TP 02/BW-2011

OITDA Standard

TP
Technical Paper

Optical Fiber Distribution System for
Apartment Houses in FTTH
Third Version
Published in August, 2011
Coordination Committee:
Fiber Optics Standardization Committee
Sub-committee on In-house optical fiber distribution system

Published by:
Optoelectronic Industry and Technology Development Association (JAPAN)

FOREWORD
This is a technical paper (TP) on the standardization published by Optoelectronic Industry and Technology
Development Association (OITDA). TP is published to announce the proposed standards, provide technicalmaterials on standardization, or to supplement the standards.
Figure 1 indicates the number of broadband service subscribers by type of access network such as FTTH, DSL,
and CATV. Figure 2 shows the net increase/decrease of subscribers of FTTH and DSL on a quarterly basis (1). The
number of broadband service subscribers has steadily increased, reaching 34,585 thousands at the end of 2010. In
addition to the existing fixed-type services such as FTTH, DSL, CATV, and FWA, the number of broadband
service subscribers using a mobile (wireless) communication system such as BWA (WiMAX) and the Long Term
Evolution (LTE, 3.9-generation mobile phone packet telecommunication service) is also published. The number
of FTTH subscribers has maintained its strong net increase of more than 650,000 per quarter and reached 19.77
million subscribers at the end of 2010． IT is expected that the number of subscribers will exceed 20 million by
the end of March 2011.
We have the standard of optical fiber distribution system for premises, “TS C 0017 Optical Fiber Distribution
System for Customer Premise”. Today, the optical fiber distribution is widely adopted in factories, hospitals, andapartment houses. Among them, apartment houses have a special feature that each dwelling unit in the premise isan optical service user. It also means that a special optical fiber distribution system is required.
The advantages of applying an optical fiber cable to apartment houses are as follows:(i) Long distance transmission (while the maximum transmission length is 90 m for a metal cable, it isindefinite for an optical fiber cable in an apartment house.)(ii) Ultra broadband transmission is possible (while the transmission speed is 1 G bit/s for a metal cable, it canbe 100 g bit/s or more for an optical fiber cable.)(iii) Compact.
(iv) Noiseless (The metal cable generates a noise, as the vertical backbone cable to upper floors has an antenna
effect.)(v) A direct contract is allowed between each dwelling unit and a telecommunication service provider for theuse of optical service.
This TP systematically describes the optical fiber distribution configuration and cabling method in apartment
houses in FTTH and composing parts and materials for FTTH. This is the update of the second version publishedin June 2009 to reflect the latest technological and product trend. Compared with the situation at the time of
publishing the second version, the use of FTTH (Fiber to The Home) service with an optical fiber cable has
disseminated sharply in conjunction with the diversification of FTTH service, and more apartment houses haveintroduced the optical fiber cable service. As a result, the price of transmission equipment gets cheaper, andvarious optical fiber cables, connection boxes, and tools are marketed that lead to easier introduction of opticalfiber cables.
This TP is prepared as part of the information dissemination/provision activities to provide the latest optical fiber
distribution technical information on FTTH. We expect that this TP is used as a guideline for the residents,
developers, designers, and constructors who intend to introduce the optical fiber distribution system in apartment
houses as well as further accelerate the promotion and dissemination of FTTH service user environment.
2Please note that part of the TP may infringe the patent right, patent application after the announcement ofapplication, utility model right, or utility model application after the announcement of application that have atechnical nature. OITDA is not liable for confirming that the TP does not infringe such patent right, patentapplication after the announcement of application, utility model right, or utility model application after theannouncement of application.

Figure 1: The number of broadband service subscribers

Figure 2: The net increase/decrease of subscribers of FTTH and DSL

3

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................................. 5
1. Scope....................................................................................................................................................... 5
2. Definitions and Abbreviations................................................................................................................ 5
2.1 Definitions........................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Abbreviations...................................................................................................................................... 6
3. Reference Standards................................................................................................................................ 6
4. Basic Configuration of Optical fiber Distribution System...................................................................... 7
4.1 Summary............................................................................................................................................. 7
4.1.1 FTTH in apartment houses............................................................................................................. 7
4.1.2 Basic Configuration of Optical fiber Distribution System............................................................. 8
4.2 Basic Components of Optical fiber Distribution System....................................................................10
4.2.1 Entrance facility.........................................................................................................................10
4.2.2 MDF Room.....................................................................................................................................11
4.2.3 Backbone Cable Distribution..........................................................................................................124.2.4 Horizontal Cable Distribution........................................................................................................ 15
4.2.5 Cabling Distribution for Small Apartment Houses without a Cabling Space within a Premise.... 15
4.2.6 Termination at a dwelling unit........................................................................................................15
5. Cabling and Connection.......................................................................................................................... 17
6. Maintenance and Management............................................................................................................... 17
7. Test and Performance Standard.............................................................................................................. 18
Reference.................................................................................................................................................... 18
Annex A: Latest Examples of Services Using Optical Fiber Distribution System.................................... 19
Annex B: Result of Questionnaires about Optical Fiber Distribution System in Customer Premise......... 22
Description.................................................................................................................................................. 30* Position of this TP- This TP is updated from time to time to meet the technical advancement in
optical fiber distribution

system for detached houses in FTTH

- Please send your opinions and information to the following contact:
Contact: Standardization Office, Optoelectronic Industry and Technology
Development Association (JAPAN)
e-mail : hyojun @oitda.or.jp

4

TP 02/BW-2011
TP (Technical Paper)
Optical Fiber Distribution System for Apartment Houses in FTTH
Introduction
This Technical Paper (TP) is a guideline based on the research and studies on optical fiber distribution system forapartment houses conducted since 2003. It aims at accelerating the introduction of optical fiber distribution
system by establishing and improving a common understanding of system configuration, terminologies, and partsand materials in the construction of optical fiber distribution

system in apartment houses.

1. Scope
The TP refers to the laying of silica glass single-mode optical fiber, installation of distribution board, optical fiber
cable connection, test methods, display, and management regarding the optical fiber distribution system used in asingle apartment house. We assume that major users of the TP are designers, constructors, and developers who
intend to introduce FTTH service in apartment houses.
The scope of facilities are from the introduction of optical fiber cable to an apartment house, MDF facilities,
backbone cable (vertical), horizontal cable (horizontal), to an optical wall outlet that is the introduction point at adwelling unit such as a generic cabling box in a dwelling unit.
2. Definitions and Abbreviations
2.1 Definitions

Definitions of terms used in this TP are as follows:

1) MDF Room
A room where a main distributing frame (MDF) is installed. The MDF has a function to connect a cable
introduced from outside of the premise by a service provider with a cable distributing to each dwelling unit. As
various equipment and cables that are used to distribute telecommunication, image distribution and security
services to each dwelling unit are often installed in the MDF room, such area is also called as a connect area.
2) Backbone cable (vertical)
A cable installed vertically in an apartment house and connects a self PT board with a PD board. It can also be
used to connect between PD boards in an apartment house.
3) Self PT board
A distribution board from at which the backbone cable starts. It has a patch panel with optical connectors and afacility demarcation point when connecting with an optical fiber cable from a telecommunication service provider.
It is usually placed in a MDF room. It is also called as a user termination board or an optical termination box.
4) Combined Duct (CD duct)
One of the flexible synthetic resin cable conduit tubes that include Plastic Flexible (PF) conduit and Combined
Duct (CD). While PF conduit has burning resistance (self-extinction), CD has no burning resistance (nonself-extinction). CD is colored with orange for identification.
5) Centralized optical network unit
A network unit that is used when several dwelling units receive a unified service in an apartment house.
6) Generic cabling box
A distributor that centralizes the input and output of information from/to outside of the house (telephone,broadcasting, and telecommunications, etc.). It houses not only cables but also a terminal component of cables,5

