Table Of ContentReliability of Optical Fibres and Components
Springer-Verlag London Ltd.
Reliability of
Optical Fibres
and Components
Final Report of COST 246
Edited by:
Michel Gadonna
Willem Griffioen
Bernard Heens
Hanna Knuuttila
Charles Kurkjian
Hans Limberger
Shehzad Mirza
Aleksandar Opacic
Paola Regio
Sergei Semjonov
Tarja Volotinen
, Springer
Tarja Volotinen, PhD
OFCON Optical Fiber Consultants AB, Kolonivăgen 12,82450 Hudiksvall, Sweden
Dr. Willem Griffioen
KPN Research, St. Paulusstraat 4,2264 XZ Leidschendam, The Netherlands
Michel Gadonna
France Telecom/CNET, DTD/PIH, 2 Avenue Pierre Marzin, 22300 Lannion Cedex, France
Hans Limberger, PhD
Swiss Federal Institute ofTechnology, Institute of Applied Optics, Switzerland
ISBN 978-1-85233-147-4 ISBN 978-1-4471-0545-9 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-1-4471-0545-9
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Reliability of optical fibres and components : final report of COST 246
1. Optical fibers· Reliability 2. Telecommunication systems - Reliability
1. Volotinen. Tarja
621.3'82'75
ISBN 185233147X
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Reliabilityof optical fibres and components : final report of COST 246 / Tarja Volotinen ... [et al.].
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-85233-147-4
1. Fiber optic cables--Reliability. 2. Optical communications--Equipment and supplies--Reliability.
3. Optical amplifiers--Reliability. 1. Volotinen. Tarja, 1953- . II. European Cooperation in the Field
of Scientific and Technical Research (Organization)
TK5103.15.R45 1999 99-18268
621.36'92--dc21 CIP
Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as
permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced,
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publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued
by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be
sent to the publishers.
© Springer-VeriagLondon 1999
Originallypublished by Springer-Verlag London Berlin Heidelberg in 1999
The use of registered names. trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a
specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant laws and regulations and therefore free
for general use.
The publisher makes no representation, express or implied, with regard to the accuracy of the
information contained in this book and cannot accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors
or omissions that may be made.
Typeset by: Camera ready by editors
69/3830-543210 Printed on acid-free paper
chairperson Dr.TaIja T. Volotinen, OFCON Optical Fiber Consultants AB,
Kolonivagen 12,82450 Hudiksvall, Sweden,
Phone: +46650753 50, Email: [email protected].
MC secretary and grant holder was Mr. Tony Murphy,
Norconte1, 4 Westland Square, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland,
Phone: +35316708888.
Information regarding COST 246 can be found on COST 246 Web Site:
http://www.norconteLielProjects/COST246lhtlm, until the end of June 200 I.
The following Annexes and Figures are reprinted by permission:
Annex 2.A: Impact of Fibre Lifetime on Network Reliability, p ..
Annex 3.A: Strength Degradation of Lightg uide Fibres in Room Temperature Water, p.63.
Annex 3.B: Influence of the Coating in Mechanical Behaviour of Aged Optical Fibres, p. 67.
Annex 4.A: Handleability of Aged Optical Fibres, p. 82.
Annex 5.A: Effect of Water Quality and Quantity on Strength Degradation of Fused Silica
Fibre in Water Tests, p. 118.
Annex 5.B: High-Temperature Ageing of Modem Polymer-Coated Optical Fibers, p. 135.
Annex 6.A: Measurements on 8 Fibres Ribbons and Fusion Splices, p. 159.
Annex 6.B: Effect of Mechanical Stripping and Arc-Fusion on the Strength and Ageing ofa
Spliced Recoated Optical Fiber, p. 172.
Annex 7.A: A Compression Proposal to IEC Power-Law Document (lEC SC86A1WGI
Document No-17), p. 215.
Annex 7.B: Mechanical Behavior and B-Value of an Abraded Optical Fiber, p. 219.
Annex 7.C: Modelling of Proof Test Level Flaws using Cube Comer Indents, p. 235.
Annex 8.A: Results from Questionnaire, Outside Plant Configurations and Weakest Points,
p.265.
Annex 8.B: Results from Questionnaire, Service Environmental Conditions for Fibres and
Optical Components in Cable Networks, p. 278.
