Qualification Test
Report 501-604
01Aug05 Rev A
LC-UPC Build Out Attenuators
©2005 Tyco Electronics Corporation
Harrisburg, PA
All International Rights Reserved
* Trademark
| Indicates change 1 of 11
LOC B
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Purpose
Testing was performed on Tyco E lect r onics LC-UPC, singl emode fiber optic B uild Out A ttenuators
(BO A ) to deter mine their c onfor manc e to the requirement s of T y c o E lect r onics Produc t Specifi c ati on
108-2221, Revisi on A .
1.2. Scope
This report c overs the optical, envir onmental, and mechani c al perfor manc e of the LC-UPC,
singl emode fiber opti c B OAs, provided by Tyco E lect r onics, Fiber Optics Business Unit. Quali ficat ion
testing was compl eted by a t hird par ty i n J uly 2004. Reliability testing was completed by a third party
on 11Nov03. The t est fil e number for all testing i s Project B058280, Request Number 04.06.04. Thi s
docum entation i s on fi le at and availabl e from the Fiber Opt ics Business Uni t, F OBU EMEA Test
Laboratory.
1.3. Conclusion
Tyc o E lectroni c s LC-UPC B OAs, li sted in paragraphs 1.5 and 1.6, c onfor m to the opt ical,
environment al, and mechanical perfor mance r equirement s of T y c o E lect r onics Produc t Specification
108-2221, Revisi on A .
1.4. Product Descri ption
LC-UPC BOAs are singlem ode, fiber optic, passi ve devices for reduc ing the ampli tude of a signal
without appr ec iably di stor ti ng the waveform. These attenuators are used for power equal ization at the
patch panel or at the rec eiver and also for attenuat ing t he si gnal power level t o br ing it in l ine with the
dynami c r ange of the receiver.
1.5. Quali ficati on Test Specimens
Test speci mens were taken from c ur r ent production. A speci men is def ined as one build out
att enuator. S pec imen part number and quantity are shown below.
Test Group 1
BOA A ttenuation V alue (dB ) 10
BOA P ar t Number 1-1693560-0
Test speci mens required 11
1.6. Reliability Test Specimens
The t est specimens were tak en from c ur r ent producti on. Test G r oups consisted of the build out
att enuator quant ities as shown below.
Test Group 1234
BOA A ttenuation V alue (dB ) 10 10 10 10
BOA P ar t Number 1-1693560-0
Test speci mens required 11 11 22 22
501-604
Rev A 2 of 11
1.7. Quali ficati on Test Sequence
Num ber s i ndicate sequence in which tests were performed.
Test or E xamination Test Group
1
10 dB
Initial opti c al perfor manc e:
1
Attenuation toleranc e
Return loss
Pol ar ization Dependent Loss (P DL)
Controlled operating environment 2
Uncontr olled operating environment 3
Non-operat ing environment 4
Hum idi ty/condensati on cycli ng 5
Water Imm ersion 6
Vibration 7
Durability 8
Impact 9
1.8. Reliability Test Sequence
Num ber s i ndicate sequence in which tests were performed.
Test or E xamination Test Group
1234
10 dB
Mechanical shock (i mpac t) 1
Variabl e fr equenc y vibr ati on 2
Water i mm ersion 3
Thermal shock 4
Temperature cyc ling 5
Temperature-humidit y cycling (cyclic moi sture resistance) 6
Low temper ature storage 1
High temperatur e stor age ( damp heat) 1
High temperatur e aging (dr y heat) 1
501-604
Rev A 3 of 11
2. SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATION TESTING
2.1 Initi al Opti c al Per for manc e - New Product
A. Attenuation Toleranc e
Al l at tenuation measurem ents for new product met the all owable toler anc es. A ttenuation was
m easured at 1310 and 1550 nm.
Attenuation Toleranc e - Requirement s
BOA A ttenuation V alue
(dB) Att enuati on Toler anc e
(dB)
10 ± (0.10 x attenuation value)
Attenuation Toleranc e - A c tual for New Product
BOA
Attenuation
Value (dB)
Allowable
Attenuation Range
(dB)
Wavelength
(nm) Ac tual A ttenuat ion (dB )
Minimum Maximum
10 9.0 - 11.0 1310 9.8 10.2
1550 9.7 10.1
B. Return Loss
Return loss for new product met the mi nimum requi r ement. Ret ur n loss was measured at 1310
and 1550 nm .
