What is this standard about?
This part of IEC 60793 applies only to multimode, graded-index glass-core (category A1) fibres. The test method is commonly used in production and research facilities, but is not easily accomplished in the field.
This document describes a method for characterizing the modal structure of a graded-index multimode fibre. This information is useful for assessing the bandwidth performance of a fibre especially when the fibre is intended to support a range of launch conditions, for example, those produced by standardized laser transmitters.
With this method, the output from a probe fibre that is single-moded at the test wavelength excites the multimode fibre under test. The probe spot is scanned across the end-face of the fibre under test at specified radial positions, and a set of response pulses are acquired at these positions.