I n t e r n a t i o n a l

T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n

ITU-T

U n i o n

G.656

TELECOMMUNICATION
STANDARDIZATION SECTOR
OF ITU

(07/2010)

SERIES G: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS AND MEDIA,

DIGITAL SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
Transmission media and optical systems characteristics
Optical fibre cables

Characteristics of a fibre and cable with

non-zero dispersion for wideband optical
transport

Recommendation ITU-T G.656

ITU-T G-SERIES RECOMMENDATIONS

TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS AND MEDIA, DIGITAL SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS AND CIRCUITS
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS COMMON TO ALL ANALOGUE CARRIERTRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INTERNATIONAL CARRIER TELEPHONE
SYSTEMS ON METALLIC LINES
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INTERNATIONAL CARRIER TELEPHONE SYSTEMS
ON RADIO-RELAY OR SATELLITE LINKS AND INTERCONNECTION WITH METALLIC
LINES
COORDINATION OF RADIOTELEPHONY AND LINE TELEPHONY
TRANSMISSION MEDIA AND OPTICAL SYSTEMS CHARACTERISTICS
General
Symmetric cable pairs
Land coaxial cable pairs
Submarine cables
Free space optical systems
Optical fibre cables
Characteristics of optical components and subsystems
Characteristics of optical systems
DIGITAL TERMINAL EQUIPMENTS
DIGITAL NETWORKS
DIGITAL SECTIONS AND DIGITAL LINE SYSTEM
MULTIMEDIA QUALITY OF SERVICE AND PERFORMANCE GENERIC AND USERRELATED ASPECTS
TRANSMISSION MEDIA CHARACTERISTICS
DATA OVER TRANSPORT GENERIC ASPECTS
PACKET OVER TRANSPORT ASPECTS
ACCESS NETWORKS
For further details, please refer to the list of ITU-T Recommendations.

G.100G.199
G.200G.299
G.300G.399
G.400G.449
G.450G.499
G.600G.699
G.600G.609
G.610G.619
G.620G.629
G.630G.639
G.640G.649
G.650G.659
G.660G.679
G.680G.699
G.700G.799
G.800G.899
G.900G.999
G.1000G.1999
G.6000G.6999
G.7000G.7999
G.8000G.8999
G.9000G.9999

Recommendation ITU-T G.656

Characteristics of a fibre and cable with non-zero dispersion
for wideband optical transport

Summary
Recommendation ITU-T G.656 describes the geometrical, mechanical, and transmission attributes of
a single-mode optical fibre which has the positive value of the chromatic dispersion coefficient
greater than some non-zero value throughout the wavelength range of anticipated use 1460-1625 nm.
This dispersion reduces the growth of non-linear effects which are particularly deleterious in dense
wavelength division multiplexing systems.
This fibre can be used for both CWDM (coarse wavelength division multiplexing) and DWDM
(dense wavelength division multiplexing) systems throughout the wavelength region between 1460
and 1625 nm.
Edition 2 limits the chromatic dispersion coefficient by a pair of bounding curves vs wavelength for
the range of 1460 nm to 1625 nm, which provides information to support CWDM and DWDM
applications.
Edition 3 removes jumper cut-off wavelength definition and adds a note allowing higher maximum
cabled attenuation for short jumper cables.

History
Edition Recommendation

Approval

Study Group

1.0

ITU-T G.656

2004-06-13

15

2.0

ITU-T G.656

2006-12-14

15

3.0

ITU-T G.656

2010-07-29

15

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

FOREWORD
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency in the field of
telecommunications, information and communication technologies (ICTs). The ITU Telecommunication
Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is a permanent organ of ITU. ITU-T is responsible for studying technical,
operating and tariff questions and issuing Recommendations on them with a view to standardizing
telecommunications on a worldwide basis.
The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), which meets every four years,
establishes the topics for study by the ITU-T study groups which, in turn, produce Recommendations on
these topics.
The approval of ITU-T Recommendations is covered by the procedure laid down in WTSA Resolution 1.
In some areas of information technology which fall within ITU-T's purview, the necessary standards are
prepared on a collaborative basis with ISO and IEC.

