Fiber networks can require wavelength conversion to connect network equipment with standard wavelengths (1310 or 1550) to CWDM or DWDM multiplexers.

• Connect equipment with fixed fiber (SC, ST and LC) connectors to CWDM multiplexers
• Transponders are less expensive than proprietary CWDM or DWDM pluggable transceivers
• CWDM or DWDM pluggable transceivers are not available for proprietary switches

Fiber Wavelength Conversion Products

Convert Standard Wavelengths to CWDM Wavelengths

Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) technology provides the flexibility to increase capacity of existing fiber infrastructure by enabling multiple channels (wavelengths) over the same fiber cabling. Each channel carries data independently from each other, allowing network designers to transport different data rates and protocols for different customers or applications.  Each wavelength can support data rates up to 10Gbps.

Fiber optic communications equipment with fixed fiber interfaces (ST, SC, LC or MT-RJ connectors) operating over legacy wavelengths (850nm, 1310nm, 1550nm) must be converted to CWDM wavelengths using a fiber-to-fiber transponder. A transponder is a device that automatically receives, amplifies, and then retransmits a signal on a different wavelength without altering the data/signal content.

The iConverter xFF is an SFP to SFP protocol-transparent fiber converter and transponder, designed to provide conversion between different wavelengths, multimode and single-mode, dual fiber and single-fiber.

The following example shows an OC-12 circuit from an ATM router, which is connected to an iConverter CWDM/X Multiplexer channel port. The fiber interface on the router uses fixed fiber SC connectors and legacy 1310nm wavelength. The channel port on the CWDM/X requires a 1530nm CWDM wavelength, so a transponder is used to convert the wavelength from standard 1310nm to CWDM 1530nm.

The iConverter xFF converts the wavelength with a 1310nm standard SFP transceiver, in one port, and a 1530nm CWDM SFP transceiver in the other port.

High-Density CWDM or DWDM Wavelength Conversion

In this application example, CWDM is used to expand the capacity of a fiber link between two fiber switches with SFP fiber ports. The fiber switches can be Ethernet, Fibre Channel, or any other network protocol. The fiber switches require the use of proprietary (name-brand switch manufacturer) CWDM SFPs that can be very expensive. Using third-party CWDM SFPs can void the manufacturer’s warranty and service contract.

Transponders are used to convert the standard wavelength SFPs to CWDM wavelengths, and can cost 50% less than buying proprietary SFPs and installing them in the switches.  Since the transponders are external to the switches, they do not void the warranty or service contract from the switch manufacturer. 

Eight iConverter xFF Transponders are installed in a 19-Module Chassis with an 8-Channel iConverter CWDM/X multiplexer.  The eight xFF Transponders convert the fiber from standard wavelength 1310nm fiber to CWDM wavelength fiber using Small Form Pluggable (SFP) transceivers. 1310nm Standard Wavelength SFPs are installed in the xFF Transponders, and connect to the fiber switches with fiber patch cables. CWDM Wavelength SFPs are installed in the other fiber port on the xFF Transponders to support specific CWDM wavelengths (1471nm, 1491nm, 1591nm, 1611nm, etc.) enabling connectivity to the corresponding channel ports on the iConverter CWDM/X multiplexer with fiber patch cables. The eight wavelengths are multiplexed over the CWDM Common Line, and de-multiplexed with the same equipment configuration on the other end.

NOTES:

• The 19-Module Chassis can support 16 CWDM channels distributed from 2U of rack space with 16 iConverter xFF Transponders and three CWDM Mux modules (two 8-Channel Mux modules and a band splitter).
• Transponders can convert wavelengths and multimode to single-mode fiber.
• Transponders can be deployed to convert wavelengths when proprietary SFPs are not available for a specific brand of network switch.
• iConverter XG Transponders are used for DWDM wavelength conversion, or for network data rates up to 11.32Gbps.

More Application Examples with CWDM and DWDM Wavelength Conversion

>> Ethernet Data Center DWDM Wavelength Conversion

>> Fibre Channel Data Center CWDM Wavelength Conversion

>> DAS Fronthaul CWDM Wavelength Conversion