TESTING OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN AN OUTSIDE PLANT ENVIRONMENT

摘要

No matter if it is plain old telephone service (POTS) or a passive fiber-optic network (PON) the physical infrastruc-ture is a key element in service reliability and the ability of the network to support advanced services. In the past few years, we have seen the telecommunications outside plant (OSP) network continue to evolve and change. In the years to come, the OSP will grow in complexity and sophistication. This is true in both the F1 feeder network from the central office to the cross-box, and F2 from the cross-box to the subscriber; these entities taken together are commonly referred to as the last mile. As DSL, fiber to the premise, fiber to the curb, gigabit Ethernet service delivery platforms continue to grow, equipment that was traditionally located in the central office will be located remotely. Therefore, where we once had a centralized network, the network of today and in the future will be more distributed and diverse. Due to network distribution, the reliability of the OSP becomes more critical. Issues like corrosion, heat and remote power become more critical. The equipment used in the OSP is subjected to heavy rain, snow, ice, high winds, cold tempera-tures, extremely hot temperatures, air pollution, salt laden atmospheres, vibrations, earthquakes, wild fires, high altitudes, etc. Therefore, to help ensure the reliability of network operability, the proper design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of the subject equipment(s) becomes more critical. Moreover, just as important is the proper environmental testing of outdoor telecommunications equipment. This paper reviews requirements, test methods and criteria for reviewing OSP telecommuni-cation cabinets.