Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM)
Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) is an efficient, cost-effective network capacity expansion technology. It offers flexibility, scalability and ease of deployment.
CWDM systems can support up to 18 wavelength channels. Each channel has a 20nm spacing.
Passive CWDM
CWDM is an optical technology that is used to increase the bandwidth of fiber. It works by combining optical signals of different wavelengths onto one strand of fiber. The wavelengths are then separated using passive optical components.
Currently, CWDM systems can transport up to 18 channels of optical signals on one strand of fiber with a channel spacing of 20 nm. This is comparable to the number of channels that can be transported by DWDM.
The main difference between these two technologies is that CWDM systems use a wider spectrum spacing, whereas DWDM systems use a narrower spectrum. This makes CWDM systems more effective in increasing bandwidth capacity and also allows them to be deployed in environments that do not require long distances between the devices.
Passive CWDM solutions are based on passive technology and do not need any power supplies or cooling. This ensures that they are robust and have an MTBF of 100+ years.
They can be used on single-mode fibers or multimode fibers and operate in the CWDM wavelength range between 1270 nm and 1610 nm with a channel spacing of 20 nm. They are ideal for short-range communication applications and can be used in city networks, telecom access and enterprise networks.
These solutions allow short-range WDM signals to be converted into long-range ones, which are fed to multiplexers and transceivers. They are DC or AC powered, stand-alone systems that are isolated from the device they connect to, such as data switches and routers.
Active CWDM is a more complex system than passive CWDM and involves multiple components. This can make it a more challenging system to configure, troubleshoot and maintain.
The most important difference is that active CWDM solutions have muxponder capabilities, which means they map multiple wavelengths across a single fiber. This enables organizations to reduce their operating costs and generate additional revenue.
Another advantage of active CWDM is that they can be more easily scaled as the network grows. This is especially true if they are integrated into the network switch and can be accessed remotely via an API.
Active CWDM
Coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) is an optical transport technology that utilizes laser beams to transmit information over fiber optic cables. It has a wider channel spacing than dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM), which helps to maintain the frequency stability of the signal.
CWDM was introduced to meet the demand for increased bandwidth capacity in optical transport networks. It is a cost-effective and versatile solution that can extend network reach. It can also be used for point-to-point, ring or mesh networking applications.
The CWDM system can support up to 18 channels of wavelengths that are spread across a single strand of fiber. It also offers a high degree of spectral efficiency due to its small channel spacing. This is why CWDM is a common solution for interconnecting data centers, especially on ODCI platforms that offer ultra-high bandwidth links (400G and beyond) at low cost per bit.
However, CWDM is not the only solution for bandwidth expansion in optical transport systems. Dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) is a more sophisticated technology that uses a larger channel spacing and more advanced electronics and photonics. It is more accurate and precise, making it a better choice for high-performance optical networks.
While both technologies have their own unique features, choosing the right one for your network can help you avoid unnecessary expenditure and optimize performance. The best way to cwdm know which DWDM solution is right for you is to recognize some of the key factors that will influence your decision.
CWDM is an effective way to expand bandwidth and address the growing bandwidth needs of businesses, public sector organizations, utilities, healthcare providers and data center operators. It can be used for multiple point-to-point links or ring applications to connect geographically dispersed LAN (local area network) and SAN (storage area network) networks.
It can also be used for interconnecting WAN (wide area network) and SAN (storagearea network) connections to extend data center access, which can save on infrastructure costs. Moreover, it can provide enhanced performance and security for mission-critical applications.
The CWDM system can be implemented in passive or active mode, based on the requirements of your network. When you install a CWDM system in a passive mode, the transceiver resides within a device, such as a router or switch. Passive CWDM systems are generally less expensive than active CWDM. Nevertheless, they are more susceptible to interference and less reliable. Hence, they require a strong network management plan to ensure proper operation.
CWDM Mux/Demux
Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is a technology that enables optical fiber networks to transmit signals of several wavelengths simultaneously. This process involves a number of important components, including CWDM Mux/Demux.
There are many different types of CWDM Mux/Demux. You can choose the one that meets your specific needs. However, if you are new to networking, you may find it difficult to decide which one is right for you. Here are some useful tips to help you choose a CWDM Mux/Demux that works best for your network.
First, it is important to understand how a CWDM Mux/Demux works. You will also need to know the ports that you must have on the CWDM Mux/Demux.
The line port, which is the most important of all the channels, is often referred to as the “must-have port”. All the outside fibers are connected through this port and all the WDM channels are multiplexed and demultiplexed over it. It is usually labeled as TX or RX, and it is the main point of connection between CWDM Mux/Demux and your network.
Another must-have port is the channel port, which allows multiplexing and demultiplexing the signal on a specific WDM wavelength. This is essential for a DWDM Mux/Demux since it can be used to expand the network capacity by adding more CWDM wavelengths over the same fiber.
Moreover, a DWDM Mux/Demux can be added with other special ports that bring more profits to your CWDM network. This includes an expansion port for increasing the wavelength capacity of your existing CWDM network, as well as a monitoring port for easy monitoring and management.
This port offers flexible monitoring ways to test the power, wavelength and optical-signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) of the signal without interrupting service. It can also help you monitor the performance of your CWDM network and provide early warnings when deviation occurs.
EDGE Optics xWDM Series products are designed for easy, gradual, logical and cost-efficient bandwidth expansion using cwdm industry leading passive WDM technology. They are ideal for campus, enterprise and special network applications. They are very easy to install and maintain, and require no power supply or cooling. They are characterized by their robustness and long lifetime.
CWDM Transceivers
CWDM Transceivers are hot-swappable input/output devices that can be connected to the fiber-optic ports on network equipment such as switches and routers. They are a low-cost, easy-to-install solution for upgrading to Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel in campus, data-center and metropolitan-area access networks.
Compared to common optical modules, CWDM optical transceivers use fewer fibers and can increase the capacity of a network by transmitting multiple channels on one fiber pair. This reduces the inventory of equipment and eliminates the need to keep different fiber types for repair or replacement.
In addition, CWDM optical transceivers increase the reliability of a network by reducing the effects of signal degradation caused by atmospheric factors such as temperature and humidity. Moreover, they can be easily deployed in new and existing networks due to their small form factor pluggable (SFP) format.
The optical transceivers can be customized to match networking protocols and media requirements. They can also be recognizable with different color arrows on their labels and color coded bale clasps to ease installation and maintenance.
CWDM technology uses 18 wavelengths, each of which is separated by 20nm, while DWDM technology utilizes 80 wavelengths with each 0.8nm apart. This allows for increased data capacity and lower latency.
However, DWDM is more expensive than CWDM. Besides, it requires more sophisticated designs and precise control of the transmission system, which are more difficult to achieve.
When choosing a CWDM SFP+ transceiver, it is important to consider the Optical Power Budget (OPB). OPB refers to the maximum amount of power that a single fiber can deliver for transmitting signals over long distances. The OPB of a CWDM SFP+ is calculated using the transmission loss of each of its two connectors and the number of fusion splicing points.
If the transmission distance demand is high, it is recommended to choose a CWDM SFP+ that can meet the OPB of the transmission link. The higher the OPB, the better the CWDM SFP+ performance will be.
CWDM SFP+ transceivers have a guaranteed minimum optical link budget, and are compatible with a wide range of networking protocols. They are able to transmit data up to 10Gbps, and the maximum transmission distance can be 120km with single mode fiber.
