Category 6
Solutions
Intent
Category 6 Cabling
• Where it came from
• What it is
• Why you need it
• How you use it
Topics
• Standards Background
• Performance Characteristics
- Cat 5e vs Cat 6
• Cable
• Connectors
• Permanent Link/Channel
•
•
•
•
Network Migration
Installation Practices
Field Testing
Most Frequently Asked
Questions
Standards Background Overview
draft 4
draft 8
draft 12
8/99
TIA 568-A-5 Category 5e
draft 1
11/97
draft 3
8/98
draft 5
5/99
TIA 568-B.2-1 Category 6
Ratified
11/99
draft 7
8/00
draft 9
6/01
Ratified
6/02?
Development of the TIA Cat 5e and Cat 6 Standards
Standards TIA Category 6 Milestones
•
•
•
•
•
•
Draft 1
Draft 2
Draft 3
Draft 4
Draft 5
Draft 6
Nov 1997
Apr, 1998
Aug, 1998
May, 1999
May, 1999
May, 2000
• Draft 7 Aug, 2000
• Draft 8 Mar, 2001
• Draft 9 Jun, 2001
• Draft 10 Nov, 2001
• June 2002 ??
Increase cable/connector specs to 250MHz
Increase channel/link specs to 250 MHz
“Attenuation” altered to “Insertion Loss”
Change “Basic Link” to “Permanent Link”
Modification to Return Loss Limits
Patch cord and plug spec
Field Tester accuracy
Lab testing criteria clarified
Likely Ratification
Performance Parameters Cat 6 vs Cat 5e
•
•
•
•
All existing Cat 5e parameters are used
for Cat 6 spec, but performance is
increased for all parameters
One existing parameter redefined
Three new performance parameters
added to Cat 6 spec
All Cat 6 performance criteria quantified
to 250 MHz
Performance Parameters Cat 6 vs Cat 5e
Category 5e
Category 6
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
NEXT
PSNEXT
FEXT
ELFEXT
PSELFEXT
Return Loss
• Propagation Delay
• Delay Skew
• Attenuation
NEXT
PSNEXT
FEXT
ELFEXT
PSELFEXT
• Return Loss
•
•
•
•
Propagation Delay
Delay Skew
Insertion Loss (Attenuation)
Insertion Loss Deviation
• LCL - Balance (new)
• LCTL - Balance (new)
Parameter Definitions
NEXT
The cable’s ability to reject noise generated from one pair to an adjacent
pair. This is an important parameter as it qualifies the clarity of the
received signal once it has traveled along the cable and exposed to
interference from signals on adjacent pairs.
Parameter Definitions
Powersum NEXT
The cable’s ability for any of its twisted pairs to reject the total noise
generated by all other pairs tested at the transmitter end of the cable. This is
vitally important in supporting applications such as 1000BASE-T, which use
multiple pairs simultaneously in transmitting signals
Parameter Definitions Cat 5e vs Cat 6 Performance Characteristics
PARAMETER
Freq - 100 MHz
Cat 5e
Cat 6*
Freq - 250 MHz
Cat 6*
NEXT
Cable
Connectivity
Perm. Link
Channel
35.3 dB
43
32.3
30.1
44.3 dB
54
41.8
39.9
38.3 dB
46
35.3
33.1
PSNEXT
Cable
Connectivity
Perm. Link
Channel
32.3
40
29.3
27.1
42.3
50
39.3
37.1
36.3
42
32.7
30.2
*Draft 10
Nov 01
Parameter Definitions
Attenuation (Insertion Loss)
The reduction of signal voltage level as it travels along the cabling, due to
transmission losses. It is important to minimise the attenuation of the
cabling to ensure the transmitted signal is large enough to be recognised
at the receiver.
Parameter Definitions Cat 5e vs Cat 6 Performance Characteristics
Cat 5e
Cat 6*
Attenuation (Insertion Loss)
Cable
22 dB
19.8 dB
Connectivity
0.4
0.2
Perm. Link
21
18.6
Channel
24
21.3
*Draft 10
Nov 01
Cat 6*
32.8 dB
0.32
30.7
35.9
Parameter Definitions
ACR and PSACR
Power Sum Attenuation to Crosstalk Ratio is calculated for any specific
frequency as:
PSACR = PSNEXT – Attenuation [dB]
PSACR is an indication of the “signal to noise ratio (SNR)” which relates
directly to the bandwidth of the cabling system. The bandwidth is
determined by the frequency range for which the PSACR is 3 dB or more.
Signals at frequencies that are beyond the bandwidth (PSACR less than 3
dB) cannot be detected by the receiver due to excessive crosstalk noise.
Parameter Definitions Cat 5e vs Cat 6 Performance Characteristics
PARAMETER
ACR
Cable
Connectivity
Perm. Link
Channel
PSACR
Cable
Connectivity
Perm. Link
Channel
*Draft 10
Nov 01
Freq - 100 MHz
Cat 5e
Cat 6*
Freq - 250 MHz
Cat 6*
13.2 dB
42.6
24.5 dB
53.8
23.3
18.6
5.5 dB
45.7
4.6
-2.8
10.2
39.6
22.5
49.8
20.5
15.8
3.5
41.7
2
-5.7
Parameter Definitions
Return Loss
A measure of the reflected energy caused by impedance variations at the
interfaces between the cable and the connectivity hardware and along the
cable length. A low return loss is important to maximize the signal strength
at the receiver which minimizes bit errors. A good RL is critical for high
bit-rate applications.
