DWDM Topology Design: How to Make it Right?

Network expansion spurs the demand for faster data transmission and higher capacity over the network. In this case, DWDM emerges as a cost-effective solution to handle these issues, working efficiently to combine multiple wavelengths together and sent them over one single fiber. With the ability to carry up to 140 channels theoretically, higher capacity can be achieved by DWDM technology. This article guides you through some basics of DWDM topology.

Common DWDM Topology Overview

DWDM networks are grouped into four major topological configurations: DWDM point-to-point with or without add-drop multiplexing network, fully connected mesh network, star network, and DWDM ring network with OADM nodes and a hub. The requirements of each DWDM topology differ, and based on various application, it may involve different optical components. Besides these four common DWDM topology, there also exists hybrid network topology, consisting of stars and/or rings that are interconnected with point-to-point links.

Configurations of DWDM Topology

This section illustrates the four basic DWDM topology configurations, help to understand the major differences and applications of them.

Point-To-Point Topology

Point-to-point topology is typically found in long-haul transport, which demands for ultra high speed (10-40Gb/s), ultra high aggregate bandwidth, high signal integrity, great reliability, and fast path restoration capability. The transmitter and receiver within this DWDM topology can be several hundred kilometers away, and the number of amplifiers between the two end points is generally less than 10. Together with add-drop multiplexing, point-to-point DWDM topology enables the system to drop and add channels along its path. A DWDM point-to-point system includes lasers, an optical multiplexer and demultiplexer, fibers, optical amplifiers, and an optical add-drop multiplexer.

Ring-Configuration Mesh and Star Networks

Basically, a DWDM ring network includes a fiber in a ring configuration that fully interconnects nodes. Two fiber rings are even presented in some systems for network protection. This ring DWDM topology is commonly adopted in a local or a metropolitan area which can span a few tens of kilometers. Many wavelength channels and nodes may be involved in DWDM ring system. One of the nodes in the ring is a hub station where all wavelengths are sourced, terminated, and managed, connectivity with other networks takes place at this hub station. Each node and the hub have optical add-drop multiplexers (OADM) to drop off and add one or more designated wavelength channels. As the number of OADMs increases, signal loss occurs and optical amplifier is needed here.

In the ring DWDM topology, a hub station works to manage channel assignment so that a fully connected network of nodes with OADM is accomplished. The hub also makes it possible to connect other networks. A DWDM mux/demux can be connected to an OADM node to multiplex several data sources. The following picture demonstrates a simple DWDM ring topology with a hub and two nodes (A and B).

Transmit and Receive Directions of DWDM Hub

In the previous part, we’ve mentioned DWDM hub, which serves as a very essential parts in a DWDM system. Here we further explain the transmit and receive direction of a DWDM hub, proving system solutions for your reference.

Transmit Direction

A DWDM hub accepts various electrical payloads, such as communications transport protoco/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), STM, and high-speed Ethernet (l Gb/s, 10 Gb/s). Each traffic type (channel) is sent to its corresponding physical interface, where a wavelength is assigned and is modulated at the electrical-to-optical converter. The optically modulated signals from each source are then optically multiplexed and launched into the fiber.

Receive Direction

When a hub receives a WDM signal, it optically demultiplexes it to its component wavelengths (channels) and converts each optically modulated signal to a digital electrical signal. Each digital signal then is routed to its corresponding electrical interface: TCPIIP, ATM, STM, and so on However, that each channel requires its own clock recovery circuitry because all channels may be at different bit rates.

Conclusion

The network topology of your DWDM system depends on various factors, including the number of nodes, maximum traffic capacity, scalability, number of fiber links between nodes and so on. Attentions also should be attached to the network components involved in the DWDM system. Hope this article could help to get more understanding towards DWDM technology.

Source: http://www.fiber-optic-solutions.com/dwdm-topology-design-make-right.html

Hybrid CWDM-DWDM System Boosts Your Network Capacity

Should I choose a medium capacity but more cost-effective CWDM solution, or to adopt the cost-prohibitive DWDM approach with comparably enhanced capacity? This is a problem that consistently faced by WDM technology users. The wrong decision, however, may inevitably lead to bandwidth shortage or even potential bankruptcy derived from unnecessary capacity investment. This article introduces the hybrid CWDM-DWDM solution that combines both CWDM and DWDM technologies within a single system, helping decrease costs and simplify installation while maintain the flexibility to upgrade.

