I n t e r n a t i o n a l T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n U n i o n
ITU-T G.652
TELECOMMUNICATION
STANDARDIZATION SECTOR
OF ITU
(06/2005)
SERIES G: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS AND MEDIA,
DIGITAL SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
Transmission media characteristics – Optical fibre cables
Characteristics of a single-mode optical fibre
and cable
ITU-T Recommendation G.652
ITU-T G-SERIES RECOMMENDATIONS
TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS AND MEDIA, DIGITAL SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS AND CIRCUITS G.100–G.199
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS COMMON TO ALL ANALOGUE CARRIER-
TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
G.200–G.299
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INTERNATIONAL CARRIER TELEPHONE
SYSTEMS ON METALLIC LINES
G.300–G.399
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INTERNATIONAL CARRIER TELEPHONE SYSTEMS
ON RADIO-RELAY OR SATELLITE LINKS AND INTERCONNECTION WITH METALLIC
LINES
G.400–G.449
COORDINATION OF RADIOTELEPHONY AND LINE TELEPHONY G.450–G.499
TRANSMISSION MEDIA CHARACTERISTICS G.600–G.699
General G.600–G.609
Symmetric cable pairs G.610–G.619
Land coaxial cable pairs G.620–G.629
Submarine cables G.630–G.649
Optical fibre cables G.650–G.659
Characteristics of optical components and subsystems G.660–G.699
DIGITAL TERMINAL EQUIPMENTS G.700–G.799
DIGITAL NETWORKS G.800–G.899
DIGITAL SECTIONS AND DIGITAL LINE SYSTEM G.900–G.999
QUALITY OF SERVICE AND PERFORMANCE – GENERIC AND USER-RELATED
ASPECTS
G.1000–G.1999
TRANSMISSION MEDIA CHARACTERISTICS G.6000–G.6999
DATA OVER TRANSPORT – GENERIC ASPECTS G.7000–G.7999
ETHERNET OVER TRANSPORT ASPECTS G.8000–G.8999
ACCESS NETWORKS G.9000–G.9999
For further details, please refer to the list of ITU-T Recommendations.
ITU-T Rec. G.652 (06/2005) i
ITU-T Recommendation G.652
Characteristics of a single-mode optical fibre and cable
Summary
This Recommendation describes the geometrical, mechanical, and transmission attributes of a single-mode optical fibre
and cable which has zero-dispersion wavelength around 1310 nm. This fibre was originally optimized for use in the 1310
nm wavelength region, but can also be used in the 1550 nm region. This is the latest revision of a Recommendation that
was first created in 1984. This revision clarifies that PMDQ must be specified on uncabled fibre and makes certain
tolerances tighter. This revision is intended to maintain the continuing commercial success of this fibre in the evolving
world of high-performance optical transmission systems.
Source
ITU-T Recommendation G.652 was approved on 29 June 2005 by ITU-T Study Group 15 (2005-2008) under the ITU-T
Recommendation A.8 procedure.
History
Version Approval date
Version 1 (10/1984)
Version 2 (11/1988)
Version 3 (03/1993)
Version 4 (04/1997)
Version 5 (10/2000) This revision includes the addition of tables for different levels of system support.
Version 6 (03/2003) This revision clarified the nomenclature for the different categories or fibre. Also, in
accordance with the agreement on spectral band description, the upper limit of the
L-band is changed from 16XX to 1625 nm. The attenuation characteristics for reduced
water peak categories, (G.652.C and G.652.D) are generalized to a broad region from a
single wavelength. PMD requirements are added for all categories and two categories
have reduced limits (compared to 0.5 ps/ km ). For the macrobending test, mandrel
diameter is reduced to 30 mm radius. As seen above, this Recommendation has
evolved considerably over the years; therefore the reader is warned to consider the
appropriate version to determine the characteristics of already deployed product,
taking into account the year of production. In fact, products are expected to comply
with the Recommendation that was in force at the time of their manufacture, but may
not fully comply with subsequent versions of the Recommendation.