NOTE
In this Recommendation, the expression "Administration" is used for conciseness to indicate both a
telecommunication administration and a recognized operating agency.
Compliance with this Recommendation is voluntary. However, the Recommendation may contain certain
mandatory provisions (to ensure, e.g., interoperability or applicability) and compliance with the
Recommendation is achieved when all of these mandatory provisions are met. The words "shall" or some
other obligatory language such as "must" and the negative equivalents are used to express requirements. The
use of such words does not suggest that compliance with the Recommendation is required of any party.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

ITU draws attention to the possibility that the practice or implementation of this Recommendation may
involve the use of a claimed Intellectual Property Right. ITU takes no position concerning the evidence,
validity or applicability of claimed Intellectual Property Rights, whether asserted by ITU members or others
outside of the Recommendation development process.
As of the date of approval of this Recommendation, ITU had not received notice of intellectual property,
protected by patents, which may be required to implement this Recommendation. However, implementers
are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information and are therefore strongly urged to consult the
TSB patent database at http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/ipr/.

ITU 2011
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the
prior written permission of ITU.

ii

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

CONTENTS
Page
1

Scope ............................................................................................................................

References.....................................................................................................................

Definitions ....................................................................................................................

Abbreviations................................................................................................................

Fibre attributes ..............................................................................................................

5.1
Mode field diameter .......................................................................................
5.2
Cladding diameter ..........................................................................................
5.3
Core concentricity error ..................................................................................
5.4
Non-circularity ...............................................................................................
5.5
Cut-off wavelength .........................................................................................
5.6
Macrobending loss..........................................................................................
5.7
Material properties of the fibre .......................................................................
5.8
Refractive index profile ..................................................................................
5.9
Longitudinal uniformity of chromatic dispersion...........................................
5.10
Chromatic dispersion coefficient ....................................................................

2
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
4

Cable attributes .............................................................................................................

6.1
Attenuation coefficient ...................................................................................
6.2
Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) coefficient ...........................................

5
5
5

Table of recommended values ......................................................................................

Appendix I Information for link attributes and system design .............................................

I.1
Attenuation .....................................................................................................
I.2
Chromatic dispersion ......................................................................................
I.3
Differential group delay (DGD) .....................................................................
I.4
Non-linear coefficient .....................................................................................
I.5
Tables of common typical values ...................................................................
I.6
Chromatic dispersion coefficient limits..........................................................

8
8
8
9
9
10
10

Bibliography.............................................................................................................................

12

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

iii

Recommendation ITU-T G.656

Characteristics of a fibre and cable with non-zero dispersion
for wideband optical transport
1

Scope

This Recommendation describes a single-mode fibre with chromatic dispersion that is greater than
some non-zero value throughout the wavelength range of 1460-1625 nm. This dispersion reduces
the growth of non-linear effects that can be particularly deleterious in dense wavelength division
multiplexing (DWDM) systems. This fibre uses non-zero dispersion to reduce four-wave mixing
and cross-phase modulation over a wider wavelength range than the fibre described in
[b-ITU-T G.655]. Extensions are possible, in the future, to wavelengths beyond the 1460-1625 nm
region (to be determined). The geometrical, optical, transmission, and mechanical parameters are
described below in three categories of attributes:

fibre attributes are those attributes that are retained throughout cabling and installation;

cable attributes that are recommended for cables as they are delivered;

link attributes that are characteristics of concatenated cables, describing estimation methods
of system interface parameters based on measurements, modelling, or other considerations.
Information for link attributes and system design are given in Appendix I.
This fibre can be utilized for CWDM and DWDM systems throughout the extended wavelength
transmission region between 1460 and 1625 nm.
This Recommendation, and the category found in the table of clause 7, is intended to support the
following related system Recommendations:

[b-ITU-T G.691];

[b-ITU-T G.692];

[b-ITU-T G.693];

[b-ITU-T G.695];

[b-ITU-T G.959.1];

[b-ITU-T G.698.1];

[b-ITU-T G.696.1].
The meaning of the terms used in this Recommendation and the guidelines to be followed in the
measurement to verify the various characteristics are given in [ITU-T G.650.1] and
[ITU-T G.650.2]. The characteristics of this fibre, including the definitions of the relevant
parameters, their test methods and relevant values, will be refined as studies and experience
progress.
2

References

The following ITU-T Recommendations and other references contain provisions which, through
reference in this text, constitute provisions of this Recommendation. At the time of publication, the
editions indicated were valid. All Recommendations and other references are subject to revision;
users of this Recommendation are therefore encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the
most recent edition of the Recommendations and other references listed below. A list of the
currently valid ITU-T Recommendations is regularly published. The reference to a document within
this Recommendation does not give it, as a stand-alone document, the status of a Recommendation.

