What is the difference between WDM and DWDM?


First, let us learn about Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM).

WDM

WDM represents Wavelength Division Multiplexing. WDM is completed only in fibre optic channels. In WDM, there are several light waves from several sources are linked utilizing a prism to make a composite light signal transmitted across the channel.

The application of WDM is the SONET network in which several optical fibre lines are multiplexed and demultiplexed. There is a new technique referred to as DWDM (dense WDDM). It can create multiple huge computers of the medium by composing mediums closer to one another. It achieves even higher efficiency.

Types of WDM

There are two types of WDM which are as follows −

  • Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing

    It is a technology in which various optical signals (laser light) of several wavelengths or colors are combined into one signal and are sent over the connecting channel to a continued field.

    When the optical signal transmission distance shifts into hundreds of kilometers, few signal losses will appear. It can satisfy this signal loss, optical fibre amplifiers are used in the DWDM transmission system.

    The DWDM technology required this gain bandwidth to transmit several optical signals together effectively. DWDM can share up to 80 channels (80 optical signals) with 100 GHz (0.8 nm) spacing.

  • Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing

    CWDM is a technology in which multiple optical signals (laser light) of multiple wavelengths or colors are combined into one signal and are transmitted over the transmission channel for a short interval.

    DWDM technology is generally useful for long-distance transmission higher than 100 km. But, if the transmission distance is less than 100 kilometres, we do not require facilitating optical amplifiers.

    The CWDM system has a channel spacing of 20 nm among the optical signals. This allows the assistance of cheap elements, such as uncooled lasers, MUX, and DEMUX.

DWDM

DWDM represents Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing. It is a technology in which several optical signals (laser light) of multiple wavelengths or colors are grouped into one signal and are shared over the connecting medium to a long area.

When the optical signal transmission distance changes into thousands of kilometers, few signal losses will occur. It can satisfy this signal loss, optical fibre amplifiers are used in the DWDM transmission system.

The DWDM technology needed this gain bandwidth to share multiple optical signals efficiently. DWDM can send up to 80 channels (80 optical signals) with 100 GHz (0.8 nm) spacing.

Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) is an optical multiplexing technology that can enhance bandwidth over current fibre networks. DWDM task operates by joining and transmitting several signals concurrently at multiple wavelengths on the same fibre. The technology generates several virtual fibres, therefore magnifying the capacity of the physical channel.

DWDM is treated as one of the best technologies to increase bandwidth over a current fibre plant. It allows one to generate several “virtual fibres” over one physical fibre. It does this by transmitting several wavelengths (or colors) of light down a bit of fibre.

DWDM was originally adopted by high distance carriers because the spending in amplification, dispersion compensation, and regeneration collected most of the network supplied cost in regional and national SONET networks. DWDM became increasingly famous in metro networks when the local exchange carriers produced their networks.

Updated on: 18-Nov-2021

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