transmission equipment, and a splitter, and can be used for checking, maintenance, update, and mutual switchingof information and telecommunication facilities.
7) Horizontal cable (horizontal)
A cable that connects the PD board and an in-house generic cabling box or an optical wall outlet. On the floor
where the PD board is not installed, it is allowed to directly connect the optical wall outlet with a self PT board.
8) HUBAn integration equipment to mutually connect LAN equipment.
9) Optical outlet
A connector to terminate an optical fiber cable and provide an interface for the cabling of a terminal connection.
In this TP, it means equipment to terminate an optical fiber cable and connect an optical indoor cable with an
optical fiber code that is connected with ONU. There are two types of optical wall outlet; the wall-embedded type
(optical wall outlet) and the exposed type (optical outlet). In this TP, these are collectively referred to as an opticaloutlet.
10) Optical Network Unit (ONU)
Equipment that connects an optical fiber cable with a LAN cable such as UTP and mutually converts the opticalsignal to/from the electric signal in FTTH.
11) PT board (Termination board; optical termination box)
A distributor where a telecommunication service provider connects the optical fiber cable from the outside of thepremise. It is usually placed in a MDF (telecommunication equipment) room.
12) PD board
A distributor that connects the backbone cable with a horizontal cable. It is usually placed in an EPS at a common
space of residential premise. It is also called as a branching distributor or an optical connection box.
13) Media converter
Equipment to connect an optical fiber cable with a LAN cable such as UTP, and mutually converts the opticalsignal to/from the electric signal.
14) Router
Equipment that relays and switches the packets in accordance with the protocol definition on the network layer.
2.2 Abbreviations
The abbreviations used in this TP have the following definitions:
EPSElectric Pipe Shaft

FTTH

Fiber To The Home

GL

Ground Level

LAN

Local Area Network

MDF

Main Distributing Frame

PD

Premise Distributor

PE

Polyethylene

PT

Premise Terminator

ONU

Optical Network Unit

V-ONU

Video-Optical Network Unit

UTP

Unshielded Twisted Pair cable

3. Reference Standards
The following standards constitute part of the provisions in this TP by referring to them in the TP. Among these6standards, only the version of the year that is clearly indicated constitutes the provisions of the TP, and theirrevised or supplemented versions do not apply.
JIS X 5150: 1996 Campus Generic Cabling System
JIS X 5150: 2004 Campus Generic Cabling System
JIS C 6841: 1999 Fusion Splicing Method of Optical Fiber
TS C 0017: Optical Fiber Distribution System for Customer Premise
4. Basic Configuration of Optical fiber distribution System
4.1 Summary
Existing apartment houses compatible with the optical service usually has a Main Distribution Frame (MDF)
room in a common space into which the optical fiber is introduced by a telecommunication provider, and fromwhich a metal LAN cable (UTP cable) is distributed to each dwelling unit (this part is regarded as a common
facility of the apartment house).
However, as the number of users of FTTH has recently increased sharply, many large-scale apartment houses
have adopted the so-called “Distribution method of optical fiber direct connection” which distributes an opticalfiber to each dwelling unit as in the case of detached houses. For the purpose of this TP, an optical fiber cablemeans a cable using silica glass single-mode optical fibers.
Adopting the distribution method of optical fiber direct connection enables to ensure a high-speed andlarge-capacity telecommunications by each dwelling unit, and makes it easier to change a telecommunication
provider after completing the construction. It also centralizes necessary works within a MDF room. As a result,each dwelling unit of an apartment house can enjoy high service performance that is equivalent to those for“detached houses in FTTH (Fiber to the Home) where optical fiber cables are used for in-house distribution.
Therefore, we position the distribution method of optical fiber direct connection as the major “optical fiber
distribution system for apartment houses in FTTH” and prepare this technical paper. In this chapter, we describe
the current condition of FTTH in an apartment house, and a basic distribution configuration of the distribution
method of optical fiber direct connection.
4.1.1 FTTH for Apartment Houses
Recently, the size and height of apartment houses increase that makes it difficult to distribute telecommunication
messages with a metal cable in terms of the transmission distance and a distribution space within an EPS.
Additionally, people living in an apartment house would like to have more free and flexible information
infrastructure that enables them to freely choose any telecommunication provider by each dwelling unit or use an
upgraded FTTH service in the future. In response to such needs, many apartment houses, mainly extremely highones start adopting the “distribution method of optical fiber direct connection” that directly distributes an opticalfiber to each dwelling unit which becomes a major trend of optical fiber distribution system for apartment houses.
The type of services using the distribution method of optical fiber direct connection can be broadly divided into
the dedicated-type service and the shared-type service.
Adopting the distribution method of optical fiber direct connection ensures a high-speed and large-capacity
telecommunication service for each dwelling unit as well as to provide the FTTH service environment that canmeet various needs of apartment house owners such as changing a telecommunication provider easily after
completing the construction.

7

4.1.2 Basic Configuration of Optical Fiber Distribution System
1) Overall Configuration
Figure 1 shows a basic configuration of the optical fiber distribution system for apartment houses using the
distribution method of optical fiber direct connection. The optical fiber distribution system consists of theintroduction, MDF room, backbone cable, horizontal cable, each section (space) of each dwelling unit, anddistribution equipment such as PT board, PD board, optical fiber cable, and optical wall outlet that are installed ineach section (space) of each dwelling unit. Table 1 lists each distribution equipment (structural components) ineach section (space) and the ownership category (an example).
In the FTTH optical fiber distribution using the distribution method of optical fiber direct connection, an opticalfiber cable with several fibers is installed from the MDF room to each dwelling unit in accordance with thefollowing rules:(1) One-to-one connection between the self PT board and an optical wall outlet of each dwelling unit;(2) It is allowed to install a connection point (either permanent connection or connector connection, or both)
between the self PT board and an optical wall outlet in a dwelling unit;(3) In the case where branching, attenuation, or separation of wave length of optical signal is required, suchfunctional element should be implemented in the upper cascade of the self PT board (in the primaryside/telecommunication provider side), or the lower side of the optical wall outlet (in the secondary side) or after.
It is not allowed to install any functional element other than the connection point between the self PT board andthe optical wall outlet of each dwelling unit.
EPS1
Horizontal cable

7F

6F

4F

Backbone cable

5F

3F

2F

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

D.U

Within a dwelling unit

D.U: Dwelling Unit

MDF
Room

Introduction

1F

Figure 1: Basic Configuration of Optical Fiber distribution System for Apartment Houses in Distribution
Method of Optical Fiber Direct Connection

8

Table 1 Example of Basic Configuration of optical fiber distribution system for apartment houses
Section (space)

Distribution equipment

Ownership category

Entrance facility

Optical fiber cable

Facility of telecommunication

MDF room

PT board

providerSelf PT board

Common facility of apartment

Backbone cable

Optical fiber cable

house

Connection part of backbone cable

PD board

and horizontal cable
Horizontal cable

Optical fiber cable

Within a dwelling unit

Optical wall outlet

2）Selection of number of optical fibers per dwelling unit
The optical cable introduced to each dwelling unit usually use a horizontal cable withconnection units such as a optical wall outlet

with each

1, 2, 4, or 8 fiber andcapacity is produced. Thus, it is appropriate touse such standardized products.
The number of optical fibers for apartment house should be comprehensively determined in consideration of theconvenience and cost performance as well as the future trend. However, as shown in Table 2, two-fiber orfour-fiber is currently adopted in many cases for the purpose of reserving the future use.
Based on such fact, the number of optical fibers should be adoption in accordance with either of the following
principles:(1) Introduction of optical cable with two fibers
One fiber is used for a telecommunication purpose and the other is used for other purposes;(2) Introduction of optical cable with four fibers
In addition to the purposes of the above two fibers, one is for a facility specific to an apartment house (such as
intercom, security and disaster prevention system, remote meter reading, and remote monitoring), and theremaining one is for new optical services introduced in the future.

