What is the difference between DWDM and CWDM optical technologies?

There are several differences between DWDM and CWDM systems. CWDM systems are older and cannot fit so many data streams. However, CWDM systems are also cheaper from the beginning. The design, function and purpose also differ in terms of the length and distance of transmission. Coarse wavelengths of multiplexing division or CWDM systems are used if there are eight or fewer wavelengths in each fiber. Multiplexing systems Divoring dense wavelengths or DWDM systems are used if each fiber is active eight or larger wavelengths.

Multipling systems for thick wavelengths are used in the same amount of fiber for two data flows in CWDM. CWDM systems were invented before dense wavelength systems, as the cabling was the main factor. Now that cabling and transmission have become more accessible, DWDM systems are often used instead of CWDM systems. Another main difference is that wavelengths are defined by CWDM systems, while DWDM systems are defined by frequencies.

CWDM systems can perform many same tasks as a system of dense wavelengths at less initial costs. Despite lower data transfer via CWDM, these are viable options for transmitting data from optical fibers. CWDM systems carry fewer data, but cabling used to operate is cheaper and less complex. The DWDM system has much denser cabling and can carry significantly more data, but there may be cost costs, especially if a large amount of cabling is needed in the application.

The other main difference between them is that the DWDMJS multiplexing systems are made for longer transmission by maintaining wavelengths firmly packed. They can transmit multiple data at a significantly larger cable running with less disturbing than a comparable CWDM system. If you need to transfer data for a very long reach, a dense system solution is likely to be the best in terms ofand functionality of data transfer and reduced interference at longer distances that the wavelengths must travel.

CWDM cannot travel long distances because wavelengths are not amplified and therefore CWDM is limited in its functionality over longer distances. Usually CWDM can travel anywhere up to about 100 miles (160 km), while the amplified system of dense wavelength can go much further, as the signal strength is regularly increased during running. As a result of additional costs needed to ensure signal amplification, CWDM solutions are best for short runs that do not have critical data data.