scope:

Products

Fiber to the Antenna (FTTA) cables covered by this standard include cable used for distribution and delivery of optical fiber from the baseband unit (BBU) of a cell site to the remote radio unit (RRU)/active antenna unit (AAU) on the associated structure. These cables may be a hybrid design, incorporating electrical conductors for power delivery and control, or standalone optical cables. This standard primarily references ANSI/ICEA S-87-640 (ICEA 640) and ANSI/ICEA S-104-696 (ICEA 696) for optical performance requirements. Standalone optical cables complying with ICEA 640 or ICEA 696 shall also be considered compliant with this standard.

Application Space

All designs covered by this Standard are intended for operation under normal conditions found in the communications user's locations. These locations can be macro cells (typically towers 75-400 ft. tall and servicing an area of up to 20 miles) or small cells (typically light poles or other structures 30-60 ft. tall servicing an area of 250-1200 ft). These products normally convey digital communications signals (voice, video, and data) from point-to-point or point-to-multipoint. Products covered by this Standard may be factory terminated with connectors or splicing modules.

Temperature Ranges

The normal temperature ranges for cables covered by this Standard are listed in Table 1-1:

For the purposes of this standard, very-Iow temperature applications are defined as -50 °C (-58 °F) per 1.4.1.6 and are addressed in Annex C of ICEA 640 (Normative), which contains requirements for lower operating and storage temperatures than listed in Table 1-1.

Tensile Rating

The standard installation tensile rating for FTTA cables is specified in Table 7-2.

Minimum Bend Diameter

The standard minimum bend diameters for cables covered by this Standard are:

Residual (Installed or Static): 20 x Cable OD

Loaded Condition (During Installation or Self-Support): 40 x Cable OD

For cables not having a circular cross-section, bend diameter requirements are to be determined using the thickness (minor axis) as the cable diameter and bending in the direction of the preferential bend.

Smaller cable bend diameters are permissible as agreed upon between the user and manufacturer.

Fire Resistance

Fire resistance is application dependent. The user should consult the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to determine required fire resistance ratings, if any. Some fire resistance ratings that may be appropriate are:

Plenum Cables

Cables listed as having adequate fire resistance and low smoke producing characteristics for use in ducts, plenums and other space used for environmental air. In the context of this standard, Plenum rating would only be applicable to standalone optical cables.

Riser Cables

Cables listed as having fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor to floor for use in a vertical run in a shaft or from floor to floor. In the context of this standard, Riser rating would only be applicable to standalone optical cables.

General Purpose

Cables listed as being resistant to the spread of fire for general-purpose use, with the exception of risers, plenums, and other space used for environmental air. In the context of this standard, General Purpose rating would only be applicable to standalone optical cables.

Tray Rated

Cables listed as being intended for use in accordance with Article 336 and other applicable parts of the National Electrical Code (NEC), ANSI/NFPA 70, in cable trays, in raceways, and where supported in outdoor locations by a messenger wire. In the context of this standard, Tray Rating may be applicable to hybrid cables, and in this case, the designation is TC-OF (Tray Cable - Optical Fiber).