9

Table 2 The number of fibers per dwelling unit and examples
The

Optical fiber cable with two

numberfibersof fibers

Example 1

Example 2

Example 1

Example 2

Example 31

For a FTTH

For a direct

For a FTTH contract of

For a FTTH contract of

For a direct contract

contract ofcontract with aapartment house type*apartment house-type**with aapartment

telecommunica

telecommunication

house-type*tion provider

providerCommonReserved

2

antenna

TV

Optical fiber cable with four fibers

Common antennaTV

Common antennaTV

Common antennaserviceserviceTV service

For transmission ofReserve (For a direct

Antenna cabling forsignals for facilities

contract with amobiletelecommunication

telecommunication

provider)provider (in the caseservice
3

---

----

of extreme
high-building)4

Reserved (For a direct

Reserved

Reserved

contract with atelecommunication
provider)*Shared-type service using an optical LAN method.
4. 2 Components for optical fiber distribution system
4.2.1 Entrance facility
An entrance facility means an area where a telecommunication provider introduces an optical fiber cable fromoutside to the MDF room of the apartment house. As the telecommunication provider lays the optical fiber cable,
the apartment house owner needs to install a conduit tube for optical fiber cable in advance. The
telecommunication provider either introduces the cable from an aerial cable or from an underground cable.
1) Introduction from underground cable
Although the details of introducing a cable from the underground cable should be consulted with thetelecommunication provider, the following is generally recommended specifications:(1) Conduit: equivalent to PE 54(2) Number of conduit tubes: two to three conduit tubes for the purpose of adopting several telecommunication
providers and a future use.
(3) Underground laying depth: GL-900 mm (In the case sidewalk)(4) Protrusion of 300 mm from the boundary of the site
In addition to the above, the number of curve of underground conduit in the telecommunication introduction routeand the interspaces of hand hole are same as those for an electric cable.
2) Introduction from aerial cable
A pole is installed within the site or a hook is placed at the point of introduction in the apartment building.
104.2.2 MDF room
Generally, the optical fiber cable is introduced to the telecommunication machine room (MDF room) where thetelephone line is also introduced. Although it should be negotiated with a service provider, the major equipment
installed is as follows:- PT board (installed by the telecommunication provider)
A PT board is installed on a wood panel placed by the apartment house owner, or in a rack for PT board preparedby the telecommunication provider.
*A lot of PT board, equipment for premise LAN, and common antenna TV can be mounted on a 19-inch rackthat conforms to the TIA/EIA-301-D Standards.
- Self PT board (installed by the apartment house owner)- Such as electric power supply, earth connection, ventilation and others (generally installed by the apartment
house owner)
1) Contract of distribution method of optical fiber direct connection (dedicated service)
The demarcation point is between the PT board and the self PT board. Both are connected with an optical codethat is usually provided by the telecommunication provider to maintain the quality.
In the case where the distribution method of optical fiber direct connection is adopted, an optical fiber cable isdistributed to each dwelling unit. Therefore, the cabling between the self PT board and each dwelling unit is either
directly conducted by the telecommunication provider for the purpose of centralizing the responsibilities andmanagement of the property, or the cabling after the self PT board is conducted by the apartment house owner. In
either case, it should be determined at the discussion among the telecommunication provider and the owners of theapartment house or their agent such as a designer.
Generally, the PT board has a patch panel where the optical connector adopters are lined up. An optical fiber cablefor an introduction cable and a backbone cable have an optical connector at the terminal and are connected to theoptical connector adopter on the patch panel. The optical connection is generally the SC-type optical connector.
Figure 2 shows an example of patch panel in a self PT board.

Backbone cable

幹線ケーブルFigure 2 Example of Optical Patch Panel in Self PT Board (looking from the upper side)2) Optical LAN method (shared service)
In the case the apartment house owners use a shared Internet service, the centralized cable termination equipment
is installed in a MDF room. Although the installing place should be determined in consultation between thetelecommunication provider and the apartment house owners, it is usually placed between the PT board of thetelecommunication provider and the self PT board. Figure 3 shows an example where the telecommunication
provider installs the centralized cable termination equipment in the Self PT board and connects the cable directly
to each dwelling unit. There is a switching HUB (a proprietary asset of the service provider) in the secondary side11

of the centralized cable termination equipment, and a patch panel where the optical connector adopters are line up
is installed in the secondary side of the switching hub. Please be careful as there are also many other examples.

Centralized cable termination equipment

ＬＡＮ type SＷ-ＨＵＢ
ＬＡＮ type SW-HUB↑Optical patch panel

19 inch rack
Figure 3: Example within a Self PT board (19-inch rack) (looking from the front side)
4.2.3 Cabling of backbone cable
For the backbone cable, as the required number of fibers are installed in each dwelling unit, the distribution
method should be determined in consideration of the difficulty of installment, EPS space, and the cost. There are
the following three methods for distribution method:。
The preconditions for the three methods are as follows:(1) Six stories (dwelling units exist from the second to the sixth floors)(2) Four dwelling units per floor; the total number of dwelling units is 20(3) The number of the optical fibers required per dwelling unit is two
Figure 4 shows a summary of three distribution methods.
ESP1

ESP1
D.u D.u6F

D.u D.u

D.u D.u

6F

PD
board

D.u D.u

5F

8 PD
board

D.u D.u

4F

PD
board

D.u D.u

3F

PD
board

2F

PD
board

D.u D.u5F

D.u D.u
D.u D.u

4F

D.u

D.u

D.u D.u3F

D.u D.u
D.u D.u2F

D.u D.u

ESP1

MDF
room

D.u D.u
D.u D.u
D.u D.u
D.u D.u

D.u D.u

6FPD
8 boardD.u D.u

5F

PD
board

D.u D.u

4F

PD
board

D.u D.u

3F

PD
board

2F

PD
board

D.u D.u
D.u D.u
MDF
room

1F

1F

1) Horizontal cable single distribution method
Backbone cable: cable with two fibers x 20

D.u D.u
D.u D.u
D.u D.u
D.u D.u
D.u D.u
D.u D.u
MDF
room

1F

2) Backbone cable single distribution method
Backbone cable; cable with eight fibers x 53) Backbone cable branching distribution method
Backbone cables; cable with forty fibers x 1

Figure 4 Distribution method of backbone cable121) Horizontal cable single distribution method(1) Summary
It is a method to directly distribute a horizontal cable with the small number of fibers and a small diameter that isused for the introduction to the dwelling unit from each dwelling unit to the self PT board installed in the MDF
room. As this method has an easier configuration compared with other methods, its construction cost and period
are smaller if it applies to a small- and medium-sized building. On the other hand, as the space required within thecable rack in the EPS is larger than those for other methods, it is not appropriate for a large-scale building andhigh building.
(2) Selection of optical fiber cable
The points to be checked at the time of laying the optical fiber cable are the permissible tension and permissible
bending radius. Especially, a cable with the small number of fibers and a small diameter has smaller permissible
tension. Therefore, we need to be careful to adopt this method, as the cable is laid from each dwelling unit to the
MDF room. The permissible tension is approximately 150 N for a flat or parallel cable (or 35 N if the tension
member is a steel cable and the non-inductive material such as fiber-reinforced plastics is used), or 500 N forround cable. As 1 kgf= 9.80665 N, 150 N means an approximately 15 kgf of tension (for your reference, thepermissible tension of UTP 0.5-4P cable is 110 N).
Particularly, in the case that a cable is introduced in a duct that has many curves, it may be difficult to wire thecable within the permissible tension. For the purpose of reducing the installing tension, a lubricant is applied tothe cable before installing. However, if a cable with low friction is applied, the safety and the installation at thetime of wiring and removing improve. Currently, as a cable of which external coat has low friction and of whichouter diameter is small (hereinafter referred to as an “optical indoor cable of small diameter with low friction”) ismarketed, we recommend applying such product. When we consider saving a space for a PD board and opticalcabling, we recommend using an optical fiber cable of which permissible bend radius is 15 mm (30 mm forexisting general products) that is generally available. For optical indoor cables of small diameter with low friction,a cable of which bend radius is 15 mm is also applied.
2) Backbone cable single distribution method(1) Summary
It is a method to lay the backbone cable with multiple fibers in the vertical direction of the apartment house andconnect to the horizontal cable with the PD board installed in the shaft (EPS). Its workability is good, as the
backbone cable in the vertical direction and the horizontal cable in the horizontal direction can separately beconstructed. However, it needs the PD board and the costs of materials and construction for connecting the opticalfiber cable are expensive. If it is necessary to reduce the cost, one of the ideas is to install the PD board only in theeven number floors to centralize the cables of two floors in a single PD board.
(2) Selection of optical fiber cable
The number of fibers of backbone cable with multiple fibers is 4, 8, 12, 24, or 48. The cable structure is the
single-fiber layer twist type, or the slot type cable with single fiber, 2-fiber ribbon, 4-fiber ribbon, or 8-fiber
ribbon.
(3) PD board
As the EPS of an apartment house is small, the facility space should be limited. Therefore, the PD board is usually
installed on the wall. As the connection between the backbone cable and the horizontal cable is not expected to13change in the future, we recommend adopting a permanent connection method such as fusion splicing rather thanthe connector connection.
融着

