Wavelength Division Multiplexers (WDM) | Corning

Why Choose Corning for Wavelength Division Multiplexers (WDM)?

Why Choose Corning for Wavelength Division Multiplexers (WDM)?

Corning’s R&D scientists are constantly searching for new ways to improve wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology. Close collaboration with our customers and our proven expertise across fiber, cable, and connectivity ensure you’ll get solutions that are smarter, denser, faster, and easier to install.

Corning also offers industry-leading support services, with national engineering contracts and a network construction master services agreement in place to help deploy your projects. We’ll work with you on a custom WDM solution that meets your specific needs.
 

See our interactive portfolio of WDM connectivity solutions. They’re built right into our inside and outside plant products for seamless integration into your network.

What Environments Benefit from Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)?

Passive Optical Network (PON)

Passive Optical Network (PON)

With the evolution of Gigabit passive optical networks (GPON) to 10G and beyond, multiple PON technologies are operating on the same optical distribution network (ODN). We can help you plan and choose the right products to overlay these different PONs effectively.

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Data Center

Data Center

In ultra-high-density environments, like hyperscale data centers, making the most of every square inch is a must. WDM lets you increase capacity and lower latency within your existing footprint.

 

Artificial Intelligence and the Impact on Our Data Centers >

Long-Haul, Back-Haul, and Radio Access Network (RAN)

Long-Haul, Back-Haul, and Radio Access Network (RAN)

WDM technology is at the forefront of mobility network evolution, helping you maximize your fiber utilization to meet customers’ ever-increasing, day-to-day bandwidth demands.

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Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)

Low insertion loss, low channel crosstalk, high return loss, high stability, and high reliability–our WDM products have everything you need to fulfill your customers’ parameters.

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Corning Wavelength Division Multiplexing Case Stories

Corning Wavelength Division Multiplexing Case Stories

WDM solutions can help address a wide variety of customer challenges. Read the Case Stories below to explore short examples of how our personalized approach to WDM can lead to better outcomes.

EDGE™ HD-DWDM

A Tier 1 MSO in the United States needed a large volume of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) components without using more valuable rack space. Corning leveraged our ongoing relationship and conversations with the customer at the field level to identify the need and develop a solution utilizing the EDGE™ platform. Working with the customer’s corporate engineering team, we planned and presented an EDGE DWDM solution that allowed them to:

• Manage 288 channels in one rack unit
• Reduce inventory by 3x
• Introduce new fiber-management configurations without re-cabling costs
• Simplify visual channel

Enhanced Management Frame (EMF) and Centrix™

A telecommunications provider desired to increase the capacity of a fiber-lean network for remote PON deployment. We worked hand-in-hand with the customer’s engineers, tailoring a DWDM solution to fit their needs and channel plans.

Corning provided four different options, each of which addressed cost of materials and labor, signal loss in the network, and availability. They settled on a dual 20-channel solution for scalability using Corning products they currently use in their networks.

They chose to use the EMF platform in their central office and the Centrix™ solution in a high-density cabinet for use in the field. We also worked with the customer to determine a training program for designing and installing these new solutions.

WDM Fundamentals

Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) can help network operators stay ahead of growing demand for bandwidth. Read on to learn the fundamentals of this useful technology.

  • What does WDM do?

    In traditional fiber-based telecommunications, information is transmitted over dedicated fiber links using laser light sources. Light sources are based on common wide optical spectrum bands and are often referred to as ‘grey’ optics.

    As the number of services and data rates increase for a link, a service provider has the choice to either add more fiber, or to use wavelength division multiplexing. WDM increases the capacity of a given fiber link by using light sources of specific narrow band spectrum or wavelengths for multiple services. These sources (transceivers) are often referred to as ‘colored’ optics.

    By using the same fiber link for multiple service streams, savings can be realized vs. constructing or leasing new fiber paths.

  • What exactly is the WDM technology itself?

    Multiple traffic channels can be assigned different wavelengths and then multiplexed (mixed) onto a fiber link with WDM filter devices. On the other end of the network, WDM filters will demultiplex (separate) the signals for the respective channels.

    There are different filtering technologies such as thin film filters or arrayed waveguides, but their function is the same. WDM Multiplexers and Demultiplexers combine and separate different wavelengths (colors) of light signals on a common fiber connection. This technology can significantly increase the capacity of limited fiber resources. 

  • What are the benefits of WDM?

    A major concern in today’s connected world is fiber exhaust, where the demands for fiber exceed the amount of available fiber in the network. The evolution of WDM technology can alleviate fiber exhaust, by requiring fewer fibers to transmit and receive multiple services.

    By utilizing more wavelengths, the potential bandwidth capacity of a single fiber strand grows. Both wireless and wireline networks use WDM. From long haul to metro and local access networks, including FTTH, mobile backhaul and front haul. As these networks continue to converge, there is even more value to utilizing WDM.

WDM At Home Learning

WDM At Home Learning

In these videos, our experts break down wavelength division multiplexing to help you get the most from your fiber. We’re covering the following topics in our first set of bite-sized videos:

WDM

Arrayed Waveguide Grating

Arrayed Waveguide Grating, AWG, is one of two technologies used to mux and demux wavelengths.  Here Corning’s Benoit Fleury discusses the technology behind the device.

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Viavi Channel Verification

Viavi’s Mark Leupold takes a few minutes to review their latest channel verification tool OCC-4056C.

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WDM – Just the Basics

The basics of wave division multiplexing as explained by Jason Morris at Corning.  It’s as easy as driving a car!

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Electromagnetic Spectrum Reviewed

Join David Kozischek (Koz) with Corning as he explains the electromagnetic spectrum creating a better understanding of wavelengths/channels utilized in WDM technologies.

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Thin Film Filters 101

Thin Film Filter, TFF, is one of two technologies used to mux and demux wavelengths.  Here Corning’s Benoit Fleury discusses the technology behind the device and explains why it’s the technology of choice when deploying WDM filters.

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DWDM in the OSP

Here Mark Hess with Corning takes a few minutes to discuss DWDM filters as they are utilized in the outside plant.

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Viavi DWDM OTDR

Viavi’s Mark Leupold takes a few minutes to review their Wavescan® technology and how it helps with tracing various channels.

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Need Help with a WDM Solution Deployment?

Please briefly describe your wavelength management questions/needs in the comments section below. For example, CWDM vs. DWDM channel requirements, particular platforms, or general consultation.

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