IEC 63267-1:2023

Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Fibre optic connector optical interfaces - Part 1: Enhanced macro bend loss multimode 50 µm core diameter fibres - General and guidance

IEC 63267-1: 2023 covers enhanced macrobend loss 50 µm core diameter multimode fibre optic connection interfaces. It includes references, document structure details, definitions, and standardised optical connection grades. The grades are based on random mated connections between two optical connector populations according to prescribed characteristics including the core diameter and numerical aperture mismatches. This document describes the rules under which an optical interface is created. It also defines standardised test methods where appropriate.

Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs fibroniques – Interfaces optiques de connecteurs fibroniques - Partie 1: Fibres multimodales de diamètre de coeur de 50 μm à performances améliorées en matière de pertes par macrocourbures – Généralités et recommandations

IEC 63267-1:2023 couvre les interfaces de connexion fibroniques multimodales de diamètre de cœur de 50 µm à performances améliorées en matière de pertes par macrocourbures. Elle comprend les références, les détails de la structure du document, les définitions et les classes normalisées de connexion optique. Les classes sont fondées sur des connexions accouplées sans choix préalable entre deux populations de connecteurs optiques selon des caractéristiques exigées, notamment le diamètre du cœur et les défauts d'adaptation d'ouverture numérique. Le présent document décrit les règles qui régissent la création d'une interface optique. Il définit également les méthodes d'essais normalisées, le cas échéant.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 10-May-2023
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: SC 86B - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 02-Dec-2022
• Completion Date: 11-May-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 63267-1
®

Edition 1.0 2023-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – fibre optic
connector optical interfaces –
Part 1: Enhanced macro bend loss multimode 50 μm core diameter fibres –
General and guidance

Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs fibroniques – Interfaces
optiques de connecteurs fibroniques –
Partie 1: Fibres multimodales de diamètre de cœur de 50 μm à performances
améliorées en matière de pertes par macrocourbures – Généralités et
recommandations

IEC 63267-1:2023-05(en-fr)

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
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---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
IEC 63267-1

®


Edition 1.0 2023-05




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME


INTERNATIONALE











Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – fibre optic

connector optical interfaces –

Part 1: Enhanced macro bend loss multimode 50 μm core diameter fibres –

General and guidance



Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs fibroniques – Interfaces


optiques de connecteurs fibroniques –

Partie 1: Fibres multimodales de diamètre de cœur de 50 μm à performances

améliorées en matière de pertes par macrocourbures – Généralités et


recommandations









INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE


INTERNATIONALE




ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-6016-6




Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
– 2 – IEC 63267-1:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
0.1 Overview. 5
0.2 Hierarchical relationship . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Document structure . 9
5 Optical datum target . 10
6 Test methods . 11
7 Optical interface grades . 11
8 Key parameters . 12
9 Materials . 12
Bibliography . 13

Figure 1 – Relationship between optical interface standards and interface standards. 6

Table 1 – Multi-part document structure . 10
Table 2 – Multimode attenuation grades at 850 nm . 11
Table 3 – Multimode return loss at 850 nm for physically contacting ferrule designs . 11

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IEC 63267-1:2023 © IEC 2023 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – FIBRE OPTIC CONNECTOR OPTICAL INTERFACES –

Part 1: Enhanced macro bend loss multimode 50 μm core
diameter fibres – General and guidance

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
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preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
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9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 63267-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 86B: Fibre optic interconnecting devices and
passive components, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86B/4657/FDIS 86B/4676/RVD

Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications.

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– 4 – IEC 63267-1:2023 © IEC 2023
A list of all parts of the IEC 63267 series, under the general title Fibre optic interconnecting
devices and passive components – Fibre optic connector optical interfaces, can be found on
the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.