Fusion splicing

PD board
ＰＤ盤

Cable ８心ケーブルwith eight-fibers
Cable with two-fibers x 4
２心ケーブル×４

Figure 5: Example of PD board3) Backbone cable branching distribution method(1) Summary
It is a method to use a backbone cable with more fibers and install a branching point to the horizontal cable ineach floor.
In the backbone cable branching distribution method, if the apartment house shown in Figure 4 has 30 stories, weneed to have 29 backbone cables in the case the cable with eight-fibers is used in each floor. As the outer diameterof cable with eight-fibers (a single cable layer twist type or a single cable slot type) is approximately 12 mm, it
requires a significant space. On the other hand, if the backbone cable branching distribution method is adopted,
we only need three cables with 100-fibers (a slot type cable with fiber ribbon; the outer diameter is 15 mm).
However, while the space required for the backbone cable is reduced, the cost for branching processing is added.
Therefore, this method is appropriate for high buildings.
(2) Selection of optical fiber cable
It is generally a slot-type cable with single-fiber, two-fiber ribbon, four-fiber ribbon, or eight-fiber ribbon.
However, if we plan to branch the cable in the mid span, we recommend using a SZ slot-type cable.
(3) Branching method
There are the following two branching methods:(i) Local branching connection method
It connects the backbone cable with multiple-fibers with the horizontal cable in the PD board by processing it onsite. Please see Figure 6.

Cable
FusionFibersCable for

BackboneFloorsCable(2-fibers x 8)(100 fibers)

Figure 6 Branching of Backbone Cable in a PD board (source: Sumitomo Electric Works)
14

(ii) Backbone cable with branching cable
The backbone cable is processed in a plant to attach the branching cables that are long enough to reach the PD
board and are connected with the horizontal cable in the PD board.
If the distance to each dwelling unit is short or the stories are not so high, the length of branching cable can be
designed in advance and is directly introduced to each dwelling unit.
4.2.4 Distribution of horizontal cable
The cable with small number of optical fibers and a small diameter is laid from each dwelling unit to the PD board
as a floor distribution (horizontal lines). As the horizontal distance is shorter than the cabling of backbone cable, it
is recommended to use a flat or parallel cable (i.e. optical indoor cable) that is easy to be laid. Generally, as it islaid within a combined duct with a diameter of 22 mm or 16 mm, you need to check the permissible tension. We
recommend using an optical indoor cable of small diameter with low friction if installing in the conduit that has
many curves or if the cables are already installed in the conduit.
4.2.5 Cabling for Small Apartment Houses without a Cabling Space within a Premise
If there is no wiring space such as EPS and ducts in a small apartment house, IT is possible that a cable is installedon an external wall of the premise and introduced to each dwelling unit. In such case, we usually use a flat cablethat has weather ability. However, due to effective wiring and consideration of beauty of the external wall, we
recommend using an optical fiber cable which consists of 4 or 8 pieces of flat cables with weather ability for theexternal wall wiring purpose. Another method is to install a pipe with weather ability on an external wall of thepremise and introduce a flat cable within the pipe. In this method, as many cables for each dwelling unit are
introduced in one pipe, it is desirable to apply an optical indoor cable of small diameter with low friction in order
not to damage the existing cables. If an applicable cable has no weather ability, it is necessary to protect the cableusing another pipe or a cover from the branching point of the pipe to the introduction point of each dwelling unit.
4.2.6 Termination at a dwelling unit
A horizontal cable introduced to a dwelling unit is terminated in a generic cabling box or an optical wall outlet.
An optical connector is connected on-site at the end of the horizontal cable, or spliced by fusing or mechanicallywith the optical code with a connector. The optical connector is usually a SC type optical connector.
Figure 7 shows a basic configuration of in-house distribution. Because a PC and other information home
appliances are installed in each room and in consideration of consistency with a TV receiver and redundancy forthe future use, Figure 7 (a) shows an example of optical cabling configuration where a generic cabling box isinstalled and several terminals are used in a dwelling unit. For your information, Figure 7 (b) shows an example of
optical cabling configuration where there is no space to install a generic cabling box.

15

PC
Telecommunication outlet
LAN Cable
Conduit cabling
Generic cabling

IP Telephone

Telephone
ONU

TV

line

IP Telephony-compatible router

Indoor optical fiber cable(horizontal cable)

Conduit cabling
Coaxial cable
Telecommunication outlet

V-ONU

STB

(a) Generic cabling box available (mainly for newly constructed apartment houses)

PC
LAN cable

Indoor optical fiber cable（horizontal cable）

Exposed wiring
IP Telephone
Telephone line
In-house

ONU

TV

optical fiber
IP Telephony-compatible
distribution

routerExposed wiring

code
Exposed wiring
Optical wall outlet

Coaxial cable

STB

V-ONU

(b) No generic cabling box (mainly for existing apartment houses)
Figure 7: Example of Basic Configuration of In-House Generic Cabling
The following facility conditions are desirable.
1) There are conduits for cabling for optical fiber cable s from the common space to the generic cabling box. The
diameter of conduit is 22 mm or 16 mm.
2) The generic cabling box has a room for installing ONU and V-ONU, or there is a sufficient space to install thegeneric cabling box that can have ONU.
3) There is a star-shaped conduit for generic cabling from the generic cabling box to each dwelling unit. The
diameter of conduit is 22 mm or16 mm. This conduit is also used for the broadcasting purpose.
16

*A flexible cabling change is possible in the future if a star-shaped conduit exists to each dwelling unit from thegeneric cabling box on which LAN cables of optical cabling and metal cabling and coaxial cables for broadcasting
purpose are concentrated.
If there is no conduit, one option is to install a LAN cable within a wall to all the rooms that currently and willneed the service, and to switch the service in the generic cabling box.
It is important to consider that an in-house telecommunication infrastructure should be established to allow a
flexible choice of telecommunication systems by residents.
1) Dedicated-type service (Distribution method of optical fiber direct connection)
If residents choose the dedicated-type service, a contract shall be executed directly with a service provider. In
such case, the system shall be as described in Figure 8.
Optical wall outlet
Telecommunication
outlet (metal)

BroadbandrouterＯＮＵ

Figure 8 Dedicated-Type Service System
2）Shared-type service (optical LAN)
If residents choose the shared-type service, the system shall be as described in Figure 9. In such case, a party who
installs a media converter depends on the type of contract.
Optical wall outlet

Telecommunication
outlet (metal)

Switching
Media

－HUB

converter

Figure 9 Shared-Type Service System
5. Cabling and connection
It shall be in accordance with TS C 0017.
6. Maintenance and management
A test result, a cabling map, and a connection management table shall be prepared in accordance with “9. Display
and Management” in TS C 0017.