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

[ITU-T G.650.1]

Recommendation ITU-T G.650.1 (2010), Definitions and test methods for

linear, deterministic attributes of single-mode fibre and cable.

[ITU-T G.650.2]

Recommendation ITU-T G.650.2 (2007), Definitions and test methods for

statistical and non-linear related attributes of single-mode fibre and cable.

[ITU-T G.694.1]

Recommendation ITU-T G.694.1 (2002), Spectral grids for WDM

applications: DWDM frequency grid.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Recommendation, the definitions given in [ITU-T G.650.1] and
[ITU-T G.650.2] apply. Values shall be rounded to the number of digits given in the table of
Recommended values before conformance is evaluated.
4

Abbreviations

This Recommendation uses the following abbreviations:

Aeff

Effective Area

CWDM

Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing

DGD

Differential Group Delay

DWDM

Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing

PMD

Polarization Mode Dispersion

PMDQ

Statistical parameter for PMD link

SDH

Synchronous Digital Hierarchy

TBD

To Be Determined

Fibre attributes

Only those characteristics of the fibre providing a minimum essential design framework for fibre
manufacturers are recommended in this clause. Ranges or limits on values are presented in the table
of clause 7. Of these, cable manufacture or installation may significantly affect the cabled fibre
cut-off wavelength and PMD. Otherwise, the recommended characteristics will apply equally to
individual fibres, fibres incorporated into a cable wound on a drum, and fibres in an installed cable.
5.1

Mode field diameter

Both a nominal value and tolerance about that nominal value shall be specified at 1550 nm. The
nominal value that is specified shall be within the range found in clause 7. The specified tolerance
shall not exceed the value in clause 7. The deviation from nominal shall not exceed the specified
tolerance.
5.2

Cladding diameter

The recommended nominal value of the cladding diameter is 125 m. A tolerance is also specified
and shall not exceed the value in clause 7. The cladding deviation from nominal shall not exceed the
specified tolerance.
5.3

Core concentricity error

The core concentricity error shall not exceed the value specified in clause 7.

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

5.4

Non-circularity

5.4.1

Mode field non-circularity

In practice, the mode field non-circularity of fibres having nominally circular mode fields is found
to be sufficiently low that propagation and jointing are not affected. It is, therefore, not considered
necessary to recommend a particular value for the mode field non-circularity. It is not normally
necessary to measure the mode field non-circularity for acceptance purposes.
5.4.2

Cladding non-circularity

The cladding non-circularity shall not exceed the value found in clause 7.
5.5

Cut-off wavelength

Two useful types of cut-off wavelength can be distinguished:

a)

Cable cut-off wavelength, cc.

b)

Fibre cut-off wavelength, c.

NOTE For some specific submarine cable applications, other cable cut-off wavelength values may be
required.

The correlation of the measured values of c and cc depends on the specific fibre and cable design
and the test conditions. While in general, cc < c, a general quantitative relationship cannot be
easily established. The importance of ensuring single-mode transmission in the minimum cable
length between joints at the minimum operating wavelength is paramount. This may be performed
by recommending the maximum cable cut-off wavelength cc of a cabled single-mode fibre to be
1450 nm, or for worst-case length and bends, by recommending a maximum fibre cut-off
wavelength to be 1440 nm.
The cable cut-off wavelength, cc, shall be less than the maximum specified in clause 7.
5.6