Hybrid CWDM-DWDM System Explanation

Hybrid CWDM-DWDM system utilizes the technology to merge DWDM and CWDM traffic seamlessly at the optical layer. Which allows carriers to add many channels to networks originally designed for the more limited CWDM capacity and reach. In other words, hybrid CWDM-DWDM system is used to empower CWDM system by integrating CWDM and DWDM equipment. Hybrid CWDM-DWDM system deliver true pay-as-you-grow capacity growth and investment protection. It offers a simple, plug-and-play option for creating hybrid system of DWDM channels interleaved with existing CWDM channel plans.

Benefits of Hybrid CWDM-DWDM System

Hybrid CWDM-DWDM system typically provides three benefits for carriers and users:

• Reduced Cost: CWDM is more cost-effective than DWDM due to the lower cost of lasers and the filters used in CWDM modules. This cost saving becomes quite significant for large deployments.
• Pay-As-You-Grow: Adding one new channels at a time allows for on-demand service introduction with minimal initial investment—a critical feature in terms of reduced OPEX and CAPEX spending.
• Investment Protection: Carriers and end-users need always to bear the future growth in mind. With hybrid CWDM-DWDM system, carriers no longer have to choose between CWDM and DWDM—both options can be deployed simultaneously or as part of future growth. This module can be used in either CWDM or DWDM system. Current capital investment can always be used in the upgraded network.

How to Deploy Hybrid CWDM-DWDM System

The CWDM wavelength grid typically has 16 channels spacing at 20 nm intervals, with 8 channels (1470 nm-1610 nm) of them are most commonly used. Within the pass band of these channels, it is capable of adding 25 100 GHz spaced DWDM channels under the 1530nm envelope and 25 more under the 1550nm envelope. However, it is not so practical to add 25 DWDM channels in the pass-band of both the 1530nm and 1550nm CWDM channels. DWDM filter technology does allow 38 additional channels to clear the CWDM archway, which is shown as following.

To add more DWDM channels to the MUX side of the conventional CWDM system, one need to plug in a DWDM MUX with the appropriate channels under the pass band of the existing CWDM filters. The picture below illustrates the configuration of a CWDM system upgraded with 38 additional 100 GHz spaced DWDM channels. This hybrid CWDM-DWDM system consists of 38 DWDM channels and the existing 6 CWDM channels. The equipment required to go from the first architecture to the second are 2 DWDM MUX/DEMUXs, as well as the additional transmitter and receiver pairs. The additional loss incurred by the upgrade is equal to the additional loss of the DWDM elements and the additional connection points.

Flexible Hybrid CWDM-DWDM System Solution by FS.COM

The most vital elements concerning hybrid CWDM-DWDM system are the CWDM MUX/DEMUX and DWDM MUX/DEMUX. FS.COM developed and introduces FMU series products to facilitate installation and operation of WDM MUX/DEMUX. The prominent feature of this series products is that they combine the MUX/DEMUX into half-U plug-in modules, which can be installed in a 1U rack. As for hybrid CWDM-DWDM system, a FMU CWDM MUX/DEMUX and a DWDM half-U plug-in module can be installed together in a FMU 1U rack chassis, facilitating connections of these two modules while allowing for better cable management and network operation in hybrid CWDM-DWDM system.

Conclusion

Hybrid CWDM-DWDM system generally offers a cost-effective and future-proofing approach for service providers and end-users, by overcoming the obstacles faced by users of WDM technology today, providing a starting platform that scales smoothly and protecting the investment. A user can commence with the more cost-effective CWDM technology and then later add DWDM in the when the capacity is required. FS.COM FMU series WDM solution makes the process even easier and more flexible. For more information, please visit www.fs.com or contact sales@fs.com.

Source: http://www.fiber-optic-solutions.com/hybrid-cwdm-dwdm-boost-network-capacity.html