ABSTRACT: GR-1295 represents the Telcordia view of proposed generic criteria and characteristics for Remote Fiber Testing Systems (RFTSs) used to remotely measure optical fibers in the outside plant portions of a typical telecommunications service provider's optical network. This document includes requirements and objectives, and performance tests to compare remote fiber testing systems against those stated requirements and objectives. In the Telcordia view, these requirements should be met to meet the needs of a typical telecommunications environment.

This document describes broad concepts concerning the RFTS hardware and its generic interfaces with the communications network. It deals in some areas where detailed generic requirements are not yet available. This document enables Telcordia to inform and obtain comments from interested members of the industry (service providers and equipment suppliers) as RFTSs continue to mature.

This document includes proposed generic functional design criteria, mechanical and optical requirements, desired features, and test methods for comparing the product against the stated generic requirements. The proposed test methods are intended to reflect the typical telecommunications operations conditions for these RFTSs.

The information in this document is subject to change in later issues. Telcordia supports worldwide standards activities, such as those in the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and International Telecommunications Union (ITU, formerly the CCITT). Telcordia anticipates incorporating additional terminology and measurement standards issues by the aforementioned standards bodies following publication of such information.

Issue 2 of GR-1295 is more closely tied to the Network Equipment Building System NEBS(TM) generic requirements specified in GR-63. Issue 2 also emphasizes the implementation of RFTSs to monitor dense-wavelength division multiplexed systems (DWDMs). It provides suggestions on how to incorporate RFTSs into fiber distributing frame (FDF) architectures. Many of the changes are the result of actual field experiences gained during the implementation of remote fiber testing systems, DWDM systems, and FDF architectures. Sections 3 and 4 have been added to this document and incorporate new information on DWDM testing and FDF architectures. All changes to the generic requirements in Section 5 through 7 (formerly Sections 3 through 5 in Issue 1) are indicated by change bars along the outside margin. Some changes to this document also reflect the organizational change to GR-196-CORE, the Telcordia generic requirements Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) document. All OTDR-like testset generic requirements have been moved to GR-196.

This document replaces TA-NWT-001295.

Issue 2 of GR-1295, Generic Requirements for Remote Fiber Testing Systems (RFTSs), replaces Issue 1.

When using GR-1295, you may need to refer to GR-63, GR-1073, TR-NWT-000154, GR-196, GR-326, GR-499, GR-513, GR-1089, and/or GR-1309. You may also want to refer to GR-253, GR-449, GR-818, and/or GR-1209.