TIA standards updates focus on industrial and fiber applications
Earlier this year, TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) subcommittees met to discuss upcoming changes and developments to telecommunications standards.
As new technologies emerge, volunteers on these subcommittees work together to update standards, making sure they’re relevant to today’s real-world applications. These updates support advancements like higher data rates and improved testing methodologies.
Here’s an inside look at some of the proposed changes under review.
TIA industrial updates
TIA standards play a crucial role in supporting industrial environments, making sure telecommunications infrastructure meets their unique demands for durability, reliability, high-speed connectivity and much more.
Read on to learn more about possible updates to industrial telecommunications standards.
Preparing industrial networks for faster speeds
ANSI/TIA-1005-A, Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard for Industrial Premises, is overseen by the TIA TR‑42.9 Industrial Telecommunications Infrastructure Subcommittee.
The standard is currently being revised to incorporate 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T), or Category 6A cabling, to meet the growing demand for high-speed, reliable data transmission in industrial environments. This will allow industrial networks to meet current and future demands for speed, reliability and scalability.
With the increased data rates of 10 Gb/s enabled by this revision, plants will be able to support applications like real-time monitoring, automation and IIoT integration with improved performance when it comes to crosstalk and electromagnetic interference.
Bringing Single-Pair Ethernet into the standard
The ANSI/TIA-1005-A industrial standard will also reference another standard that’s currently being updated: ANSI/TIA-568.7, Industrial Single Pair Ethernet.
Within this standard is 10BASE-T1L, a long-reach, 10 Mb/s Ethernet system for Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE). 10BASE-T1L is already included in ANSI/TIA-568.5 to support 10 Mb/s over a single pair for long-reach applications (up to 1,000 m) in commercial applications. Now, an industrial version is under way as well.
In addition, standardized 100 Mb/s Single-Pair Ethernet will be added to support shorter-reach needs in industrial environments.
TIA fiber updates
TIA standards help define performance, installation and testing requirements for fiber optic cabling systems to make sure they can support high-speed applications.
Here are some updates on the latest advancements in fiber telecommunications standards.
Standardizing symbols for mapping fiber polarity
TIA TR- 42.11, the Fiber Optic Systems Subcommittee, is in the process of revamping all the graphics and symbols used to map fiber polarity. While TIA-TSB-5069, Optical Fiber Channel Polarity, aids in mapping and planning, there’s room for improvement.
The goal: to adopt standardized visual symbols instead of drawings, which everyone does differently. Symbols can convey lots of information in a single glance. (Think about no-smoking signs or pedestrian-crossing signs, for example.) They bring order to how the industry describes, visualizes and models fiber polarity.
Belden has been instrumental in making this change, helping TIA create standardized symbols that capture and represent each component’s impact on overall system polarity.
Adopting a new polarity type
Another change under consideration is improving the next revision of ANSI/TIA-568.3-F to accommodate multimode APC into cases like Type B polarity.
Splitting high-density fiber into smaller, manageable segments
Discussion about including a breakout configuration for MPO-16 to two MPO-8 connectors is also taking place.
The configuration would allow a single MPO-16 connector to split into two MPO-8 connectors to support high-speed data transmission by breaking out 400G or 800G connections into multiple 200G connections.
This breakout could be useful in data centers and other high-performance environments where 400GBASE-SR8 and 800GBASE-SR8 links need to be divided into smaller, manageable segments.
Standardizing the AIM connector
Under TIA TR- 42.13, Passive Optical Devices and Fiber Optic Metrology, a proposal is being considered to standardize the AIM (alignment independent multifiber) connector as part of ANSI/TIA-604-TBD.
Its footprint is larger than the MPO connector but offers the same capabilities as other vertical connectors on the market with similar optical performance.
Reaffirming the CS VSFF connector
TIA TR- 42.13 is also considering a proposal to reaffirm the CS connector, which is a VSFF fiber connector for high-density applications.
TIA-604-19, also known as FOCIS 19, is a standard that defines intermateability specifications for the Type SEN connector (aka CS connector), which is a duplex fiber optic connector. Because IEC has moved to standardize VSFF interfaces, TIA will likely reaffirm the CS connector.
Performing accurate field testing for MPO-terminated fiber cables
Finally, a reaffirmation of ANSI/TIA-526-28 is in the works. This standard focuses on the field attenuation measurement of channels and links ending with MPO-terminated cabling. (These channels are typically used in parallel optics transceivers, such as QSFP-100G and QSFP-400G and beyond.) Technicians and installers will have enhanced guidelines and tools to perform accurate field testing directly on MPO connectors, ensuring reliable performance in high-speed and high-bandwidth applications.
Creating standards in sync: TIA and IEC
Given today’s unified nature of technology, TIA works to harmonize its standards with IEC during these updates to ensure consistency.
By aligning, TIA and IEC can help eliminate technical barriers that prevent products from working reliably around the globe.
Harmonization also fosters innovation and accelerates the adoption of new technology, creating a universal framework that can be used to develop universally recognized and accepted solutions.
Ready to get involved?
Standards aren’t updated by accident. There are many people and processes working behind the scenes.
Belden chooses to get involved with organizations like TIA to help shape industry standards so that they work for everyone. Whether you’re a manufacturer, end-user, consultant, or other expert, your insights are important. And working together to exchange ideas is vital to improve standards.
We want to hear from you as part of this process. If you want to get involved with standards development, we can help you make the right connections.
Send us a note to learn more.
Related links:
- Application vs. Cabling Standards: What They Are & How to Test
- TIA Star Awards Honor Belden's Dedication to Standards Leadership
- How Our Fiber Technology Center Drives Advancement and Innovation
About the Author
Ron Tellas is a subject-matter expert in RF design and Electromagnetic Propagation and joined Belden in 2016 to help define the roadmap of technology and applications in the Smart Building. He now takes these experiences to incorporate systems, equipment and connectivity into network solutions. Ron represents Belden in several standards organizations, committees of the National Electrical Code and as a board member of the FMP Alliance. He has a master and bachelor degrees in electrical engineering, a master in business administration and the inventor of 17 US patents. Ron is a proud recipient of the 2024 Harry J. Pfister award for his outstanding and impactful contributions to the Telecommunications Industry.
About the Author
As an Product Development Manager for Fiber Connectivity, Ana Cruz joined Belden in 2012 and has nearly two decades of experience in working with fiber optic cable and connector technology in communication, transportation, and industrial environments. Today, she helps manage Belden’s optical fiber product families, pinpoints opportunities for new fiber solutions and helps evaluate key product performance metrics. She also provides customers with valuable technical assistance and expertise.
About the Author
With an emphasis on data center design, planning and building, Henry Franc acts as a trusted advisor for large or complex projects across all verticals assessing clients’ business needs and finding the best technology options to meet them. He was also elected by industry colleagues to serve as vice-chair of the TR42 Telecommunications Cabling Systems Engineering Committee.