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IEC 63267-1:2023 © IEC 2023 – 5 –
INTRODUCTION
0.1 Overview
A connector optical interface standard is a multi-part collection of the geometric, dimensional
and material requirements necessary in order to comply with the optical functionality
specifications for a defined interface between two optical fibres. It consists of those essential
features that are functionally critical to the optical attenuation and return loss performance of
an optical interface in the mated condition.
The IEC 63267 series is composed of optical interface standards for multimode connectivity
which provide general information on optical connector interfaces for IEC 60793-2-10,
subcategory A1-OM2b to A1-OM5b multimode fibre, at 850 nm band only.
The IEC 63267 series defines the location of the fibre core in relation to the datum target and
the following key parameters: lateral and angular misalignment, core diameter, numerical
aperture, end face separation, end face high index layer condition. It also defines standardized
test methods where appropriate.
The subsequent parts of the multimode series contain those optical interfaces that have been
standardized for international use. Each interface contains the essential information to ensure
that products conforming to the standard will work together repeatedly to a known level of optical
performance without the need for compatibility testing or cross checking.
It is important to emphasize that standard optical interfaces are intended to be used with IEC
standards of various categories, which already include
– mechanical connector interface standards,
– test and measurement methods,
– performance standards, and
– reliability technical reports.
Interface standards, according to the IEC 61754 series, provide all the essential information
about a given product type or family necessary to ensure that all products compliant with the
interface standard will mate/de-mate.
Test and measurement methods, according to the IEC 61300-2 series and the
IEC 61300-3 series, give a prescribed approach to the way in which key parameters that need
to be assessed are evaluated.
Performance standards, according to the IEC 61753 series, use these test and measurement
methods to define a set of conditions indicative to a known system location against which a
product can be evaluated on a "once off" basis to prove that its design and manufacture are
capable of satisfying the necessary criteria.
Reliability technical reports are intended to provide the user and manufacturer with a set of
guidelines for assessing the ability of the product to continue to meet the required criteria over
time.
The two basic optical transmission performance parameters that characterize the optical
interface are attenuation and return loss. Each parameter places different physical constraints
on the optical interface. Environmental conditions also affect the performance of the optical
interface and it may require definition of physical and mechanical requirements to ensure that
the performance specified is maintained over the environmental extremes defined in a particular
performance standard.
Manufacturing materials and processes also affect the optical interface and, therefore, this
document has been designed to allow manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with this
document while still permitting the maximum of manufacturing differentiation. The relationship
between, and suitability of, materials specified in the IEC 63267-3 series standards for different
performance categories as specified in IEC 61753-1 will be defined, for example zirconia ferrule
material can be applied in all environmental categories, while the thermoset polymer material
specified for some rectangular ferrules may only be applicable for category C.

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– 6 – IEC 63267-1:2023 © IEC 2023
Optical interface standards define sets of prescribed conditions, which should be maintained in
order to satisfy the requirements for the attenuation and return loss performance in a randomly
mated pair of fibres of the same type.
0.2 Hierarchical relationship
The hierarchical relationship between optical interface standards and interface standards is
shown in Figure 1.
Optical interface: IEC 62367-1 –
General and guidance
Optical interface: IEC 62367-2 –
Fibre to fibre, optical connection performance
requirements, e.g. lateral and angular misalignment,
mode field diameter mismatch excluding fibre support
mechanisms
Optical interface: IEC 62367-3 –
Fibre support mechanisms, optical connector end face
and material deformation properties e.g. in the case of
ferrules, effects of dome offset, fibre undercut and
fibre position necessary to meet the performance

requirements of IEC 62367-2
Connector mechanical interface – IEC 61754 (all
parts)
Connector mating dimensions, e.g. effects of spring
force, etc.

