Transmission - I - 06 - 200909 Work Principle of DWDM 62P

ZTE UNIVERSITY
English Training Manual

(V0610)
Transmission_I_06_200909
Principle of DWDM
Work
Course Objectives:
To master the background of DWDM
To master the orientation of DWDM in the transmission network
To master the basic structure of DWDM system
To master the key technologies of DWDM system
To master the differences between the frequencies and
wavelengths in DWDM 40/80/160-channel system
To master the optical specifications, such as power, loss, gain and
SNR
To master the difference between CWDM technology and
DWDM technology, such as wavelength range, channel space,
rate, wavelength quantity, optical amplification, transmission
distance, cost and application.
Reference:
Optical Wavelength Division Multiplexing System
Modern Telecommunication Base and Technology
Contents
1 Introduction to DWDM ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Emergence and Background of DWDM ........................................................................................... 1
1.1.1 Evolution of Multiplexing Technology in Optical Network .................................................. 1
1.1.2 Evolution of Transmission Technology in Optical Network (PDH, SDH and WDM)........... 2
1.1.3 Orientation of DWDM in Transmission Network .................................................................. 5
1.2 Overview of DWDM Technology ..................................................................................................... 6
1.2.1 Relative Definitions of WDM ................................................................................................ 6
1.2.2 Basic Concepts of DWDM..................................................................................................... 7
1.2.3 Relationship between DWDM and SDH ............................................................................... 9
1.2.4 Relationship between DWDM and CWDM......................................................................... 11
1.3 Features and Advantages ................................................................................................................. 12
1.4 Future Trends of DWDM Technology ............................................................................................ 14
2 Key Technologies of DWDM System ...................................................................................................... 17
2.1 Basic Structure of DWDM System ................................................................................................. 17
2.2 Optical Transponder Technology .................................................................................................... 18
2.3 Wavelength Division Multiplexing/Demultiplexing Technology ................................................... 21
2.3.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 21
2.3.2 Introduction to Optical Multiplexer ..................................................................................... 21
2.3.3 Main Performance Indices ................................................................................................... 24
2.4 Optical Amplifying Technology ...................................................................................................... 26
2.4.1 EDFA Technology ................................................................................................................ 27
2.4.2 Raman Amplification Technology........................................................................................ 32
2.5 Supervision Technology .................................................................................................................. 35
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2.5.1 Functions of Optical Supervisory Channel (OSC)................................................................35

2.5.2 Requirements for OSC ..........................................................................................................36
2.5.3 Implementation of OSC ........................................................................................................36
3 Relative Technical Standards ...................................................................................................................39
3.1 Open DWDM System and Integrated DWDM System ...................................................................39
3.2 Operating Wavelength Range ..........................................................................................................40
3.3 Operating Wavelength of DWDM System ......................................................................................42
3.3.1 Operating Wavelength Area of DWDM Systems .................................................................42
3.3.2 Operating Wavelength Allocation in DWDM Systems.........................................................43
3.4 Main Performance Indices ...............................................................................................................49
Appendix A Abbreviations ..........................................................................................................................53
Appendix B New Optical Fiber Types ........................................................................................................57
ii
1 Introduction to DWDM
Key points
Basic concepts and background of the DWDM technology
Overview of DWDM technology
Features and advantages of DWDM technology
Future trends of the DWDM technology
1.1 Emergence and Background of DWDM

The basic concepts of optical network are introduced before we start the study of the
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology. This section describes
the birth and background of DWDM based on two technologies: the multiplexing
technology and transmission technology.
1.1.1 Evolution of Multiplexing Technology in Optical Network

Various transmission mediums are applied in telecommunication networks, such as
twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, optical fiber and electromagnetic waves. The optical
fiber has the characteristics of great transmission capacity, high transmission quality,
low loss, confidentiality and long regeneration distance, etc.
With the constant development of wide-band and high-rate services in the information
era, not only larger capacity and longer distance, but also convenient and rapid
exchanges are needed for optical transmission systems. Then the multiplexing
technology is introduced into optical transmission systems. This technology enables the
transmission of multiple-channel signals through a single fiber or fiber cable with the
broad frequency band and large-capacity features of fibers. In transmission systems for
multiple signals, the multiplexing mode affects the performance and cost of the system
greatly.
The multiplexing technology of fiber optic transmission network has gone through
three development stages: Space Division Multiplexing (SDM), Time Division
Multiplexing (TDM), and Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM).
1
Work Principle of DWDM
The SDM technology features simple design and practicability. But it requires that the
quantity of fiber transmission cores must be configured in accordance with the quantity
of multiplexing channels, which results in poor investment profit. The TDM
technology is widely applied, which is the basis of Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy
(PDH), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM),
and IP technologies. Its disadvantage is the low utilization ratio of lines. The WDM
technology supports multiple wavelengths (channels) to be borne on one fiber. So, it is
the major means to expand the current fiber communication network capacity.
1.1.2 Evolution of Transmission Technology in Optical Network (PDH, SDH and

WDM)
The traditional fiber optic transmission technologies go through three phrases, such as
PDH, SDH, and WDM, as shown in Figure 1.1-1.
Figure 1.1-1 Three Phrases of Optical Communication Development
The traditional fiber optic transmission technologies, such as PDH and SDH, employ
the one-wavelength-in-one-fiber transmission mode. Due to the restriction caused by
the characteristics of their own components, neither the transmission capacity nor the
capacity expansion mode can meet the requirements of the rapid development of
communication networks, leaving the massive bandwidth resources of fibers far from
being fully exploited.
The DWDM technology allows the transmission of multiple wavelengths over a single
fiber, which has become the most economical and practical means for the fiber capacity
expansion. With its unique technical advantages, the DWDM technology becomes a
simple and economical means to expand the fiber transmission capacity in a rapid and
effective manner. It can fully meet the current needs of the network broadband service
development and lays a solid foundation for the development of the future fully-optical
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transmission network.
The development process of PDH, SDH and DWDM, and the interface specifications
of each technology are briefly described as follows.
1.
PDH
The early optical transmission system uses PDH, which introduced Pulse Code
Modulation (PCM) digital transmission technology based on the former analog
telephone network. It multiplexes signals at low rate level into high-speed
signals by means of bit stuffing and byte interleaving.
The signals of the primary group of the PDH system adopts the synchronous
TDM mode, and the multiplexing of other high-order groups adopts
plesiochronous (or called asynchronous) TDM mode.
The PDH system includes three kinds of regional rate level standards
respectively for Europe, North America, and Japan, as listed in Table 1.1-1.
Table 1.1-1 PDH Bit Rate

Country/
Region
Primary Group
Europe and
2.048 Mbit/s
China
30 channels
North
1.544 Mbit/s
America
24 channels
Japan
Secondary Group
1.544 Mbit/s
24 channels
Tertiary Group
Quartus Group
8.448 Mbit/s
34.368 Mbit/s
139.264 Mbit/s
120 channels
480 channels
1920 channels
(304)
(1204)
(4804)
6.312 Mbit/s
44.736 Mbit/s
274.176 Mbit/s
96 channels
672 channels
4032 channels
(244)
(967)
(6726)
6.312 Mbit/s
32.064 Mbit/s
97.728 Mbit/s
96 channels
480 channels
1440 channels
(244)
(965)
(4803)
From early 1970's to 1980's, the PDH system and devices were popularly used
in the digital network. However, along with the developing fiber communication
technology and user's increasing demands for communication services, the
disadvantages of PDH can not be ignored any longer.
1)
The compatibility between the three rate standards is not available, which
obstructs the development of international interconnection.
2)
There is no worldwide standard optical interface specification. Private optical

interfaces developed by different manufacturers are not compatible with each
3
other, which limits the networking flexibility and increases the network
complexity and operation costs.
3)
PDH is a multiplexing structure based on the point-to-point transmission. It only

supports point-to-point transmission, but cannot accommodate complicated
networking.
4)
The operation, management, and maintenance must depend upon manual digital
signal cross-connection and service-suspension test, which cannot meet the
monitoring
and
network
management
requirements
of
the
modern
communication network.
5)
Along with the rate increase, it is more and more difficult to implement
multiplexing of high-order groups through the PDH technology, and
requirements of fiber digital communication for large-capacity and super-high
speed transmission cannot be satisfied.
2.
SDH
In mid-1980's, the Bell Communication Research Institute in USA put forward
the concept of Synchronous Optical Network (SONET). In 1988, the CCITT
(former ITU-T) accepted the SONET concept, and formed the worldwide
unified technology standard for transmission network, and renamed it as SDH.
The SDH signals use the synchronous multiplexing mode and a flexible
multiplexing and mapping structure. Code streams at different levels are
arranged regularly in the payload of the frame structure. The payload is
synchronous with the network, so the corresponding software can be used to
directly demultiplex a high-speed signal into the low-speed tributary signal at a
time, called one-step demultiplexing.
The rate specifications of the SDH system are shown in Table 1.1-2.
Table 1.1-2 SDH Signal Levels

SDH Level (ITU-T)
OC Level (SONET)
Line Rate (Mbit/s)
STM-1
OC-3
155.520
STM-4
OC-12
622.080
STM-16
OC-48
2488.320
STM-64
OC-192
9953.280
SDH standardizes the features of the digital signals, such as frame structure,
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multiplexing mode, transmission rate level, and interface code pattern. It

provides a frame that is supported globally, on which a world-class telecom
transmission network has been developed, featuring flexibility, reliability and
easy management. This kind of transmission network is easy to expand and
applicable to the development of the new telecom services. In addition, it makes
possible the interworking between the devices of different manufacturers.
When the transmission rate exceeds 10 Gbit/s, however, the system dispersion
and other negative influences increase difficulty of long-distance transmission.
Furthermore, the SDH system is the TDM system based on single wavelength.
The single-wavelength transmission cannot fully utilize the huge bandwidth of
fibers. Therefore, the WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology is
introduced in the backbone network, to greatly enlarge the transmission capacity
of fibers.
3.
WDM
WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology is a new generation
optical cable technology with very high speed. The WDM technology enables a
single fiber to carry multiple wavelength (channel) systems, converting one fiber
into multiple virtual fibers, each of which works on different wavelengths
independently. Due to its economical efficiency and practicability, the WDM
becomes the major wavelength multiplexing technology widely used in current
fiber communication networks.
The Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology is adopted in
OADM equipment. This technology is divided into two categories: Dense
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) and Coarse Wavelength Division
Multiplexing (CWDM).
1.1.3 Orientation of DWDM in Transmission Network

DWDM is a kind of optical fiber communication technology which can transfer the
information containing multiple digital signals over the same fiber. DWDM expands
system capacity by increasing wavelengths in the optical fiber. At the transmitting end,
it combines (multiplexes) optical signals of different wavelengths before transmitting
them; at the receiving end, it separates (demultiplexes) the combined optical signals in
the optical fiber and then sends them to different communication terminals. Briefly
speaking, the DWDM is used to provide multiple virtual optical channels over the
5
same physical optical fiber so that it greatly saves optical fiber resources. The position
of DWDM system in transmission network is shown in Figure 1.1-2.
IP
ATM
SDH
SDH
ATM
Ethernet
Others
Open optical interface
DWDM
Fiber physical layer
Figure 1.1-2 Position of DWDM Technology in Transmission Network
1.2 Overview of DWDM Technology

