AWG DWDM Mux Demux technology

DWDM AWG (Arrayed Waveguide Grating) – What is it？

 

Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) is a key device in the rapidly developing DWDM network. AWGs have filtering properties and versatility. A large number of wavelengths and channels can be obtained, and the multiplexing and demultiplexing of dozens to hundreds of wavelengths can be realized. Use N×N matrix form. N different optical signals can be transmitted simultaneously on N wavelengths, and can be flexibly combined with other optical devices to form multifunctional devices and modules.

 

 

How does AWG work?

 

AWG (Arrayed Waveguide Grating) is the preferred technology in dense wavelength division multiplexing system (DWDM). A grating formed by a group of arrayed waveguides with equal length differences has the ability to split waves. The principle is: after the multiplexed signal light with multiple wavelengths is output through the central input channel waveguide, it diffracts in the input slab waveguide, reaches the input concave grating for power distribution, and is coupled into the arrayed waveguide area.

 

 

At present, there are mainly three types of DWDM technologies developed at home and abroad, which are based on Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG—Arrayed Waveguide Grating) and Dielectric Film Filter (TFF) and Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) technology. AWG is a planar waveguide device, which is an arrayed waveguide grating fabricated on a chip substrate using PLC technology. Compared with FBG and TTF, AWG has the advantages of high integration, large number of channels, low insertion loss, and easy batch automation production.

 

The Advantage of AWG DWDM

 

1. The athermal aawg can be used in high-end applications such metropolitan area networks and long-distance DWDM optical fiber communication systems because of its outstanding thermal stability, improved ITU grid accuracy specified in itu-g694.1, and greater transmission bandwidth. It can better fulfill the demands of the 40g/100g DWDM transmission system and the PMD tolerance of high-speed systems thanks to superior PMD characteristics ( 0.5ps).

 

2. External circuit control is not required for AAWG. The center wavelength of the aawg is not susceptible to changes in external temperature because it is a pure passive device and employs self compensating technology to adjust the external temperature adaptively.

 

 

AWG DWDM Applications

 

1. AWG DWDM in 5G Front-Haul

 

5G Front-Haul: DWDM AWG multi/demultiplexer product, which are using for 5G wireless network fronthaul. With this new product, telecom operators are able to integrate the multichannel O-band DWDM capability into the existing optical fiber lines. Gracyfiber's AWG technology can provide the quickest and most economical way of 5G deployment with fronthaul optical data transport WDM-enabled C-RAN architecture in either point-to-point or ring configuration linking RRU/AAU cell sites to DU.

 

 

2. Long-Haul Optical Transmission: AWGs are widely used in long-haul optical transmission systems, such as submarine cables and terrestrial fiber-optic networks. These systems require high-capacity transmission over vast distances, and AWGs help combine and separate multiple channels efficiently.

 

3. Metro and Access Networks: In metropolitan and access networks, where data is distributed over shorter distances, AWG-based DWDM systems help increase the network capacity by enabling the use of numerous wavelengths.

 

4. Data Centers: Data centers require high-speed and high-capacity connections to manage the increasing demand for cloud services and data storage. AWG DWDM systems can be employed to establish efficient optical interconnections between data centers.

 

5. Research and Testbeds: AWGs are also used in research and testing environments, where they allow researchers to experiment with different optical signal configurations and study the behavior of DWDM systems under various conditions.

 

 

6. Optical Add-Drop Multiplexing (OADM): AWG-based OADM systems are used to selectively add or drop specific wavelength channels from a DWDM signal without affecting the other channels. This is particularly useful for dynamically configuring optical networks.

 

7. Coherent Optical Communication: Coherent optical communication systems use advanced modulation techniques to transmit data efficiently. AWGs can aid in managing the multiple wavelengths and polarization modes used in these systems.

 

8. Fiber Capacity Expansion: As demand for bandwidth increases, network operators can use AWG DWDM technology to expand the capacity of existing fiber-optic infrastructure without laying additional fibers.

 

Gracyfiber launched 100GHz Gaussian AAWG DWDM MUX/DEMUX module in 2014. Its typical insertion loss is 2.8 dB and the maximum insertion loss is no more than 3.5 dB, which can provide up to 40/48 DWDM transmission channels. With 50GHz/75GHz/150GHz flat-top AAWG DWDM modules launched in 2020, Gracyfiber can provide a comprehensive series of AAWG products and solutions.