The WDM technology is booming and being used at a large scale and help you tackle multiple networking challenges. But how does it work? What are CWDM and DWDM? What does PM Filter WDM mean? We will learn all about these things in this article.
What is WDM?
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is an optical transport technology that enables you to divide existing optical fibers into multiple channels of traffic so that several streams of data can be transported simultaneously.
Think of WDM as creating multiple lanes on a highway so that the traffic flows efficiently.
Due to the potential multiple benefits, such as efficient transfer of more data, less time, cost-effectiveness, and easy usage, more public sector organizations, healthcare providers, utility providers, financial institutions, corporate enterprises, data center operators, and telecommunication companies are considering implementing WDM technology.
How does WDM technology work?
In WDM networks, light signals or wavelengths of multiple colors are used over the same optical fiber. Optical transmitters that are tuned to specific wavelengths are used to send light into a passive combiner called a multiplexer (Mux).
All of the wavelengths selected for data transmission travel along a common path i.e. an optical fiber and then they are separated by using a passive optical splitter or demultiplexer (Demux).
WDM networks are usually bi-directional and allow combined and split wavelengths to travel in both directions over a single fiber.
WDM technologies such as Demux and Mux allow organizations to place the device at either end of a fiber pair and combine multiple wavelength channels into a single fiber pair instead of using different optical fiber pairs.
What are CWDM and DWDM?
Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) are the two fundamental technologies built based on WDM technology. However, both of them have different wavelength patterns and are used for different applications. Both WDM technologies can effectively increase the bandwidth capacity needs and maximize the use of both existing and new fiber components and fibers.
The main difference is that CWDM systems support eight wavelengths per fiber and are used for short-range communication, DWDM systems support 96 or more channels spaced at 0.8nm apart within the 1550nm C-Band spectrum. Therefore, when compared to CWDM, DWDM systems can transfer a huge quantity of data through a single fiber link.
What is PM Filter WDM (FWDM)?
PM Filter WDM is the technology that wavelength division multiplexing while maintaining the polarization of the light signal. Based on environmentally stable thin film filter technology, PM Filter WDM is characterized by wide-band, high extinction ratio, low insertion loss, and high return loss. PM Filter WDM is ideal for PM fiber amplifiers, fiber lasers, and instrumentation applications.
At DK Photonics, we provide high-quality and affordable PM filter WDM, DWDM, and CWDM in a range of standard and custom specifications. For any queries, please get in touch with us.