With the DWDM technology, multiple optical carriers with information (analog or
digital) can be transmitted on one fiber, and the capacity of transmission system can be
expanded easily by increasing wavelengths (channels). It combines (multiplexes)
optical signals with different wavelengths for transmission. At the receiving end, it
separates (de-multiplexes) the combined optical signals and then sends them to
corresponding communication terminals respectively. In other words, the DWDM
technology provides multiple virtual fiber channels on one physical fiber.
1.2.1 Relative Definitions of WDM

The WDM technology enables a single fiber to carry multiple wavelength (channel)
systems, converting one fiber into multiple virtual fibers, each of which works on
different wavelengths independently. Due to its economical efficiency and
practicability, the WDM becomes the major wavelength multiplexing technology
widely used in current fiber communication networks.
The WDM is divided into three multiplexing modes: 1310 nm/1550 nm wavelength
multiplexing, Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) and DWDM.
1)
1310 nm/1550 nm wavelength multiplexing

In early 1970's, this multiplexing technology only used two wavelengths: one in
1310 nm window and the other in 1550 nm window. It implemented
6
single-fiber dual-window transmission through the WDM technology, which

was the initial wavelength division multiplexing case.
2)
DWDM
The DWDM technology refers to the WDM technology with small spacing
between adjacent wavelengths, with the operating wavelength in the 1550 nm
window. It can carry 8 - 160 wavelengths on one fiber, and is mainly used in
long-distance transmission systems.
Figure 1.2-1 Schematic Diagram of DWDM System
3)
CWDM
The CWDM technology refers to the WDM technology with large spacing
(usually no less than 20 nm) between adjacent wavelengths. Generally, the
wavelength quantity is 4 or 8 (18 at most). The CWDM uses 1200 nm - 1700
nm windows.
The cost of CWDM system is lower than DWDM because it adopts non-cooling
lasers and does not need optical amplifying components. The disadvantages of
CWDM are low capacity and short transmission distance. Therefore, the
CWDM technology is applicable to the communication situations with short
distance, broad bandwidth and dense access points, for example, the network
communication inside a building or between buildings.
1.2.2 Basic Concepts of DWDM

DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) is a kind of optical fiber
communication technology which can transfer the information containing multiple
7
digital signals over the same fiber, as shown in Figure 1.2-2. DWDM expands system
capacity by increasing wavelengths in the optical fiber. Due to the limitation of EDFA
used in the WDM, DWDM equipment mainly works in the 1550 nm window at
present.
Figure 1.2-2 Wavelength Spacing of DWDM system
Generally, DWDM equipment is comprised of the following five components:

1.
Optical transmitter end

TX1TXn, the optical transmitters of all the multiplexing channels,
respectively transmit the optical signals (1, 2 n, with the corresponding
frequencies as f1, f2fn) with different nominal wavelengths. Each optical
channel carrys different service signals, such as standard SDH signal, ATM
signal and Ethernet signal. The optical multiplexer (OM) combines these
signals into one beam of optical wave, which will be output by the OBA to the
fiber for transmission.
2.
Optical receiver end

After the optical wave in the line fiber being amplified through the OPA, it is
de-multiplexed by the optical de-multiplexer (OD) and then the signals of
different wavelengths are respectively input to the corresponding multiplexing
channel optical receivers, RX1RXn.
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3.
Optical amplifier end

It is located in the middle of the optical transmission section, on which the
optical signals are amplified by optical amplifiers.
4.
Optical supervisory channel

In the DWDM system, an independent wavelength (1510 nm) is used as the
optical supervisory channel for transmitting optical supervision signals. The
optical supervision signals carry NE management and monitoring information
of the DWDM system, so as to manage the DWDM system effectively with the
network management system.
5.
Network management system

The DWDM NMS is capable of managing optical amplifying units (such as
OBA, OLA and OPA), wavelength division multiplexers, OTUs and the
performance of supervisory channel on one platform. In addition, it can manage
the equipment in terms of performance, fault, configuration and security. The
information of the NMS is carried by the supervision signals in the optical
supervisory channel.
1.2.3 Relationship between DWDM and SDH

1.
Relationship between DWDM and SDH on the transmission layer of optical

networks
Both the DWDM system and the SDH system belong to the transport network
layer. They are the transmission means established on the fiber transport
medium. Their relationship of them in the transport network is shown in Figure
1.2-3.
Circuit Layer
(such as ATM and
IP)
SDH Channel
Layer
DWDM
Optical Channel
Layer
SDH system
ADM
DWDM system
OTM
DXC
OADM
Figure 1.2-3 Relationship between DWDM and SDH in Transport Network
The SDH system implements multiplexing, cross-connection and networking on

the electrical channel layer. The WDM system implements multiplexing,
cross-connection and networking on the optical domain.
2.
Multiplexing modes of DWDM and SDH for carrier signals

The SDH is a kind of TDM system based on single wavelength (one fiber
transmitting one wavelength channel). When the transmission rate exceeds 10
Gbit/s, the system dispersion and other negative influences will make the
long-distance transmission more difficult.
The DWDM technology simultaneously transmits multiple optical carrier
signals of different wavelengths in the same fiber, fully utilizing the bandwidth
resources of the fiber and increasing system transmission capacity.
3.
Capability of DWDM to transmit signals of different types at the same time

The wavelengths used in the DWDM system are mutually separated and
unrelated with the formats of service signals. Therefore, each wavelength can
carry the optical signal with totally different features from the other one. In this
way, the DWDM can implement the hybrid transmission of various signals.
4.
Optical interface standards of DWDM and SDH signals

The optical interfaces of SDH devices should accord with the ITU-T G.957 and
ITU-T G.691 recommendation, which does not specify the central operating
10
wavelength.
The optical interfaces in DWDM systems must accord with the ITU-T G.692
recommendation, which specifies the reference frequency, channel spacing,
nominal central frequency (central wavelength), central frequency offset and
other parameters of each optical channel. Therefore, the DWDM system can be
either an open system or an integrated one.
5.
Integrated application of DWDM and SDH

The transmission capacity of fiber networks can be effectively improved through
the integrated application of DWDM and SDH.
1.2.4 Relationship between DWDM and CWDM

1 Wavelength range of DWDM system and CWDM system
The operating wavelength range of CWDM system depends on the application
fiber. The wavelength range of common fiber (G.652 A&B) is 1470nm-1610nm.
Water peak fiber only transmits the wavelength of 8-channel + 1310 window.
The wavelength range of no water peak fiber (G.652 C&D) is 1270 nm-1610 nm.
18 wavelengths occupy the low insertion loss window of the whole no water
peak fiber.
1550nm window is adopted in DWDM system, and the wavelength range is
1460nm-1625nm.
2 Channel spacing of CWDM system and DWDM system
Channel spacing of CWDM system: 20nm
Channel spacing of DWDM system: 0.4-2nm
3 Single-channel rate of CWDM system and DWDM system
Maximum single-channel rate of CWDM system: 2.5G
Maximum single-channel rate of DWDM system: 40G
4 Wavelength number of CWDM system and DWDM system
CWDM system provides 8-16 wavelengths with bandwidth of each wavelength
at 2.5G. In that case, CWDM equipment can save large numbers of fibers,
especially for the convergence services in the ring network.
11
According to different operating wavelength range, DWDM system provides

8-160 wavelengths.
5 Optical amplifier of CWDM system and DWDM system
CWDM system does not adopt EDFA.
DWDM system adopts EDFA, Raman amplifier and pump amplifier.
6 Transmission distance of CWDM system and DWDM system
Since CWDM system doest not adopt EDFA, transmission distance becomes an
important technical specification. The power loss of CWDM system should be
no more than 30dB. In that case, the typical transmission distance of CWDM
system is only 40-80km.
DWDM system implements ultra long non-electrical regeneration transmission
with the range from several kilometers to more than 2000 km, via OTUs with
different types, EDFA, FEC technology, AFEC technology, RZ technology,
EOA and DRA. If several multiplexing sections are cascaded, the transmission
distance can be extended up to 20000km.
7 Cost of CWDM system and DWDM system
Optic modulating of CWDM adopts the uncooled laser with the wavelength
error tolerance of 2-3nm, while optic modulating of DWDM adopts cooling
laser. CWDM system inherits the feature of smooth upgrade from DWDM
system. The application of CWDM system greatly deduces the cost of the
investment in the early phrase.
8 Application of CWDM technology and DWDM technology
The CWDM technology is applicable to short-distance networks with various
service interfaces and high bandwidth, such as convergence layer, access layer,
private network, and core layer.
DWDM technology is applicable to MAN core layer, trunk core layer.
1.3 Features and Advantages

1.
Fully utilizing fiber bandwidth resources and featuring high transmission

capacity
12
The wavelengths in the DWDM system are separated to each other, and thus are
capable of transmitting different services transparently, such as SDH, GbE and
ATM signals, to implement the hybrid transmission of multiple kinds of signals.
The DWDM system multiplexes multiple single-channel wavelengths for
transmission in one fiber, greatly saving fiber resource and reducing line
construction cost.
Figure 1.3-1 Huge DWDM Transmission Capacity
2.
Super-long transmission distance

Through EDFA and other super-long distance transmission technologies, signals
of multiple channels in the DWDM system can be amplified at the same time to
support the long-distance transmission.
Figure 1.3-2 Ultra-long Transmission in DWDM System
3.
Smooth upgrading and expansion

13
Since the DWDM system transmits the data in each wavelength channel
transparently and does no process the channel data, the capacity of the system
can be expanded conveniently and practically only by adding more multiplexing
wavelength channels.
1.4 Future Trends of DWDM Technology

1.
Higher channel rate

The channel rate of the DWDM system has developed to 10 Gbit/s from 2.5
Gbit/s, and the system at 40 Gbit/s rate is in the phrase of commercial usage and
the technology becomes more and more mature.
2.
More wavelengths to be multiplexed

The DWDM system at early phase usually adopts 8/16/32 wavelengths with
channel spacing 100 GHz and the operating wavelength is in C band. Along with
the constant development of DWDM technology, the operating wavelength can
cover C and L bands with the spacing 50 GHz.
ZTE's ZXWM M900 DWDM Optical Transmission System can support the
multiplexing of 160 wavelengths at most.
3.
Super-long all optical transmission distance

The initial construction cost and operation cost for the network can be reduced
through extending all optical transmission and reducing electrical regeneration
nodes.
Traditional DWDM systems use EDFA to extend the passive regeneration
transmission distance. At present, this distance can be extended from 600 km to
above 2000 km, through distributed Raman amplifier and enhanced Forward
Error Correction (FEC) technology, dispersion management technology, optical
equalization technology and effective modulation formats.
4.
Evolving from point-to-point WDM to full optical network

