Understanding WDM MUX/DEMUX Ports and Its Application

Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is a commonly used technology in optical communications. It combines multiple wavelengths to transmit signals on a single fiber. To realize this process, CWDM and DWDM mux/demux are the essential part. As we all know, there are several different ports on the WDM mux and demux. This article will give a clear explanation to these ports and their applications in WDM network.

Overview of Different Ports on WDM MUX/DEMUX
Line Port

Line port, sometimes also called as common port, is the one of the must-have ports on CWDM and DWDM Mux/Demux. The outside fibers are connected to the Mux/Demux unit through this port, and they are often marked as Tx and Rx. All the WDM channels are multiplexed and demultiplexed over this port.

Channel Port

Like the line port, channel ports are another must-have ports. They transmit and receive signals on specific WDM wavelengths. CWDM Mux/Demux supports up to 18 channels from 1270nm to 1610nm with a channel space of 20nm. While DWDM Mux/Demux uses wavelengths from 1470nm to 1625nm usually with channel space of 0.8nm (100GHz) or 0.4nm (50GHz). Services or circuits can be added in any order to the Mux/Demux unit.

40ch dwdm mux demux

Monitor Port

Monitor port on CWDM and DWDM Mux/Demux offers a way to test the dB level of the signal without service interruption, which enable users the ability to monitor and troubleshoot networks. If the Mux/Demux is a sing-fiber unit, the monitor port also should be a simplex one, and vice verse.

Expansion Port

Expansion port on WDM Mux/Demux is used to add or expand more wavelengths or channels to the network. By using this port, network managers can increase the network capacity easily by connecting the expansion port with the line port of another Mux/Demux supporting different wavelengths. However, not every WDM Mux/Demux has an expansion port.

dwdm mux demux

1310nm and 1550nm Port

1310nm and 1550nm are one of WDM wavelengths. Many optical transceivers, especially the CWDM and DWDM SFP/SFP+ transceiver, support long runs transmission over these two wavelengths. By connecting with the same wavelength optical transceivers, these two ports can be used to add 1310nm or 1550nm wavelengths into existing WDM networks.

Application Cases of Different Ports on WDM MUX/DEMUX

Although there are several different ports on WDM Mux/Demux, not all of them are used at the same time. Here are some examples of these functioning ports in different connections.

Example One: Using 8 Channels CWDM Mux/Demux with Monitor Port

cwdm mux demux with monitor port

This example is a typical point-to-point network where two switches/routers are connected over CWDM wavelength 1511nm. The CWDM Mux/Demux used has a monitor port and 1310nm port, but the 1310nm does not put into use. In addition, an optical power meter is used to monitor the power on fibers connecting the site A and B.

Example Two: Achieve 500Gbps at Existing Fiber Network with 1310nm Port

dwdm mux with 1310nm port

In this example, two 40 channels DWDM Mux/Demux with monitor port and 1310nm port are used to achieve total 500Gbps services. How to achieve this? First, plug a 1310nm 40G or 100G fiber optical transceiver into the terminal equipment, then use the patch cable to connect it to the existing DWDM network via the 1310nm port on the DWDM Mux/Demux. Since the 1310nm port is combined into a 40 channels DWDM Mux, then this set-up allows the transport of up to 40x10Gbps plus 100Gbpx over one fiber pair, which is total 500Gbps. If use 1550nm port, then the transceiver should be available on the wavelength of 1550nm.

Example Three: Stack Two CWDM MUX/DEMUX Using Expansion Port

cwdm mux with expansion port

The connection in this example is similar to the last one. The difference is that this connection is achieved with expansion port not 1310nm port. On the left side in the cases, a 8 channels CWDM Mux/Demux and a 4 channels CWDM Mux/Demux are stacked via the expansion port on the latter Mux/Demux. And the two 4 channels CWDM Mux/Demux are combined with the line port. If there is a need, more Mux/Demux modules can be added to increase the wavelengths and expand network capacity.

