In optical communications, 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. 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. Question 1: What does WDM do? In traditional fiber-based telecommunications, information is transmitted over dedicated fiber. In fiber-optic communications, wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) is a technology which multiplexes a number of optical carrier signals onto a single optical fiber by using different wavelengths (i. By simultaneously transmitting multiple optical signals, each at a unique wavelength, through a single fiber, WDM optimizes bandwidth utilization. Communication networks were first developed for provid-ing voice telephone service. Early networks were deployed using eopper wire as the medium over which traffic was sent in the form of electromagnetic waves.
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