CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH CATEGORY 6 COMPONENT TESTING

摘要

With the introduction of Category 5e and 6 structured cabling systems, connecting hardware manufacturers have been tasked with three main objectives. The primary goals of Category 5e and 6 cabling systems are to provide improved transmission performance while maintaining backwards compatibility with previous systems, as well as to maintain interoperability among various manufacturers. These goals have caused the industry many problems, most of which are testing and measurement related. Some of the methods previously used to test Category 5 connecting hardware are not accurate enough to test the higher performing Category 5e and 6 components. The TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) Working Group TR-42.7 has been working to develop more accurate testing methods that would aid in accomplishing the goals associated with higher Category cabling systems. The largest distinction that the TIA has made, with newer Categories of cabling, involves the full qualification of the components used to verify NEXT (Near-End Crosstalk) performance of the connecting hardware. This involves the test plugs that must be used. This process of sorting test plugs, currently referred to as de-embedded NEXT, when used for connecting hardware qualification, can ensure both backwards compatibility with lower category cabling as well as interoperability between manufacturers.