17

7. Test and performance standards
A test is conducted for transmission loss and return loss pursuant to “8. Test” of TS C 0017. It is necessary thatthe test result fulfills the performance standards. The testing methods and the performance standards depend on
the telecommunication service provider.
The following is an example of performance standards as a reference. The calculation examples are based on the
optical cabling shown in Figure 10.
PD board

Self PT board

Connector

Optical outlet

Backbone cable

Horizontal cable

50 m

20 m

FusionFusionFusion Connector

Figure 10: Optical Cabling in the Calculation Example- Optical fiber cable : single-mode optical fiber with standard loss of 0.4dB/km- Cabling distance: 70m- Measuring wave length: 1.31μm- Fusion splicing loss: 0.2dB or smaller- Optical wall outlet connection loss: 0.7dB or smaller- The number of fusion splicing: 3
Loss of Optical fiber only = Cabling distance x Cable standard loss = 0.07(km) x 0.4(dB/km) = 0.03(dB)
Optical fiber splicing loss = Fusion splicing loss x the number of fusion splicing = 0.2(dB) x 3 (points) = 0.6(dB)
Optical connection loss = 0.7(dB)
Performance standard = Loss of optical fiber only + Optical fiber splicing loss + Optical connection loss
= 0.03(dB) + 0.6(dB) + 0.7(dB) = 1.33(dB)
Reference(1) Standardization of FTTH for Apartment Houses, B2E, October 200518

Annex A
Latest Examples of Services Using Optical Fiber distribution system
1) Current services
In the information and telecommunication facilities in an apartment house, there are many cases to use FTTH
system that an optical fiber cable is installed to each dwelling unit that is used for a telecommunication facility for
the Internet, a facility for telephone, common antenna TV, and an intercom facility. The following is an exampleof the use of optical fiber cables and the details of services.
(1) Internet
A provider usually provides an IP Telephony service and a video-on-demand service in addition to the Internet
connection service. When looking from a dweller’s side, if he/she chooses a dedicated-type service using an
optical fiber cable, he/she can choose any service he/she wants under the high speed telecommunication
environment.
(2) Telephone
A telephone facility in this paper means a telephone distribution facility for general fixed telephone service that
requires an agreement with a subscribed telephone network. Recently, although a mobile phone and an IP phone
are widely used, it is still necessary to install an outlet for a subscribed telephone network when constructing a
new apartment house. There are some cases that a dweller connects to the Internet and uses an IPTelephonyservice such as “Hikari Denwa” provided by NTT including this fixed telephone cabling. Depending on thedevelopment of telephone facilities, there are possibilities that a user selects to continue using a fixed telephonewith a metal cabling, or use a fixed telephone in conjunction with an IP telephone, or shift to an IP telephone.
(3) Community antenna TV
As the distance loss is large in a RF signal of metal cabling, using an optical fiber cable is very effective.
Additionally, it needs a smaller space if an optical fiber with several fibers is integrated with an optical fiber for
the Internet service. An example of systems includes a TV community antenna facility using an optical backbone
cable to have a broadcasting service with a receiving antenna, an optical cabling system to receive a cable TV
service, and a video distribution service using an optical fiber from a video distributor. In any case, as it isnecessary to distribute the service to each dwelling unit in which a V-ONU (Video Optical Network Unit) should
be installed, it is difficult that the cost would be reduced easily. When we look at the service side, as the fullservice of receiving antenna consist of the terrestrial digital broadcasting, broadcasting using a broadcastingsatellite (BS) and a 110 degree east communications satellite (CS), and CS digital broadcasting service with a2-line of twin-axial cable distribution system. On the other hand, receiving a cable TV service and the distribution
by video distributor is usually handled with a one-line of single axial system. There are many CATV providers
that offer an Internet connection service. In such case, it is necessary to check whether the cable for distribution isan optical fiber cable or a metal coaxial cable when considering a system within a building.
(4) Intercom
In the relationship between the apartment house entrance device and a slave unit in a dwelling unit, a space can besaved by using an optical fiber cable with several fibers and integrating with an optical fiber cable for theInternet. However, as a recent slave unit has a security function or a function to control a general entrance
automatic door, or an automatic fire alarm function, it is sometimes difficult to change to optical fiber cables.
19

(5) Mobile Telephony service
In the upper floor of extremely high-story apartment houses, it is sometimes difficult to receive a mobile
telephony wave. To solve this problem, measures for blind area are taken within the premise. A backbone cableused for the measures for blind area is usually a cable (cable) and an optical fiber cable is sometimes used.
2) Example of recent services using an optical fiber cable
The following shows an example of recent services using optical fiber cable s:～
BS,CS110℃△

floor
termination(Community
space)(Commonspace)box
EPS

PT
Carrier cable board

Main equipment
for resolveing ablind area ofmobile phoneservices

◎
◎

HGW

ONU

LA

H
U
B

□
□

△

Slave unit
Reserved terminal(within a dwelling unit)

Self
PT
board

Antenna

Optical fiber cable(Four-fiber/
dwelling unit
x number ofdwelling units)

Optical fiber CablesTV： Main equipment for community

LAN： Main equipment for LAN facilities (centralized network unit)

Ditto
～

(Legend)

V-ONU

terminationbox

TV mainequipment

LAN mainequipment

TV
Splitter(Within a dwelling unit)

Mobile ： Main equipment for resolving blind area of mobile phone service (provided by telecommnnication service provider)
MobaileAnnex A, Figure 1: FTTH Distribution Map for a certain Project(Shared-type Internet + Common antenna TV+ measures for blind area of Mobile Telephony service)20

To the upper story
8C

8C

8C

Common space

EPS
8C

s

8C

D

To the access hole in a corridorsaWithin a dwelling unit

2C

－

－

－

－

－

8C

8C

8C

8C

8C

s

200C

×2
D

sa

－
8C

8C

2C

－

－

－

－

－

8C

8C

8C

8C

8C

－

－

－

－

－

8C

8C

8C

8C

8C

－

－

－

－

－

8C

8C

8C

8C

8C

s

×2
D

sa

－

－

－

－

－

－

8C

8C

8C

8C

8C

－

－

－

－

－

8C

8C

8C

8C

8C

－

－

－

－

－

8C

8C

8C

8C

8C

－

－

－

－

－

8C

8C

8C

8C

8C

To the lower story

×2
D

sa

2C

s

×2
D

sa

×N

Figure within a dwelling unit

－
8C

－

×2

Legend8C

Termination box for six fibers

2C

s D

200C

HU

Zone processing

8C

2C

s

ONU
&
HGW

×2

sa

2C

s D

×2

sa

－
Termination box for two fibers

8C－

S D Antenna for D (100 V)

8C

S a Antenna for a (100 V)

2C

s D

×2

sa

2C

s D

×2

sa

－
8C

－
8C

Repeat n times of two zones and four layers

Annex A, Figure 2: FTTH Distribution Map for a certain Project(Shared-type Internet + Dedicated Internet service + Common antenna TV + measures for blind area for
Mobile Telephony service)21

