Fibreoptic Industry Association The Manor House BUNTINGFORD Hertfordshire SG9 9AB United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1763 273039 Fax: +44 (0) 1763 273255 e-mail: jane@fiasec.demon.co.uk Press information Fibreoptic Industry Association to define how to specify and measure fusion splice performance in fibre optic networks used in the rail industry Released 16 January 2004 Optical fibre technology has long been central to rail industry communications infrastructures, whether as the transmission medium for signalling and alarm systems, or as the carrier for retail telecommunications such as Public Address, CCTV and Passenger Information. The fact that fibre is by definition inert is a leading factor in safety-critical rail applications, as is the cable's ability to run trackside for long distances with minimal attenuation. For bandwidth hungry applications such as CCTV and video, fibre-based transmission infrastructures really come into their own. The Rail sector has traditionally demanded the most stringent performance levels from suppliers right across the board - setting standards subsequently reflected in other industries, to the benefit of all. Fibre's exceptional capabilities mean that performance specification and verification has become a fine art. Too fine, in fact. There are definite signs, says the FIA, that the performance levels for optical fibre systems being set in some installation specifications are moving beyond that which is desirable or practically possible, and into the realms of the purely hypothetical. To provide a commercially neutral framework that will benefit both specifiers and installers, the FIA, a non-profit organisation committed to raising standards throughout the fibre optic industry, is developing a new Technical Support Document to address the increasing problem of over-specification of splice losses. To be launched at a seminar in May 2004, the TSD will establish the most appropriate way in which to specify and verify the performance of optical fibre fusion splices; it will also define reasonable and commercially acceptable limits for the splices under specific conditions. Over-specification can arise from a number of causes. Specifiers may be influenced by the claims of fusion splicing equipment manufacturers, who rightly provide favourable, best case specifications for their machines; no account may be taken of the tolerances of the optical fibres that are seen in the field or clients fail to recognise the range of, and differences between, optical fibres that may be encountered and their influence on the performance of splices made between them. IEC 60793-2-50 specifies five different single mode optical fibres between which fusion splicing will result in modified performance when compared with splicing between singlemode optical fibres of the same type. Unfortunately, unrealistic demands for splice loss performance, flawed in terms of what is specified and/or how it is specified, are often included in specifications. The impact of specifying overly ambitious or incorrectly defined splice loss requirements must concern both the client and the installer. The installer may be faced with a considerable degree of rework that can have dramatic commercial consequences, while the client may be faced with considerable project delays, the resolution of which will add further costs. *** Ends: body copy 442 words *** Notes to Editors. For further information: FIA contact: Jane Morrison Fibreoptic Industry Association The Manor House Buntingford SG9 9AB tel: 01763 273039 fax: 01763 273255 jane@fiasec.demon.co.uk www.fibreoptic.org.uk Agency contact: Nigel May Parkfield Communications Limited Parkfield House Damerham SP6 3HQ tel: 01725 518321 fax: 01725 518378 nigel.may@parkfield.co.uk www.parkfield.co.uk The Fibreoptic Industry Association represents more than 80% of UK companies involved in the manufacture or installation of fibre optic components and systems for voice and data communications. The Association provides advice to end-users, runs training and qualification services for its members, contributes to the development of national and international standards and generally represents the interests of the fibre industry. Its web site, www.fibreoptic.org.uk provides a free online reference service to all visitors.