Parameter Definitions Cat 5e vs Cat 6 Performance Characteristics
PARAMETER
Return Loss
Cable
Connectivity
Perm. Link
Channel
*Draft 10
Nov 01
Freq - 100 MHz
Cat 5e
Cat 6*
20.1 dB
20
12.1
10
20.1 dB
24
14
12
Freq - 250 MHz
Cat 6*
17.3 dB
16
10
8
Parameter Definitions
FEXT/ ELFEXT
Similar to NEXT, but a measure of the cable’s ability to reject noise
generated from one pair at the far-end to an adjacent pair, but measured at
the near-end. This is an important parameter in applications such as
1000BASE-T which use full duplex transmission, where signals are
transmitted from both ends of the cable simultaneously.
Parameter Definitions
PSELFEXT
Similar to PSNEXT but tested at the receiver end of the cable. ELFEXT is
different from FEXT in that it includes the effect of attenuation in the
calculation. This parameter is very important in transmission schemes,
such as 1000BASE-T, which uses each of the four pairs to transmit ¼ of
the bit-stream.
Parameter Definitions Cat 5e vs Cat 6 Performance Characteristics
PARAMETER
FEXT/ELFEXT
Cable
Connectivity
Perm. Link
Channel
PSELFEXT
Cable
Connectivity
Perm. Link
Channel
*Draft 10 Nov 01
Freq - 100 MHz Freq - 250 MHz
Cat 5e
Cat 6*
Cat 6*
23.8 dB 27.8 dB
20
43.1
12.1
24.2
10
23.3
20.8
32.1
17
14.4
24.8
40.1
21.2
20.3
19.8 dB
35.1
16.2
15.3
16.8
32.1
13.2
12.3
Parameter Definitions
Propagation Delay and Delay Skew
A measurement of the difference in time it takes signals to travel down
each pair in a cable. In orders to maximize PSNEXT and PSELFEXT
performance, each pair is twisted with a different rate. Therefore, the
electrical length of each pair is different, which creates different delays in
arrival of the signal at the receiver. Delay Skew is defined as the measured
time difference between the fastest and slowest pairs in a cable. In high
speed parallel transmission scheme applications, such as 1000BASE-T,
excessive delay skew will result in packets of information being received
out of sequence, which creates corruption of the signal at the receiver.
Time Delay
Delay
Skew
Parameter Definitions Cat 5e vs Cat 6 Performance Characteristics
PARAMETER
Freq - 100 MHz
Freq - 250 MHz
Cat 5e
Cat 6*
Cat 6*
PROPAGATION DELAY
Cable
538 nsec
536 nsec
Connectivity
2.5
2.5
2.5
Perm. Link
44
44
44
Channel
50
50
50
DELAY SKEW
Cable
Connectivity
Perm. Link
Channel
*Draft 10
Nov 01
45
1.25
45
50
45
1.25
44
50
45
1.25
44
50
Parameter Definitions
LCL/LCTL Balance
Balance is a parameter only introduced to Category 6 and is currently under
study for cables. It is a measure of a system’s ability to propagate a
differential signal without conversion to a common mode signal, and vice
versa. Essentially this means the cable is able to reject outside noise from
sources other than from adjacent pairs, such as motors, RF signals, etc, as
well as minimising the leakage of signals into other nearby equipment.
Poorly balanced
twisted pair
Input Balanced
Differential Mode
Signal
Unbalanced Output Signal due to poorly
balanced twisted pair which causes
radiation from the cable and susceptibility
for outside interference. Poorly balanced
pairs will also increase cross talk.