Annex B
Result of questionnaires about the in-house optical fiber distribution system
1. Introduction
Sub-committee on in-house optical fiber distribution system under the Fiber Optics Standardization Committee of
Optoelectronic Industry and Technology Development Association (JAPAN) (OITDA) conducted a questionnaire
survey on the current situation and issues about the optical fiber distribution system in a building and futurechallenges in November 2007 (1). As we believe that the survey result is useful for the discussion about the opticalfiber distribution system for apartment houses and detached houses, it is attached as Annex. OITDA also
conducted a similar survey in November 1995 (2) and November 2002 (3). For the purpose of comparing the resultswith the past survey results, the questionnaires are basically the same as those in 2002 and only added a question
to distinguish that the subject house is a newly built one or an already-built one. The major results of the current
survey are as follows:
2. Survey results(1) People subject to the questionnaire survey and the number of respondents
People subject to the questionnaire are member companies of each committee and support member companies of
OITDA, and professionals in the construction and execution industries who are deeply involved in the opticalfiber distribution system for customer premises. The number of questionnaire sent is 209 and the number of
respondents is 77 that mean that the response rate is 37%. In the previous survey, the number of respondents was
59 and the response rate was 42%. Annex B, Table 1 shows a status and position of each respondent.
(2) Application of optical cabling to buildings and residential houses
The result is shown in Annex B, Table 2 and 3.
For the buildings optical fiber distribution system, we can confirm that FTTH is adopted as widely as LAN.
It is also found that a drop/indoor optical fiber cable and SM 0.25 mm optical fiber are very popular. Particularly,
we can confirm that SM optical fiber with a bending radius of 15 mm which is recently developed and introduced
in response to the needs for higher bending strength of optical fibers is being introduced.
For residential house optical fiber distribution system, as FTTH is mainly adopted and, as in the case of buildings,
drop/indoor optical fiber cable using a general SM optical fiber and a SM optical fiber with bending strength of 15mm are widely used.
Regarding the optical fiber connection, we found that SC connectors are widely used within residential house, andthat a SC connector of field assemble type increases both for residential houses and buildings.
(3) Current situation and issues about optical fiber distribution system
Annex B, Table 2 shows the current condition and issues about optical fiber distribution system for building.
We believe that the optical fiber distribution system will increase step by step for buildings. With the comparison
with metal cabling system, the optical fiber distribution system for buildings has a better transmission capability
such as wider bandwidth and longer distance. On the other hand, the problems include smaller bending strengththat would result in a wider space for installation, and longer time for connection.
Regarding the optical fiber distribution for residential houses, we expect that the optical fiber distribution system
will also increase as for buildings. Problems include a longer time to handle exposed cabling due to a restriction
from an exterior beauty and a permissible radius of curvature.
22

The common issues on the optical fiber distribution system for buildings and residential houses are the connectionof optical fiber (no specific skill is required) and material and parts costs. The reduction of latter is more
expected compared with the previous survey (please refer to Annex B, Table 1).
Reference(1) “Research and Study on Standardization of Fiber Optics” by Optoelectronic Industry and Technology
Development Association (JAPAN) in March 2008.
(2)”Report of Research and Study on Standardization of High Performance Optical Devices”, Optoelectronic
Industry and Technology Development Association (JAPAN), pp.61-86, March 1996.
(3) “Research and Study on Standardization of Fiber Optics” by Optoelectronic Industry and Technology
Development Association (JAPAN) in March 2003.
Annex B, Table 1: Type of Respondents of the Questionnaires (unit: person, (%))
Type of Respondents

November 2007

November 2002

November 1995

System vendor

9(11.3)11(16.7)

13(18.3）

Cable vendor

15(18.8)

10(15.2)

14(19.7)

Cabinet vendor

1(1.3)

1(1.5)

2(2.8)

Parts vendor

17(21.3)9(15.2)8(11.2)

Constructor

6(7.5)

6(9.0)

5(7.0)

Executors

9(11.3)11(15.2)9(12.7)User

13(16.3)

13(19.7)

16(22.5)

Others10(12.5)5 (7.5)4(5.6)

Total

80 (multiple response)

66 (multiple response)

63

Including duplicated answers.
Annex B, Table 2: Current Situation of Optical Fiber Distribution System in a Building
Figures within () means a response rate (%)
No

Item

November 2007

November 2002

November 1995

1

Number of persons who

27 persons

32 persons

35 persons

Number of designing

Existing (22), Newly(No question)(No question)and execution cases

constructed (19), Bothexperienced(55)

Purpose of optical fiber

LAN (56), FTTH (52),LAN (88), Video

LAN (80), Video

adoptionVideo transmission

transmission (34),transmission (46),(multiple response)(26), Unknown/Others

FTTH (31)Others (23)Both the backbone riser

Both the backbone riser

Both the backbone riser

and floor (78),and floor (72),and floor (60),

Backbone only (15),Backbone only (19),Backbone only (37),have an experience ofdesigning andexecution
2

3

(11)
4

Adopting place23

5

Floor only (33)

Floor only (9)Others (9)Cabling space

Enough space forEnough space for(No question)(multiple response)

optical fiber cable s

optical fiber cable s(70), Enough space for(69), Space for opticala distributor (41),fiber cable s added (38),Space for optical fiber

Enough space for acable s added (30),

distributor (50),Space for a distributor

Space for a distributor

added (26),added（47）Cancellation of
execution/Others (7)6Type of optical fiber

SM optical fiber (89),

SM optical fiber (69),

50/125 GI optical fiber(multiple response)

50/125 GI optical fiber

50/125 GI optical fiber(66), SM optical fiber(37), SM optical fiber(66), 62.5/125 GI(40), 62.5/125 GI

with bend radius of 15

optical fiber (44),optical fiber (29),mm (33), 62.5/125 GI

Plastic optical fiber (13)Plastic optical fiber(11)

optical fiber (19),Plastic optical fiber (4),Others (4)7Type of jacketed opticalFiber 0.25 mm

Fiber cable of 0.9 mm

fiber (multiple

jacketed optical fiber(59), Tape fiber cable

response)(52), optical fiber(53), Fiber cable of 0.25

ribbon fiber (41),mm (41)(No question)

Fiber cable of 0.9 mm(33), Unknown (11)8

Number of optical

To 12 optical fibers

To 12 fibers (56), To 24

Less than 10 fibers (71),fibers(70), 2 fibers (41), To

fibers (53), 2 fibers

10 – 29 fibers (20), 30 –(multiple response)

24 fibers (37), More(44), More than 24

100 fibers (17), Morethan 24 fibers <36 –fibers <36 – 200 fibers>

than 100 fibers (3)200 fibers> (33), one(41)

fiber (11)9Type of optical fiber

Slot type (44),

Slot type (50),cable

Drop/in-door cable

Concentrated fiber type(multiple response)(37), Optical cord(44), Code <eye-glasses(single fiber typeor

(No question)type> (44), Codeeye-glasses type> (26),<single fiber> (41),Concentrated fiber type

Concentrated code type(22), Concentrated code

(41)

type (19), Others (22)10

Optical fiber connection

Optical connector (96)Connector connection

Fusion (77),(multiple response)(Consisting of: Type SC(84)

Connector connection(70), Field assembling(Consisting of: SC (78),(63)

SC (44), FC (22), LC

FC (38), MTRJ (22),(Consisting of: FC(15), MTRJ (4), Others

MU (9), LC (6))(34), SC (20), Others

24

11

(7)) , Fusion splicing

Fusion (81),(9))(81), Mechanical

Mechanical splicing

Mechanical splicing (9)splicing (33), POF(28), Plastic fiberconnector (4)connector (9)17 persons

30 persons

22 persons

Adoption of optical

Using optical fiber

Using optical fiber

Using optical fiber

fiber cable

cable

cable

(67) (About 5%

cable(53), 50% or more (35))(33), 50% or more (20))(77)

No use of optical fiber

No use of optical fiber(20 - 30% (32), 40 -

cable

cable

50％(18)), 0 – less than

Number of persons
experienced a metal
cable

12

to a

backbone(88) (5- 40%

(12)

(33)

of 5％or more

5％ (23)13

Adoption of optical

Using optical fiber

Using optical fiber

Using optical fiber

fiber cable

cable

cable

cable

to floors(65) (50% or(60)

of 5％or more

more (29), 10％ (15),(5％ (13), 50％or more

(41)

30％ (12))(13), 30％ (10))(5 - 10％ (23), 20 30％ (14))

14Advantages of optical

A cable is small andTransmission of wider

No electromagnetic

systemlight/long installation isbandwidth and longer

induction problem (59)(multiple response)

possible (76)distance is allowed (90)No separation from a

Transmission of wider

No electromagnetic

strong electric cable isbandwidth and longer

induction problem (80)required (35)distance is allowed (71)

No separation from a

A cable is light andNo electromagnetic

strong electric cable iseasy to be installed (32)induction problem (65)required (50)

No separation from astrong electric cablerequired (29)
One cable can provide
several services (29)15

Problems of optical

Permissible radius of

Permissible radius of

Need a more space due

system (multiple

curvature is small thatcurvature is small thatto non-bendable

response)

requires more spacerequires more spacecharacter (51)