Many early DWDM transmission systems adopt the networking mode of
point-to-point or chain, which is mainly used for toll backbone. These toll
DWDM transmission systems always use the back-to-back DWDM backbone
transmission structure with 3R (Reshaping, Retiming, and Regenerating). In this
14
structure, lots of Optical Transponder Units (OTUs) are used, which leads to
high construction and maintenance cost, low network flexibility, too many
Optical/Electrical/Optical (O/E/O) conversions, low circuit assignment speed,
and high system fault ratio. This structure will not be adaptive to future
automatic switching transmission networks.
At present, in metro area network DWDM transmission networks, OADM
equipment transfer optical signals of different wavelength channel to
corresponding terminal. They can implement the adding/dropping and
straight-through of wavelengths carrying services. The OADM is divided into
the fixed wavelength add/drop multiplexer and the 100% dynamical add/drop
multiplexer (Rearrangable OADM, ROADM). The fixed wavelength OADM
can add/drop 20% - 40% of the input wavelengths; while some can add/drop all
wavelengths. The ROADM has two kinds of structure, the broadcast/selection
one and the demultipexing/cross-connect multiplexing one. The crucial parts of
the ROADM include the cross-connect unit, wavelength disabler, tunable filter
and tunable laser etc. The ROADM can add/drop unfixed wavelengths. The
networking of OADM equipment is flexible, which can implement chain, ring,
and cross networking.
The Optical Cross-Connect (OXC) is the route switch of next generation optical
communication. In the full optical network, it provides these functions:
connection function based on wavelengths, wavelengths add/drop function of
optical channels, leading the wavelength channels for the sake of best utilization
of fiber infrastructure, and implementing protection and restoration on
wavelength, wavelength group and fiber levels. The OXC is set at the important
tandem point of the network, converging different wavelengths input from
different directions and then output signals with proper wavelengths. Through
OADM and OXC, we can construct more complicated ring network. In the next
generation IP Over DWDM telecom/network architecture, the OXC is an
important stage in the future development of WDM technology.
5 IP over DWDM technology
With the rapid development of bandwidth in Internet core network, the data
flow can occupy the capacity of the whole single-channel fiber system without
adopting DWDM technology (at present, the maximum transmission rate of
commercial single-channel fiber system is 40Gbit/s). In that case, IP over
15
DWDM technology is the one of the most important trends of network

communication technology.
16
2 Key Technologies of DWDM System

Key points
Basic structure of DWDM systems
Optical transponder technology
Optical wavelength division multiplexing and de-multiplexing technologies
Optical amplifying technology
Supervision technology
2.1 Basic Structure of DWDM System

The DWDM system multiplexes several or dozens of optical channel signals with
different nominal wavelengths to one fiber for transmission, with each optical channel
carrying one service signal.
The basic structure of a unidirectional DWDM system is shown in Figure 2.1-1.
Optical transmitter
TX1
OTU
TX2
TX3
TXn
OTU
OTU
..
.
OTU
Optical receiver
Optical regenerating
amplifier
G.69
2
1
2
3
OM
OBA
OP
A
OLA
OD
OTU
OTU
OTU
Receiver/transmitter of
optical supervision
channel
Transmitter of optical
supervision channel
Receiver of optical
supervision channel
OTU = Optical Transponder Unit,
OM = Optical Multiplexer
OBA = Optical Booster Amplifier,
OLA = Optical Line Amplifier
OPA = Optical Pre-Amplifier,
OD = Optical Demultiplexer
Figure 2.1-1 Basic Structure of DWDM System
17
..
.
OTU
RX1
RX2
RX3
RXn
2.2 Optical Transponder Technology

Before introducing optical transponder technology, we briefly describe the optical
interface standards of transmission system:
G.957 - optical interface between SDH equipment and system
G.691 - optical interface of the system with optical amplifier and the rate of SDH
single-channel at STM-64
G.692 - optical interface of the multi-channel system with optical amplifier
To DWDM equipment, convert the signal format in compliance with ITU-T G.692
before carrying services:
Frequency requirement:
WDM channel frequency defined in ITU-T G.692 is 192.1THz, and the smallest
spacing is 50G/100G.
Dispersion tolerance requirement:
Take 2.5G system as an example. The electric regeneration spacing of WDM system
can be up to 640 Km, while the electric regeneration spacing of SDH system is only
50-60Km. Hence, the dispersion tolerance requirements of WDM system is much
higher than that of SDH system.
1.
Type of optical sources

At present, the semi-conductor optical sources widely used are Laser Diode (LD)
and Light Emitting Diode (LED).
LD is coherence light source, with large in-fiber power, narrow spectral line
width and high modulation rate. It is applicable to the long-distance high-speed
system. The LED is non-coherence light source, with small in-fiber power,
broad spectral line width and low modulation rate. It is applicable to
short-distance low-speed system.
The light source of the DWDM system adopts the semi-conductor laser diode.
2.
Modulation modes of DWDM system laser

There are two methods of light source intensity modulation: Direct modulation
and indirect modulation (that is, external modulation).
1)
Direct modulation
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Direct modulation means controlling the working current of semi-conductor

laser directly with the electrical pulse code stream, and thus making it generate
the optical pulse stream corresponding to the electrical signal pulse. For example,
when the electrical pulse signal is "1", the working current of the laser is larger
than its current threshold; and then it generates an optical pulse. When the
electrical pulse signal is "0", the working current of the laser is smaller than its
current threshold; therefore it does not generate optical pulse, as shown in
Figure 2.2-1.
Figure 2.2-1 Direct Modulation
The direct modulation mode is simple, with low loss and low cost. But, the
super-speed change of working current will result in modulation chirp easily.
And the chirp will limit transmission rate and distance.
The direct modulation mode is often used in the transmission system composed
of G.652 fiber, with transmission distance shorter than 100 km and rate lower
than 2.5 Gbit/s.
2)
Indirect modulation (external modulation)

The external modulation mode refers to indirectly control (modulate) the
continuous light generated by the laser, which is in the continuous light emitting
status, and thus obtaining optical pulse stream, as shown in Figure 2.2-2.
Figure 2.2-2 External Modulation
Therefore, in external modulation case, the laser generates stable high-power
19
light, which is modulated in low chirp. And the external modulation can obtain
the maximum dispersion value much greater than that in direct modulation.It is
applicable to the long-distance transmission system at rate over 2.5 Gbit/s.
At present, common external modulators include Electrical Absorption
modulator (EA) and waveguide Mach-Zehnder (M-Z) modulator.
EA modulator
It uses absorber controlled by electrical pulse signals to absorb or not absorb the
optical wave transmitted by the continuous-wave semi-conductor laser (CW),
and thus control optical pulse stream indirectly with the electrical pulse signal
stream.
The EA light source features small size, high integration, low driving power and
low power consumption. The maximum dispersion can reach 12800 ps/nm.
Waveguide M-Z modulator

At the input end, the CW is in continuous wave working status. The optical
wave emitted by it is divided into two equal signal channels by the optical
de-multiplexer, which will respectively enter two optical tributaries of the
modulator. Under the control of electrical pulse stream, the modulator performs
phase modulation to the optical signals. At the output end, two optical tributaries
are combined by the optical multiplexer. When the signal phases in two optical
tributaries are reverse to each other, the optical multiplexer has no optical signal
output; when the signal phases in two optical tributaries are the same, the optical
multiplexer has optical signal output. In this way, the optical pulse stream is
controlled by the electrical pulse stream.
The M-Z light source features high modulation rate, large maximum dispersion
value, and large extinction ratio. Its chirp coefficient can be zero in theory.
However, its disadvantage is that polarization maintaining fiber must be used to
connect the laser and the modulator, because modulation status is related to light
polarization status.
3.
Features of DWDM system light source
1)
Providing standard and stable wavelength

The DWDM system has very strict requirements for the operating wavelength of
each multiplexing channel. Wavelength drift will cause unstable and unreliable
20
operation of the system.

The common wavelength stabilization measures are temperature feedback
control method and wavelength feedback control method.
2)
Providing rather large dispersion tolerance

Fiber transmission may be limited by system loss and dispersion. With increased
transmission rate, the dispersion influence is larger. The dispersion limit can be
solved by using optical fiber cables with small dispersion coefficient or
semi-conductor laser with narrow spectral width. For the optical cables have
been laid, minimizing spectral width of light source devices is an effective
measure to solve the dispersion limit problem.
2.3 Wavelength Division Multiplexing/Demultiplexing Technology

2.3.1 Overview
The optical wavelength division multiplexer and de-multiplexer, also called optical
multiplexer and de-multiplexer, is actually a kind of optical filter.
At the transmitting end, the Optical Multiplexer Unit (OMU) combines the optical
signals with nominal wavelength in each multiplexing channel into a beam of optical
wave, and then transmits it into the fiber for transmission, that is, multiplexing optical
wave.
At the receiving end, the Optical De-multiplexer Unit (ODU) divides the optical wave
in the fiber into optical signals with formal nominal wavelength of each multiplexing
channel, and then inputs them into corresponding optical channel receivers, that is,
de-multiplexing optical wave.
Since the performance of OMU and ODU determine the system transmission quality,
the attenuation, offset and channel crosstalk of them must be small.
2.3.2 Introduction to Optical Multiplexer

Four types of common OMs are briefly introduced below, as well as the OM types
often used in the DWDM systems with different wavelength numbers.
1.
Brief introduction to common OMs
1)
Grating OM
21
The grating type of OM is an angular dispersion type of device.

Since the optical signals with different wavelengths have different refractive
angles on the grating, it divides and combines the optical signals with different
wavelengths. Its working principle is shown in Figure 2.3-1.
1,2,3,...n
Figure 2.3-1 Working Principle of Grating OM
It has sound wavelength selection performance, and is capable of narrowing

wavelength spacing to about 0.5 nm. However, the manufacture of grating
should be very precise which make it not suitable for large-batch manufacture.
So it is just often used for research in the laboratory.
2)
Dielectric thin film OM

It is composed of Thin Film Filter (TFF).
TFF consists of dozens layers of dielectric films with different materials,
different refractive indexes and different thickness. One layer features high
refractive index and the other layer features low refractive index; therefore TFF
emerges a passband within certain wavelength range while a stopband within
other wavelength ranges. In this way, the desired filtering performance is got.
The working principle is shown in Figure 2.3-2.
22
1,2,3,...n
Figure 2.3-2 Working Principle of Dielectric Thin Film OM
The dielectric thin film OM is a kind of compact passive optical device with
stable structure, featuring flat signal passband, low insertion loss and sound
channel isolation.
3)
Array Waveguide OM (AWG)

AWG OM is the flat waveguide device based on optical integration technology.
Its working principle is shown in Figure 2.3-3.
Figure 2.3-3 Working Principle of AWG OM
Due to compact structure and low insertion loss, it is the best scheme for optical
wavelength division multiplexing/de-multiplexing in the optical transport
network.
4)
Coupling OM
It is a kind of surface interactive device with two or more fibers close to each
other and properly melted, which is mainly used as OM. The working principle
is shown in Figure 2.3-4.
23
1
2
3
4
5
123
6
7
8
Figure 2.3-4 Working Principle of Coupling OM
The coupling OM can only implement the multiplexing function, with low cost
but large insertion loss.
2.
Multiplexer/de-multiplexer in DWDM systems

The relationship between systems with different wavelengths and their
corresponding optical wavelength division multiplexers used is shown in Table
2.3-1.
Table 2.3-1
Relationship between DWDM Systems and Corresponding Optical Wavelength Division Multiplexers
OMD &Wavelength
Below 32
wavelengths
OM
40
wavelengths
Above 80
wavelengths
Below 32
wavelengths
OD
40
wavelengths
Above 80
wavelengths
Coupling type
Array waveguide type
Dielectric thin film type
Grating type
Type
2.3.3 Main Performance Indices

1.
Multiplexing channel quantity

It represents the quantity of optical channels to be multiplexed by the optical
wavelength multiplexer. The channel quantity is closely related to the resolution
and isolation of the device.
2.
Insertion loss
The insertion loss is the attenuation effect of wavelength division multiplexer
itself on optical signals and it will affect the transmission distance directly.
24
Different types of wavelength division multiplexers have different insertion loss.

