BS EN IEC 61300-3-7:2021

What is BS EN IEC 61300‑3‑7 about?  

BS EN IEC 61300 is a series of fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components. Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components is a fibre-optic telecommunications technology for delivering broadband network access to end customers. BS EN IEC 61300‑3‑7 describes methods available to measure the wavelength dependence of attenuation and return loss of two-port, single-mode passive optical components.  

BS EN IEC 61300‑3‑7 specifies examination methods: 

• Broadband light source (BBS) 
• Tuneable narrowband light source (TNLS) 
• Set of multiple fixed narrowband light sources (NLS) 

There are two measurement cases described in BS EN IEC 61300‑3‑7: 

• Measurement of attenuation only 
• Measurement of attenuation and return loss at the same time. 

Note: BS EN IEC 61300-3-7 is not applicable to dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) devices. 

Who is BS EN IEC 61300‑3‑7 for? 

BS EN IEC 61300‑3‑7 on fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components is useful for: 

• Telecommunication equipment and components manufacturers 
• Design engineer 
• Quality control personnel 
• Research and development facilities 

Why should you use BS EN IEC 61300‑3‑7?  

In fibre-optic communications with increasing data speeds and higher transmission bandwidth, accurate measurement of attenuation and optical return loss is becoming more important in optical networks. BS EN IEC 61300‑3‑7 provides you with test and measurement procedures for measuring the wavelength dependence of attenuation and optical return loss of optical fibre components which ensure the proper performance of an optical transmission system. 

BS EN IEC 61300‑3‑7 focuses on fibre-optic interconnection devices and passive components and provides you guidance on each optical fibre component and its functional applications by applying measurement and examination methods and power detection systems. Using BS EN IEC 61300‑3‑7 you can describe methods available to measure the wavelength dependence of attenuation and return loss of two-port, single-mode passive optical components. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN IEC 61300‑3‑7:2021 supersedes BS EN 61300‑3‑7:2012. BS EN IEC 61300‑3‑7:2021 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 61300‑3‑7:2012. These include: 

• Reduction of the number of alternative methods proposed to bring in line with industry practice 
• Re-statement of the equations for insertion loss and return loss using logarithmic forms more common in the industry 
• Additional recommendations with respect to the creation of fibre terminations 
• Additional discussion on the characterization of the optical sources used in this document 
• Simplification of bi-directional testing 
• Removal of separate return loss only measurement procedures