Overview
IEC 61753-081-02:2023 specifies the performance standards for non-connectorized single-mode fibre optic middle-scale 1 x N Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) devices, with 16 to 64 channels, intended for use in controlled environments (category C). This international standard from the IEC provides the minimum initial test and measurement requirements, as well as the applicable severities, for arrayed waveguide grating devices with 50 GHz, 100 GHz, or 200 GHz channel spacing. The standard covers devices with either Gaussian or flat-top passband profiles and replaces the previous 2014 edition, aligning test conditions with more recent IEC documents.
Key Topics
- Applicability: Pertains to non-connectorized passive single-mode fibre optic DWDM 1 x N devices used in environments with controlled conditions.
- Performance Requirements: Defines standardized test and measurement protocols that must be satisfied to ensure consistent optical and mechanical performance, including parameters such as attenuation, channel uniformity, passband width, return loss, crosstalk, polarization dependent loss (PDL), and polarization mode dispersion (PMD).
- Test Methods: Requires that all tests follow the IEC 61300 series of basic test and measurement procedures. Devices are qualified with fibre lengths of at least 1 meter per port.
- Device Types: Supports both type A (Gaussian passband profile) and type B (Flat-top passband profile) DWDM devices. Dynamic electrical temperature control devices are excluded from this standard.
- Environmental Conditions: Covers environmental testing such as cold, dry heat, damp heat (steady state), change of temperature, and vibration to simulate controlled deployment settings.
- Technical Updates: This edition harmonizes test conditions with IEC 61753-1:2018 and measurement uncertainties with related IEC DWDM device standards.
Applications
IEC 61753-081-02:2023 is critical for:
- Telecommunications Networks: Ensuring reliable performance of DWDM devices in backbone, metro, and data center optical networks where multi-channel wavelength routing and splitting are required.
- Equipment Manufacturers: Providing a uniform set of requirements for design, qualification, and production testing of middle-scale 1 x N DWDM arrayed waveguide gratings.
- Test Laboratories: Establishing conformance testing protocols for both Gaussian and flat-top profile DWDM devices, ensuring compliance before deployment in controlled environments.
- System Integrators: Facilitating the selection of compliant DWDM components to guarantee optimized channel performance and interoperability.
- Network Operators: Supporting maintenance and procurement specifications to achieve reliability and minimal signal degradation over the device’s operational lifetime.
Related Standards
For comprehensive understanding and testing, IEC 61753-081-02:2023 should be considered alongside these key standards:
- IEC 61753-1:2018 - General performance standard and guidance for fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components.
- IEC 60793-2-50 - Specifications for single-mode optical fibres.
- IEC 60794-2-50 - Family specification for indoor simplex and duplex fibre optic cables.
- IEC 61300 Series - Test and measurement procedures for fibre optic devices, covering aspects such as vibration, fibre retention, shock, and various forms of optical loss and environmental resistance.
- IEC 61753-081-03 and IEC 61753-081-06 - Performance standards for related types of DWDM devices.
- IEC 62074-1 - Generic specification for fibre optic WDM devices.
- IEC TS 62627-09 - Vocabulary for passive optical devices.
By adhering to IEC 61753-081-02:2023, manufacturers, network operators, and integrators can ensure high-quality, reliable operation of 1 x N DWDM devices in controlled fibre optic environments, supporting advanced optical communications infrastructures.