The multiplexer with smaller insertion loss is preferable.
3.
Isolation
It represents the isolation degree between multiplexing optical channels in the
optical device. The higher the channel isolation is, the better is the frequency
selection performance of the wavelength division multiplexer. Consequently, the
crosstalk suppression ratio becomes higher and the mutual interference between
multiplexing optical channels becomes lower.
It is meaningful only for the wavelength sensitive devices (TFF type and AWG
type devices). It is not meaningless for coupling devices.
4.
Reflection coefficient
It is the ratio between the reflection optical power and incidence optical power
at the input end of the wavelength division multiplexer. Smaller coefficient is
preferable.
5.
Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL)

It represents the maximum change value of the insertion loss caused by the
change of optical wave polarization status.
Light is the electromagnetic wave with extremely high frequency, therefore,
there is the problem of wave vibration direction (polarization). For the optical
signals input to the wavelength division multiplexer, their polarization statuses
will not be totally consistent. And the same wavelength division multiplexer has
different attenuation effects on the optical waves in different polarization
statuses. Smaller PDL value is preferable.
6.
Temperature coefficient
It represents the central working frequency offset of the multiplexing channel
caused by the ambient temperature change. The wavelength division multiplexer
with smaller temperature coefficient is preferable. Smaller coefficient means
more stable central working frequency of the multiplexing channels.
7.
Bandwidth
The bandwidth is a parameter of the wavelength sensitive devices (TFF type and
AWG type devices). It is meaningless for coupling multiplexers.
25
The bandwidth is divided into channel bandwidth -0.5 dB and channel

bandwidth -20 dB.
Channel width -0.5 dB

It refers to the corresponding operating wavelength change when the OD
insertion loss decreases by 0.5 dB.
It describes the bandpass feature of the OD. A sound bandpass feature curve
should be flat and wide. Greater bandpass value is preferable.
Channel width -20 dB

It refers to the corresponding operating wavelength change when the OD
insertion loss decreases by 20 dB.
It describes the stopband feature of the OD. The stopband feature curve should
be sharp. Smaller bandwidth value is preferable.
2.4 Optical Amplifying Technology

For the long-distance optical transmission, optical power gradually decreases with the
increasing of transmission distance. The output of the light source laser usually is not
more than 3 dBm, otherwise, the laser life cycle may be unqualified. In addition, in
order to ensure correct signal receiving, the receiving power at the receiving end must
always be a certain value, for example, -28 dBm. Therefore, the optical power becomes
the major factor determining the transmission distance.
Optical amplifier is the technology to solve the problem of optical power limit. Without
the O/E/O conversion, it directly amplifies the optical signals. The classification of
optical amplifier is shown in Figure 2.4-1.
Semi-conductor
OA
Fiber
amplifier
Resonance type
Travelling wave type
{
{
Lanthanon doped
fiber amplifier
1550 nm fiber amplifier, for example, EDFA
1310 nm fiber amplifier, for example, PDFA
Raman fiber amplifier

(SRA)
Non-linear optical
amplifier
Brillouin fiber amplifier (SBA)
Figure 2.4-1 Optical Amplifier Classification
26
In this section, the EDFA and Raman fiber amplifier are introduced.
2.4.1 EDFA Technology

2.4.1.1 Technical Principle of EDFA
1.
Amplifying principle
Erbium (Er) is a kind of lanthanon. In the fiber manufacture process, certain
quantity of Er3+ ions is doped to form Erbium Doped Fiber (EDF). The Er3+ ions
in such fiber will absorb photon energy to make it own energy level change,
which is called stimulation. The light source for stimulation is called pump light
source, and the corresponding transmitting stimulation optical wave is called as
pump light.
The working principle is shown in Figure 2.4-2.
N3~0
1550 nm
signal light
980 nm
pump light
1480nm
N2
1550 nm
stimulated
emission
N1
Figure 2.4-2 Working Principle of EDFA
The Er3+ ion free from stimulation is at the lowest energy level. When the pump
light is shot in, the Er3+ ion absorbs energy from the pump light and transits
itself to the higher energy level. At the higher energy level, the Er3+ ions are in
instable status, therefore they continuously converge to metastable energy level
in non-radiant transition format, and thus implementing population inversion
distribution. When the optical signals with 1550 nm wavelength pass this
segment of EDF, the metastable particles are transited to the ground status in
stimulated emission format, and then photons which are the same as those in the
incoming signal light are generated. In this way, the optical signals are
amplified.
2.
Composition
27
The EDFA consists of the EDF, bump light source, coupler and isolator, as
shown in Figure 2.4-3.
1 2 n
WDM
coupler
Isolator
...
Erbium
doped fiber
Isolator
1 2 n
...
Pout
Pin
Pump laser
Figure 2.4-3 EDFA Composition
The coupler is used to combine the signal light with pump light. The isolator is
used to suppress the light reflection, to ensure stable working of the optical
amplifier. The pump laser generates pump light source.
3.
Main performance indices
1)
Gain (G)
It is the ratio between output optical signal power and input optical signal power.
Greater gain means more powerful amplifying capability.
2)
Noise Figure (NF)

It is the ratio between the Signal-Noise Ratio (SNR) at the EDFA input end and
SNR at output end.
EDFA noise comes from many ways, such as signal shot noise, internal
reflection noise and Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) noise, which is the
major part of EDFA noise.
Note
ASE is the emission noise caused by the EDFAs own factors, such as the unbalance
between optical transmitting area and absorption area, the different population
inversion degrees (quantity of ions in stable energy level E2 and the quantity of ions in
ground energy level E1 are different), the gain and working status of the EDFA.
Since the EDFA can amplify both optical signal and noise, the parameter NF
appears which is closely related to the ASE noise of the EDFA. It greatly affects
the system performance, especially the OSNR of the whole system. Smaller NF
28
is preferable, for example, below 5.0dB.

3)
Bandwidth
The operating wavelength range of the DWDM system covers C band and L
band. The optical amplifier needs to amplify all the multiplexing channel signals
of the system, so its bandwidth should be wide enough.
4)
Gain flatness (Gp-p)

It represents the allowed fluctuation of EDFA gain within the specified working
band range. In order to get sound flatness, the aluminum doped technology or
gain flatness filter is usually used in the EDF.
In the DWDM system, smaller EDFA gain flatness is preferable so as to
minimize the difference between output optical power signals of different
multiplexing channels and facilitate optical power estimation,.
5)
Total input/output power range

It is the optical power range at input/output end of the EDFA.
In WDM systems, an EDFA is responsible for amplifying all the multiplexing
optical channel signals in the system. Therefore, its input/output optical power
range should be large enough, especially for WDM systems with lots of
multiplexing channels.
On the other hand, to ensure the gain flatness and low noise performance, the
EDFA should work in small signal working range, that is, the input/output power
range of the EDFA cannot be too large. It is more important that the EDFA
output power cannot be too large in order to avoid fiber non-linear effect. For
this purpose, the optical power of a signal channel cannot be too large. The
proper power should be determined according to the signal rate and the type of
transmission fiber.
6)
Input/output optical reflectance

It is the ratio between the optical power at the EDFA input/output end and the
reflection optical power. Greater value is preferable.
4.
Importance of EDFA for DWDM system

To ensure the transmission quality of DWDM systems, the EDFAs used in the
DWDM system must have sufficient bandwidth, flat gain, low NF and high
29
output power. Proper gain flatness is especially important, which is special

requirement of DWDM system for EDFA.
2.4.1.2 Classification of EDFA
Depending on the location of EDFA in the DWDM system and pump source types, two
EDFA classification modes are introduced below.
1.
Classification by location
The EDFA is divided into Optical Booster Amplifier (OBA), Optical Line
Amplifier (OLA) and Optical Pre-Amplifier (OPA).
1)
OBA: It is located behind the OTM or the transmitting light source of

regenerator device, being in the front of the regeneration segment. The OBA is
mainly used to boost the transmitting power so as to extend transmission
distance.
2)
OLA: It is located in the middle of the regeneration segment, with the EDFA
inserted directly into the fiber transmission link for amplifying signals. Multiple
OLAs can be equipped in the regeneration segment as required.
3)
OPA: It is located between the end of the regeneration segment and the optical
receiving device. The OPA is mainly used to pre-amplify small signals going
through line attenuation, and boost the power of optical signals before entering
the receiver so as to meet the sensitivity requirements of the receiver.
The locations of these three kinds of amplifiers in the optical line are shown in
Figure 2.4-4.
Regeneration
segment
OTM
OBA
OLA
OLA
OPA
OTM
Figure 2.4-4 Locations of Amplifiers in Regeneration Segment
2.
Classification by pump source

The pump sources often used now cover 980 nm and 1480 nm, for these two
types of pump sources have high pump efficiency.
The 980 nm pump light source has lower NF; while the 1480 nm one has higher
pumping efficiency and therefore a larger output power is obtainable (about 3
30
dB higher than that of the 980 nm pump light source).

