Customized MUX/DEMUX FA for 40G 100G Optical Transceiver - China Suppliers and Factory Solutions
Product Introduction
AWG MUX/DEMUX (Arrayed Waveguide Grating Multiplexer/Demultiplexer) is a core passive photonic component that integrates wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) functionality on a planar lightwave circuit, enabling simultaneous transmission/reception of multiple optical signals over a single fiber.
As a MUX (Multiplexer), it combines multiple optical signals of different wavelengths into one fiber. As a DEMUX (Demultiplexer), it splits a combined multi-wavelength signal back into individual wavelength channels for separate processing.
Key Design & Components
- Input/Output Waveguides Single-mode waveguides (typically 9/125 μm) carrying optical signals, with channel counts from 4 to 128+ for dense WDM.
- Arrayed Waveguides Parallel waveguides with precisely controlled length differences that create phase shifts to diffract light based on wavelength.
- Slab Waveguides Two fan-shaped slab regions that distribute light from input to arrayed waveguides, and collect diffracted light to output waveguides.
- PLC Chip Substrate A silica glass or InP (Indium Phosphide) base hosting all waveguides, ensuring dimensional stability and low optical loss.
- Packaging Hermetic or semi-hermetic packaging with fiber pigtails/FA-MT connectors and thermal management for wavelength stability.
Performance Traits
- Wavelength Precision Operates in standard WDM bands (C-band: 1530–1565 nm; L-band: 1565–1625 nm) with channel spacing as tight as 0.8 nm (100 GHz) or 0.4 nm (50 GHz).
- Low Optical Loss Typical insertion loss of 3–6 dB (C-band) with low polarization-dependent loss (PDL < 0.3 dB) and channel-to-channel uniformity (< 1 dB).
- High Isolation Channel isolation > 25 dB (typically 30–40 dB), preventing crosstalk between adjacent wavelength channels.
- Environmental Stability Maintains performance over -40℃ to +85℃, with low wavelength drift (< 0.05 nm/℃).
- Compact & Scalable Small form factor with support for high channel counts, ideal for space-constrained optical modules.
Typical Applications
- Long-Haul & Metro Networks Enables DWDM systems to multiply fiber capacity, supporting high-speed (10G/100G/400G) data transmission over hundreds of kilometers.
- Data Centers Used in data center interconnects (DCIs) and campus networks to consolidate fiber links, reducing cable complexity and cost.
- Optical Transceivers & Modules Integrated into WDM transceivers (e.g., QSFP-DD, OSFP) for multi-wavelength parallel transmission, enhancing bandwidth per port.
- Passive Optical Networks (PONs) Supports WDM-PON systems, enabling multiple users to share a single fiber with dedicated wavelengths.
- Test & Measurement Used to generate or analyze multi-wavelength optical signals for network validation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary function of an AWG MUX/DEMUX?
An AWG MUX/DEMUX is a planar lightwave circuit (PLC)-based device that combines multiple optical signals of different wavelengths into one single fiber (Multiplexer) and splits a combined multi-wavelength signal back into individual channels (Demultiplexer).
What are the core components of an AWG device?
The core components include Input/Output Waveguides for carrying signals, Arrayed Waveguides for creating precise phase shifts, Slab Waveguides for distributing and collecting light, and a PLC Chip Substrate (silica glass or InP) that ensures dimensional stability.
Which wavelength bands and channel spacings does it support?
It operates in standard WDM bands, specifically the C-band (1530–1565 nm) and L-band (1565–1625 nm). It supports channel spacings as tight as 0.8 nm (100 GHz) or 0.4 nm (50 GHz) for Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM).
What are the typical optical loss and isolation specifications?
It features a typical insertion loss of 3–6 dB in the C-band, polarization-dependent loss (PDL) of less than 0.3 dB, channel uniformity of less than 1 dB, and high channel isolation of greater than 25 dB (typically 30–40 dB) to prevent crosstalk.
How stable is the AWG MUX/DEMUX under varying temperatures?
It exhibits high environmental stability, maintaining its performance over a wide temperature range of -40℃ to +85℃, with a very low wavelength drift of less than 0.05 nm/℃.
What are the key applications of AWG MUX/DEMUX?
It is commonly used in Long-Haul & Metro Networks (supporting 10G/100G/400G transmission), Data Center Interconnects (DCIs), WDM transceivers (QSFP-DD, OSFP), Passive Optical Networks (WDM-PON), and optical test equipment.