Return Loss (New Product)
BOA
Attenuation
Value (dB)
Wavelength
(nm) Ret ur n Loss
Requir ement (dB) Actual Mini mum
Return Loss (dB)
10 1310 > 55 56
1550
C. Pol ar ization Dependent Loss (P DL)
The range of PDL measurement s for all specimens met the specification r equirement . Loss was
m easured at 1310 and 1550 nm.
PDL (New Product )
BOA
Attenuation
Value (dB)
Wavelength
(nm)
PDL
Requirement
(dB)
Actual Maxim um
PDL Range
(dB)
10 1310 < 0.5 0.06
1550
501-604
Rev A 4 of 11
2.2. Attenuation, Change in Attenuation, Retur n Loss and Polar izat ion Dependent Loss - After E ac h Test
Al l opt ical perfor mance measurements met the specificat ion requirement s. M easurements were
recorded at 1310 and 1550 nm. Values shown in the table represent maximum and mini mum
att enuati on, m aximum change in att enuati on, m inim um r eturn l oss and maximum PDL, observed f r om
any specimen within the test gr oup. Optic al perfor manc e befor e test i s consider ed to be the sam e as
att enuati on after t he pr ior test, and is therefore not shown twic e. For the fi r st test, the new product data
in S ec ti on 2.1 represents the " befor e test" dat a.
Attenuation, Change in Attenuation, Retur n Loss and PDL After E ac h Test
Test
Group
BOA
Attenuation
Value (dB)
Test
or
Examination
8
(nm) Requirements
(see Note)
Actual Optical Perform ance
After Test (dB)
Attenuation
)
ARLPDL
Min A Ma x A
110
Controlled operating environment 1310
9.0 - 11.0 A
< 0.5
)
A
> 55 RL
< 0.5 PDL
9.8 10.3 0.2 56 0.06
1550 9.7 10.2 0.2 56 0.06
Uncontrolled operating environment 1310 9.8 10.4 0.2 56 0.06
1550 9.7 10.2 0.2 57 0.06
Non-operating environment 1310 9.8 10.4 0.2 56 0.06
1550 9.7 10.3 0.2 56 0.05
Humidity/condensation cycling 1310 9.8 10.4 0.2 57 0.06
1550 9.6 10.3 0.2 56 0.05
Water immersion 1310 9.8 10.5 0.1 56 0.06
1550 9.7 10.4 0.2 56 0.05
Vibration 1310 9.7 10.4 0.2 56 0.06
1550 9.6 10.1 0.3 56 0.05
Durability 1310 9.8 10.5 0.2 57 0.06
1550 9.6 10.2 0.2 56 0.05
Impact 1310 9.9 10.5 0.2 56 0.06
1550 9.7 10.1 0.2 56 0.05
A: A ttenuation Toler anc e
NOTE
Min A: M inim um A ttenuation
Max A: Maxim um A ttenuation
)
A: Change in A ttenuation
RL: Ret ur n Los s
PDL: P olar ization Dependent Loss
2.3. Controlled Operati ng E nvir onment
There was no evi denc e of phy si c al damage t o the BOA due to the c ontrol led operating envir onment
ex posure, and no c hange in at tenuation beyond t he specifi ed lim it s after test. Optical performance was
m easured at 1310 and 1550 nm.
2.4. Uncontr olled Operati ng E nvir onment
There was no evi denc e of phy si c al damage t o the BOA due to the unc ontrol led operating envir onment
test, and no c hange in at tenuation beyond t he specifi ed lim it s after test. Optical performance was
m easured at 1310 and 1550 nm.
501-604
Rev A 5 of 11
2.5. Non-operat ing Envir onment
There was no evi denc e of phy si c al damage t o the BOA due to the three part non- oper ati ng
environment test. There was no change in attenuation beyond t he specifi ed li mits aft er exposure to low
temperature with thermal shock, high temperature wit h thermal shock, and high r elat ive humidi ty tests.