In actual applications of line amplifier, most 8-channel WDM systems use the
980 nm pump source, because the WDM system of G.652 fiber mostly features
dispersion limit other than loss limit. If such WDM system uses the 1480 nm
pump source, the system power attenuation will increase and it is unnecessary to
boost EDFA output power.
WDM systems of more than 16 channels use the 1480 nm pump source instead,
because enormous tributaries decrease the available power range and the pump
source with higher power is necessary. A two-level pump can also be used to
improve the NF and increase the output power.
2.4.1.3 Main Problems of EDFA to Be Solved
The EDFA also introduces in some new problems while solving some problems of fiber
transmission system.
1.
Non-linear effect
EDFA amplifies the optical power through increasing the optical power shot into
the fiber. However, it does not mean the greater optical power is surely the best.
When the optical power is increased to certain degree, fiber non-linear effect
will occur. Therefore, in the usage of fiber amplifier, it is required to control the
value of the in-fiber optical power in a single channel.
2.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth refers to the range of the optical wavelength which can be amplified
flatly. The operating wavelength range of the EDFA in C band is 1530 nm - 1561
nm, and the one in L band is 1565 nm - 1625 nm.
The gain flatness filter is used inside the EDFA, so that the EDFA has almost the
same gain to each multiplexing optical channel signal within corresponding
wavelength range. The gain fluctuation should be limited within the allowed
range, for example, 1 dB. Therefore, the bandwidth is closely related to the
gain flatness.
3.
Optical surge
When the optical line is normal, the erbium ions stimulated by the pump light
are carried off by the signal light, thus implementing the amplification of the
31
signal light. If the input light is interrupted, the metastable erbium ions still
converge continuously, and finally the energy transient occurs, leading to optical
surge.
The solution of optical surge is to implement Automatic Power Reduction (APR)
or Automatic Power ShutDown (APSD) function in the EDFA. In other words,
the EDFA should automatically reduce power or shut down power upon no input
light, and thus suppressing surge.
4.
Dispersion
With the extended transmission distance, the total dispersion increases
correspondingly. Therefore, the passive regeneration segment in the WDM
system cannot be prolonged limitlessly. The dispersion compensation measure
can be taken to prolong the passive regeneration distance of the multiplexing
section.
2.4.2 Raman Amplification Technology

2.4.2.1 Working principle
The Raman amplification technology bases on the non-linear effect -- Stimulated
Raman Scattering (SRS), that is, when a light wave strong enough is transmitted on a
line fiber, its energy can be translated to other wavelength section. The signal light is
amplified by translating the energy of shortwave pump light to the long wave signal
light.
h(v-v)
h(v+v)
E1
E2
v-v
V+v
Figure 2.4-5 Operating Principle of Raman Amplifier
32
In the non-linear medium, the incident photons interact with phonons generated by
molecule oscillation of the medium. The incident photons are scattered by the medium
molecules to low-frequency Stocks photons, and other energies are translated to the
phonons at the same time. Then the molecules implement the transition between
oscillation states.
Stocks frequency shift, depending on the chattering level of photons, determines the
frequency range of SRS.
Vr=Vp-Vs
Where,
Vp: frequency of pump light
Vs: frequency of signal light
For amorphous silica fiber, implement amplification of signal light through SRS in a
relatively wide frequency rang Vp-Vs (40THz).
1.
Features of Raman fiber amplifier
1)
Based on dozens of kilometers of line fibers, it implements distributed

amplification, with low NF and effective improvement of system SNR.
2)
With the same SNR, it can reduce the optical power at the transmitting end and
minimize the non-linear effect.
3)
It can generate gain for all the wavelengths, serving as full-band amplifier
(however, it should be divided into C band amplifier and L band amplifier).
It has flat gain. The gain wavelength range depends on the pump wavelength.
Since the noise of Raman fiber amplifier reduces with fiber distance increase,
the fiber should be long enough. There is no requirement for the fiber type.
The pump conversion efficiency is low, so the high-power pump laser source is
required.
The amplifying gain is low, so it needs to cooperate with the EDFA to form
combined amplifier, in order to compensate the line attenuation and node
insertion loss.
Application
If the DWDM system above 40 G only uses EDFA for amplifying, spontaneous
33
emission will accumulate, restricting the overall system performance. Compared

with EDFA, the SRA has such advantages as low noise, not introducing in
additional loss upon removal of pump light, and no transient effect. Therefore, the
combination of EDFA and SRA can form the important optical amplifying
technology for the ultra long-haul transmission system above 40 G.
Besides the reverse pumping distributed Raman amplification, other kinds of
Raman amplification technologies also emerges, such as forward pump and
bidirectional pump Raman amplification, which can provide higher gain and
lower noise figure, achieving the flatness of gain and NF at the same time. The
discrete Raman amplifier taking the Dispersion Compensation Fiber (DCF) as the
gain medium can compensate the dispersion on the transmission links and
implement the total ultra broadband integrated amplification of optical signals. In
addition, it has the potential to adjust the gain slope. In the overall Raman
transmission system, in which the distributed and discrete Raman amplifiers are
used, the continuous gain bandwidth can reach 100 nm. Such system supports the
ultra broadband transmission including the S band and xL band.
Of course, the Raman amplification has its inherent shortcomings. The forward
pump and bidirectional pump Raman amplification has the problem of pump light
Relative Intensity Noise (RIN) transition, which has evident influence on the
noise characteristic of the Raman amplifier. Especially in the transmission fibers
with small dispersion coefficient, such as G.655 fiber, this RIN transition problem
becomes more serious, and it degrades the noise figure of Raman amplifier greatly.
To sum up, the discrete Raman amplifier is not better than the EDFA on the
aspect of economic efficiency and noise figure.
2.4.2.2 Classifications of Raman Amplifier
1)
Lumped Raman Amplifier (LRA)

Based on the Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) effect, LRA adopts
counter-pumped mode. The detailed implementations are described as follows:
Inject laser light with high power into transmission fiber via the output end of
fiber span. The transmission direction of pump lights is contrary to that of
signal lights, and the wavelength of pump lights is 100nm shorter than that of
signal lights. The materials in high-power pump fiber trigger virtual excited
state, from where electrons transit to ground state to implement the gain of
34
optical signals. Actually, the transmission fiber of LRA itself is the gain
medium. The signals are amplified at the same time being transmitted, leading
to negative noise figure. LRA with low noise figure can effectively overcome
the influence of non-linear effect, such as four wave mixing, and improve the
OSNR of the system.
2)
Distributed Raman Amplifier (DRA)

DRA adopts dispersion compensation fiber or high non-linear fiber as the
amplification medium, such as DCF fiber or telluro fiber. At present, the Raman
gain coefficient of DCF fiber increases about 10 times of that of SMF fiber. The
Raman gain coefficient of telluro fiber is 16 times of that of silica fibre, and the
peak is up to 55W/km.
2.5 Supervision Technology

Detection, control and management are basic requirements of all the network
operations. To ensure the secure operation of DWDM systems, the supervision system
is designed as an independent system separated from working channels and devices
physically.
For example, ZTEs DWDM system uses an independent wavelength (1510 nm) and
depends on no service channel, to ensure that no active amplification is required for the
long distance transmission and improve the reliability. In this way, the supervision
system can monitor all the NE equipment in the system.
2.5.1 Functions of Optical Supervisory Channel (OSC)

Different from the conventional SDH system, the DWDM system with optical
amplifier can supervise and manage EDFAs in the system additionally. Since the EDFA
only amplifies optical signals without electrical signal input. Especially when it is used
as an optical amplifier regenerator, it has no electrical interface connection because no
service signal will be added or dropped on it. This makes it difficult for supervision. In
addition, there is no special byte in the SDH overhead for monitoring the EDFA, so an
electrical signal must be added to monitor the status of EDFA.
The OSC is used to transmit the NE management and supervision information related
to the DWDM system through a wavelength. The information involves the fault alarm,
fault location, quality parameter supervision during operation, the control over backup
35
line upon line interruption and the EDFA supervision etc. In this way, the network
operator can effectively manage the DWDM system.
2.5.2 Requirements for OSC

The DWDM system has the following requirements for the OSC:
1.
The OSC should not restrict the optical wavelengths (980 nm and 1480 nm) of
the pump light source in the optical amplifier.
2.
The OSC should not restrict the transmission distance between two OLAs.
3.
The OSC should not restrict the services on the 1310nm wavelength in the
future.
4.
The OSC can still be available upon failure of the OLA.
5.
The OSC transmission is bidirectional, which ensures the supervision

information can still be received by the line terminal when one fiber is broken.
6.
The segmenting of OSC transmission enables dropping supervision information

or adding new supervision information on each optical amplifier regeneration
station and DWDM system office station.
2.5.3 Implementation of OSC

The implementation principle of OSC is shown in Figure 2.5-1.
1
OTUT
OTUT
OM
OBA
OM2
osc
OD2
osc
OSC information
Line fiber
OP
A
OSC
information
Internal fiber
OM: Optical Multiplexer

OD: Optical Demultiplexer
OBA/OPA: Optical amplifier
OTUT/OTUR: Optical transponder
Figure 2.5-1 Implementation Principle of OSC
1.
Dropping and adding of OSC information

36
OD
OTUR
OTUR
As shown in Figure 2.5-1, to ensure that the supervision information transmitted

on the OSC can be dropped or added on each optical amplifier regeneration
station and DWDM system office station without influences from optical
amplifier, it is required to use a 2-wavelength OM (OM2) behind the OBA at the
transmitting end to add the OSC information into the main channel; and use a
2-wavelength OD (OD2) ahead of the OPA at the receiving end to drop the OSC
information.
2.
Operating wavelength of OSC

For the DWDM system with line amplifiers, an additional OSC is required,
which should be able to perform adding/dropping with BER as low as possible
in each optical regenerator/amplifier.
According to ITU-T recommendations, a specific wavelength can be used as the
OSC. Such wavelength can be 1,310 nm, 1,480 nm or 1,510 nm when it is out of
the service transmission band, among which the 1,510 nm is preferable.
Since this channel is out of the gain bandwidth of the EDFA (also called as
outband OSC), the supervision signals must be dropped (from optical channel)
ahead of EDFA and be added (to optical channel) behind the EDFA. As shown in
Figure 2.5-1, the OSC is added behind the OBA and dropped ahead of the OPA.
3.
Transmission rate of OSC

In actual DWDM systems, most of the information really needing supervision is
the working status of EDFA. So the amount of supervision information is not
huge. In addition, to ensure normal operation of the OSC upon optical amplifier
failure, the receiving sensitivity should be high in order to enable the
supervision channel signals without being amplified covering the maximum
transmission distance of major service signals. Therefore, the working rate of the
OSC is set to 2 Mbit/s.
With the continuous technology development, the OSC rate improves as well.
For example, ZTEs DWDM equipment can provide supervision rate of 10
Mbit/s or 100 Mbit/s.
4.
Frame structure of OSC information

For the supervision system at working rate of 2 Mbit/s, thirty-two 64 kbit/s bytes
are used to carry supervision information, which is transmitted and exchanged in
37
PCM32 frame format.

