This part of IEC 61280 describes the test procedures applicable to digital fibre optic communication and data systems.

The object of this test procedure is to measure the minimum and maximum optical powers required and allowed at the optical input port of a fibre optic system to ensure its operation within specified limits. Another objective is to verify that the guaranteed error performance is obtained at the minimum and the maximum optical input powers specified by the terminal equipment manufacturer.

Figure 1 shows the typical elements associated with optical fibre systems. Optical amplifiers or regenerators may be used in long haul telecom systems, but are not usually associated with data transport systems such as Ethernet, etc. In bi-directional systems the transmitter and corresponding receiver are usually co-located, as indicated by the dotted lines. This specification is concerned with the characteristics of the optical input interface of the receiver, amplifier or regenerator shown.

It should be noted that the performance of fibre optic receivers may differ for different signal formats. It is therefore necessary to use the signal format that represents actual operating conditions.