Temperature adaptability test and evaluation for optical fiber transmission performance

The benign and adverse temperature condition in open air is simulated in the temperature and humidity alternated test chamber. The transmission performances of optical fibers are monitored and measured by OTDR and CD300. The testing samples are made with the identical material and process, but in different batches, and testing temperature is from -60℃ to 140℃. The experiments indicate that the transmission performances of optical fibers fluctuate with temperatures in - 60℃ to 140℃. The temperature induced attenuation of fibers is less than or equal to 0.05dB/km at 1310nm and 1550nm. The dispersion coefficient of optical fibers decreases with the temperature increase at 1550nm. The PMD of optical fibers increase when the temperature increases. On the basis of temperature cycling test, taking communication standards as criteria and using “3σ” principle of the quality control, fiber transmission performance adaptability to communication system in temperature changing environment is discussed. It is concluded that the attenuation, chromatic dispersion and PMD of G.652 optical fiber could meet the requirement of high speed communication system for less than 10Gbit/s from -60℃ to 140℃, but the PMD does not meet the requirements of high speedcommunication system for higher than 10Gbit/s. If the PMD is required to meet the requirements of hyperspeed systems, proper measures must be taken to minimize it during fiber drawing process.