Figure 10.15, Figure 10.16, Figure 10.17, Figure 10.18, Figure 10.19, Figure 10.20,
Figure 10.21, Figure 10.22, Figure 10.23, Figure 10.24, FigurelO.25, FigurelO.26,
Figure 10.27, Figure 10.28, Figure 10.29, FigurelO.30, Figure 10.31.
Preface
COST 246, titled "Materials and Reliability of Passive Optical Components in
Telecommunications Networks"[Chaps. 1 - 10, Appedix 4], is one of the European
collaborative telecommunications research actions started by the European
Commission (EC) within the COST Framework [Appendix 3]. COST is an
abbreviation for European Co-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical
research. The scientific work that was carried out under COST 246 began in
October 1993 and ended in June 1998.
The Scientific work was carried out by experts in the field of Optical fibre, cable,
components and networks from ten European signatory countries. In total 80
individuals representing 46 manufacturing companies, telecom operators, research
institutes and universities, contributed to the work. Two research companies (6
persons) attended as the non-COST-country members.
This book presents the summary of the results and conclusions for each of the five
Working Groups (WG) and four Study Groups (SG). Short summaries of the
contributions and presentations given at working group meetings and workshops
have been included. Some of this work has been incorporated into joint and
individually published conference papers.
The results have been obtained through a variety of methods. These include the
use of questionnaires and individuaVjoint testing of different components. In
addition, leading experts from outside the COST action were invited to give talks
at the COST 246 workshops.
The purpose of this book is to summarise valuable results in a format that is useful
for reliability engineers and scientists from manufacturers and operator companies.
The Management Committee (MC) of COST 246 decided to publish the results in
the form of a book because of the ease with which the work could be distributed to
interested individuals and companies.
Some caution is required in the interpretation of the results, as new components
and networks may not necessarily behave in the same way as those that were
investigated in this work. However, the techniques that were used to study failure
mechanisms, service environment conditions, test methods and life time theories
will serve as an effective starting point. By using the results as a guideline, costly
repetition and errors may be avoided.
viii Preface
This book also reflects the fact that many of the tasks that were carried out were
complex in nature and inevitably resulted in a spectrum of view and explanations.
Hopefully, this book will provide you with a deeper understanding of the
fascinating world of reliability of optical fibres, cable networks and components.
It is a relatively simple task to carry out a reliability study during the early stages
of component research and development where failure mechanisms are more
obvious. In contrast, it is a much more challenging task to measure the reliability
of mature production components including those that are supposedly "reliable".
Due to interest from COST participants, it was decided that the work would
concentrate on commercially available components. On several occasions,
international standardisation bodies, such as ETSI and IEC have sought opinions
and recommendations regarding particular reliability issues.
By co-operating on testing and analysis, more work was carried for the same
money than if this work been carried out on an individual basis. COST 246 has
served as a virtual research lab or working team for the participants, who in most
cases are sole specialists in their fields for their particular organisation.
On behalf of the Management Committee I would like to wish the reader, an
enjoyable time learning the results of this work. In the case you have questions,
you are welcome to contact me or the other editors and contributors.
