RESULTS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL TEST FACILITIES IN THREE CLIMATE EXTREMES FOR OPTICAL FIBER, CABLE, AND COMPONENTS

摘要

As the use of optical fiber continues to increase in the local loop, the number of fiberrntermination points and passive components which are exposed to the outside plantrnenvironment are also increasing. Optical termination points, where fibers are removedrnfrom their protective cabling, exposed to handling damage, and then fused or mechanicallyrnrealigned, are particularly vulnerable to environmental and mechanical stresses. The samernis true for passive optical components such as wavelength-division-multiplexers (WDMs)rnor couplers. In order to investigate fiber/cable/component performance and reliability inrnthe outside plant, we have established test facilities in three extreme climates: 1) hot andrnhumid (Louisiana), 2) hot and dry (Arizona), and 3) bitter cold with wide temperaturernextremes (Maine). Data collected from these test facilities provide us with much crucialrninformation. Not only do we directly monitor the optical performance of a wide range ofrnproducts from different suppliers utilizing different materials and technologies, we alsorncollect environmental data that we can use to determine actual field operating conditions.rnThese data can be used to identify potential new failure modes, interpret the results ofrnlaboratory tests, and ultimately, to better predict component lifetimes in the field. In thisrnpaper we will describe the test facilities, show data illustrating the environmentalrnconditions, and show examples of the optical performance data.