For the system at supervision rate of 10 Mbit/s or 100 Mbit/s, taking ZTEs
DWDM equipment as example, the supervision channel adopts 10/100 M
Ethernet technology to encapsulate supervision data in IP packets. Then the
supervision information is transmitted and exchanged in Ethernet data frames.
5.
Line coding
The 2Mbit/s supervisory channel adopts Code Mark Inversion (CMI) as the line
code type.
The 10/100 Mbit/s supervisory channel adopts 4B/5B code.
6.
OSC protection
If the OSC bidirectional transmission is interrupted because of the total
break-off of the fiber, the NE management system cannot obtain the supervision
information normally. At this time, the backup route, such as the Data
Communication Network (DCN), should be used to transmit supervision
information so as to protect the OSC.
38
3 Relative Technical Standards

Key points
Open DWDM system and integrated DWDM system
Range of DWDM operating wavelength
DWDM specifications
3.1 Open DWDM System and Integrated DWDM System

DWDM system provides open DWDM system and integrated DWDM system,
described as follows:
Open DWDM system: The transmitting side of the system provides the Optical
Transponder Unit (OTU) to converts the customer signals with non-standard
wavelength into the standard wavelength compliant with ITU-T G.692. The
"Open" means that the DWDM system has no special requirements for the
operating wavelength of input signals. For example, the signals are accessed
through Open Optical Interfaces as shown in Figure 3.1-1.
Figure 3.1-1 Open DWDM System

39
Integrated DWDM system: All the customer signals accessed to the DWDM
system must comply with ITU-T G.692. For example, some signals are accessed
to the DWDM system not through Open Optical Interfaces as shown in Figure
3.1-2.
Figure 3.1-2 Integrated DWDM System
3.2 Operating Wavelength Range

The quartz fiber has three common low-loss windows: 850 nm, 1310 nm and 1550 nm,
as shown in Figure 3.2-1.
40
3.0
~140THz
2.5
~50THz
OH- absorption peak
2.0
OH- absorption
peak
Loss (dB/km)
1.5
OHabsorption
peak
1.0
0.5
O
0
80
0
1000
O: Original Band
E: Extend Band
1200
S C L
1400
S: Short Band C: Conventional Band
1600
Wavelength (nm)
L: Long Band
Figure 3.2-1 Low-Loss Windows in Fiber Communication
1.
850 nm window
The wavelength range is 600 nm - 900 nm. It is always used in multi-mode fiber,
and the transmission loss is large (2 dB/km averagely). The 860 nm window is
applicable to short-distance access networks, such as for Fiber Channel (FC)
services.
2.
1310 nm window
The lower limit of available wavelengths in this window depends on the fiber
cut-off wavelength and attenuation coefficient, while the upper limit depends on
the OH absorption peak at 1385 nm. The operating wavelength range is 1260 nm
- 1360 nm. The average loss is 0.3 dB/km - 0.4 dB/km.
The 1310 nm window is applicable to intra-office, short-distance and
long-distance
communication
of
STM-N
signals
(N=1,
or
16).
Multi-longitudinal mode lasers (MLM) and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) can be
adopted as light sources.
Since the broadband optical amplifier working in 1310 nm window is not
available at present, this window is not suitable for the DWDM system.
3.
1550 nm window
The lower limit of available wavelengths in this window depends on the OH
41
absorption peak at 1385 nm, while the upper limit depends on infrared
absorption loss and bending loss. The operating wavelength range is 1460 nm 1625 nm. The average loss is 0.19 dB/km - 0.25 dB/km.
The loss in the 1550 nm window is the lowest, so it can be applied to
short-distance and long-distance communication of SDH signals. In addition, the
commonly used Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) has sound gain flatness
in this window, so the 1550 nm window is applicable to the DWDM system as
well.
The operating wavelength in the 1550 nm window is divided into three parts (S
band, C band and L band), with the wavelength range shown in Figure 3.2-2.
1460 nm
1530 nm
1565 nm
Conventional
1530
- 1565
band
nm
Short band
1460 - 1530
nm
1625 nm
Long band
1565 - 1625
nm
Figure 3.2-2 Division of Operating Wavelength in 1550 Window
1)
S band (1460 nm - 1530 nm): Since the operating wavelength range of EDFA is
in C band or L band, S band is not used in the DWDM system at present.
2)
C band (1530 nm - 1565 nm): It is often used as the operating wavelength area
of DWDM systems under 40 wavelengths (with channel spacing 100 GHz),
DWDM systems under 80 wavelengths (with channel spacing 50 GHz) and
SDH systems.
3)
L band (1565 nm - 1625 nm): Operating wavelength area of DWDM systems

above 80 wavelengths. In this case, the channel spacing is 50 GHz.
3.3 Operating Wavelength of DWDM System

3.3.1 Operating Wavelength Area of DWDM Systems
Based on the quantity of multiplexing channel and frequency spacing, the system of 40
wavelengths or below, 80-wavelength system and 160-wavelength system are
introduced respectively as follows.
1.
8/16/32/40/48-wavelength system
42
Operating wavelength range: C band (1530 nm - 1565 nm)

Frequency range: 191.3THz - 196.0 THz
Channel spacing: 100 GHz
Central frequency offset: 20 GHz (at rate lower than 2.5 Gbit/s); 12.5 GHz (at
rate 10 Gbit/s)
2.
80/96-wavelength system
Operating wavelength range: C band (1530 nm - 1565 nm)
Frequency range: C band (191.30THz - 196.05THz)
Central channel offset: 5 GHz
3.
160/176-wavelength system
Operating wavelength range: C band (1530 nm - 1565 nm) + L band (1565 nm 1625 nm)
Frequency range: C band (191.3THz - 196.05 THz) + L band (186.95 THz 190.90)
Central frequency offset: 5 GHz
3.3.2 Operating Wavelength Allocation in DWDM Systems

The operating wavelength of the ZTE DWDM equipment, complying with ITU-T
Recommendation G.692, adopts the specific central wavelength and central frequency
values in the multi-channel system.
1.
For a 40-channel DWDM system (C band), Table 3.3-1 lists the

wavelength/frequency allocation in the system. The channel spacing is 100 GHz.
Table 3.3-1 Wavelength Allocation of 40CH on C Band

Central
Central
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
C100_1
192.1
C100_1
192.2
Wavelength
Sub-band
No.
Name
1
2
Central
Central
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
C100_1
194.1
1544.53
C100_1
194.2
1543.73
Wavelength
Sub-band
No.
Name
1560.61
21
1559.79
22
43
Central
Central
Central
Central
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
C100_1
192.3
C100_1
194.3
1542.94
C100_1
24
C100_1
194.4
1542.14
1557.36
25
C100_1
194.5
1541.35
192.6
1556.55
26
C100_1
194.6
1540.56
C100_1
192.7
1555.75
27
C100_1
194.7
1539.77
C100_1
192.8
1554.94
28
C100_1
194.8
1538.98
C100_1
192.9
1554.13
29
C100_1
194.9
1538.19
10
C100_1
193.0
1553.33
30
C100_1
195.0
1537.40
11
C100_1
193.1
1552.52
31
C100_1
195.1
1536.61
12
C100_1
193.2
1551.72
32
C100_1
195.2
1535.82
13
C100_1
193.3
1550.92
33
C100_1
195.3
1535.04
14
C100_1
193.4
1550.12
34
C100_1
195.4
1534.25
15
C100_1
193.5
1549.32
35
C100_1
195.5
1533.47
16
C100_1
193.6
1548.51
36
C100_1
195.6
1532.68
17
C100_1
193.7
1547.72
37
C100_1
195.7
1531.90
18
C100_1
193.8
1546.92
38
C100_1
195.8
1531.12
19
C100_1
193.9
1546.12
39
C100_1
195.9
1530.33
20
C100_1
194.0
1545.32
40
C100_1
196.0
1529.55
Wavelength
Sub-band
Wavelength
Sub-band
No.
Name
No.
Name
1558.98
23
192.4
1558.17
C100_1
192.5
C100_1
Note: C100_1 refers to the first sub-band in C band with the spacing at 100GHz.
2.
For a 48/96-channel DWDM system (C band), Table 3.3-2 lists the

wavelength/frequency allocation in the system. The channel spacing is 50 GHz
or 100 GHz.
Table 3.3-2
Wavelength Allocation of 48/96CH on C Band
Central
Central
Frequency
Wavelength
Central
Central
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
(THz)
(nm)
C100_2
196.05
C100_2
193.65
1548.11
C100_1
50
C100_1
193.60
1548.51
1529.94
51
C100_2
193.55
1548.91
195.90
1530.33
52
C100_1
193.50
1549.32
C100_2
195.85
1530.72
53
C100_2
193.45
1549.72
C100_1
195.80
1531.12
54
C100_1
193.40
1550.12
C100_2
195.75
1531.51
55
C100_2
193.35
1550.52
C100_1
195.70
1531.90
56
C100_1
193.30
1550.92
Wavelength
Sub-band
Wavelength
Sub-band
No.
Name
No.
Name
1529.16
49
196.00
1529.55
C100_2
195.95
C100_1
44
Central
Central
Central
Central
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
C100_2
195.65
C100_2
193.25
1551.32
10
C100_1
58
C100_1
193.20
1551.72
11
1533.07
59
C100_2
193.15
1552.12
195.50
1533.47
60
C100_1
193.10
1552.52
C100_2
195.45
1533.86
61
C100_2
193.05
1552.93
14
C100_1
195.40
1534.25
62
C100_1
193.00
1553.33
15
C100_2
195.35
1534.64
63
C100_2
192.95
1553.73
16
C100_1
195.30
1535.04
64
C100_1
192.90
1554.13
17
C100_2
195.25
1535.43
65
C100_2
192.85
1554.54
18
C100_1
195.20
1535.82
66
C100_1
192.80
1554.94
19
C100_2
195.15
1536.22
67
C100_2
192.75
1555.34
20
C100_1
195.10
1536.61
68
C100_1
192.70
1555.75
21
C100_2
195.05
1537.00
69
C100_2
192.65
1556.15
22
C100_1
195.00
1537.40
70
C100_1
192.60
1556.55
23
C100_2
194.95
1537.79
71
C100_2
192.55
1556.96
24
C100_1
194.90
1538.19
72
C100_1
192.50
1557.36
25
C100_2
194.85
1538.58
73
C100_2
192.45
1557.77
26
C100_1
194.80
1538.98
74
C100_1
192.40
1558.17
27
C100_2
194.75
1539.37
75
C100_2
192.35
1558.58
28
C100_1
194.70
1539.77
76
C100_1
192.30
1558.98
29
C100_2
194.65
1540.16
77
C100_2
192.25
1559.39
30
C100_1
194.60
1540.56
78
C100_1
192.20
1559.79
31
C100_2
194.55
1540.95
79
C100_2
192.15
1560.20
32
C100_1
194.50
1541.35
80
C100_1
192.10
1560.61
33
C100_2
194.45
1541.75
81
C100_2
192.05
1561.02
34
C100_1
194.40
1542.14
82
C100_1
192.00
1561.42
35
C100_2
194.35
1542.54
83
C100_2
191.95
1561.83
36
C100_1
194.30
1542.94
84
C100_1
191.90
1562.24
37
C100_2
194.25
1543.33
85
C100_2
191.85
1562.64
38
C100_1
194.20
1543.73
86
C100_1
191.80
1563.05
39
C100_2
194.15
1544.13
87
C100_2
191.75
1563.46
40
C100_1
194.10
1544.53
88
C100_1
191.70
1563.87
41
C100_2
194.05
1544.92
89
C100_2
191.65
1564.27
42
C100_1
194.00
1545.32
90
C100_1
191.60
1564.68
43
C100_2
193.95
1545.72
91
C100_2
191.55
1565.09
44
C100_1
193.90
1546.12
92
C100_1
191.50
1565.5
45
C100_2
193.85
1546.52
93
C100_2
191.45
1565.91
Wavelength
Sub-band
Wavelength
Sub-band
No.
Name
No.
Name
1532.29
57
195.60
1532.68
C100_2
195.55
12
C100_1
13
45
Central
Central
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
C100_1
193.80
47
C100_2
48
C100_1
Wavelength
Sub-band
No.
Name
46
Central
Central
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
C100_1
191.40
1566.32
95
C100_2
191.35
1566.73
96
C100_1
191.30
1567.14
Wavelength
Sub-band
No.
Name
1546.92
94
193.75
1547.32
193.70
1547.72
Note: C100_1 and C100_2 respectively refer to the first and the second sub-band in C band with the spacing at 100 GHz. Each sub-band includes 48
wavelengths.
3.
For an 80-channel DWDM system in C band consisting of ZTE DWDM

equipment, Table 3.3-3 lists the wavelength/frequency allocation in the system.
The channel spacing is 50 GHz.
Table 3.3-3
Nominal
Nominal
Wavelength
Central
Central
No.
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
C50_1
196.05
C50_1
196.00
C50_1
Wavelength Allocation of 80CH on C Band