Macrobending loss

Macrobending loss varies with wavelength, bend radius and number of turns about a mandrel with a
specified radius. Macrobending loss shall not exceed the maximum given in clause 7 for the
specified wavelength(s), bend radius, and number of turns.
NOTE 1 A qualification test may be sufficient to ensure that this requirement is being met.
NOTE 2 The recommended number of turns corresponds to the approximate number of turns deployed in
all splice cases of a typical repeater span. The recommended radius is equivalent to the minimum bendradius widely accepted for long-term deployment of fibres in practical systems installations to avoid staticfatigue failure.
NOTE 3 If, for practical reasons, fewer than the recommended number of turns are chosen to implement, it
is suggested that not less than 40 turns, and a proportionately smaller loss increase be required.
NOTE 4 The macrobending loss recommendation relates to the deployment of fibres in practical singlemode fibre installations. The influence of the stranding-related bending radii of cabled single-mode fibres on
the loss performance is included in the loss specification of the cabled fibre.
NOTE 5 In the event that routine tests are required, a smaller diameter loop with one or several turns can
be used instead of the recommended test, for accuracy and measurement ease. In this case, the loop diameter,
number of turns, and the maximum permissible bend loss for the several-turn test should be chosen so as to
correlate with the recommended test and allowed loss.

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

5.7

Material properties of the fibre

5.7.1

Fibre materials

The substances of which the fibres are made should be indicated.

NOTE Care may be needed in fusion splicing fibres of different substances. Provisional results indicate
that adequate splice loss and strength can be achieved when splicing different high-silica fibres.

5.7.2

Protective materials

The physical and chemical properties of the material used for the fibre primary coating and the best
way of removing it (if necessary) should be indicated. In the case of single jacketed fibre, similar
indications shall be given.
5.7.3

Proofstress level

The specified proofstress, p, shall not be less than the minimum specified in clause 7.
NOTE The definitions of the mechanical parameters are contained in clauses 3.2 and 5.7 of
[ITU-T G.650.1].

5.8

Refractive index profile

The refractive index profile of the fibre does not generally need to be known.
5.9

Longitudinal uniformity of chromatic dispersion

Under study.
NOTE At a particular wavelength, the local absolute value of the chromatic dispersion coefficient can vary
away from the value measured on a long length. If the value decreases to a small value at a wavelength that
is close to an operating wavelength in a DWDM system, four-wave mixing can induce the propagation of
power at other wavelengths, including, but not limited to, other operating wavelengths. The magnitude of the
four-wave mixing power is a function of the absolute value of the chromatic dispersion coefficient, the
chromatic dispersion slope, the operating wavelengths, the optical power, and the distance over which fourwave mixing occurs.

5.10

Chromatic dispersion coefficient

The chromatic dispersion coefficient, D, is specified with a wavelength range. [ITU-T G.650.1]
provides measurement methods. There are two methods for specifying the limits, the original
method, which is a box-like specification, and a newer method, in which the dispersion coefficient
values are bound both by a pair of curves and by the value at 1550 nm.
The measured group delay or chromatic dispersion per unit fibre length versus wavelength shall be
fitted by either the 5-term Sellmeier equation or the 4th order polynomial equation as defined in
Annex A of [ITU-T G.650.1]. (See clause 5.5 of [ITU-T G.650.1] for guidance on the interpolation
of dispersion values to unmeasured wavelengths.)
The fitted equation should not be used to predict chromatic dispersion at wavelength outside the
range used for the fit.
For each wavelength, , the chromatic dispersion coefficient, D(), shall be restricted to a range of
values associated with two limiting curves, Dmin() and Dmax(), for one or more specified
wavelength ranges defined in terms of min and max.
An example set of curves is represented symbolically as a pair of straight lines:
Dmin() = amin + bmin ( 1460) [ps/nm km]
Dmax() = amax + bmax ( 1460) [ps/nm km]
Dmin() D() Dmax() [ps/nm km]
4

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

The bounding curves may vary from one wavelength range to another.
NOTE 1 Chromatic dispersion uniformity should be consistent with the functioning of the system.
NOTE 2 The requirements on chromatic dispersion follow from WDM system design, which must balance
first order chromatic dispersion with various non-linear effects, such as four-wave mixing, cross-phase
modulation, modulation instability, stimulated Brillouin scattering, and soliton formation
(see [b-ITU-T G.663]). The effect of chromatic dispersion is interactive with the fibre non-linearity,
described by the non-linear coefficient.
NOTE 3 It is not necessary to measure the chromatic dispersion coefficient on a routine basis.

