When it comes to fiber optics, it’s all about speed. For OEMs, more important than the speed of light and signaling is speed to market. Faster products force faster development cycles, and quicker time to market can lead to both a faster and higher return.

ADC offers OEMs a broad array of products that have undergone Fiber Optical Component (FOC) testing under Verizon’s Independent Testing Laboratories program, designed to improve time-to-market and reduce the costs associated with compliance testing.

ADC’s FOC accreditation is part of its new-product development capabilities to help OEMs rapidly innovate products for the delivery of high-speed broadband services. As a leader in network infrastructure products and services used by telecommunications providers worldwide, ADC is uniquely positioned to help OEMs aggressively compete through improved product deployment. ADC is the only supplier that has both North American and Asian FOC-qualified facilities, and we ship on average 1,300,000 FOC-certified terminations per month.

ADC labs Verizon FOC certifications include:

• GR-326 for single-mode optical connectors and jumper assemblies
• GR-771 for fiber-optic splice closures
• GR-902 for hand holes and other below-ground, non-concrete splice vaults
• GR-1209 for fiber-optic branching components
  
• GR-1221 for passive optical components
  
• GR-2866 for optical fiber ribbon fanouts
  
• GR-2898 for fiber demarcation boxes
  
• GR-3120 for hardened fiber-optic connectors
  
• GR-3125 for outdoor fiber distribution (FDH) closures

Optical, Environmental and Mechanical Testing

ADC products are FOC-certified for critical areas affecting component performance, including optical, environmental and mechanical testing, and failure analysis. These tests can include:

Optical:

• Insertion loss
• Return loss
• Tunable laser sources at 1310, 1550 S, C and L bands
• Spectrum analysis, HP OSA, 1250nm – 1650 nm
• Optical power handling to 2 watts at 1530 nm to 1570 nm
• Optical time domain reflectometry
• Polarization dependent loss (PDL) using the JDS PS3 PDL Meter
• Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) using the HP 8509B Polarization Analyzer
• Automated multichannel optical measurement for more than 550 channels

Environmental:

• Temperatures: -70°C to +180°C
• Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) chamber testing, -200°C to +200°C
• Relative humidity from 10% to 98%
• Altitude

Mechanical:

• Connector polish geometry (radius, recess, apex and angle) for single- and multimode fiber
• Vibration from 500 lbs. force to 2,000 Hz and 6,000 lbs. force to 2,000 Hz
• Vytran fiber proof testing
• Cable bend/flex
• Torque
• Force (5,000 lbs.)
• Operational life

Failure analysis:

• Visible fault location
• Microscopic analysis to 1000x
• Cross sectioning
• Light-wave reflection measurement

Light loss using a zero dead-zone Optical Time Domain Reflectometer
ADC also conducts additional testing to aid the product development process. These tests include:

Chemical:

• Viscosity
• Flammability
• Solvent resistance
• Calorimetric analysis
• Substance analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry

Mechanical – material testing:

• Hardness, tensile strength
• Color
• Plating
• Force deflection
• Vibration

Electrical:

• Contact resistance
• Dielectric strength
• Insulation resistance
• Insertion loss
• Voltage standing wave ratio
• Phase delay
• Voltage surge
• Electrostatic discharge
• Electromagnetic emissions susceptibility

Environmental:

• Salt spray
• UV
• Chamber testing