Introduction to DWDM Transceiver
Recently, Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology is warmly welcomed by internet users all around the world. It is a technology that combines two or more kinds of optical signals at different wavelengths and transmits them on a single optical fiber. By using WDM technology, fiber optic transceivers can transmit signals at different wavelengths, which is a cost-effective solution for high capacity in network applications. WDM transceivers can be divided into two basic types. One is CWDM (Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing) transceiver, and the other one is DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) transceiver. The following passage is mainly about DWDM transceiver.
We know that DWDM technology uses denser channel spacing, which allows to transmit at most 80 channels (wavelengths) on a single fiber at the same time. It is the optimal choice for transporting extremely large amounts of data traffic over metro or long distance in telecom networks. By utilizing DWDM technology, DWDM transceivers are intended for high-capacity and long-distance transmissions, with speeds up to 10 Gbps and transmission distances up to 80 kilometers. Meanwhile, in order to ensure broad network equipment compatibility, DWDM transceivers are designed according to Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) standards.
In general, when we mention DWDM transceivers, the most case is the 1G or 10G DWDM transceivers. According to the different packages, DWDM transceivers can be classified as mainly five types. They are DWDM SFP, DWDM SFP+, DWDM XFP, DWDM X2, and DWDM XENPAK modules.
DWDM SFP transceiver is used as part of a DWDM optical network to provide high-capacity bandwidth across an optical fiber network up to 4.25Gbps, which is a high performance, cost effective module for serial optical data communication applications. There are 32 fixed-wavelength DWDM SFPs that support the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) 100-GHz wavelength grid. The figure below is Cisco DWDM-SFP1G-28.77 Compatible 1000BASE-DWDM SFP Transceiver (SMF, 1528.77nm, 80km, LC, DOM).
DWDM SFP+ is specifically designed for carriers and large enterprises that require a scalable, flexible, cost-effective system for multiplexing, transporting and protecting high-speed data, storage, voice and video applications. And DWDM SFP+ transceiver is the ideal choice for 10G high-bandwidth application. The figure below is Cisco DWDM-SFP10G-29.55 Compatible 10G DWDM SFP+ Transceiver (SMF, 1529.55nm, 80km, LC, DOM).
DWDM XFP transceiver complies with the current XFP MSA specification. It supports SONET/SDH, 10GbE and 10-Gigabit Fibre Channel applications and reaches transmission distance up to 80 kilometers with data rate of 10 Gbps. The figure below is Cisco DWDM-XFP-28.77 Compatible 10G DWDM XFP Transceiver (SMF, 1528.77nm, 80km, LC, DOM).
DWDM X2 transceiver is a high performance, serial optical transponder module for high-speed, 10G data transmission applications. The module is fully compliant to IEEE 802.3ae standard for Ethernet, making it ideally suited for 10GbE datacom (rack to-rack, client interconnection) applications. The figure below is Cisco DWDM X2 Transceiver (SMF, 1528.77nm-1563.86nm, 40km, SC, DOM).
DWDM XENPAK allows enterprise companies and service providers to provide scalable and easy-to-deploy 10 Gigabit Ethernet services in their networks. It enables 10 GbE over DWDM without the need of dedicated external equipment and supports digital optical monitoring capability. The figure below is Cisco DWDM XENPAK Transceiver (SMF, 1528.77nm-1563.86nm, 40km, SC, DOM).
With the increasing demands for more bandwidth, DWDM technology is widely applied to different areas in telecommunication networks, including long-haul backbone networks, Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), residential access networks and Local Area Networks (LANs). And DWDM transceivers are usually used in DWDM systems. There are different applications of different types of DWDM transceivers. In general, DWDM SFP is suitable for interconnections in Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel environments and it is designed to accept DWDM SONET/SDH (with or without FEC) for 200km links and Ethernet/Fibre Channel protocol traffic for 80km links. DWDM SFP+ can be applied in 10GBASE-ZR/ZW, 10G fiber cable and can be found in Ethernet switches, routers. And DWDM XFP is usually used in the Ethernet, Fibre Channel, SONET/SDH applications. Other types, such as DWDM X2, DWDM XENPAK have similar applications. In a word, these DWDM transceivers can be used in high bandwidth network applications.
We know that DWDM transceiver costs more than CWDM transceiver (also has different types, such as CWDM SFP, CWDM SFP+ and so on), but for longer transmission distance like Fibre Channel protocol traffic for 80km links, people prefer DWDM transceiver. As a kind of fiber optic transceiver combined the features of DWDM technology and optical modules, DWDM transceivers are typically used in large optical networks over longer distance. And I hope this passage can help you know more about DWDM transceivers.
