Mini-CWDM – Expand Your Fiber Network With Mini-CWDM Modules
Mini-CWDM offers a simple way to add capacity to existing fiber networks by multiplexing many wavelengths into one fiber. This allows you to expand data transmission over long distances without installing additional optical fiber.
The CWDM module uses passive optical components that are less expensive than active ones and require zero electrical power. This means that it’s perfect for upgrading older fiber connections to support higher data rates.
The Miniature CWDM Module
CWDM is a technology that allows multiple signals to be multiplexed onto a single fiber by using different wavelengths (i.e., colors) of light to carry them. This technique expands the capacity of optical fiber to support more connections and faster data transmission, making it an ideal option for increasing bandwidth in a cost-effective manner.
Currently, there are two main types of WDM technologies: coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). Both utilize multiple channels on a single optical fiber but differ in their channel spacings, number of channels, and ability to amplify the multiplexed signals.
The 8 channel CWDM MUX/DEMUX module provides low insertion loss and high isolation, which make it the best choice for your DWDM passive network application. It is compatible with the SFP MSA and SFF-8472 standard. It is designed to transmit and receive at 270Mbps to 3Gbps at a distance up to 10km over single-mode fiber.
SENKO’s CWDM modules are based on Thin-Film-Filter and Micro-Optics to achieve wide pass band, low insertion loss, high channel isolation and excellent environmental stability. They are packaged in a compact form factor for ease of integration and installation in your network. They are also available in a wide range of port configurations (1310nm/upgrade ports available), fiber type, fiber length, input connector and output connector.
Miniature CWDM Module Characteristics
The mini-cwdm module offers an economical means to expand your fiber bandwidth capacity in one mini-cwdm of the industry’s smallest packages. It features lower insertion loss, better uniformity between channels and a tray design for easier installation in a variety of field situations.
CWDM and DWDM are both wavelength division multiplexing technologies that increase the amount of data that can be carried over an optical fiber. However, they differ in the number of channels, their wavelength spacing and their ability to be amplified over longer distances.
Both CWDM and DWDM have the ability to add additional channels to existing fiber networks. However, DWDM is more tightly packed and can be amplified over a greater distance than CWDM. This allows DWDM to support higher speed protocols, such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet and 16G Fibre Channel.
The 8-channel CWDM MUX/DEMUX device from 10Gtek is designed to accommodate four different 20nm channel spacing ITU Grid CWDM wavelengths. The CWDM is optimized with the use of C-lenses, which provide simultaneous matched coupling in both beam size and working distance. This reduces the maximum loss and nonuniformity of the CWDM module, which is a significant improvement over standard modules that require a separate collimator. In addition, the CWDM module is hermetically sealed to prevent leakage of signal power into the environment. This makes the CWDM module suitable for use in harsh environments such as outdoor deployments.
Miniature CWDM Module Optimization
The mini-cwdm is a passive optical module that is used in telecom networks to provide high bandwidth capacity. It utilizes CWDM technology to allow multiple signals of different wavelengths to pass through one single fiber optic cable. The result is an efficient, cost-effective and reliable data transmission system.
Mini CWDM modules are available in a variety of configurations to meet varying network requirements. Some manufacturers offer 4-channel and up to 18-channel CWDM modules that provide a wide range of band capacities for future capacity expansion. They also have a low insertion loss and high channel isolation value that reduce signal attenuation during operation, which can improve overall performance.
CWDM modules are also available in a hybrid DWDM/CWDM configuration. This allows multiple transmit and receive signals to be combined on one fiber while being multiplexed and de-multiplexed at each end. It can be a cost-effective way to upgrade to higher speed protocols.
The CWDM channels sit in the 1550nm area of the fiber, which is a stable, low-loss valley surrounded by areas with much higher losses on either side. This makes it easy to add CWDM channels without having to smart home rework the entire fiber infrastructure. This can be especially useful when the current capacity is approaching its maximum. The only downside to this is that CWDM connections can only be transmitted up to 70km, while DWDM can be amplified for longer distances.
Miniature CWDM Module Performance
A CWDM module uses thin-film filters (TFFs) for each channel. This reduces the coating challenges compared to DWDM components and helps with minimizing the overall package size. Since only four to eight wavelength channels are required in the metro/access markets, inventory management is also less complex.
A basic three-port cascaded filter multiplexer has a lens to collimate the optical beam from a common port, then a TFF to pass or reflect the beam based on its wavelength content. The reflected beam then passes through a second lens and is refocused to the transmission port. The CCWDM device has a different optical layout, and its internal fiber splices and GRIN lenses contribute more to loss variation than the three-port cascaded filter.
To control this, a high-quality CWDM device must have excellent manufacturing processes and the ability to operate in harsh environments. The good news is that a CWDM device’s loss specifications are much better than those of a typical three-port cascaded filter.
To get the best performance, a CWDM device needs to use different types of collimators. This enables simultaneous matched coupling in both the beam size and working distance, allowing for better uniformity performance. In addition, a CWDM device should have excellent temperature stability. To achieve this, it is vital to choose a manufacturing process that allows the device to be operated at temperatures ranging from -40°C to +85°C.