(37),

(53),

Need a longer time to

Need longer time forHigh execution skill isconnect fibers (25)the preparation ofrequired for optical

No designing guidanceconnection andconnection (53),

is available (13)termination (fusion)

Higher cost of materials(30), Higher cost ofand parts (cables, parts)

materials (22),

(50)
25

High execution skill isrequired for opticalconnection (19)Note) Item No.12 – 15 is a response from persons who experienced the execution of both optical and metal fibers.
Answers in Item No.14 and 15 of 1995 include those provided by people who have not experienced a metal fiber.
Supplementary issues for Annex B, Table 2
1) Item No.2 – 10 are questions for people who have been involved in designing and executing optical fiber cablesystems.
2) Item No.12 and 13 are questions for people who have experienced designing and execution of both optical andmetal cable systems.
3) Item No.14 and 15 are questions for all the respondents.
4) Terminology(i) Concentrated fiber type cable: Layer twist type cable with single fiber(ii) MU Connector: Small connector with a ferrule radius of 1.25 mm

26Annex B, Table 3: Current Situation of In-house Optical Fiber Distribution System
Figures in () means the response rate (%)
1

Item

November 2007

November 2002

Number of persons who has a

18 persons

18 persons

Number of designing andExisting (39), Newly constructed(No question)

execution cases experienced(28), Both (33)

Purpose of optical fiber adoption

FTTH (89), Video transmission

FTTH (72), LAN (33), Video(multiple response)(22), LAN (17), Unknown (6)transmission (22)Type of optical fiber

SM optical fiber (72),

SM optical fiber (72),(multiple response)

SM optical fiber with bend radius

50/125 GI optical fiber (22),of 15 mm (50), Plastic optical

Plastic optical fiber (22),fiber (17)，50/125 GI optical

62.5/125 GI optical fiber (6)experience of optical systemdesigning and execution
2
3
4

fiber (6), Others (11)5Type of optical fiber cable

Drop cable (72), In-door cable

Code (single fiber) (55), Code(multiple response)(61), Code (single fiber or(eye-glasses type) (39), Dropeye-glasses type) (33),cable (28), In-door cable (28)Termination cable (11)6

Optical connector(multiple response)(Consisting of: Type SC (72),(Consisting of: SC (61), MTRJ

On-site assembling type SC (44),(17), MU (11)), Fusion (72),

Others (11)), Fusion splicing

Mechanical splicing (22), Plastic(44), Mechanical splicing (33),

fiber connector (6)

POF

(83)

Connector connection (78)

Optical fiber connection

connector (17), Unknown(6)
Supplementary issues about Annex B, Table 3
1) Item No.2 – 6 are questions for people who have been involved in designing and execution of optical fiber
cable systems.

27

0

Fusion1

Field assemble connection work

10

M echanical splicing
Connector connection

Others
It is required that a person who does not have a special skill could execute theoptical fiber connection.

0

30

20

40

50

15
5
5

1
1
15
1

A cable is too rigid, and more flexibility is desirable. --------------------------------

0

A cable is not so tough, and more solidity is desirable. -----------------------------

0
0

2

2

A dustproof measure is required.-------------------------------------------------------

2

11
7
6

Lower material cost is desirable. -------------------------------------------------------

20

4

Same
1

1.5 times
2 times

0

Other

0
0
0

39

16

A simpler connector is desirable. ------------------------------------------------------

Others -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10

0
0

It is required that an optical fiber cable could be bent more.-----------------------How many times of the cost compared with the cost of
metal is acceptable?

Experienced

3

As an optical fiber connection takes a longer time, it should be shorten. ---------

What type of connection do you think
the required connection time should beshortened?

Not experienced

9
7

2
1

Annex B, Figure 1: Future Challenges for Optical Fiber System for Buildings and Residential Houses(Total number of respondents: 140 (including multiple responses))
Supplementary issues about Annex B, Figure 1
It indicates the answers of “Yes” divided by “Experienced” and “Not Experienced” in the construction andexecution.
The figures are the number of respondents (upper line is “Experienced” persons and the lower line is“Not-Experienced” persons).

28

Annex C Table 4: Structure Examples of Cables for Optical Fiber Distribution System for Apartment
Houses
Structure examples of cables for optical fiber distribution system for apartment houses
Structure

Application

Type of jacketed

Number of Fiber

Cross Section

optical fiber
Single-fiber layer

Introduction area

0.9 mm jacketed

up to 12 fibers

twist type cable

Backbone area

optical fiber

Single-fiber slot

Introduction area

0.9 mm jacketed

type cable

Backbone area

optical fiber

2-fiber ribbon SZ

Introduction area

2-fiber ribbon

up to 128 fibers

slot type cable

Backbone area

4-fiber ribbon SZ

Introduction area

4-fiber ribbon

up to 300 fibers

slot type cable

Backbone area

8-fiber ribbon SZ

Introduction area

8-fiber ribbon

up to 1000 fibers

slot type cable

Backbone area

Multi-fiber optical

Introduction area

8-fiber ribbon

Four or eight fibers

indoor cable

Backbone area

up to 12 fibers▲

Optical indoor

Backbone area

0.25 mm jacketedcable of small

Horizontal area

optical fiber

Backbone area

0.25 mm jacketed

Horizontal area

optical fiber

One fiber

diameter with low
friction
Bound flat cable

29

Four or eight fibers

Description of Optical Fiber Distribution System for Apartment Houses in FTTHThis description is to explain matters that are described in the body text and Annex and other relevant matters, andnot a part of the technical paper (TP).
I. History
Sub-committee on In-house optical fiber distribution system under Fiber Optics Standardization
Committee of Optoelectronic Industry and Technology Development Association (currently
Technical-committee on In-house optical fiber distribution system) had prepared the standard information on
optical fiber distribution

for customer premise, “Optical fiber distribution system for customer premises” (TS C

0017, in 1999) and standardized the optical fiber distribution

system configuration, cabling method, connecting

method, and testing/management method. The updated version was issued in January 2002.
(“Optical fiber distribution system for customer premises” was also updated as standard specifications to include
the latest information and republished as TS C 0017 in January 2006).
More high-story apartment houses have introduced optical fiber cable s along with the development of FTTH.
However, as apartment houses have a special characteristic that individual dwelling unit within a premise is a
subscriber of optical service, which is significantly different from the one for commercial buildings. Under suchcircumstances, the sub-committee started the study on apartment house structure, examination of siliconglass/plastic optical fiber and peripheral technology, collection of execution example of optical cabling, andidentification of problems in 2003
In 2004 for the purpose of preparing the guideline for promoting the optical fiber distribution to apartment houses,
the sub-committee examined the current condition and the latest technical trend, and also discussed about what theguideline should be. The study result of current condition showed that although an optical fiber is introduced tothe entrance of the apartment building (i.e. MDF room) and the metal LAN cable is usually used within a building.
For high-story apartment houses, there are increasing cases that an optical fiber is introduced for a backbone
cable.
We started the preparation of Technical Paper entitled “Optical Fiber Distribution System for Apartment Houses
in FTTH” in 2005and published the first version in July 2007.
In the second version of which revision started in 2008 we added the configuration examples of in-house genericcabling with video transmission as well as the description of concrete examples of testing/performance standards.
It was published in July 2009.
In 2009 the number of FTTH subscribers reached 15 million households and has increased steadily. Under suchcircumstances, we changed points for technical trend research on FTTH and optical fiber distribution system inpremise, and conducted (v) The market and industry trend survey, in addition to collecting information by eachtechnology area such as (i) Optical fiber cabletechnology, (ii) Connection technology, (iii) Execution

