Standards to support lightwave communications

Lightwaves are becoming the dominant communication medium, advanced by the successful development of fiber-optic technology. A crucial element in maintaining and extending the practical and economic success of fiber optics has been effective measurement supported by reliable measurement standards. Standards are now available for the important physical and transmission properties of optical fiber, however, the development of more complex, higher capacity systems is creating new measurement challenges. Lower uncertainties in existing standards are needed as system designers demand even tighter system margins, while the performance of active and passive lightwave components is becoming a significant strategic issue, calling for new standards. In addition, optical frequency standards are being developed to support frequency and wavelength division multiplexing techniques, which will allow the enormous bandwidth of fibers to be exploited