Version 7 (06/2005) Support of G.695 applications is noted.
A clarification of the method of fitting chromatic dispersion coefficient values and
their use is provided in 5.10, along with some text on use of the statistics of chromatic
dispersion for system design.
A clarification of the relationship of the PMDQ of uncabled fibre to cabled fibre is
provided in 6.2.
In the tables of requirements:
The uncabled fibre PMD line item is removed from the tables and the note on the
requirement for uncabled fibre PMD is modified.
The tolerance of MFD at 1310 nm is reduced.
The maximum dispersion slope at the zero dispersion wavelength is reduced.
The maximum concentricity error is reduced.
The maximum macrobending loss is reduced.
The wording for the water peak requirement in Tables 3 and 4 are modified to reflect a
reference to the specification over the range vs the specification at 1310 nm.
ii ITU-T Rec. G.652 (06/2005)
FOREWORD
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency in the field of
telecommunications. The ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is a permanent organ of
ITU. ITU-T is responsible for studying technical, operating and tariff questions and issuing
Recommendations on them with a view to standardizing telecommunications on a worldwide basis.
The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), which meets every four years,
establishes the topics for study by the ITU-T study groups which, in turn, produce Recommendations on
these topics.
The approval of ITU-T Recommendations is covered by the procedure laid down in WTSA Resolution 1.
In some areas of information technology which fall within ITU-T's purview, the necessary standards are
prepared on a collaborative basis with ISO and IEC.
NOTE
In this Recommendation, the expression "Administration" is used for conciseness to indicate both a
telecommunication administration and a recognized operating agency.
Compliance with this Recommendation is voluntary. However, the Recommendation may contain certain
mandatory provisions (to ensure e.g. interoperability or applicability) and compliance with the
Recommendation is achieved when all of these mandatory provisions are met. The words "shall" or some
other obligatory language such as "must" and the negative equivalents are used to express requirements. The
use of such words does not suggest that compliance with the Recommendation is required of any party.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
ITU draws attention to the possibility that the practice or implementation of this Recommendation may
involve the use of a claimed Intellectual Property Right. ITU takes no position concerning the evidence,
validity or applicability of claimed Intellectual Property Rights, whether asserted by ITU members or others
outside of the Recommendation development process.
As of the date of approval of this Recommendation, ITU had received notice of intellectual property,
protected by patents, which may be required to implement this Recommendation. However, implementors
are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information and are therefore strongly urged to consult the
TSB patent database.
ITU 2005
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the
prior written permission of ITU.
ITU-T Rec. G.652 (06/2005) iii
CONTENTS
Page
1 Scope ............................................................................................................................ 1
2 References .................................................................................................................... 1
2.1 Normative references...................................................................................... 1
2.2 Informative references.................................................................................... 2
3 Terms and definitions ................................................................................................... 2
4 Abbreviations................................................................................................................ 2
5 Fibre attributes.............................................................................................................. 2
5.1 Mode field diameter ....................................................................................... 3
5.2 Cladding diameter .......................................................................................... 3
5.3 Core concentricity error.................................................................................. 3
5.4 Non-circularity ............................................................................................... 3
5.5 Cut-off wavelength......................................................................................... 3
5.6 Macrobending loss ......................................................................................... 3
5.7 Material properties of the fibre....................................................................... 4
5.8 Refractive index profile.................................................................................. 4
5.9 Longitudinal uniformity of chromatic dispersion .......................................... 4
5.10 Chromatic dispersion coefficient.................................................................... 4
6 Cable attributes ............................................................................................................. 5
6.1 Attenuation coefficient ................................................................................... 5
6.2 Polarization mode dispersion coefficient ....................................................... 5
7 Tables of recommended values .................................................................................... 6
Appendix I – Information for link attributes and system design ............................................. 11
I.1 Attenuation ..................................................................................................... 11
I.2 Chromatic dispersion...................................................................................... 11
I.3 Differential group delay (DGD) ..................................................................... 12
I.4 Non-linear coefficient..................................................................................... 12
I.5 Tables of common typical values ................................................................... 12
BIBLIOGRAPHY.................................................................................................................... 14
ITU-T Rec. G.652 (06/2005) 1
ITU-T Recommendation G.652
Characteristics of a single-mode optical fibre and cable
1 Scope
This Recommendation describes a single-mode optical fibre cable which has the zero-dispersion
wavelength around 1310 nm and which is optimized for use in the 1310 nm wavelength region, and
which can also be used in the 1550 nm region (where this fibre is not optimized). Both analogue
and digital transmission can be used with this fibre.
