DWDM vs CWDM

Definition of wavelength division multiplexing

Early fiber optic transmission systems put information onto strands of glass
through simple pulses of light. A light was flashed on and off to represent the
ones and zeros of digital information. The actual light could be of almost
any wavelength (also known as color or frequency) from roughly 670nm to
1550nm.
During the 1980s, fiber optic data communications modems used low-cost
LEDs to put near-infrared pulses onto low-cost fiber. As the need for
information increased, the need for bandwidth also increased. Early SONET
systems used 1310nm lasers to deliver 155 Mb/s data streams over very long
distances. But this capacity was quickly exhausted. Advances in optoelectronic
components allowed design of systems that simultaneously transmitted
multiple wavelengths of light over a single fiber. Multiple high-bit rate data
streams of 2.5 Gb/s, 10 Gb/s and, more recently, 40 Gb/s and 100Gb/s could
be multiplexed through divisions of several wavelengths. And so was born
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM).
CWDM - Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing. WDM systems with fewer
than eight active wavelengths per fiber.
DWDM - Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing. WDM systems with more
than eight active wavelengths per fiber.

Types of WDM
Currently, there are two types of WDM in existence today: Coarse WDM
(CWDM) and Dense WDM (DWDM).
Backwards as it may seem, DWDM came well before CWDM, which appeared
only after a booming telecommunications market drove prices to affordable
lows. Whereas CWDM breaks the spectrum into big chunks, DWDM dices it
finely. DWDM fits 40-plus channels into the same frequency range used for
two CWDM channels.
CWDM is defined by wavelengths. DWDM is defined in terms of frequencies.
DWDMs tighter wavelength spacing fit more channels onto a single fiber, but
cost more to implement and operate.

Distinctive CWDM differences

CWDM canin principlematch the basic capabilities of DWDM but at lower
capacity and lower cost. CWDM enables carriers to respond flexibly to diverse
customer needs in metropolitan regions where fiber may be at a premium.
However, its not really in competition with DWDM as both fulfill distinct roles
that largely depend upon carrier-specific circumstances and requirements
anyway. The point and purpose of CWDM is short-range communications. It
uses wide-range frequencies and spreads wavelengths far apart from each
other. Standardized channel spacing permits room for wavelength drift as
lasers heat up and cool down during operation. By design, CWDM equipment
is compact and cost-effective as compared to DWDM designs.

Distinctive DWDM differences

DWDM is designed for long-haul transmission where wavelengths are packed
tightly together. Vendors have found various techniques for cramming 32, 64,
or 128 wavelengths into a fiber. When boosted by Erbium Doped-Fiber
Amplifiers (EDFAs)a sort of performance enhancer for high-speed
communicationsthese systems can work over thousands of kilometers.
Densely packed channels arent without their limitations. First, high-precision
filters are required to peel away one specific wavelength without interfering
with neighboring wavelengths. Those dont come cheap. Second, precision
lasers must keep channels exactly on target. That nearly always means such
lasers must operate at a constant temperature. High-precision, high-stability
lasers are expensive, as are related cooling systems.

CWDM and DWDM scenarios

CWDM doesnt span long distances because its light signal isnt amplified,
which keeps costs down but also limits maximum propagation distances.
Vendors may cite working ranges of 50 to 80 kilometers, with 160 kilometer
distances achievable through signal amplifiers. CWDM supports fewer
channels and that may be adequate for metro carriers who prefer to start small
and expand later as demand increases.
Non-amplified signaling systems keep entry costs down and can still retain
high loss tolerance. Whenever a non-amplified signal is used, there is a
trade-off between capacity and distance. Either you make long networks with
fewer nodes or smaller networks with lots of nodes.

Comparison between CWDM and DWDM will be illustrated from the following
aspects:
CWDM
Defined by wavelengths
Short-range communications
Uses wide-range frequencies
Wavelengths spread far apart
Wavelength drift is possible
Breaks the spectrum into big chunks
Light signal isnt amplified

DWDM
Defined by frequencies
Long-haul transmissions
Narrow frequencies
Tightly packed wavelengths
Precision lasers required to keep
channels on target
Dices the spectrum into small pieces
Signal amplification maybe used

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