Overview
The bandwidth requirements of business and residential subscribers are stretching the capacity of fiber optic access networks. Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) technology enables service providers to expand the capacity of fiber access networks and deliver multiple services. CWDM transports multiple channels (wavelengths) over the same fiber cabling. Each channel carries data independently from each other, allowing network designers to transport different data rates and protocols (TDM, Ethernet, etc) for different customers or applications. CWDM supports up to 18 wavelengths, and each wavelength can transport up to 10G of data.
CWDM Products
CWDM Products
iConverter® CWDM Multiplexers/Demultiplexers
iConverter optical CWDM Multiplexer modules are part of the iConverter Multi-Service Platform and integrated with iConverter fiber transponders to deliver different services across a CWDM common link. iConverter CWDM MUX/DEMUX modules and Optical Add and Drop modules can be installed in a variety of compact and high-density chassis.
OmniLight® CWDM and DWDM Multiplexers/Demultiplexers
OmniLight passive CWDM and DWDM optical products provide a scalable, flexible and high-density solution for distributing wavelength services. OmniLight modules can be installed in a 14-Module LGX Chassis that supports 14 full-size LGX modules or 28 half-size LGX modules, or a 3-Module Rack-Mount Shelf that supports 3 full-size LGX modules or 6 half-size LGX modules.
>> Learn more about CWDM Multiplexers at the CWDM Resource Center
Telecom Fiber Access Application
CWDM Service Provider Fiber Access Network
The following diagram illustrates how the modular iConverter CWDM Multiplexers enables a CWDM point-to-point telecom access network incorporating different services multiplexed over one fiber link.
Two iConverter xFF fiber-to-fiber transponders, a GM4 Network Interface Device and a Modular T1 and Ethernet Multiplexer are installed in a high-density 19-module chassis. These modules are connected with fiber patch cables to a 4-channel CWDM/X MUX that multiplexes all four channels (wavelengths) over the common fiber link.
On the top left side of the illustration, the two xFF transponders convert standard 1310 wavelengths to CWDM wavelengths with CWDM Small Form Pluggable Transceivers (SFP). Fiber patch cables (color coordinated in the illustration for each CWDM wavelength) connect to the appropriate channel ports on the CWDM/X MUX. Carrier Ethernet Virtual Connections (EVCs) are transported over the 1470nm and 1490nm channels and multiplexed over the common fiber line. At the other end of the CWDM common line, another CWDM/X MUX demultiplexes the channels, which are transported over fiber to customer locations. A GM4 NID at each customer location provides Carrier Ethernet service demarcation with fault management and performance monitoring.
On the top right side of the illustration, copper UTP transports T1 circuits from a Wireless Carrier’s TDM network, and Gigabit EVCs from a Wireless IP Network. One of the EVCs is connected to the Modular T1 and Ethernet MUX that is digitally multiplexing the T1s and Ethernet onto one fiber cable with a 1590nm channel (for a 3G backhaul service).
The other EVC is connected to a GM4 NID module that is converting the copper link to fiber with a 1610nm channel (a 4G/LTE backhaul service). At the other end of the CWDM common fiber line, a CWDM/X MUX de-multiplexes the channels, which are transported over fiber to cell towers. A standalone GM4 NID provides Carrier Ethernet demarcation with performance monitoring and 1588 timing synchronization for the 4G/LTE service. A fixed-configuration T1 and Ethernet MUX provides Carrier Ethernet demarcation and T1 circuits for the 3G backhaul service.
Cable HFC Fiber Access Application
CWDM Cable HFC Fiber-to-the-Node Network
In this Cable MSO application example, CWDM data channels (wavelengths) are added to a Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) network to deliver Carrier Ethernet and cell tower services. Using iConverter CWDM Multiplexers, Network Interface Devices (NIDs) and CWDM SFP Transceivers, new revenue-generating commercial services are added to a fiber link connecting a Distribution Hub to an HFC Fiber Node.
An iConverter 19-Module Chassis is deployed at a Distribution Hub location. iConverter GM4 NID and CWDM/X Multiplexer modules are installed in the high-density chassis. The GM4 NIDs provide demarcation for commercial services at the edge of the Cable MSO IP/Ethernet network. The NIDs also provide copper-to-fiber conversion with CWDM SFP Transceivers that provide the specific wavelengths required for connectivity to the channel ports on the CWDM/X multiplexer modules. The NIDs are connected to the MUX modules with fiber patch cables (color coordinated to wavelengths in the illustration). The CWDM/X MUX modules multiplex Gigabit Ethernet Virtual Connections (EVCs) with 1490nm and 1510nm channels over the existing 1310nm fiber that connects the Distribution Hub to the HFC Fiber Node.
Add new services to HFC Fiber-to-the-Node networks with CWDM multiplexers
A standalone CWDM/X MUX demultiplexes the two EVC channels, which are connected via fiber to a business (Carrier Ethernet commercial service) and a cell tower (4G/LTE backhaul service). Both services are terminated with iConverter GM4 NIDs that enable SLA assurance and advanced fault management.
Omnitron’s iConverter Multi-Service Platform consists of modular Ethernet Network Interface Devices (NIDs), intelligent media converters, T1 Multiplexers and CWDM Multiplexers. All these modules can be combined in a variety of chassis configurations with CWDM SFP Transceivers to deliver multiple TDM and Ethernet services over existing HFC fiber infrastructure.