Opt ical perfor manc e was measured at 1310 and 1550 nm befor e and after t he series of tests.
2.6. Hum idity/condensation Cycli ng
There was no evi denc e of phy si c al damage t o the BOA and no c hange in at tenuation beyond t he
specifi ed li mits after humi dity/ condensation cycl ing. Optical performance was measured at 1310 and
1550 nm .
2.7. Water Immersion
There was no change in at tenuation beyond speci fied l imits after specim ens were subject ed to the
water immersi on test. Optical performanc e was measured at 1310 and 1550 nm, before and af ter t est.
2.8. Vibration
There was no evi denc e of phy si c al damage t o the BOA and no c hange in at tenuation beyond t he
specified l imits after vibr ation testi ng. Opt ical perfor mance was measured at 1310 and 1550 nm.
2.9. Durability
There was no evi denc e of damage to the B OA and no change in attenuation beyond t he specifi ed
limits after durability. Optical perf ormance was measured at 1310 and 1550 nm.
2.10. Impact
There was no evi denc e of phy si c al damage t o the build out attenuat or and no c hange in at tenuation
beyond the specifi ed limits af ter i mpac t testing. Optical performance was measured at 1310 and 1550
nm.
3. SUMMARY OF RELIABILIT Y TESTING
3.1. Reliability Test Status Summ ary Report
No failures occurred during any of the reliability tests. All specimens met optical requirements before,
duri ng ( where appl icable) and after each test. Refer to paragraph 3. 3. for a dat a summary fr om each
test.
Test Date
Completed Sample
Size Number
of Failures Test
Passed
Mechanical shock (i mpac t) 15Apr03 11 0 Yes
Variabl e fr equenc y vibr ati on 16Apr03 11 0 Yes
Water i mmersi on 22Apr03 11 0 Yes
Thermal shock 24Apr03 11 0 Yes
Temperature cyc ling 30Jul 03 11 0 Yes
Temperature-humidit y cycling (cyclic moi sture
resistance) 08Aug03 11 0 Yes
Low temper ature storage 28Jul 03 11 0 Yes
High temperatur e stor age ( damp heat) 03Nov03 22 0 Yes
High temperatur e aging (dr y heat) 11Nov03 22 0 Yes
501-604
Rev A 6 of 11
3.2. New Product O pti c al Performanc e - A ll Gr oups
A. Initial A ttenuati on - A ll Groups
Al l initi al at tenuation measurements met the all owable toler anc es. A ttenuation was measured at
1310 and 1550 nm .
Attenuation Toleranc e - Requirement s
BOA A ttenuation V alue
(dB) Att enuati on Toler anc e
(dB)
1 to 5 ± 0. 5
> 5 ± (0.10 x attenuation value)
Attenuation - Ac tual for New Produc t
Test
Group
BOA
Attenuation
Value (dB)
Allowable
Attenuation
Range (dB)
Act ual I nitial At tenuation (dB)
1310 nm 1550 nm
Min Max Min Max
1
10 9.0 - 11.0
9.9 10.2 9.9 10.2
2 9.8 10.3 9.9 10.3
3 9.8 10.2 9.8 10.2
4 9.8 10.4 9.7 10.4
B. Initial Return Loss - All G r oups
Return loss for eac h gr oup met the specificat ion requirement . Return loss was measured at 1310
and 1550 nm .
Initial Return Loss (New Produc t)
Test
Group
BOA
Attenuation
Value (dB)
Return Loss
Requirement
(dB average)
Actual Mini mum
Return Loss (dB)
1310 nm 1550 nm
1
10 > 55
56 56
25656
35656
45756
501-604
Rev A 7 of 11
C. Initial P olarization Dependent Loss (P DL) - A ll Groups
The range of PDL measurement s for all specimens met the specification r equirement . Loss was
m easured at 1310 and 1550 nm.
