Grass Valley TR6442i - Manual (Page 11)

7
CommLink TR6442i
User Guide
Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (WDM)
Fiber optic transmission depends on Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (WDM). With WDM,
a number of optical carrier signals can be carried on a single optical fiber by using different
wavelengths of laser light. The full theory of WDM is beyond the scope of this manual, but it
is important to understand that by using equipment with different WDM factors on either
end of a fiber optic cable, signals can be sent in both directions over that single cable. The
CommLink units use a WDM factor of 1310 nm and a WDM of 1550 nm to provide a
complementary pair.
In practice, any CommLink setup requires one unit with a 1310 nm WDM factor and one
unit with a 1550 nm WDM factor. Any 1310 nm unit can be used with any 1550 nm unit
regardless of physical form. Two units with the same WDM factor will not work regardless of
the physical form.
Figure 2-2 displays how any 1310 nm WDM CommLink unit can be paired with any 1550 nm
WDM unit. Select one form factor at 1310 nm and pair the 1310 nm unit with one form
factor at 1550 nm.
Fig. 2-2: Pairing Different WDM Factor CommLink Units