This document discusses hybrid CWDM/DWDM optical networks using JDS Uniphase WaveReady products. It describes how WaveReady modules allow existing CWDM networks to seamlessly merge DWDM and CWDM traffic at the optical layer, providing pay-as-you-grow capacity growth. Hybrid networks offer reduced costs through initial CWDM deployment with an upgrade path to DWDM as needs increase beyond 8 channels. The document also provides details on the theoretical and practical application of adding additional DWDM channels within the passbands of existing CWDM channels.

1. Hybrid DWDM/CWDM Optical Networks
Cost-effective capacity growth and investment protection with WaveReady hybrid systems.
WaveReady™ Hybrid CWDM-DWDM Optical Networks
JDS Uniphase WaveReady 3000 series optical modules offer a simple, plug-and-play option for creating
hybrid systems of DWDM channels interleaved with existing CWDM channel plans. Support for hybrid
configurations is a key value of the WaveReady product family.
CWDM is an excellent, cost-effective, first step solution for scaling metro networks. Low cost WaveReady
CWDM transport can support up to eight channels at 2.5 Gb/s. This is sufficient for many networks in the
metro space.
If capacity needs grow beyond eight channels, WaveReady products can be used to merge DWDM and
CWDM traffic seamlessly at the optical layer. This allows carriers to add many channels to networks
originally designed for the more limited CWDM capacity and reach. Hybrid networks deliver true pay-as-
you-grow capacity growth and investment protection.
For carriers, the major advantages of hybrid CWDM/DWDM are:
• Reduced cost: CWDM has a significant cost advantage over DWDM due to the lower cost of
lasers and the filters used in CWDM modules. Coarse channel spacing allows more tolerance for
channel deviations or wavelength deviations. Therefore, CWDM transmitters and filters are
easier, and cheaper, to manufacture. This cost saving becomes quite significant for large
deployments.
• Pay-as-you-grow: Adding new channels one at a time allows for on-demand service introduction
with minimal initial investment, a critical feature in times of reduced OPEX and CAPEX spending
• Investment protection: Although 8 channels may be enough in an initial deployment, it’s important
to have an upgrade path to avoid a forklift upgrade to DWDM when growth in demand finally
requires significant new capacity. Given the unique WaveReady upgrade capability, carriers no
longer have to choose between CWDM and DWDM—both options can be deployed
simultaneously or as part of a planned future, or incremental, upgrade. WaveReady 3000 series
CWDM/DWDM modules can be used in either the WaveReady 3500, usually in central offices, or
in the WaveReady 3100, usually on customer premises. Current capital investment can always
be used in the upgraded network.

2. Hybrid DWDM/CWDM Optical Networks | 2
Theory of CWDM/DWDM Hybridization
The CWDM frequency grid consists of 16 channels spaced at 20 nm intervals. The eight most commonly
used channels are: 1470 nm, 1490 nm, 1510 nm, 1530 nm, 1550 nm 1570 nm, 1590 nm and 1610 nm.
Within the pass band of these channels there exists the capacity to add 25 100 GHz spaced channels
under the 1530 nm envelope and 25 more under the 1550 nm envelope if the filter is properly designed.
For example, in the 1530 nm window there is a total theoretical pass band of ±10 nm on either side of the
nominal center frequency. Therefore, one can, theoretically, concatenate multiple WDM filters to add
another 25 channels within the pass-band. Looking at the ITU grid in Table 1 one can easily pick out
these channels.
Table 1: Theoretical Availability of Channels in the 1530 nm and 1550 nm Pass-band
1521.02 1540.56
1521.79 1541.35
1522.56 1542.14
1523.34 1542.94
1524.11 1543.73
1524.89 1544.53
1525.66 1545.32
1526.44 1546.12
1527.22 1546.92
1527.99 1547.72
1530 nm ± 20 nm
1550 nm ± 20 nm
1528.77 1548.51
1529.55 1549.32
1530.33 1550.12
1531.12 1550.92
1531.90 1551.72
1532.68 1552.52
1533.47 1553.33
1534.25 1554.13
1535.04 1554.94
1535.82 1555.75
1536.61 1556.55
1537.40 1557.36
1538.19 1558.17
1538.98 1558.98
1539.77 1559.79

3. Hybrid DWDM/CWDM Optical Networks | 3
Practical Application of CWDM/DWDM Hybridization
In practice, adding another 25 channels in the pass-band of both the 1530 nm and 1550 nm CWDM
channels is not achievable because the optical filters are not perfect square functions. The actual filter
profile affects the number of channels which can be accommodated. However, actual JDS Uniphase
DWDM filter technology does allow 38 additional channels to clear the CWDM archway as shown in
Table 2.
Table 2: Actual Availability of Channels in the 1530 nm and 1550 nm Pass-band
1521.02 1540.56
1521.79 1541.35
1522.56 1542.14
1523.34 1542.94
1524.11 1543.73
1524.89 1544.53
1525.66 1545.32
1526.44 1546.12
1527.22 1546.92
1527.99 1547.72
1550 nm ±20 nm
1530 nm ±20 nm
1528.77 1548.51
1529.55 1549.32
1530.33 1550.12
1531.12 1550.92
1531.90 1551.72
1532.68 1552.52
1533.47 1553.33
1534.25 1554.13
1535.04 1554.94
1535.82 1555.75
1536.61 1556.55
1537.40 1557.36
1538.19 1558.17
1538.98 1558.98
1539.77 1559.79