Initial P DL ( New Product)
Test
Group
BOA
Attenuation
Value (dB)
PDL
Requirement
(dB)
Actual Maxim um
PDL Range (dB)
1310 nm 1550 nm
1
10 < 0.5
0.05 0.05
2 0.05 0.05
3 0.05 0.05
4 0.05 0.05
3.3. Opt ical Performanc e A fter Test - A ll Gr oups
Al l at tenuation measurem ents met the al lowable toleranc es. A ll c hange in at tenuation, r eturn l oss and
PDL measurem ents met the specificat ion requirement s. M easurements were recorded at 1310 and
1550 nm . Values shown in the tabl e r epr esent mini mum at tenuation, maximum attenuation, max imum
change i n attenuation, mi nimum retur n loss, and m aximum P DL observed f r om any specim en withi n
the t est gr oup. Optic al performanc e before each test is the same as optical performanc e after t he pr ior
test, and is therefor e not shown twic e. For the fi r st test, t he new product data i n par agr aph 3.2.
represents the " befor e test" dat a.
Test
Group
Test
or
Examination
Test
Hours
8
(nm) Requirements
(see Note)
Actual Optical Perfo rmance After Te st (dB)
Attenuation
)
ARLPDL
Min A Ma x A
1
Mechanical shock (impact)
NA
1310
9.0 - 11.0 A
< 0.5
)
A
> 55 RL
< 0.5 PDL
9.9 10.3 0.2 56 0.05
1550 9.9 10.2 0.3 56 0.05
Variable frequency vibration 1310 9.8 10.3 0.2 56 0.05
1550 9.8 10.2 0.2 56 0.05
Water immersion 1310 9.8 10.3 0.2 56 0.05
1550 10.0 10.3 0.3 56 0.05
Thermal shock 1310 9.9 10.2 0.2 56 0.05
1550 9.9 10.3 0.3 56 0.05
The rmal cycling 1310 9.9 10.3 0.2 56 0.05
1550 9.9 10.3 0.2 56 0.06
Temperature-humidity cycling
(cyclic moisture resistance) 1310 9.8 10.3 0.1 56 0.05
1550 10.0 10.3 0.2 56 0.06
2 Low temperature storage
01310
9.0 - 11.0 A
< 0.5
)
A
> 55 RL
< 0.5 PDL
9.8 10.3 NA 56 0.05
1550 9.9 10.3 56 0.05
168 1310 9.8 10.3 0.2 56 0.06
1550 9.9 10.3 0.3 56 0.06
500 1310 9.8 10.2 0.2 56 0.05
1550 9.9 10.3 0.3 56 0.06
1000 1310 9.9 10.2 0.3 56 0.06
1550 10.0 10.3 0.4 56 0.06
2500 1310 9.9 10.2 0.4 56 0.06
1550 9.9 10.3 0.4 56 0.06
501-604
Test
Group
Test
or
Examination
Test
Hours
8
(nm) Requirements
(see Note)
Actual Optical Perfo rmance After Te st (dB)
Attenuation
)
ARLPDL
Min A Ma x A
Rev A 8 of 11
3High temperature storage
(damp heat)
01310
9.0 - 11.0 A
< 0.5
)
A
> 55 RL
< 0.5 PDL
9.8 10.2 NA 56 0.05
1550 9.8 10.2 56 0.06
100 1310 9.8 10.2 0.2 56 0.05
1550 9.7 10.2 0.2 56 0.07
168 1310 9.7 10.3 0.2 56 0.05
1550 9.7 10.2 0.2 56 0.06
500 1310 9.8 10.3 0.2 56 0.05
1550 9.7 10.4 0.2 56 0.06
1000 1310 9.8 10.3 0.3 56 0.05
1550 9.7 10.3 0.4 56 0.06
2000 1310 9.9 10.3 0.2 56 0.05
1550 9.7 10.4 0.2 56 0.06
4High temperature aging
(dry heat)
01310
9.0 - 11.0 A
< 0.5
)
A
> 55 RL
< 0.5 PDL
9.8 10.4 NA 57 0.05
1550 9.7 10.4 56 0.06
168 1310 9.8 10.5 0.2 56 0.06
1550 9.8 10.4 0.2 56 0.07
500 1310 9.8 10.4 0.2 57 0.06
1550 9.7 10.5 0.3 56 0.06
1000 1310 9.9 10.4 0.2 56 0.06
1550 9.8 10.4 0.2 56 0.06
2000 1310 9.9 10.3 0.4 56 0.06
1550 9.8 10.4 0.3 56 0.06
5000 1310 9.9 10.3 0.3 56 0.05
1550 9.8 10.4 0.2 56 0.06
A: A ttenuation
NOTE
)
A: Change in A ttenuation
RL: Ret ur n Los s
PDL: P olar ization Dependent Loss
4. QUALIFICATION TEST MET HODS
4.1. Initial Optical Performanc e - New Product
A. Attenuation Toleranc e
Al l singlemode attenuation was measured in ac c or danc e with IEC 61300- 3- 4 or FOTP - 171,
Method D3, processes. The init ial optical power through t he test leads was measured. T he
att enuator speci men was inserted between the t est leads and optical power was measured. The
att enuati on was calculated by taking the differenc e between the initial and the final
measurements.
