Hullámhosszmegosztásos

Hullámhosszmegosztásos, often abbreviated as WDM, is a telecommunications technology that allows for the transmission of multiple optical signals over a single optical fiber. Each signal is assigned a unique wavelength, which corresponds to a specific color of light. By utilizing different wavelengths, these signals can coexist on the fiber without interfering with each other.

The core principle of WDM relies on the ability to multiplex (combine) and demultiplex (separate) these different wavelengths. A transmitter uses a multiplexer to combine multiple laser sources, each emitting light at a distinct wavelength, into a single optical fiber. At the receiving end, a demultiplexer separates the combined signal back into its constituent wavelengths, allowing each individual signal to be processed by its intended receiver.

There are two primary types of WDM: coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). CWDM uses fewer wavelengths with wider spacing between them, making it a more cost-effective solution for shorter distances and lower bandwidth requirements. DWDM, on the other hand, employs a much larger number of wavelengths that are packed much more closely together, enabling significantly higher data transmission capacities over longer distances.

WDM technology is fundamental to modern optical communication networks, including long-haul telecommunications, metropolitan area networks, and data centers. It significantly increases the data-carrying capacity of existing fiber optic infrastructure, delaying the need for costly fiber deployment.