The geometrical, optical, transmission and mechanical parameters are described below in three
categories of attributes:
• fibre attributes are those attributes that are retained throughout cabling and installation;
• cable attributes that are recommended for cables as they are delivered;
• link attributes that are characteristic of concatenated cables, describing estimation methods
of system interface parameters based on measurements, modelling, or other considerations.
Information for link attributes and system design are in Appendix I.
This Recommendation, and the different performance categories found in the tables of clause 7, is
intended to support the following related system Recommendations:
• ITU-T Rec. G.957
• ITU-T Rec. G.691
• ITU-T Rec. G.692
• ITU-T Rec. G.693
• ITU-T Rec. G.959.1
• ITU-T Rec. G.695
NOTE – Depending on the length of the links, dispersion accommodation can be necessary for some G.691,
G.692 or G.959.1 application codes.
The meaning of the terms used in this Recommendation and the guidelines to be followed in the
measurement to verify the various characteristics are given in ITU-T Recs G.650.1 and G.650.2.
The characteristics of this fibre, including the definitions of the relevant parameters, their test
methods and relevant values, will be refined as studies and experience progress.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
The following ITU-T Recommendations and other references contain provisions which, through
reference in this text, constitute provisions of this Recommendation. At the time of publication, the
editions indicated were valid. All Recommendations and other references are subject to revision;
users of this Recommendation are therefore encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the
most recent edition of the Recommendations and other references listed below. A list of the
currently valid ITU-T Recommendations is regularly published. The reference to a document within
this Recommendation does not give it, as a stand-alone document, the status of a Recommendation.
– ITU-T Recommendation G.650.1 (2004), Definitions and test methods for linear,
deterministic attributes of single-mode fibre and cable.
– ITU-T Recommendation G.650.2 (2005), Definitions and test methods for statistical and
non-linear related attributes of single-mode fibre and cable.
2 ITU-T Rec. G.652 (06/2005)
– IEC 60793-2-50 (2004), Optical fibres – Part 2-50: Product specifications – Sectional
specification for class B single-mode fibres.
2.2 Informative references
– ITU-T Recommendation G.663 (2000), Application related aspects of optical amplifier
devices and subsystems.
− ITU-T Recommendation G.691 (2003), Optical interfaces for single channel STM-64 and
other SDH systems with optical amplifiers.
− ITU-T Recommendation G.692 (1998), Optical interfaces for multichannel systems with
optical amplifiers.
– ITU-T Recommendation G.693 (2005), Optical interfaces for intra-office systems.
− ITU-T Recommendation G.695 (2005), Optical interfaces for coarse wavelength division
multiplexing applications.
– ITU-T Recommendation G.957 (1999), Optical interfaces for equipments and systems
relating to the synchronous digital hierarchy.
− ITU-T Recommendation G.959.1 (2003), Optical transport network physical layer
interfaces.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this Recommendation, the definitions given in ITU-T Recs G.650.1 and
G.650.2 apply. Values shall be rounded to the number of digits given in the Tables of
Recommended values before conformance is evaluated.
4 Abbreviations
This Recommendation uses the following abbreviations:
Aeff Effective area
DGD Differential Group Delay
DWDM Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing
GPa GigaPascal
PMD Polarization Mode Dispersion
PMDQ Statistical parameter for link PMD
SDH Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
TBD To be determined
WDM Wavelength Division Multiplexing
5 Fibre attributes
Only those characteristics of the fibre providing a minimum essential design framework for fibre
manufacture are recommended in this clause. Ranges or limits on values are presented in the tables
of clause 7. Of these, cable manufacture or installation may significantly affect the cabled fibre
cut-off wavelength and PMD. Otherwise, the recommended characteristics will apply equally to
individual fibres, fibres incorporated into a cable wound on a drum, and fibres in an installed cable.
