The Fundamentals of Wave Division Multiplexing

Wave division multiplexing is a technology in which various optical carriers’ signals are multiplex into a single optical fiber by utilizing different wavelengths like colors of laser light.

While wave division multiplexing is characterized by wavelength, frequency division multiplexing which is commonly applied to the radio carrier is characterized by the frequency. This is absolutely conventional because both of them convey the same information.

What are WDM systems?

In WDM systems, a multiplexer is used at the transmitter side to connect various signals together and the receiver side, a demultiplexer is used to separate the multiplex signals. Traditionally the optical filters that are used in the WDM systems are Fabry-Perot interferometers.

WDM frameworks are generally favored by Telecommunications organizations since they permit them to grow the limit of the system without laying more fiber. By utilizing WDM, they can suit a few ages of innovation improvement in their optical foundation without updating the backbone networks. Limit of a given connection can be extended with WDM by overhauling the multiplexers and demultiplexers at each end.

Most WDM frameworks work on single-mode fiber optical links. Certain types of WDM can likewise be utilized in multi-mode fiber links which have a center of 50 or 62.5 µm.

WDM multiplexing is broadly divided into two categories, course WDM and dense WDM. Course WDM can accommodate 16 channels over various transmission windows of silica filaments. Dense WDM, on the other hand, utilizes a C-Band transmission window with wide channel spacing. The channels plan in the DWDM systems, however, can vary. A conventional DWDM system would utilize 40 channels and 80 channels at 100 and 80 GHz frequencies respectively. Devices such as Tunable XFP DWDM are used in dense wave division multiplexing.

The CWDM and DWDM work on the same principle of utilizing different wavelengths on a single fiber. The only difference among them is the dispersion of the wavelengths, number of channels, and the capacity to amplify the multiplexed signals.

How Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing works?

CWDMs join or multiplex more than one wavelength in one fiber. This is implemented by utilizing fiber collimators and wavelength/light channels that are adjusted and mounted in a glass tube and commonly bundled in a hardened steel tube for more insurance. The wavelength permits explicit wavelengths of light to go through the channel and the rest of the wavelength is reflected.

The major characteristic of course WDM is that the signal transmitted through CWDM are not properly spaced for amplification by erbium-doped fiber amplifiers. Another limit of CDWDM systems is that it has a total optical span of around 60 km for 2 to 2.5 Gigabytes per second.

How dense wavelength division multiplexing works?

DWDM systems consist of a multiplexer, immediate line repeater, optical terminal and terminal demultiplexer for which devices such as Tunable XFP DWDM are being used.

The multiplexer receives the optical signals and combines these signals into a multiwavelength optical signal. This optical signal is then transmitted over a signal fiber. The line repeater makes up for the loss of optical power as the signal goes along the fiber. The optical terminal amplifies the signals if it has to travel above 140 km or above before arriving at the remote site. Finally, the terminal demultiplexer at the destination separates the multiwavelength signal into individual data signals.

In the end, WDM is a brilliant technology that can help companies enhance their system. If you are seeking reliable and high-quality wave division multiplexing systems, visit Swedish Telecom OPTO. At Swedish telecom, you will get high-quality optical components, services and solutions to optimize your network. For more information, get in touch.