SWDM stands for “Short Wavelength Division Multiplexing.” It’s a technology used in optical communications to multiplex multiple optical signals onto a single optical fiber by using different wavelengths (colors) of laser light. The term “short wavelength” typically refers to the wavelengths in the 850nm to 953nm range, which are common in multimode fiber (MMF) applications.
Here are some key points about SWDM:
- Purpose: The primary goal of SWDM is to increase the capacity of existing multimode fiber infrastructure without needing to add more fibers. Instead of transmitting data on a single wavelength, SWDM uses multiple short wavelengths to send several data streams on the same fiber simultaneously.
- Use in Data Centers: SWDM is especially relevant for data center applications. As data rates increase (e.g., 40G, 100G, and beyond), there’s a need to maximize the capacity of existing fiber infrastructure without a complete overhaul. SWDM provides a means to achieve higher data rates over existing MMF.
- Compatibility with WBMMF: SWDM is closely associated with Wideband Multimode Fiber (WBMMF), commonly known as OM5. While traditional MMFs like OM3 and OM4 are optimized for operation mainly at the 850nm wavelength, OM5 (WBMMF) is designed to efficiently operate across a range of wavelengths from 850nm to 953nm, making it well-suited for SWDM.
- Benefits: One of the main benefits of SWDM is cost savings. Data centers and enterprises can potentially upgrade their network speeds without needing to replace their existing MMF infrastructure. Additionally, by multiplexing multiple wavelengths on a single fiber, SWDM reduces the number of parallel fiber lanes required, simplifying cable management and connectivity.
- Equipment: SWDM requires specific transceivers that can generate and detect signals at multiple wavelengths. These transceivers are designed to be used with MMF (like OM5) that can support the multiple wavelengths used by SWDM.
In summary, SWDM is a technology that addresses the increasing bandwidth demands, especially in data center environments, by allowing multiple data streams to be transmitted over a single fiber using different wavelengths. This multiplexing capability offers a cost-effective way to increase the data rate of existing fiber networks.