Parameter Definitions Cat 5e vs Cat 6 Performance Characteristics
PARAMETER
Freq - 100 MHz
Cat 6*
Freq - 250 MHz
Cat 6*
LCL #
Cable
Connectivity
TBA
28 dB
TBA
20 dB
LCTL #
Cable
Connectivity
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
# LCL - Longitudinal Conversion Loss
LCTL - Longitudinal Conversion Transfer Loss
*Draft 10
Nov 01
Category 6 Cable
Enhancements
• Increased conductor diameter
- 24 AWG to 23 AWG
• New conductor alloys
• Modified conductor insulation
materials
• Central spine/cross member
• Increased twist rate and rate
variances
• More precise manufacturing
tolerances
Cat 5e cable cross-section
Cat 6 cable cross-section
Category 6 Connectivity
Enhancements
• Single manufacturer mated plug/jack combination
most common
• Interoperability of jacks and plugs between
manufacturers still developing
• Use of Printed Circuit Board designs more
common than Lead Frame for contacts
• Component level performance very difficult to
achieve
• Compact style vs 8-wire horizontal connectors
more common in patch panels
Permanent Link vs Channel
Permanent Link
Channel
The entire passive transmission path, which includes
Patch Cord, Patch Panel, Cable, Outlet and Fly Lead,
but excludes active equipment
Includes Patch Panel, Cable,
and Outlet, but excludes
patch or test cords
Network Migration 10 Mb/s Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet
• 10 Mb/s Ethernet (shared coax)
• 10 Mb/s Ethernet (switched UTP)
• 100 Mb/s Ethernet (switched UTP)
• 1 Gb/s Ethernet (switched UTP)
• 10 Gb/s Ethernet (switched fibre)
Network Migration 10 Mb/s Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet
• 1000BASE-T
• IEEE802.3ab
• Cat 5e cabling
• 1000BASE-TX
• TIA-854
• Cat 6 cabling
Network Migration 10 Mb/s Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet
• 1000BASE-T
• 4 pair transmission on Cat 5,
5e or 6 UTP
• 250 Mb/s full duplex
transmission per pair
• Requires transceivers at both
ends of each pair
• 1000BASE-TX
• 2 pair transmission on Cat 6
UTP
• 500 Mb/s half duplex
transmission per pair
• Requires only one transmitter
and one receiver for each pair
Network Migration 10 Mb/s Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet
• 1000BASE-T
•
•
•
•
Complex circuitry
Higher cost active equipment
Lower cost cabling (Cat 5)
Higher overall system cost
• 1000BASE-TX
•
•
•
•
Less complex circuitry
Lower cost active equipment
Higher cost cabling (Cat 6)
Lower overall system cost
(approx. 25% less than
1000BASE-T)
Network Migration 10 Mb/s Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet
Why Cat 6 versus Cat 5e UTP Cabling?
• Superior installed performance over Cat 5e
• Migration from 10 Mb/s to 100 Mb/s to
1000 Mb/s data throughput
• Potentially lower end-to-end cost over the life of the
system
• 2 Gbps, 4 Gbps, 10 Gbps… what’s next?
• Future proof when ever you can!
Installation Practices
Do’s
Don’ts
Maintain
sheathat IDC
Maintaincable
pair twists
close to IDC
Don’t
Don’t unsheath
untwist pairs
cableany
anymore
more
than
than 25mm
12mm at
at IDC
IDC
Installation Practices
Do’s
Don’ts
Install
no and
moreloop
than
24 cables
in
Use
hook
cable
fasteners
a long bundle
Don’t install
use cable
long
ties,
looms
or compress
of large
jacket
of outer
on bundle
numbers
(>24) cables
of parallel
cables
Installation Practices
Do’s
Monitor
for at
Use
cablecable
bendde-reeling
radius guides
kinks&
and
smooth
incurred
IDC,
bend
cableany
no more
than
4 x cable diameter
Don’ts
Don’t allow
any kinked
cableortoprovide
bend cable
too sharp,
insufficient
be installed support at IDC
Field Testing Category 6
There are a number of issues
that must be considered to
accurately and reliably test
Category 6 cabling systems
• Tester Accuracy
• Interoperability
• Channel vs Link
Field Testing Category 6
Tester Accuracy
• Don’t assume all Level III testers have
the same level of accuracy
• The accuracy of Level III testers is no
longer qualified by cabling standards,
and varies between vendors
• The purchaser check a tester’s level of
accuracy with the vendor before
purchasing the unit
• Select a tester that offers the level of
accuracy that you are comfortable with
• Be conscious of your tester’s accuracy
when reviewing test results
Field Testing Category 6
Interoperability
Due to the unique characteristics of vendors’ Cat 6 plugs
and jacks, all Level III field testers utilise various forms of
adapters to suit specific brands of Cat 6 Permanent Links
Brand
Model
Level
III
Brand Specific
Test Heads
Generic Test Heads
Agilent
WireScope
350
YES
Fluke
DSP4300
YES
YES
FOR ALL
MAJOR CAT 6
BRANDS
YES
FOR ALL
MAJOR CAT 6
BRANDS
YES
GENERIC TEST HEAD
THAT IS SUITABLE FOR
SOME CAT 6 BRANDS
YES
3 “PERSONALITY”
MODULES WHICH
ATTACH TO
PERMANENT LINK
ADAPTER TO SUIT
VARIETY OF BRANDS
YES
GENERIC TEST HEAD
THAT IS SUITABLE FOR
SOME CAT 6 BRANDS
NO
Microtest OmniScanner
Ideal
Wavetek
LT8000
YES
YES
YES
FOR ALL
MAJOR CAT 6
BRANDS
YES
FOR ALL
MAJOR CAT 6
BRANDS
Field Testing Category 6
Link and Channel Testing
• All Level III Testers test Permanent Link parameters,
using appropriate test heads/adapters and software
• The Permanent Link model defined by cabling standards
factors out the contribution of NEXT and FEXT by the test
leads to the overall Link
• Basic Link heads/adapters, which do not remove the effects
of the test leads, should not be used as they may yield false
test results
• Channel parameters cannot currently be tested with
Level III testers, as no true Cat 6 Channel adapters are
available yet
• All tester vendors are developing Cat 6 Channel adapters, but
none are released to date
Thank You