technology, and (iv) Optical network systems. As a result, we found that more and more apartment houses haveintroduced an optical fiber to each dwelling unit and that more new applicable optical fiber cable s, connection
connectors, and other cabling materials are available that have new technology. To reflect the information, thesub-committee started the preparation of version 3 in 2010
In the version 3, the description on optical fiber cable s used for apartment houses is added and Annex C“Structure Examples of Cables for Optical fiber distribution System for Apartment Houses” is attached.
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II. Description of Major Items
1. Scope
The scope of this technical paper is from the introduction of optical fiber cable to an apartment house to an opticalwall outlet of each dwelling unit, and excludes the in-house cabling. As in-house cabling is the same as thosedescribed in “Optical Fiber Distribution System for Detached Houses in FTTH”, please refer to that TP. The
Center for Better Living also excludes the in-house cabling (1).
2．Definitions and Abbreviations
The terminologies of distributor, optical fiber cable, and equipment which are major component of optical fiber
distribution system are defined.
Regarding the name of distributor within a building, a distributor in which cables from outside of the building are
terminated is called as a Campus Distributor (CD) or a Building Distributor (BD), and a distributor that is
installed in each floor is called as Floor Distributor (FD) in TS C 0017. On the other hand, in the light electricalcabling design for apartment houses, a distributor in which incoming cables are terminated is called as a PT board,and a distributor placed in EPS is called as a PD board. In this technical paper, we adopt the words of PT board(termination board) and PD board (premise distributor).
We carefully determine the details of definitions to be consistent with those established by the Center for Better
Living.
3． Referenced Standards
The TP indicates the standard described in JIS X 5150 “Campus generic cabling system”, TS C 0017 “Opticalfiber distribution system for customer premises”, and other standards for optical fiber connection.
4．Basic Configuration of Optical Fiber Distribution

SystemThe standard is a “distribution method of optical fiber direct connection” that is to connect an optical fiber cableto each dwelling unit. This method brings various benefits to residents: ensuring high speed and large capacity
telecommunications to each dwelling unit and the telecommunication provider can be changed at the MDF room
without entering each dwelling unit.
A more concrete basic configuration is as follows: an optical fiber connection is acceptable between a self PT
board located at a MDF room and an optical wall outlet in each dwelling unit; provided that it should be
one-to-one connection without a branching function. It is the same configuration as that defined by the Center for
Better Living.
The distribution method of backbone cable should be determined after considering the scale and structure ofapartment house (such as the number of dwelling units, location of EPS, and location of MDF), constructability,
EPS space, and costs. Based on the result of current optical cabling survey, we choose the following threemethods as major methods for cabling: (i) Single distribution of horizontal cable method; (ii) Single distributionof backbone cable method; and (iii) Branching distribution of backbone cable method, and describe a summaryand characteristics of each method.
5．Cabling, connection, maintenance, management, testing, and performance standard
Cabling, connection, maintenance, management, and testing are conducted in accordance with TS C 0017

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III. Standardization Progress in foreign countries and other domestic organizations
Regarding the standardization of distribution in premises, the international standardization process is in progress(for example, “Generic Cabling for Customer Premises”, ISO/IEC 11801, established in July 1995, 2002).
However, the standardization of distribution in apartment houses has not developed yet.
In Japan, Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) prepared the complete
translation of IS 11801 in 1996, and published the updated version of “JIS X 5150: 2004”. In March 2005,
Standardization Committee for Generic Cabling System published “Glossary of Generic Cabling for Customer
Premises: JIS X 5150: 2004” as a JEITA standard.
Regarding the optical cabling in an apartment house, The Center for Better Living (established in 1973) made a
proposal for FTTH dissemination (1) and clarified issues (2) during the term from October 2005 to February 2006,
and established the design standards for self optical cabling facilities for apartment houses (3) and the standards forbetter housing parts and materials for optical fiber distribution system equipment for apartment house (4) inDecember 2008. Japan Cable Television Engineering Association (JCTEA) prepared the “Guideline for Designing
Optical Transmission System at Apartment Houses” in October 10 (5).
For the promotion of optical fibers in Japan, Optical Fiber Promotion Association (non profit organization
authorized in May 2003) has promoted the enlightenment and dissemination of informatization and assisted theintroduction optical fiber for small to medium-size building owners. In 2007, the Association conducted averification test for adopting optical services to an existing apartment house using an elevator shaft. Advanced
Info-Communications Promotion Community (NPO authorized in January 2004) has actively worked andpromoted the information distribution technologies and human resource development through holding acompetition of information distribution work technique and seminars and providing the technical authorization
system. The Community is deeply involved in “Information network works” in the International Vocational
Training Competition; Olympics in Technology, and has taken various actions in accordance with TS C 0017.
IV. Reference Materials(1) “Standardization for apartment houses in FTTH – Proposal about an optical fiber distribution facilities atcustomer premise” written by Yasuyuki Maru, by B2E (Optoelectronics Co., Ltd.), No.7, pp19-28, in October
2005(2) “Standardization for apartment houses in FTTH – Problems in FTTH facilities of apartment houses” written by
Yasuyuki Maru, by B2E (Optoelectronics Co., Ltd.), No.9, pp34-37 in February 2006
(3) BLP OC: 2008 “Design standard for self optical cabling facilities at an apartment house” by the Center for
Better Living on December 1, 2008
(4) BLS OC: 2008 “Good housing parts authorization standard - optical fiber distribution

system equipment” by

the Center for Better Living, published and effective on December 1, 2008
(5) “Guideline for Designing Optical Transmission System at Apartment Houses” published by Japan Cable
Television Engineering Association in October 200732

V. Draft Preparation Committee
The draft of this technical paper (TP) was prepared by Sub-committee on In-house optical fiber distribution
system of Fiber Optics Standardization Committee at the end of 2008 The members participated in preparing thedraft are as follows:
Chairman: Shin-ichi Furukawa (Yazaki Corporation) (Chairman in 2009 Member in 2011
Chairman: Toshihiko Sekiguchi (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation) (Member in 2009 Chairman in
2011
Member: Katsuyuki Ishibashi (Kinden Corporation)
Member: Daisuke Iwakura (Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.)
Member: Shinji Ogawa (Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.) (until March 2010)
Member: Toshiaki Takahashi (Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.) (from April 2010)
Member: Hideo Kikuchi (Fujikura Ltd.)
Member: Akihiro Kimura (Nippon Comsys Corporation)
Member: Teruo Koyama (Mitsubishi Cable Industries Ltd.)
Member: Satoshi Takahashi (Japan Science and Technology Agency)
Member: Katsunori Tanaka (Urban Renaissance Agency) (until Jun 2010)
Member: Kazuhiko Tanaami (Urban Renaissance Agency) (from July 2010)
Member: Teruyuki Taniguchi (Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Member: Shinichi Harada (Yokogawa Electric Corporation)
Member: Tomohiro Murakawa (Kyowa Exeo Corporation) (until June 2009)
Member: Kouji Yosida (Kyowa Exeo Corporation) (from July 2009)
Member: Hiroyuki Yoshida (Japan Standards Association) (until March 2010)
Member: Yoko Nakamura (Japan Standards Association) (from April 2010)
Observer: Atsushi Kanaegami (Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry) (until March 2010)
Observer: Shigeyasu Hatsuyama ((Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, Ministryof Economy, Trade and Industry) (from April 2010)
OITDA: Takeo Masuda (OITDA)
Secretariat: Takashi Inada (OITDA)END OF DOCUMENT

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All Rights Reserved

This Technical Paper (TP) for OITDA Standards was discussed, reviewed and prepared by OITDA
and Sub-committee on In-house optical fiber distribution system of Fiber Optics Standardization
Committee.
Please contact below for your opinions and questions.

Technical Paper (TP):Optical fiber distribution system for apartment houses in FTTH
TP Number: TP02/BW-2011
Version 3.0
Version 1.0: Issued on July 6, 2007
Revised Version 2: Issued on June 12, 2009
Revised Version 3: Issued on August 8,2011
Published by : Optoelectronic Industry and Technology Development
Association (JAPAN)
Address: Sumitomo Edogawabashi Station Building 7F, 1-20-10,
Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-0014, JAPANTEL: 81-3-5225-6431, FAX: 81-3-5225-6435
e-mail:hyojun@oitda.or.jp (Standardization Office)34