Wavelength Division Multiplexing Technologies

In fiber-optic communications, wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) is a technology

which multiplexes a number of optical carrier signals onto a single optical fiber by using
different wavelengths (i.e., colours) of laser light. This technique enables bidirectional
communications over one strand of fiber, as well as multiplication of capacity.

The term wavelength-division multiplexing is commonly applied to an optical carrier (which

is typically described by its wavelength), whereas frequency-division multiplexing typically
applies to a radio carrier (which is more often described by frequency). Since wavelength and
frequency are tied together through a simple directly inverse relationship, in which the
product of frequency and wavelength equals c (the propagation speed of light), the two terms
actually describe the same concept.

WDM systems

WDM operating principle

WDM systems are popular with telecommunications companies because they allow them to
expand the capacity of the network without laying more fiber. By using WDM and optical
amplifiers, they can accommodate several generations of technology development in their
optical infrastructure without having to overhaul the backbone network. Capacity of a given
link can be expanded simply by upgrading the multiplexers and demultiplexers at each end.

This is often done by the use of optical-to-electrical-to-optical (O/E/O) translation at the very
edge of the transport network, thus permitting interoperation with existing equipment with
optical interfaces. Most WDM systems operate on single-mode fiber optical cables, which
have a core diameter of 9 µm. Certain forms of WDM can also be used in multi-mode fiber
cables (also known as premises cables) which have core diameters of 50 or 62.5 µm.

Early WDM systems were expensive and complicated to run. However, recent
standardization and better understanding of the dynamics of WDM systems have made WDM
less expensive to deploy.
There are three different types of WDM.

Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), dense WDM (DWDM) and coarse WDM
(CWDM) They are all based on the same concept of using multiple wavelengths of light on a
single fiber, but differ in:

1. The spacing of the wavelengths

2. Number of channels
3. The ability to amplify the multiplexed signals in the optical space.

Normal (WDM),

A WDM system uses a multiplexer at the transmitter to join the several signals together, and
a demultiplexer at the receiver to split them apart. With the right type of fiber it is possible to
have a device that does both simultaneously, and can function as an optical add-drop
multiplexer.

WDM Architecture

OADM Operation diagram

 OADM pictorial

Coarse (CWDM)

Coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) CWDM is a technology that allows up

to 18 channels to be connected over a fiber pair. Two wavelength regions are most commonly
associated with CWDM, 1310nm and 1550nm. The 1550nm region is more popular because
it has a lower fiber loss (meaning the signal can travel farther). If we use the road analogy,
it’s like painting 18 lanes on the road, with nine in the 1310 region of the fiber (1270nm to
1450nm) and nine in the 1550 region (1470nm to 1610nm). To achieve this, the wavelengths
of each channel are 20nm apart. CWDM is a convenient and low-cost solution for distances
up to 70km. But between 40km and its maximum distance of 70km CWDM tends to be
limited to 8 channels due to a phenomenon called the water peak of the fiber (earlier
discussed as the Hydroxyl radical OH -). CWDM signals cannot be amplified, making the
70km estimate an absolute maximum

Coarse wavelength division multiplexing

Dense (DWDM).

With DWDM, we can convert our road to an expressway with more than 200 lanes. DWDM
can handle higher speed protocols, even 400Gbps per channel. Each channel is only 0.8nm
apart instead of the 20nm you would find in a CWDM system. Dense wavelength division
multiplexing (DWDM) uses the C-Band (1530 nm -1560 nm) transmission window but with
denser channel spacing. Dense wavelength division multiplexing works on the same principle
as CWDM, but in addition to the increased channel capacity, it can also be amplified to
support much longer distances.
 Dense wavelength division multiplexing

CWDM and DWDM wavelength comparison

The above figure shows how the DWDM channels fit into the wavelength spectrum
compared to CWDM channels. Each CWDM channel is spaced 20nm apart from the adjacent
channel. In the figure, we use colours to differentiate the 8 CWDM channels in the 1550
region. For the 1310 regions, no colour schemes have been standardized.

For DWDM on the other hand, most of the DWDM channels are within the 1530 and
1550nm CWDM regions. For DWDM channels, a colour scheme has not been standardized
either: probably just as well because remembering all the different colours for the DWDM
channels with the naked eye might also be a strain. Instead, we use a block to indicate where
they are grouped.

CWDM and DWDM increase the amount of traffic that can be connected through a fiber. So
why not just add more? The reason is that the characteristics of the fiber itself isn’t linear.

For longer distances, over 40 km, CWDM is restricted to 9 working channels due to a
chemical property in the fiber called the water peak (Hydroxyl ion). The water peak is an area
of high loss in the 1300nm region of the fiber that affects CWDM channels 1370nm to
1430nm. In this region, the signal loss is 1.0dB/km as opposed to 0.25dB/km in the 1550
region. This doesn’t mean that CWDM channels in the 1310nm region cannot be used, just
that the distance is decreased.

DWDM channels are in the 1550nm region of the fiber, which is the area in the fiber that has
the lowest loss. The 1550 region is in a stable, low-loss valley surrounded by areas of high
loss on either side. On either side of the 1550 region, the loss of the fiber quickly increases
and becomes less suitable for optical networking applications.

CWDM and DWDM for fiber attenuation losses

Transceivers versus transponders

 Transceivers – Since communication over a single wavelength is one-way (simplex
communication), and most practical communication systems require two-way (duplex
communication) communication, two wavelengths will be required (which might or
 might not be on the same fiber, but typically they will be each on a separate fiber in a
so-called fiber pair). As a result, at each end both a transmitter (to send a signal over a
first wavelength) and a receiver (to receive a signal over a second wavelength) will be
required. A combination of a transmitter and a receiver is called a transceiver; it
converts an electrical signal to and from an optical signal. There are usually
transreceiver types based on WDM technology.
o Coarse WDM (CWDM) Transceivers: Wavelength 1270 nm, 1290 nm,
1310 nm, 1330 nm, 1350 nm, 1370 nm, 1390 nm, 1410 nm, 1430 nm,
1450 nm, 1470 nm, 1490 nm, 1510 nm, 1530 nm, 1550 nm, 1570 nm,
1590 nm, 1610 nm.

o Dense WDM (DWDM) Transceivers: Channel 17 to Channel 61 according to

ITU-T.

 Transponder – In practice, the signal inputs and outputs will not be electrical but
optical instead (typically at 1550 nm). This means that in effect we need wavelength
converters instead, which is exactly what a transponder is. A transponder can be made
up of two transceivers placed after each other: the first transceiver converting the
1550 nm optical signal to/from an electrical signal, and the second transceiver
converting the electrical signal to/from an optical signal at the required wavelength.
Transponders that don't use an intermediate electrical signal (all-optical transponders)
are in development.