Nominal
Nominal
Wavelength
Central
Central
Wavelength
Central
No.
Frequency
Wavelength
No.
Frequency
(THz)
(nm)
1529.16
41
C50_1
194.05
1544.92
1529.55
42
C50_1
194.00
1545.32
195.95
1529.94
43
C50_1
193.95
1545.72
C50_1
195.90
1530.33
44
C50_1
193.90
1546.12
C50_1
195.85
1530.72
45
C50_1
193.85
1546.52
C50_1
195.80
1531.12
46
C50_1
193.80
1546.92
C50_1
195.75
1531.51
47
C50_1
193.75
1547.32
C50_1
195.70
1531.90
48
C50_1
193.70
1547.72
C50_1
195.65
1532.29
49
C50_1
193.65
1548.11
10
C50_1
195.60
1532.68
50
C50_1
193.60
1548.51
11
C50_1
195.55
1533.07
51
C50_1
193.55
1548.91
12
C50_1
195.50
1533.47
52
C50_1
193.50
1549.32
13
C50_1
195.45
1533.86
53
C50_1
193.45
1549.72
14
C50_1
195.40
1534.25
54
C50_1
193.40
1550.12
15
C50_1
195.35
1534.64
55
C50_1
193.35
1550.52
16
C50_1
195.30
1535.04
56
C50_1
193.30
1550.92
17
C50_1
195.25
1535.43
57
C50_1
193.25
1551.32
18
C50_1
195.20
1535.82
58
C50_1
193.20
1551.72
19
C50_1
195.15
1536.22
59
C50_1
193.15
1552.12
20
C50_1
195.10
1536.61
60
C50_1
193.10
1552.52
21
C50_1
195.05
1537.00
61
C50_1
193.05
1552.93
46
Nominal
(THz)
Nominal
Nominal
Nominal
Nominal
Wavelength
Central
Central
No.
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
22
C50_1
195.00
23
C50_1
24
Nominal
Wavelength
Central
Central
Wavelength
Central
No.
Frequency
Wavelength
No.
Frequency
(THz)
(nm)
1537.40
62
C50_1
193.00
1553.33
194.95
1537.79
63
C50_1
192.95
1553.73
C50_1
194.90
1538.19
64
C50_1
192.90
1554.13
25
C50_1
194.85
1538.58
65
C50_1
192.85
1554.54
26
C50_1
194.80
1538.98
66
C50_1
192.80
1554.94
27
C50_1
194.75
1539.37
67
C50_1
192.75
1555.34
28
C50_1
194.70
1539.77
68
C50_1
192.70
1555.75
29
C50_1
194.65
1540.16
69
C50_1
192.65
1556.15
30
C50_1
194.60
1540.56
70
C50_1
192.60
1556.55
31
C50_1
194.55
1540.95
71
C50_1
192.55
1556.96
32
C50_1
194.50
1541.35
72
C50_1
192.50
1557.36
33
C50_1
194.45
1541.75
73
C50_1
192.45
1557.77
34
C50_1
194.40
1542.14
74
C50_1
192.40
1558.17
35
C50_1
194.35
1542.54
75
C50_1
192.35
1558.58
36
C50_1
194.30
1542.94
76
C50_1
192.30
1558.98
37
C50_1
194.25
1543.33
77
C50_1
192.25
1559.39
38
C50_1
194.20
1543.73
78
C50_1
192.20
1559.79
39
C50_1
194.15
1544.13
79
C50_1
192.15
1560.20
40
C50_1
194.10
1544.53
80
C50_1
192.10
1560.61
(THz)
Note: C5_1 refers to the first sub-band in C band with the spacing at 50 GHz.
4. For an 80-channel DWDM system in L band consisting of ZTE DWDM

equipment, Table 3.3-3 lists the wavelength/frequency allocation in the system.
Table 3.3-4 Wavelength Allocation of 80CH on L Band

Nominal
Nominal
Nominal
Nominal
Wavelength
Central
Central
No.
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
L50_1
190.90
L50_1
190.85
L50_1
4
5
Wavelength
Central
Central
Wavelength
Central
No.
Frequency
Wavelength
No.
Frequency
(THz)
(nm)
1570.42
41
L50_1
188.90
1587.04
1570.83
42
L50_1
188.85
1587.46
190.80
1571.24
43
L50_1
188.80
1587.88
L50_1
190.75
1571.65
44
L50_1
188.75
1588.30
L50_1
190.70
1572.06
45
L50_1
188.70
1588.73
47
Nominal
(THz)
Nominal
Nominal
Nominal
Nominal
Wavelength
Central
Central
No.
Frequency
Wavelength
(THz)
(nm)
L50_1
190.65
L50_1
Wavelength
Central
Central
Wavelength
Central
No.
Frequency
Wavelength
No.
Frequency
(THz)
(nm)
1572.48
46
L50_1
188.65
1589.15
190.60
1572.89
47
L50_1
188.60
1589.57
L50_1
190.55
1573.30
48
L50_1
188.55
1589.99
L50_1
190.50
1573.71
49
L50_1
188.50
1590.41
10
L50_1
190.45
1574.13
50
L50_1
188.45
1590.83
11
L50_1
190.40
1574.54
51
L50_1
188.40
1591.26
12
L50_1
190.35
1574.95
52
L50_1
188.35
1591.68
13
L50_1
190.30
1575.37
53
L50_1
188.30
1592.10
14
L50_1
190.25
1575.78
54
L50_1
188.25
1592.52
15
L50_1
190.20
1576.20
55
L50_1
188.20
1592.95
16
L50_1
190.15
1576.61
56
L50_1
188.15
1593.37
17
L50_1
190.10
1577.03
57
L50_1
188.10
1593.79
18
L50_1
190.05
1577.44
58
L50_1
188.05
1594.22
19
L50_1
190.00
1577.86
59
L50_1
188.00
1594.64
20
L50_1
189.95
1578.27
60
L50_1
187.95
1595.06
21
L50_1
189.90
1578.69
61
L50_1
187.90
1595.49
22
L50_1
189.85
1579.10
62
L50_1
187.85
1595.91
23
L50_1
189.80
1579.52
63
L50_1
187.80
1596.34
24
L50_1
189.75
1579.93
64
L50_1
187.75
1596.76
25
L50_1
189.70
1580.35
65
L50_1
187.70
1597.19
26
L50_1
189.65
1580.77
66
L50_1
187.65
1597.62
27
L50_1
189.60
1581.18
67
L50_1
187.60
1598.04
28
L50_1
189.55
1581.60
68
L50_1
187.55
1598.47
29
L50_1
189.50
1582.02
69
L50_1
187.50
1598.89
30
L50_1
189.45
1582.44
70
L50_1
187.45
1599.32
31
L50_1
189.40
1582.85
71
L50_1
187.40
1599.75
32
L50_1
189.35
1583.27
72
L50_1
187.35
1600.17
33
L50_1
189.30
1583.69
73
L50_1
187.30
1600.60
34
L50_1
189.25
1584.11
74
L50_1
187.25
1601.03
35
L50_1
189.20
1584.53
75
L50_1
187.20
1601.46
36
L50_1
189.15
1584.95
76
L50_1
187.15
1601.88
37
L50_1
189.10
1585.36
77
L50_1
187.10
1602.31
38
L50_1
189.05
1585.78
78
L50_1
187.05
1602.74
39
L50_1
189.00
1586.20
79
L50_1
187.00
1602.17
40
L50_1
188.95
1586.62
80
L50_1
186.95
1603.57
Note: L50_1 refers to the first sub-band in L band with the spacing at 50 GHz.
48
Nominal
(THz)
5 For a 160-channel DWDM system in C+L band consisting of ZTE DWDM

equipment (80 wavelengths in each band), Table 3.3-3 and Table 3.3-4 list the
wavelength/frequency allocation in the system. The channel spacing is 50 GHz.
6 For a 176-channel DWDM system in C+L band consisting of ZTE DWDM
equipment (96 wavelengths in C band, while 80 wavelengths in L band), Table
3.3-2 and Table 3.3-4 list the wavelength/frequency allocation in the system.
3.4 Main Performance Indices

1)
Channel spacing
Channel spacing means the nominal frequency difference between two adjacent
multiplexing channels, covering uniform channel spacing and non-uniform
channel spacing. At present, uniform channel spacing is used mostly.
The minimum channel spacing of the DWDM system is the integer times of 50
GHz.
When the multiplexing channels are 8 wavelengths, the channel spacing is 200
GHz.
When the multiplexing channels are 16/32/40/48 wavelengths, the channel

spacing is 100 GHz.
When the multiplexing channels are above 80 wavelengths, the channel spacing
is 50 GHz.
Smaller channel spacing requires higher resolution of the OD and means more
multiplexing channels.
2)
Nominal central frequency

It refers to the central wavelength (frequency) corresponding to each
multiplexing channel in the DWDM system.
For example, when the multiplexing channels are 16/32/40 wavelengths, the
central frequency of the first wavelength is 192.1 THz and the channel spacing
is 100 GHz. The frequency increases in ascending order.
3)
Central frequency offset
49
It is also called frequency offset. It refers to the offset between the actual
working central frequency of the multiplexing optical channel and nominal
central frequency.
According to the national standards, in the system with frequency spacing of
100 GHz, the maximum central frequency offset is 20 GHz (about 0.16 nm)
when the rate is below 2.5 Gbit/s, and it is 12.5 GHz when the rate is 10 Gbit/s.
For the system with frequency spacing as 50 GHz, the maximum central
frequency offset is 5 GHz.
The maximum central frequency offset is the value which can still be met when
the designed life cycle of the system expires, with temperature, humidity and
other factors taken into consideration.
4)
Dispersion tolerance
Dispersion reflects the spreading of the optical pulse during the transmission in
the fiber.
The pulse spreading will result in decreased extinction ratio of signal pulse at
the receiving end, that is, the electrical level of bit 1 and bit 0 are close to
each other, which may lead to mistaken judgment of the receiver. To avoid bit
errors, it is required to take proper measures to compensate the optical pulse
spreading in the fiber transmission process, for the pulse spreading will be more
and more serious with the increasing of transmission distance.
The requirement of DWDM system for the fiber chromatic dispersion
coefficient is basically that of a single multiplexing channel signal for fiber
chromatic dispersion coefficient. In addition, since the passive regenerating
distance of the DWDM system is much greater than that of a single SDH system,
the dispersion tolerance distance of the system light source must be prolonged.
5)
Receiver sensitivity
The receiver sensitivity refers to the minimum average receiving optical power
on the OTU input port when the input signals are located in the 1550 nm
window and the bit error rate reaches 10-12.
6)
Overloaded optical power

The overloaded optical power refers to the maximum average receiving optical
power on the OTU input port when the input signals are located in the 1550 nm
50
window and the bit error rate reaches 10-12.