Summary

Different ports on the CWDM and DWDM Mux/Demux have different functions. Knowing more their function is helpful in WDM network deployment. FS.COM supplies various types of CWDM and DWDM Mux/Demux for your preference. And customer services are also available. If you have any needs, welcome to visit our website www.fs.com.

Application Cases of 10G CWDM Network

CWDM network, as an easy-to-deploy and cost-effective solution, has been applied in many areas. Although CWDM network is not as perfect as DWDM networks in data capacity, it still can satisfy a wide range of applications in optical applications. And CWDM is a passive network, allowing any protocol to be transported over the link, as long as it is at the specific wavelength. This article is going to describe several application cases of 10G CWDM network in different areas.

Benefits of 10G CWDM Network

Although 40G and 100G networks are developing rapidly, many of them still need to grow on the basis of 10G networks. And due to the high cost of 40G and 100G, 10G networks are still the most common networks to be deployed. Here are the main benefits of 10G CWDM networks.

  • CWDM Mux/Demux is a passive component and requires no extra power, offering a cost-effective choice for network designers.
  • Increased network connections and easy to evolve from 10G to 40G and 100G networks. For example, 10G CWDM network can combine DWDM wavelengths using the 1550nm channel on CWDM Mux/Demux. And if an operator want to upgrade its 10G network to 40G or 100G, there are various fiber components in market that can help him realize this conversion.
  • Lower cost. 10G hardware has become cheaper, which make 10G CWDM network more economical. For example, buying one pcs 8 channels CWDM Mux/Demux which is the most often used in CWDM networks needs less than 330 dollars in some stores. And 10G CWDM optical transceivers are also very cheap now.
10G CWDM Network Infrastructure

As has mentioned above, 10G CWDM network has been widely deployed in different areas. Here are the common CWDM network infrastructures.

Point-to-point 10G CWDM Network

A point-to-point CWDM network is the simplest network structure of CWDM networks, but it is the basis of other complex network infrastructures. By adding other components like CWDM OADM, the point-to-point CWDM network is easy to be changed into more complicated networks. The following figure shows a point-to-point CWDM network using 8 channels CWDM Mux/Demux.

point-to-point CWDM

10G CWDM Ring Network

CWDM ring links are suitable for interconnecting geographically dispersed LANs and storage area networks. Business can benefit from CWDM by using multiple Gigabit Ethernet. As shown in the below picture, the four buildings are connected by several 8 channels CWDM Mux/Demuxes.

CWDM ring network

Application Cases of 10G CWDM Network
Applications in Service Providers

CWDM uses different wavelengths to carry different signals over a single optical fiber, which offers many benefits to service providers that need to better utilize the existing fiber infrastructure. In this application, two Cisco switches are connected together through four 8 channels CWDM Mux/Demuxes. Signals are multiplexed and then transmitted through two strands fiber cables.

CWDM network

10G CWDM Application in Campus Network

As the scale expansion of many campus, the need for adding bandwidth of new applications is increasing too. And the new campus, school teaching and student life Internet require a lot of bandwidth resources, so building a new network is undoubtedly needs a large investment. Then how to make a full use of existing fibers is a problem needed to be resolved.

CWDM in campus

In this case, four 8 channels CWDM Mux/Demux with expansion port are used to double the capacity on the existing fiber without the need for installing or leasing additional fibers, which reduce cost and labor.

Summary

As the development of WDM technology and market, the deployment of CWDM network will be more lower. FS.COM provides affordable CWDM network components at a low price. Following is a list of our products.

Product ID Description
42945 8 channels 1290-1430nm dual fiber CWDM Mux Demux
43099 8 channels 1470-1610nm dual fiber CWDM Mux Demux with expansion port
19367 Cisco Compatible 10G CWDM SFP+ 1470nm 80km DOM Transceiver
31290 Cisco Compatible 10G CWDM SFP+ 1290nm 40km DOM Transceiver