Cable attributes

Since the geometrical and optical characteristics of fibres given in clause 5 are barely affected by
the cabling process, this clause will give recommendations mainly relevant to transmission
characteristics of cabled factory lengths. Environmental and test conditions are paramount and are
described in the guidelines for test methods.
6.1

Attenuation coefficient

The attenuation coefficient is specified with a maximum value at one or more wavelengths in the
1460 nm, 1550 nm and 1625 nm regions. The optical fibre cable attenuation coefficient values shall
not exceed the values found in clause 7.
NOTE The attenuation coefficient may be calculated across a spectrum of wavelengths, based on
measurements at a few (3 to 4) predictor wavelengths. This procedure is described in clause 5.4.4 of
[ITU-T G.650.1] and an example is given in Appendix III of [ITU-T G.650.1].

6.2

Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) coefficient

When required, cabled fibre polarization mode dispersion shall be specified on a statistical basis,
not on an individual fibre basis. The requirements pertain only to the aspect of the link calculated
from cable information. The metrics of the statistical specification are found below. Methods of
calculations are found in [b-IEC/TR 61282-3], and are summarized in Appendix IV of
[ITU-T G.650.2].
The manufacturer shall supply a PMD link design value, PMDQ, that serves as a statistical upper
bound for the PMD coefficient of the concatenated optical fibre cables within a defined possible
link of M cable sections. The upper bound is defined in terms of a small probability level, Q, which
is the probability that a concatenated PMD coefficient value exceeds PMDQ. For the values of M
and Q given in clause 7, the value of PMDQ shall not exceed the maximum PMD coefficient
specified in clause 7.
Measurements and specifications on uncabled fibre are necessary, but not sufficient to ensure the
cabled fibre specification. The maximum link design value specified on uncabled fibre shall be less
than or equal to that specified for the cabled fibre. The ratio of PMD values for uncabled fibre to
cabled fibre depends on the details of the cable construction and processing, as well as on the mode
coupling condition of the uncabled fibre. [ITU-T G.650.2] recommends a low mode coupling
deployment requiring a low tension wrap on a large diameter spool for uncabled fibre PMD
measurements.
The limits on the distribution of PMD coefficient values can be interpreted as being nearly
equivalent to limits on the statistical variation of the differential group delay (DGD), that varies
randomly with time and wavelength. When the PMD coefficient distribution is specified for optical
fibre cable, equivalent limits on the variation of DGD can be determined. The metrics and values
for link DGD distribution limits are found in Appendix I.

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

NOTE 1 PMDQ specification would be required only where cables are employed for systems that have the
specification of the max DGD, i.e., for example, PMDQ specification would not be applied to systems
recommended in [b-ITU-T G.957].
NOTE 2 PMDQ should be calculated for various types of cables, and they should usually be calculated
using sampled PMD values. The samples would be taken from cables of similar construction.
NOTE 3 The PMDQ specification should not be applied to short cables such as jumper cables, indoor
cables and drop cables.

Table of recommended values

Table 1 summarizes the recommended values for a category of fibres that satisfy the objectives of
this Recommendation.
Table 1, "ITU-T G.656 attributes", defines the chromatic dispersion coefficient requirements as a
pair of bounding curves vs wavelength for wavelengths from 1460 nm to 1625 nm. This is also
intended to support optical interface Recommendations such as [b-ITU-T G.691], [b-ITU-T G.692],
[b-ITU-T G.959.1] and [b-ITU-T G.693].
For DWDM systems, channel spacings defined in [ITU-T G.694.1] are supported, depending on the
minimum dispersion that is selected. The PMD requirement allows operation of STM-64 systems to
lengths of up to 2000 km, depending on other system elements.
Table 1 ITU-T G.656 attributes
Fibre attributes
Attribute
Mode field diameter

Detail

Value

Wavelength

1550 nm

Range of nominal values

7.0-11.0 m

Tolerance

0.7 m

Nominal

125.0 m

Tolerance

1 m

Core concentricity error

Maximum

0.8 m

Cladding non-circularity

Maximum

2.0%

Cable cut-off wavelength

Maximum

1450 nm

Macrobend loss

Radius

30 mm

Number of turns

100

Maximum at 1625 nm

0.50 dB

Proof stress

Minimum

0.69 GPa

Chromatic dispersion coefficient

(ps/nm km)
(Note 1)