The measured attenuation was compared to the fixed attenuator value. The differenc e must meet
the permissible tol er anc e for that attenuator value. A ttenuation was measured at 1310 and 1550
nm.
Aft er eac h sequential test, opti c al power readings were perm it ted to be compensated by c hanges
in a source monitor c able. In cases wher e a c ontrol c able was also used and exceeded limit s
stated in the specifi c ati on, the change in t he c ontrol c able was also all owed to be fac tored i nto the
loss.
501-604
Rev A 9 of 11
B. Return Loss
Si nglemode ret ur n loss was developed i n ac c or danc e with IE C 61300- 3- 6 or FOTP - 107 M ethod
A, and si mil ar Tel c or dia G R- 326, continuous wave process. A n optic al source and PDL met er
were used to measure return l oss at 1310 and 1550 nm.
C. Pol ar ization Dependent Loss (P DL)
Using an optical source and PDL met er , the P DL loss of an attenuat or was measured between
referenc e- quali ty t est leads. PDL was recorded at 1310 and 1550 nm.
4.2. Change in A ttenuation
The ini tial opt ical power (dBm) t hr ough the specimens was recorded befor e the test usi ng an optic al
source and detector. Relative opti c al power (dB) through the fiber was measured after eac h test.
Change in attenuation was calculat ed by taking the differenc e between t he initial measurement and
the final /aft er measurements. Optical power r eadings were c ompensated by c hanges i n the source
m onit or c able.
In cases where a control cabl e was also used and exceeded li mits stated in t he specifi c ation, the
change i n the cont r ol cable could al so be fact or ed int o the loss.
4.3. Controlled Operati ng E nvir onment
Specimens were subject ed to the test profil e described in Section 5.1.2 of GR-63-CO RE, whi c h cycles
between -5 and 50
/
C with relat ive humidi ty varyi ng between 5 and 95%. E xposure t ime was at least
182 hours. Opti c al perfor manc e was recorded before and after test with specimens at ambient
conditions.
4.4. Uncontr olled Operati ng E nvir onment
Specimens were subject ed to 21 cycles of temperature ext r emes for a period of 168 hours, (7 days).
Each cycle contained ramp and dwell ti mes of 1.0 hour. T he cycle started wit h a hot ramp/ dwell to
75
/
C then ramp/dwell bac k to ambi ent of 23
/
C fol lowed by a cold r amp/dwell of - 40
/
C. Optical
performance was recorded before and after exposure with t he specimens at am bient c onditions.
4.5. Non-operat ing Envir onment
Specimens were exposed to a thr ee par t test. Part 1 c onsi sted of 72 hours at - 40
/
C then t her mal shock
(l ess than 5 mi nute transi ti on ti me) bac k to ambient. P ar t 2 consisted of 72 hour s at 70
/
C, t hen thermal
shock back t o ambient. Part 3 consisted of 96 hour s at 40
/
C with 90-95% r elat ive humidi ty. Optical
performance was recorded before P ar t 1 and after c ompletion of Par t 3.
4.6. Hum idity/condensation Cycli ng
Specimens were subject ed to 14 cycles of temperature/hum idi ty cycling for a peri od of 168 hours (7
days). Each cycle consisted of -10 to 65
/
C with > 90% RH at 65
/
C and 23
/
C. O pti c al perfor manc e for
each specimen was recorded at ambient c ondit ions bef or e and after humi dity exposure.