IEC  2531/05

Figure 1 – Relationship between optical interface standards and interface standards

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IEC 63267-1:2023 © IEC 2023 – 7 –
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – FIBRE OPTIC CONNECTOR OPTICAL INTERFACES –

Part 1: Enhanced macro bend loss multimode 50 μm core
diameter fibres – General and guidance



1 Scope
This part of IEC 63267 covers enhanced macrobend loss 50 µm core diameter multimode fibre
optic connection interfaces. It includes references, document structure details, definitions, and
standardised optical connection grades. The grades are based on random mated connections
between two optical connector populations according to prescribed characteristics including the
core diameter and numerical aperture mismatches.
This document describes the rules under which an optical interface is created.
It also defines standardised test methods where appropriate.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 61280-1-4, Fibre optic communication subsystem test procedures – Part 1-4: General
communication subsystems – Light source encircled flux measurement method
IEC 61300 (all parts), Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures
IEC 61300-3-6, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-6: Examinations and measurements – Return loss
IEC 61300-3-34, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-34: Examinations and measurements – Attenuation of
random mated connectors
IEC 61300-3-45, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-45: Examinations and measurements – Attenuation of
random mated connectors multi-fibre connectors
IEC 63267 (all parts), Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Fibre optic
connector multimode optical interfaces
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
encircled flux
EF
fraction of cumulative near-field power to the total output power as a function of radial distance
from the optical centre of the core, defined by Formula (1):

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– 8 – IEC 63267-1:2023 © IEC 2023
r
xI x dx
( )
∫
0
EF r = (1)
( )
R
xI x dx
( )
∫
0
where
I(x) is the near-field intensity profile as a function of radial position x;
R is the maximum range of integration

Note 1 to entry: The encircled flux shall be measured according to IEC 61280-1-4.
[SOURCE: IEC 61300-1:2022, 3.1.10]
3.2
connection zero

C
0
first interface of a random cord when it is concatenated to the launch cord
Note 1 to entry: The connection zero tends to alter the launch condition through mode coupling and differential
mode attenuation.
3.3
connection one
C
1
second connection in a link, between two random interfaces, which is used for determination of
a given attenuation performance grade
Note 1 to entry: The estimated loss at C is dependent on the connection at C with respect to how much the power
1 0
intensity distribution is modified.
3.4
launch conditions
populations of resulting launches at connection zero
Note 1 to entry: The launches at connection zero are generated during Monte Carlo simulation. The launch condition
at mating zero is an EF compliant launch at target.
3.5
fibre core diameter
physical size of the core measured in micrometer
3.6
fibre numerical aperture
NA
range of angles over which the fibre can accept or emit light
Note 1 to entry: The numerical aperture is a dimensionless number.
3.7
fibre core eccentricity
radial and angular polar position of the fibre axis in cylindrical co-ordinate system of the
connector relative to the assumed datum target
3.8
fibre core tilt angle position
tilt angle position of the fibre axis in the cylindrical co-ordinate system of the connector relative
to the assumed horizontal fibre axis in the z direction
3.9
contact area
total surface area of the optical interface which is intended to be in contact when two identical
optical interfaces are brought together under a set of prescribed conditions

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IEC 63267-1:2023 © IEC 2023 – 9 –
3.10
defect
non-linear surface feature on the end face or ferrule including, pits, chips, edge chipping, and
nonremovable contamination
Note 1 to entry: Scratches are excluded from this definition.
3.11
scratch
permanent surface feature where the fibre end face has been damaged, and where the width
of the damaged area is small compared to its length, with a length to width of equal or larger
than 5:1
3.12
high index layer
compacted region at the fibre end face where the refractive index is often higher than that of
an unpolished cleaved fibre
[SOURCE: IEC 61755-1:2005, 3.9]
3.13
end face boundary conditions
surface conditions that exist at the optical interface after all termination processes have been
completed
3.14
end face separation losses
attenuation losses associated with an axial separation of the two fibres from the point of
alignment where lowest attenuation occurs
3.15
lateral offset losses
attenuation losses associated with a lateral displacement of the two fibres from the point of
alignment where lowest attenuation occurs
3.16
optical datum target
theoretical datum point on a connector interface where the optical fibre core centre or centre of
the optical waveguide should be positioned
3.17
optical interface standard
set of prescribed, measurable conditions to be met in order to satisfy the requirements for
attenuation and return loss performance and environmental stability in a mated pair of fibres
4 Document structure
An optical fibre connection interface standard is a multipart collection of the geometrical and
material requirements necessary in order to comply with the optical functionality specifications
for a defined interface between two multimode optical fibres. It consists of those essential
features that are functional criteria to the optical attenuation and return loss performance of an
optical connection. This document provides general information on optical interfaces for
multimode fibre according to IEC 60793-2-10, subcategory A1-OM2b to A1-OM5b.
The IEC 63267 series consists of different standards as shown in Table 1.