7)
Optical power unit

W: optical power unit. Since the optical energy during the optical transmission
process is small, we usually use mW to measure.
dBm: it is an absolute value of 1mW
P dBm=10*log10(P/P0) =10*log10(pmW/1mW)
dB: a relative value. It is the power value of P1 relative to that of P2
P1-P2 dB=10*log10(P1/P2) =10*log10(P1/P0)- 10*log10(P2/P0)
8)
Loss
Loss refers to the energy loss caused by passive devices. As a relative value, it
usually selects the output power of passive device as the reference point, and the
ratio of input power to output power is the loss of this device. The fiber loss is
proportional to the length of the fiber, that is, fiber loss is cumulated.
9)
Gain
Gain refers to the energy increase caused by amplifiers. As a relative value, it
usually selects the input power of amplifier as the reference point, and the ratio
of output power to input power is the gain of this device.
10) OSNR
OSNR refers to the ratio of optical signal power to noise power. It is an
important parameter for estimating and measuring the system bit error
performance, engineering design and maintenance.
Take the OSNR formula at the receiving end of a DWDM system as an example.
The calculation formula is:
OSNR = Pout - 10 M - L + 58 - NF - 10 N
Where,
Pout: the input optical power (dBm)
M: Number of multiplexing channels of the DWDM system
L: Loss between any two optical amplifiers, that is, section loss (dB)
NF: Noise figure of EDFA (dB)
51
N: Number of optical amplifiers between optical multiplexer and optical

demultiplexer of the DWDM system.
The formula shows that when the other parameters keep unchanged, greater line
loss leads to lower OSNR, which means decreased transmission quality of the
optical line.
11) Modulation and non-modulation
The process to upload digital stream to the laser for transmitting is called
modulation. The output optic from the modulation process is modulation optic.
When the laser does not receive regular clock signals from receiver, the output
optic is non-modulation optic with irregular bit stream, whose output power is
unstable.
12) Optical interface code
The application code of WDM system is nWX-Y.Z defined in ITU-T G.692.
N: Number of multiplexing channel in the system
W: segment type, such as L, V and U
X: Number of area between multiplexer and demultiplexer in WDM system
Y: STM level of multiplexing channel signals
Z: fiber type, Z=2, 3, 5
Z=2, G.652 fiber
Z=3, G.653 fiber
Z=5, G.655 fiber
52
Appendix A Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Full Name
AFR
Absolute Frequency Reference
AFEC
Advanced FEC
AIS
Alarm Indication Signal
APR
Automatic Power Reduction
APS
Automatic Protection Switching
APSD
Automatic Power Shutdown
APSF
Automatic Protection Switching for Fast Ethernet
ASE
Amplified Spontaneous Emission
AWG
Array Waveguide Grating
BER
Bit Error Ratio
BLSR
Bidirectional Line Switching Ring
BSHR
Bidirectional Self-Healing Ring
CDR
Clock and Data Recovery
CMI
Code Mark Inversion
CODEC
Code and Decode
CPU
Center Process Unit
CRC
Cyclic Redundancy Check
DBMS
Database Management System
DCC
Data Communications Channel
DCF
Dispersion Compensation Fiber
DCG
Dispersion Compensation Grating
DCN
Data Communications Network
DCM
Dispersion Compensation Module
DDI
Double Defect Indication
DFB-LD
Distributed Feedback Laser Diode
DSF
Dispersion Shifted Fiber
DGD
Differential Group Delay
DTMF
Dual Tone Multi-Frequence
DWDM
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing
DXC
Digital Cross-connect
EAM
Electrical Absorption Modulation
ECC
Embedded Control Channel
EDFA
Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier
EFEC
Enhanced FEC
53
Abbreviation
Full Name
EX
Extinction Ratio
FDI
Forward Defection Indication
FEC
Forward Error Correction
FPDC
Fiber Passive Dispersion Compensator
FWM
Four Wave Mixing
GbE
Gigabits Ethernet
GUI
Graphical User Interfaces
IP
Internet Protocol
LD
Laser Diode
MDI
Multiple Document Interface
MCU
Management and Control Unit
MOADM
Metro Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer Equipment
MBOTU
Sub-rack backplane for OTU
MQW
Multiple Quantum Well
MSP
Multiplex Section Protection
MST
Multiplex Section Termination
NCP
Net Control Processor
NDSF
None Dispersion Shift Fiber
NE
Network Element
NNI
Network Node Interface
NMCC
Network Manage Control Center
NRZ
Non Return to Zero
NT
Network Termination
NZDSF
Non-Zero Dispersion Shifted Fiber
OA
Optical Amplifier
OADM
Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer
OBA
Optical Booster Amplifier
Och
Optical Channel
ODF
Optical fiber Distribution Frame
ODU
Optical Demultiplexer Unit
OGMD
Optical Group Mux/DeMux Board
OHP
Overhead processing board
OHPF
Overhead Processing Board for Fast Ethernet
OLA
Optical Line Amplifier
OLT
Optical Line Termination
OMU
Optical Multiplexer Unit
ONU
Optical Network Unit
OP
Optical Protection Unit
OPA
Optical Preamplifier Amplifier

54
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tab to apply 6 to the text that you want to appear here.
Abbreviation
Full Name
OPM
Optical Performance Monitor
OPMSN
Optical Protect for Mux Section (without preventing resonance switch)
OPMSS
Optical Protect for Mux Section (with preventing resonance switch
OSC
Optical Supervisory Channel
OSCF
Optical Supervision channel for Fast Ethernet
OSNR
Optical Signal-Noise Ratio
OTM
Optical Terminal
OTN
Optical Transport Network
OTU
Optical Transponder Unit
OXC
Optical Cross-connect
PDC
Passive Dispersion Compensator
PMD
Polarization Mode Dispersion
PDL
Polarization Dependent Loss
RZ
Return to Zero
SBS
Stimulated Brillouin Scattering
SDH
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
SDM
Supervision add/drop multiplexing board
SEF
Severely Error Frame
SES
Severely Error Block Second
SFP
Small Form Factor Pluggable
SLIC
Subscriber Line Interface Circuit
SMCC
Sub-network Management Control Center
SMT
Surface Mount
SNMP
Simple Network Management Protocol
SPM
Self-Phase Modulation
SRS
Stimulated Raman Scattering
STM
Synchronous Transfer Mode
SWE
Electrical Switching Board
TCP
Transmission Control Protocol
TFF
Thin Film Filter
TMN
Telecommunications Management Network
VOA
Variable Optical Attenuator
WDM
Wavelength Division Multiplexing
XPM
Cross-Phase Modulation
55
Appendix B New Optical Fiber Types

1.
Full-wave fiber
The full-wave fiber, water peak free fiber, eliminates the appended water peak
attenuation caused by the OH- ions by eliminating OH- ions near the 1385 nm
wavelength. In this way, the fiber attenuation is only determined by the internal
scattering loss of the silicon glass.
Full-wave fiber is numbered as G.652 C&D in ITU-T Recommendations. It is
one kind of G.652 fiber. Its full name is wavelength-expanded dispersion
non-shifted single-mode fiber.
The attenuation of the full-wave fiber becomes flat at the band of 1310 nm1600 nm. As internal OH- ions are already eliminated, no water peak
attenuation will occur even when the fiber is exposed to hydrogen gas. It has
the long-term attenuation reliability.
The full-wave optical fiber can provide a complete transmission band from
1280 nm to 1625 nm. The available wavelength range is about 1.5 times of the
wavelength range of ordinary fibers.
2.
Real-wave fiber
The real-wave fiber is a kind of non-zero dispersion shifted single-mode fiber
(G.655 fiber) widely used at present. Its fiber characteristics are similar to those
of G.655 fiber. The zero dispersion point is in short-wavelength area below
1530 nm. In 1549 nm - 1561 nm band, the dispersion coefficient is
2.0ps/nmkm - 3.0ps/nmkm.
The real-wave fiber has small dispersion slope and dispersion coefficient with
the capability of tolerating higher non-linear effect. It is applicable to
large-capacity optical transmission systems, and thus reducing the network
construction cost.
3.
Fiber with large effective fiber core are

It also belongs to non-zero dispersion shifted single-mode fiber (G.655 fiber).
Essentially, it improves non-linear resistance capability of the system.
57
The main performance of super-speed system is limited by dispersion and

non-linear effect. Usually, dispersion can be eliminated through dispersion
compensation. But the non-linear effect cannot be eliminated through linear
compensation. The effective area of the fiber determines the fiber non-linear
effect. Larger effective area means higher optical power affordable, that is,
better resistance to non-linear effect.
58

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ZTE UNIVERSITY

English Training Manual

2.5.1 Functions of Optical Supervisory Channel (OSC)................................................................35

Basic concepts and background of the DWDM technology

Overview of DWDM technology

Features and advantages of DWDM technology

Future trends of the DWDM technology

1.1 Emergence and Background of DWDM

1.1.1 Evolution of Multiplexing Technology in Optical Network

Work Principle of DWDM

1.1.2 Evolution of Transmission Technology in Optical Network (PDH, SDH and

Figure 1.1-1 Three Phrases of Optical Communication Development

Table 1.1-1 PDH Bit Rate

There is no worldwide standard optical interface specification. Private optical

Work Principle of DWDM

PDH is a multiplexing structure based on the point-to-point transmission. It only

Table 1.1-2 SDH Signal Levels

Line Rate (Mbit/s)

multiplexing mode, transmission rate level, and interface code pattern. It

1.1.3 Orientation of DWDM in Transmission Network

Work Principle of DWDM

Open optical interface

Figure 1.1-2 Position of DWDM Technology in Transmission Network

1.2 Overview of DWDM Technology

1.2.1 Relative Definitions of WDM

1310 nm/1550 nm wavelength multiplexing

single-fiber dual-window transmission through the WDM technology, which

Figure 1.2-1 Schematic Diagram of DWDM System

1.2.2 Basic Concepts of DWDM

Work Principle of DWDM

Figure 1.2-2 Wavelength Spacing of DWDM system

Generally, DWDM equipment is comprised of the following five components:

Optical transmitter end

Optical receiver end

Optical amplifier end

Optical supervisory channel

Network management system

1.2.3 Relationship between DWDM and SDH

Relationship between DWDM and SDH on the transmission layer of optical

Work Principle of DWDM

Figure 1.2-3 Relationship between DWDM and SDH in Transport Network

The SDH system implements multiplexing, cross-connection and networking on

Multiplexing modes of DWDM and SDH for carrier signals

Capability of DWDM to transmit signals of different types at the same time

Optical interface standards of DWDM and SDH signals

Integrated application of DWDM and SDH

1.2.4 Relationship between DWDM and CWDM

Work Principle of DWDM

According to different operating wavelength range, DWDM system provides

1.3 Features and Advantages

Fully utilizing fiber bandwidth resources and featuring high transmission

Figure 1.3-1 Huge DWDM Transmission Capacity

Super-long transmission distance

Figure 1.3-2 Ultra-long Transmission in DWDM System

Smooth upgrading and expansion

Work Principle of DWDM

1.4 Future Trends of DWDM Technology

Higher channel rate

More wavelengths to be multiplexed

Super-long all optical transmission distance

Evolving from point-to-point WDM to full optical network

Work Principle of DWDM

DWDM technology is the one of the most important trends of network