4. Hybrid DWDM/CWDM Optical Networks | 4
The system impact to adding these channels is equivalent to adding the component in line with existing
CWDM equipment. The insertion losses add linearly.
Figure 1 shows the infrastructure in a fully populated CWDM system.
MUX DeMUX
TX1 1470 RX1
TX2 1490 RX2
CWDM 8
CWDM 8
TX3 1510 RX3
TX4 1530 RX4
TX5 1550 RX5
TX6 1570 RX6
TX7 1590 RX7
TX8 1610 RX8
To add more channels to MUX side of this network, one would plug in a DWDM MUX with the
appropriate channels to fall under the pass-band of the existing CWDM filters. Figure 2 shows the
infrastructure of Figure 1 upgraded with 38 additional 100 GHz spaced channels.
Figure 2: Forty Four Channel Hybrid CWDM/DWDM System
MUX DeMUX
D TX1 1470 RX1 D
19
W W
DWDM TX2 1490 RX2
D D
CWDM 8
CWDM 8
TXs
M TX3 1510 RX3 M
1530
1550
TX6 1570 RX6
D D
19
W TX7 1590 RX7 W
DWDM
D D
TXs TX8 1610 RX8
M M
The number of channels present in Figure 2 is 38 DWDM channels plus the existing six CWDM channels
for a total of 44. The equipment required to go from the first architecture to the second are 2 DWDM
multiplexers and demultiplexers, as well as the additional transmitter and receiver pairs required. The
additional loss incurred by the upgrade is equal to the additional loss of the DWDM elements and the
additional connection points.
Several network types could take advantage of the architecture shown in Figure 2. For example one
could increase the capacity of an existing ring, by deploying all of the elements above at each node. Or,
one could allow DWDM traffic to overlay an existing CWDM network at a pre-determined crossover point.

5. Hybrid DWDM/CWDM Optical Networks | 5
Figure 3: Hybrid CWDM/DWDM Rings
DWDM Metro
CWDM Core RING
RING
The two networks would be configured in such a way to allow the DWDM traffic to travel across the
CWDM ring. All of the nodes where the DWDM traffic would travel on the CWDM ring would require the
DWDM multiplexer and demultiplexer pairs.
Another application for the DWDM channels is for long reach links in CWDM rings. If a certain span
exists in a CWDM network with a large distance between regenerators, say 100 km, DWDM channels
can be used in place of CWDM ones to overcome this distance.
CWDM NODE MIXED NODE
1470 RX
1490 RX
1510 RX
1530 RX
1550 RX
1570 RX
1590 RX
1610 RX
1470 RX
1490 RX
DWDM NODE 1510 RX
1570 RX
1590 RX
1610 RX

6. Hybrid DWDM/CWDM Optical Networks | 6
System Impact
The added components on the CWDM ring will decrease the link budget for each span by the amount of
insertion loss for each new component. The use of high isolation optical filters for the DWDM channels
will ensure that cross talk is minimized between closely spaced channels. In the case of very high
channel counts, non-linear effects should be taken into consideration. These include self phase
modulation and four wave mixing.
The lasers used in DWDM networks have a much narrower line width than lasers used in CWDM. As a
result the DWDM signals will typically have farther reach, and will undergo less pulse broadening due to
chromatic dispersion. However they also lie within the operating range of erbium doped fiber amplifiers.
This means that DWDM signals can go un-regenerated for large distances. This limit is reached at the
transmitter’s dispersion limit.
Receiver technology is independent of the optical signal present. The same receiver can be used to
resolve a CWDM signal as well as a DWDM signal. The InGaAs material used to convert the optical
signal into an electrical one has an operating range that includes both wavelength schemes. In the case
of a 3R receiver, the receiver should be chosen such that it is compatible with the transmitter’s data rate.
Glossary
DCF – Dispersion Compensating Fiber
DWDM – Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing
EDFA – Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier
IEEE – Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
ITU-T – International Telecommunication Union – Telecommunication Standardization Section
SONET – Synchronous Optical Networks
Featured Products
Description
WaveReady 3000 Bi-directional 1310 nm to CWDM transponder (WSH 500)
WaveReady 3000 Bi-directional 850 nm to CWDM transponder (WSH 510)
WaveReady 3000 Bi-directional 1310 nm to DWDM transponder (WSH 413)
WaveReady 3000 Bi-directional 850 nm to DWDM transponder (WSH 400)
WaveReady 3000 Communications Module 100
WaveReady 3500 Shelf Mounting Solution (DenseMount Shelf)
Additional Information
For more information on WaveReady™ or other products and their availability, please contact your local
JDS Uniphase account manager or JDS Uniphase directly at 1-800-498-JDSU (5378) in North America
and +800-5378-JDSU worldwide or via e-mail at sales@jdsu.com.
WaveReady and JDS Uniphase are registered trademarks of JDS Uniphase Corporation.