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– 10 – IEC 63267-1:2023 © IEC 2023
Table 1 – Multi-part document structure
Standard part and number Applicable to Example of parameters
to be included
IEC 63267-1 (general and Document structure, definitions, Definitions
guidance) preferred grades and rules under
Grades
which optical interfaces are created
Key parameters
1 Fibre to fibre interface End face separation
IEC 63267-2 (all parts)
End face angle
Encircled flux launch condition
Fibre numerical aperture
Fibre core diameter
End face high index layer
Lateral offset
2 Optical connector, ferrule or other Dome offset
IEC 63267-3 (all parts)
fibre support mechanisms if
Fibre undercut
applicable
Fibre core eccentricity
Materials (ferrule, alignment sleeve
etc.)

For rectangular ferrules, the
following parameters apply:
Core dip
Fibre protrusion
Fibre array minus coplanarity
Adjacent fibre height differential
End face angle in the X axis
End face in the Y axis
End face radius in the X axis
End face radius in the Y axis
Fibre tip spherical radii
Axial force on ferrule end face
Ferrule and fibre material constants
Frictional force of alignment pins in
ferrule guide holes

5 Optical datum target
The optical datum target defined in a fibre optic connector interface standard (see the
IEC 61754 series) is the point at which the optical fibre core centre shall be positioned after all
termination processes have been completed. Each part of the optical interface defines the
tolerance limits for the applicable parameters that may exist around this position for defined
performance characteristics, for example:
• the IEC 63267-2 series defines the tolerance limits for launch conditions (encircled flux),
lateral offset, fibre core diameter and numerical aperture for physically contacting fibre optic
connections to ensure the specified optical performance grades;
• the IEC 63267-3 series defines the tolerance limits for fibre core eccentricity (radial and
azimuth) and end face geometry parameters for fibre optic connectors;
• The connector interface standard IEC 61754 series defines keying accuracy and contact
force etc.

1
Under preparation.
2
Under preparation.

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IEC 63267-1:2023 © IEC 2023 – 11 –
6 Test methods
A standard test method shall be clearly specified for each test. Wherever possible, the test
method shall be selected from IEC the 61300 series. Where this is not possible, other test
methods may be specified. If a non-standard test method is used, the test method and details
to be specified shall be included in the appropriate annex of the optical interface standard.
7 Optical interface grades
Both attenuation grade and return loss grade, each of which may be selected separately, define
performance characteristics. Multimode attenuation grades are designated by a capital letter of
the alphabet with the subscript "m", i.e. A , B , etc., and relate to the performance expected
m m
in a random mated situation. Multimode return loss grades are designated by a numeral with a
subscript "m" i.e. 1 , 2 , etc., and relate to the performance expected in a random mated
m m
situation. The combination of these two grades, separated with a forward slash, i.e. B /1 ,
m m
C /2 etc., serves to define the expected performance of a particular optical interface.
m m
In all cases, the meaning and values of B /1 , C /2 , etc. remain the same, so the user can
m m m m
easily identify the type of interface and the performance that can be expected. While the optical
interface grade always remains the same, the connector or fibre support mechanism (e.g.
ferrule) necessary to achieve these values may change. All ferrule materials specified in the
IEC 63267-3 se
...