4.7. Water Immersion
Specimens were i mmer sed i n water with pH of 5.5 ± 0.5 at 43 ± 2
/
C for 168 hours (7 days). Optical
performance was measured at ambient c onditions before test and appr oximately 24 hours aft er test.
501-604
Rev A 10 of 11
4.8. Vibration
Specimens were subjected to si nusoi dal vibration, having a simple harmoni c motion with amplit ude of
1.52 mm [0.060 i n] doubl e ampli tude. T he vibr ati on fr equenc y was varied uniformly between the limits
of 10 and 55 Hz and back to 10 Hz in approx imately 4 m inutes for one cycl e. Ex posure tim e was 2
hours per ax is in eac h of the thr ee mutually per pendicular planes, for a t otal vibr ati on time of si x hour s
per specimen. Opt ical perfor manc e was recorded before and after test with the specim ens at ambient
conditions.
4.9. Durability
Each build out attenuat or was subject ed to 200 cycles of durability. Specimens were mounted at 3, 4.5
and 6 feet heights per GR-326-CORE, and cycl ed at a rate not in ex cess of 300 cycles per hour.
Opt ical perfor manc e was measured at ambient c onditions before and aft er test.
4.10. Impact
The at tenuator was dropped 8 ti mes from a height of 1.8 m [6 f t]. The impact test was performed in all
three axes for a t otal of 24 impact s per speci men. Ini tial opt ical performanc e was recorded before t he
specimen was unmated and subj ec ted to testi ng. Final optic al perfor manc e was recorded after all
specimens were tested, inspected, c leaned and re- mat ed.
5. RELIABILITY T EST MET HODS
5.1. Mechanical Shock ( Impact )
The unmat ed and unc apped attenuat or was dropped eight ti mes from a height of 1.8m [6 ft]. The
impac t ex posure was repeated 5 times in each of three mutually perpendicular axes. Initial optical
performance was recorded before the specimen was unmat ed and exposed to t esting. Final opt ical
performance was recorded aft er all specimens were tested, inspected, c leaned and re-mated.
5.2. Variabl e Frequency V ibrati on
Specimens were subject ed to 10-2000-10 Hz at 20 G. One cycle was traversed in 20 m inutes. Perform
12 cycles i n each of t hree mut uall y perpendicul ar planes. Opt ical performance was recorded before
and after exposure.
5.3. Water Immersion
Specimens were submer sed i n water for 168 hours (7 days). Water was 43 ± 2
/
C with pH of 5.5 ± 0. 5.
Opt ical perfor manc e was recorded at ambient befor e and after test.
5.4. Thermal Shock
Specimens were subject ed to 20 cycles between 0 and 100
/
C. Each cycle contained a 30 m inute dwell
at each temperatur e extreme with transfer time l ess than 2 mi nutes. Opt ical perfor mance was
recorded at ambient before and after t he exposure.
5.5. Temperature Cycling
Specimens were subject ed to 500 cycles between -40 and 75
/
C. O pti c al perfor manc e was recorded at
am bient befor e exposure and at the compl eti on of testi ng.
501-604
Rev A 11 of 11
5.6. Temperature-humidi ty Cycling
Specimens were subject ed to 5 cycles between -40 and 75
/
C with 90% relat ive humidi ty at 75
/
C. Each
cycle consi sted of a 5 hour dwell at each t emperat ure ext reme. Optical performance was recorded at
am bient befor e and after test.
5.7. Low Temper ature Storage
Specimens were subjected to 2500 hour s at - 40
/
C. Spec imens were removed from the c hamber and
optical performanc e measured at 0, 168, 500, 1000 and 2500 hours.
5.8. High Temperatur e S torage (Damp Heat)
Specimens were subjected to 2000 hour s at 85
/
C with 85% relat ive humidi ty. S pec imens were
removed from the chamber and optic al perfor manc e measured at 0, 100, 168, 500, 1000 and 2000
hours.
5.9. High Temperatur e A ging (Dr y Heat)
Specimens were subjected to 5000 hour s at 85
/
C with relat ive humidi ty less than 40%. Specimens
were removed from the c hamber and opti c al perfor mance measured at 0, 168, 500, 1000, 2000 and
5000 hours.