scope:

This technical report provides guidelines concerning single-mode fibre compatibility.

A given type of single-mode fibre, for example B4, may have different implementations by suitably optimising several of the following parameters: mode field diameter (hence effective area), chromatic dispersion coefficient, slope of the chromatic dispersion curve, cable cut-off wavelength.

This guideline indicates the items that should be taken into account when planning to connect: (1) different implementations of single-mode fibres of the same type, e.g. different implementations of type B single-mode fibres, and (2) single-mode fibres of different types, e.g. B1.1 with B4. See IEC 60793-2-50 for the attributes and definitions of single-mode fibre.

This guide does not consider the connection of fibres with the same implementation from different manufacturers, which is already considered by the standardisation procedure.