Hudiksvall, Sweden, 1s t December 1998
Tarja T. Volotinen
Chairperson of COST 246 Management Committee
Contents
1. Introduction and General Information about COST and the
COST 246 Action
1.1. COST Framework 1
1.2. Technical Description of COST 246 Action 2
1.3. Objectives 6
1.4. Working Groups, Study Groups and Their Tasks 6
1.5. Methods of Working 8
1.6. Meetings and Workshops 8
1.7. Dissemination of the Results and Achievements 9
1. 7.1. Publications and Reports 9
1.7.2. Web Site 10
1.7.3. Scientific and Technical Cooperation 11
1.7.4. Transfer of Results 11
1.8. Economic Dimension 13
2. Reliability of Optical Fibres and Components 15
2.1. Introduction, Reliability 15
2.1.1. Reliability Function, Survival Probability 16
2.1.2. Failure Function, Failure Probability 16
2.1.3. Probability Density Function (Failure Probability per Unit Time) 16
2.1.4. Failure Rate 17
2.1.5. Proof Test 18
2.1.6. Lifetime 18
2.1.7. Statistical Methods and Parameters 19
2.1.8. Time to Failure and between Failures 19
2.1.9. Mean Time to Repair 20
2.1.10. Network Reliability 20
2.2. How to Study Reliability and Estimate Lifetime of New 20
Components
2.2.1. Performance Tests 20
2.2.2. Reliability Tests 21
2.3. Standards for Optical Fibre, Component and Network Reliability 22
2.3.1. Background 22
x Contents
Page
2.3.2. Standards Groups and Reliability 24
2.4. References 28
Annex2.A Impact of Fibre Lifetime on Network Reliability 29
3. Optical Fibres (WGl.l) 37
3.1. Contributors 37
3.2. Introduction 37
3.2.1. Mechanical Reliability Studies on Fibres 38
3.2.2. Fibre Strength Distribution, Fatigue, Ageing and Lifetimes 39
3.2.3. Studies on Optical Transmission Aspects 44
3.3. Objectives 45
3.4. Working Methods 46
3.5. Output ofWGl.l 46
3.5.1. Summary 46
3.5.2. Fibre Splicing, Connecting and Handling (e.g. for Passive 46
Components and Fibre Bragg Gratings)
3.5.3. "Pop-in" Phenomena 47
3.5.4. Service Conditions for Optical Fibres in US and Europe 47
3.5.5. Co-ordination with COST 239 and 241 48
3.6. Presentations at WG 1.1 Meetings 48
3.6.1. Ageing of Fibres 48
3.6.2. Polarisation Mode Dispersion during Ageing 52
3.6.3. Smallest Allowable Bend Diameter 54
3.6.4. Mechanical Properties of Weak Spots 55
3.6.5. Coating Characterisation and Ageing Behaviour 57
3.7. Achievements and Conclusions 60
3.8. Prospects and Future Work 62
Annex3.A Strength Degradation of Lightguide Fibres in Room Temperature 63
Water
Annex3.B Influence of the Coating in Mechanical Behaviour of Aged 67
Optical Fibres
4. HandleabiUty of Aged Fibres (WGl.l SGl) 79
4.1. Contributors 79
4.2. Introduction 79
4.3. Objectives 79
4.4. Working Methods 80
4.5. Output of SO I 80
4.6. Achievements and Conclusions 81
4.7. References 81
Annex4.A Handleability of Aged Optical Fibres 82
Contents xi
Page
5. Ageing Tests (WGl.l SGl) 101
5.1. Contributors 101
5.2. Introduction 101
5.3. Objectives 102
5.4. Working Methods 103
5.5. Output of SG2 104
5.5.1. Summary 104
5.5.2. Results of the 1st Round Robin 104
5.5.3. Results of the 2nd Round Robin 105
5.5.4. . Discussion on the Possible Standard Method 109
5.6. Presentations at SG2 Meetings 1I0
5.6.1. Fibre Ageing III
5.6.2. Ageing Environment 1I2
5.6.3. Testing the Aged Fibres 1I4
5.7. Achievements and Conclusions lIS
5.S. References 116
Annex5.A Effect of Water Quality and Quantity on Strength Degradation of lIS
Fused Silica Fibre in Water Tests
Annex-S.B High-Temperature Ageing of Modem Polymer-Coated Optical 135
Fibers
6. Fusion Splices Reliability(WG 1.1 SG3) 145
6.1. Contributors 145
6.2. Introduction 145
6.3. Objectives 146
6.4. Working Methods 146
6.5 Output of SG3 147
6.5.1. Summary 147
6.5.2. Questionnaire 147
6.6. Presentations at SG3 Meetings 150
6.6.1. Effect of Mechanical Stripping and Arc-Fusion on the Strength 151
and Ageing of a Spliced Re-coated Optical Fibre (Annex 6.B)
6.6.2. High Yield Fusion Splicing in the Outside Plant: Using Fibre 151
Metlpack to Monitor Electrode Condition
6.6.3. Active Optical Monitoring of Spliced Ribbons during Fibre 152
Retention testing: Apparent and Real Splice Strength.
6.6.4. Measurements on S-Fibre Ribbons and Fusion Splices (Annex 6.A) 152
6.6.5. Mechanical Strength and Fatigue of Optical Fibre Fusion Splices 153
6.7. Achievements and Conclusions 157
6.9. References 157
Annex6.A Measurements on S Fibres Ribbons and Fusion Splices 159
Annex6.B Effect of Mechanical Stripping and Arc-Fusion on the Strength 172
and Ageing of a Spliced Recoated Optical Fiber