ITU-T Rec. G.652 (06/2005) 3
5.1 Mode field diameter
Both a nominal value and tolerance about that nominal value shall be specified at 1310 nm. The
nominal that is specified shall be within the range found in clause 7. The specified tolerance shall
not exceed the value in clause 7. The deviation from nominal shall not exceed the specified
tolerance.
5.2 Cladding diameter
The recommended nominal value of the cladding diameter is 125 µm. A tolerance is also specified
and shall not exceed the value in clause 7. The cladding deviation from nominal shall not exceed the
specified tolerance.
5.3 Core concentricity error
The core concentricity error shall not exceed the value specified in clause 7.
5.4 Non-circularity
5.4.1 Mode field non-circularity
In practice, the mode field non-circularity of fibres having nominally circular mode fields is found
to be sufficiently low that propagation and jointing are not affected. It is, therefore, not considered
necessary to recommend a particular value for the mode field non-circularity. It is not normally
necessary to measure the mode field non-circularity for acceptance purposes.
5.4.2 Cladding non-circularity
The cladding non-circularity shall not exceed the value found in clause 7.
5.5 Cut-off wavelength
Three useful types of cut-off wavelength can be distinguished:
a) cable cut-off wavelength λcc;
b) fibre cut-off wavelength λc;
c) jumper cable cut-off wavelength λcj.
NOTE – For some specific submarine cable applications, other cable cut-off wavelength values may be
required.
The correlation of the measured values of λc, λcc and λcj depends on the specific fibre and cable
design and the test conditions. While in general λcc < λcj < λc, a general quantitative relationship
cannot be easily established. The importance of ensuring single mode transmission in the minimum
cable length between joints at the minimum operating wavelength is paramount. This may be
performed by recommending the maximum cable cut-off wavelength λcc of a cabled single-mode
fibre to be 1260 nm, or for typical jumpers by recommending a maximum jumper cable cut-off to
be 1250 nm, or for worst case length and bends, by recommending a maximum fibre cut-off
wavelength to be 1250 nm.
The cable cut-off wavelength, λcc, shall be less than the maximum specified in clause 7.
5.6 Macrobending loss
Macrobending loss varies with wavelength, bend radius and number of turns about a mandrel with a
specified radius. Macrobending loss shall not exceed the maximum given in clause 7 for the
specified wavelength(s), bend radius, and number of turns.
NOTE 1 – A qualification test may be sufficient to ensure that this requirement is being met.
4 ITU-T Rec. G.652 (06/2005)
NOTE 2 – The recommended number of turns corresponds to the approximate number of turns deployed in
all splice cases of a typical repeater span. The recommended radius is equivalent to the minimum bend-
radius widely accepted for long-term deployment of fibres in practical systems installations to avoid
static-fatigue failure.
NOTE 3 – If, for practical reasons, fewer than the recommended number of turns are chosen to implement, it
is suggested that not less than 40 turns, and a proportionately smaller loss increase be required.
NOTE 4 – The macrobending loss recommendation relates to the deployment of fibres in practical single-
mode fibre installations. The influence of the stranding-related bending radii of cabled single-mode fibres on
the loss performance is included in the loss specification of the cabled fibre.
NOTE 5 – In the event that routine tests are required, a smaller diameter loop with one or several turns can
be used instead of the recommended test, for accuracy and measurement ease. In this case, the loop diameter,
number of turns, and the maximum permissible bend loss for the several-turn test should be chosen so as to
correlate with the recommended test and allowed loss.
5.7 Material properties of the fibre
5.7.1 Fibre materials
The substances of which the fibres are made should be indicated.
NOTE – Care may be needed in fusion splicing fibres of different substances. Provisional results in