Wavelength division multiplexing

1. What is meant by wavelength division multiplexing?
2. What is the working principle of WDM?
3. Where is WDM used?
4. Why is WDM used?

What is meant by wavelength division multiplexing?

Wavelength Division Multiplexing, or WDM, is a technique in fiber-optic transmission that uses multiple light wavelengths to send data over the same medium.

What is the working principle of WDM?

WDM is a technology that enables various optical signals to be transmitted by a single fiber. Its principle is essentially the same as Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM). That is, several signals are transmitted using different carriers, occupying non-overlapping parts of a frequency spectrum.

Where is WDM used?

The term WDM is commonly applied to an optical carrier, which is typically described by its wavelength, whereas frequency-division multiplexing typically applies to a radio carrier which is more often described by frequency. This is purely conventional because wavelength and frequency communicate the same information.

Why is WDM used?

Wavelength division multiplexing, WDM, has long been the technology of choice for transporting large amounts of data between sites. It increases bandwidth by allowing different data streams to be sent simultaneously over a single optical fiber network.