Dmin(): 1460-1550 nm

2.60
( 1460 ) + 1.00
90

Dmin(): 1550-1625 nm

0.98
( 1550 ) + 3.60
75

Dmax(): 1460-1550 nm

4.68
( 1460) + 4.60
90

Dmax(): 1550-1625 nm

4.72
( 1550 ) + 9.28
75

Maximum

(Note 2)

Cladding diameter

Uncabled fibre PMD coefficient

6

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

Table 1 ITU-T G.656 attributes

Cable attributes
Attribute

Attenuation coefficient
(Note 3)
PMD coefficient

Detail

Value

Maximum at 1460 nm

0.4 dB/km

Maximum at 1550 nm

0.35 dB/km

Maximum at 1625 nm

0.4 dB/km

20 cables

0.01%

Maximum PMDQ

0.20 ps/km

NOTE 1 If a Raman pump is used outside this wavelength region, fibre properties must be suitable for
accommodating this pump.
NOTE 2 According to clause 6.2, a maximum PMDQ value on uncabled fibre is specified in order to
support the primary requirement on cabled PMDQ.
NOTE 3 The attenuation coefficient values listed in this table should not be applied to short cables such
as jumper cables. For example, [b-IEC 60794-2-11] specifies the attenuation coefficient of indoor cable as
1.0 dB/km or less at both 1310 and 1550 nm.

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

Appendix I
Information for link attributes and system design
(This appendix does not form an integral part of this Recommendation)
A concatenated link usually includes a number of spliced factory lengths of optical fibre cable. The
requirements for factory lengths are given in clauses 5 and 6. The transmission parameters for
concatenated links must take into account not only the performance of the individual cable lengths
but also the statistics of concatenation.
The transmission characteristics of the factory length optical fibre cables will have a certain
probability distribution which often needs to be taken into account if the most economic designs are
to be obtained. The following clauses should be read with this statistical nature of the various
parameters in mind.
Link attributes are affected by factors other than optical fibre cables by such things as splices,
connectors, and installation. These factors cannot be specified in this Recommendation. For the
purpose of link attribute values estimation, typical values of optical fibre links are provided in
clause I.5. The estimation methods of parameters needed for system design are based on
measurements, modelling, or other considerations.
I.1

Attenuation

The attenuation, A, of a link is given by:

A = L + s x + c y

(I-1)

where:
= typical attenuation coefficient of fibre cables in a link
s = mean splice loss
x = number of splices in a link
c = mean loss of line connectors
y = number of line connectors in a link (if provided)
L = length of a link
A suitable margin should be allocated for future modifications of cable configurations (additional
splices, extra cable lengths, ageing effects, temperature variations, etc.). Equation I-1 does not
include the loss of equipment connectors. The typical values found in clause I.5 are for the
attenuation coefficient of optical fibre link. The attenuation budget used in designing an actual
system should account for the statistical variations in these parameters.
I.2

Chromatic dispersion

The chromatic dispersion in ps/nm can be calculated from the chromatic dispersion coefficients of
the factory lengths, assuming a linear dependence on length, and with due regard for the signs of the
coefficients (see clause 5.10).
When these fibres are used for transmission in the 1550 nm region, chromatic dispersion
accommodation is sometimes employed. In this case, the average link chromatic dispersion is used
for design.
For simplified estimation, the relationship is described in terms of the typical chromatic dispersion
coefficient and chromatic dispersion slope coefficient at 1550 nm.

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

Typical values for the chromatic dispersion coefficient, D1550, and chromatic dispersion slope
coefficient, S1550, at 1550 nm vary with the specific implementation. These values, together with
link length, LLink, can be used to calculate the typical dispersion for use in optical link design.

