home cabling (JTC1/SC25, POF fibre)

o New hybrid optical components (Integration, OCBs, SFF, “smart “ optics, nanotechnologies, etc.)

o Non-linear effects, high optical power levels (optical amplifiers in PONs, safety, etc.)

o Environmental aspects (”Green Photonics”)

38

Challenges/opportunities

To overcome the “difficult “ economical moment:o Resources, experts, infrastructures

o Evolve work structureo E-tools

o “paperless” meeting

o improve productivity

o reduce standard development time

o minimize duration (and cost) of meetings

o Concentrate efforts on most market relevant products – demonstrate return on investment

o Avoid standard proliferation (functional vs. product specs)

o Adopt “de facto” standards (Forum, Consortia)

Increase flexibility to respond to technology evolution 39

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

Thank you for your attention!Any questions?

www.iec.chrossiu@teletu.it