FO-4 Subcommittees and Working Groups
FO-4.1 Optical Systems
Objectives:
The FO-4.1 Engineering Subcommittee on Single-Mode Systems addresses several types of single-mode systems and parameters for both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint transmission. It is responsible for:
- Fiber-Optic Test Procedures (FOTPs) for the measurement of:
- Optical amplifier parameters.
- Optical path attenuation, reflections, chromatic dispersion, polarization mode dispersion, and non-linear effects.
- Digital Systems: bit-error ratio, optical eye pattern, extinction ratio, jitter, power penalties.
- Analog Systems: carrier-to-noise ratio, composite second-order distortion, composite triple-beat noise, cross modulation.
- Network optical performance monitoring
- Design guidelines concerning physical layer photonic aspects of:
- Single-mode fiber optic systems,
- Multichannel (multiwavelength/WDM) systems,
- All-optical networks.
FO-4.1.2 Multimode Transmission Systems
FO-4.2 Optical Fibers and Cables
Objectives:
The FO-4.2 Engineering Subcommittee on Digital Multimode Systems addresses multimode aspects of fiber, components, sub-systems, systems and networks. It is responsible for:
- Characterization of multimode fiber, components, sub-systems, and systems, particularly from the viewpoint of launching condition effects on loss and bandwidth.
- Establishment of physical-layer optical and opto-electronic aspects of digital multimode systems, including on-premise and campus-wide spans.
- Development of test methods to support physical-layer media-dependent design, installation, and conformance to established LAN standards.
FO-4.2.3 Single-Mode Fibers and Standards Harmonization
FO-4.2.4 Color Coding of Fiber Optic Cables
FO-4.2.5 Products for (Air Assisted) Installation by Blowing
FO-4.3 Passive Optical Devices and Components
Objectives:
The FO-4.3 Engineering Subcommittee on Interconnecting Devices and Related Components is responsible for the development and maintenance of standards for fiber optic interconnecting devices and related components such as connectors, cable assemblies, splices, splice closures and similar types of components. Particular emphasis will be placed on harmonizing the technical content with standards being developed by the IEC for the purpose of adoption/back adoption.
FO-4.3.1 Passive Components
FO-4.3.2 Interconnecting Devices
This WG prepares and maintains performance related standards and associated test methods for fiber optic interconnecting devices such as connectors and splices.
FO-4.3.3 Reliability
This WG prepares and maintains reliability standards and associated test methods for fiber optic interconnecting devices, materials and similar types of passive components.
FO-4.4 Fiber Optic Amplified Systems, Active Components and Reliability
Objectives:
The FO-4.4 Subcommittee on Reliability and Characteristics of Active Optical Components addresses reliability standards issues related to fiber optic systems and active optical components and the characteristics of active optical components. It performs the following functions on these issues:
- Developing guidelines on the translation of system applications
- Reliability requirements into discrete system elements
- Developing standard reliability parameters and their associated definitions
- Developing reliability guidelines
- Confirming and developing standard test procedures
- Developing reliability assessment procedures and requirements
- Discussing and coordinating US positions for standards bodies such as IEC and ITU
- Developing performance and test standards for optical transducer elements and subsystems, such as light-emitting diodes, injection laser diodes, photo-detectors and hybrid microcircuit transmitters, receivers and transceivers
FO-4.5 Fiber Optic Metrology
Objectives:
The FO-4.5 Engineering Subcommittee on Fiber Optic Metrology addresses fiber optic test, measurement and inspection instrumentation functionality and related calibration issues in support of other fiber optic standards groups, test procedures and test methods. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Determine instrument parameters or attributes that require specification.
- Propose and approve standards and specifications.
- Propose, review and approve test methods and procedures relevant to calibration, usage and maintenance.
- Coordinate with other standards bodies, and form joint task groups to resolve test and measurement issues of mutual interest.
FO-4.5.1 Round Robin Testing and Calibration
Coordinates, monitors, and analyzes industry round robins (interlaboratory comparisons) for validation of fiber optic test procedures and development of calibration resources. The objective of round robins is to determine measurement reproducibility and repeatability across industry, for purposes of trade and commerce.
The chair of this WG is empowered to develop and/or coordinate a round robin in support of another SC or WG. In general, the sponsoring SC or WG shall be responsible for developing framework and details of the round robin while FO4.5.1 shall supply the additional expertise to ensure a useful and meaningful result.