DLink ( ) = LLink [D1550 + S1550 ( 1550)]

(ps/nm)

(I-2)

For estimation with improved accuracy, the relationship is described in terms of the typical
chromatic dispersion coefficients at 1460, 1550 and 1625 nm, and chromatic dispersion slope
coefficient at 1550 nm. These values, together with link length, LLink, can be used to calculate the
typical dispersion for use in optical link design.
See [b-ITU-T G-Sup39] for additional information on system design and the statistics of chromatic
dispersion.
I.3

Differential group delay

The differential group delay (DGD) is the difference in arrival times of the two polarization modes
at a particular wavelength and time. For a link with a specific PMD coefficient, the DGD of the link
varies randomly with time and wavelength as a Maxwell distribution that contains a single
parameter, which is the product of the PMD coefficient of the link and the square root of the link
length. The system impairment due to PMD at a specific time and wavelength depends on the DGD
at that time and wavelength. So, means of establishing useful limits on the DGD distribution as it
relates to the optical fibre cable PMD coefficient distribution and its limits have been developed and
are documented in [b-IEC/TR 61282-3]. The metrics of the limitations of the DGD distribution
follow:
NOTE The determination of the contribution of components other than optical fibre cable is beyond the
scope of this Recommendation, but is discussed in [b-IEC/TR 61282-3].

Reference link length, LRef: A maximum link length to which the maximum DGD and probability
will apply. For longer link lengths, multiply the maximum DGD by the square root of the ratio of
actual length to the reference length.
Typical maximum cable length, LCab: The maxima are assured when the typical individual cables of
the concatenation or the lengths of the cables that are measured in determining the PMD coefficient
distribution are less than this value.
Maximum DGD, DGDmax: The DGD value that can be used when considering optical system
design.
Maximum probability, PF: The probability that an actual DGD value exceeds DGDmax.
I.4

Non-linear coefficient

The effect of chromatic dispersion is interactive with the non-linear coefficient, n2/Aeff, regarding
system impairments induced by non-linear optical effects (see [b-ITU-T G.663] and
[ITU-T G.650.2]). Typical values vary with the implementation. The test methods for non-linear
coefficient remain under study.

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

I.5

Tables of common typical values

The values in Tables I.1 and I.2 are representative of concatenated optical fibre links according to
clauses I.1 and I.3, respectively. The implied fibre induced maximum DGD values in Table I.2 are
intended for guidance in regard to the requirement for other optical elements that may be in the link.
Table I.1 Representative value of concatenated optical fibre link
Attribute

Attenuation coefficient

Wavelength region

Typical link value (Note)

1460 nm-1530 nm

0.35 dB/km

1530 nm-1565 nm

0.275 dB/km

1565 nm-1625 nm

0.35 dB/km

D1460
D1550
D1625
S1550

TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD

Typical dispersion coefficient

NOTE Typical link value corresponds to the link attenuation coefficient used in [b-ITU-T G.957] and
[b-ITU-T G.691].

Table I.2 Differential group delay

Maximum PMDQ
(ps/km)

Link length
(km)

Implied fibre induced

maximum DGD
(ps)

No specification

Up to 2.5 Gbit/s

0.5

400

25.0

10 Gbit/s

40

19.0 (Note)

10 Gbit/s

7.5

40 Gbit/s

3000

19.0

10 Gbit/s

80

7.0

40 Gbit/s

> 4000

12.0

10 Gbit/s

400

5.0

40 Gbit/s

0.20
0.10

Channel bit rates

NOTE This value applies also for 10 Gigabit Ethernet systems.

NOTE Cable section length is 10 km except for the 0.10 ps/km/> 4000 km link, where if set to 25 km, the
probability level is 6.5 108.

I.6

Chromatic dispersion coefficient limits

The equations bounding the chromatic dispersion coefficient vs wavelength are based on a survey
for the ITU-T G.656 fibres. There were nine products from seven vendors. Each provided average
and standard deviation as a function of wavelength for wavelengths from 1460 nm to 1625 nm in
5 nm increments. For wavelength and vendor, the average plus and minus three standard deviation
was calculated. Then the minimum and maximum across vendors was calculated. These results
were fitted with a line spline using a breakpoint at 1550 nm to minimize the sum of absolute values
of the difference while maintaining the principle of including all the data within the envelope.
The result is shown in Figure I.1. The dashed lines are the limits from clause 7. The rest of the data
represents the survey results.

10

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

16.0

Type 1 3 sigma
Type 1 +3 sigma

Chromatic dispersion coefficient [ps/nmkm]

14.0

Type 2 3 sigma
Type 2 +3 sigma

12.0

Type 3 3 sigma
Type 3 +3 sigma

10.0

Type 4 3 sigma
Type 4 +3 sigma
Type 6 3 sigma

8.0

Type 6 +3 sigma
Type 7 3 sigma

6.0

Type 7 +3 sigma
Type 9 3 sigma

4.0

Type 9 +3 sigma
prior ITU-T G.656
(ver.1, 2004)

2.0
0.0
1440

upper limit curve

lower limit curve
1460

1480

1500

1520

1540

1560

1580

1600

1620

1640

G.656(10)_FI.1

Wavelength [nm]

Figure I.1 Table 1 fibre dispersion

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

11

Bibliography
[b-ITU-T G.655]

Recommendation ITU-T G.655 (2009), Characteristics of a non-zero

dispersion-shifted single-mode optical fibre and cable.

[b-ITU-T G.663]

Recommendation ITU-T G.663 (2000), Application related aspects of

optical amplifier devices and subsystems.

[b-ITU-T G.691]

Recommendation ITU-T G.691 (2006), Optical interfaces for single

channel STM-64 and other SDH systems with optical amplifiers.

[b-ITU-T G.692]

Recommendation ITU-T G.692 (1998), Optical interfaces for

multichannel systems with optical amplifiers.

[b-ITU-T G.693]

Recommendation ITU-T G.693 (2009), Optical interfaces for intra-office

systems.

[b-ITU-T G.694.2]

Recommendation ITU-T G.694.2 (2003), Spectral grids for WDM

applications: CWDM wavelength grid.

[b-ITU-T G.695]

Recommendation ITU-T G.695 (2009), Optical interfaces for coarse

wavelength division multiplexing applications.

[b-ITU-T G.696.1]

Recommendation ITU-T G.696.1 (2005), Longitudinally compatible intradomain DWDM applications.

[b-ITU-T G.698.1]

Recommendation ITU-T G.698.1 (2009), Multichannel DWDM

applications with single-channel optical interfaces.

[b-ITU-T G.957]

Recommendation ITU-T G.957 (2006), Optical interfaces for equipments

and systems relating to the synchronous digital hierarchy.

[b-ITU-T G.959.1]

Recommendation ITU-T G.959.1 (2009), Optical transport network

physical layer interfaces.

[b-ITU-T G-Sup39]

ITU-T G-series Recommendations Supplement 39 (2006), Optical

system design and engineering considerations.

[b-IEC 60794-2-11]

IEC 60794-2-11 (2005), Optical fibre cables Part 2-11: Indoor cables
Detailed specification for simplex and duplex cables for use in premises
cabling.

[b-IEC/TR 61282-3]

IEC/TR 61282-3 (2006), Fibre optic communication design guides

Part 3: Calculation of link polarization mode dispersion.

12

Rec. ITU-T G.656 (07/2010)

SERIES OF ITU-T RECOMMENDATIONS

Series A

Organization of the work of ITU-T

Series D

General tariff principles

Series E

Overall network operation, telephone service, service operation and human factors

Series F

Non-telephone telecommunication services

Series G

Transmission systems and media, digital systems and networks

Series H

Audiovisual and multimedia systems

Series I

Integrated services digital network

Series J

Cable networks and transmission of television, sound programme and other multimedia signals

Series K

Protection against interference

Series L

Construction, installation and protection of cables and other elements of outside plant

Series M

Telecommunication management, including TMN and network maintenance

Series N

Maintenance: international sound programme and television transmission circuits

Series O

Specifications of measuring equipment

Series P

Terminals and subjective and objective assessment methods

Series Q

Switching and signalling

Series R

Telegraph transmission

Series S

Telegraph services terminal equipment

Series T

Terminals for telematic services

Series U

Telegraph switching

Series V

Data communication over the telephone network

Series X

Data networks, open system communications and security

Series Y

Global information infrastructure, Internet protocol aspects and next-generation networks

Series Z

Languages and general software aspects for telecommunication systems

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Geneva, 2011