CWDM Mux/Demux

CWDM Mux/Demux — 4/8/16/18 Channel Passive ABS Modules

Thin film filter based passive wavelength multiplexer with low insertion loss and high channel isolation for metro network and data center interconnect applications.

 

Understanding Wavelength Division Multiplexing Solutions

 

Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology has revolutionized optical networking by enabling multiple data channels to transmit simultaneously over a single fiber optic cable. This breakthrough technology comes in two primary forms: Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), each offering distinct advantages for different network requirements.

CWDM Mux/Demux

FB-LINK Passive Wavelength Multiplexer Portfolio

 

As a professional passive CWDM Mux/Demux manufacturer in China, FB-LINK offers a comprehensive range of coarse wavelength division multiplexing modules designed for metro network expansion and data center interconnection. Our product line features 4, 8, 16, and 18 channel configurations with thin film filter (TFF) technology, delivering superior optical performance across the full 1270-1610nm spectrum.

 

Each ITU-T G.694.2 compliant wavelength multiplexer in our portfolio ensures reliable interoperability with transceivers from any vendor. We provide factory-direct pricing with full customization capabilities for OEM and ODM partners worldwide.

 

Why Choose FB-LINK

 


 

ABS Box Compact Design

Rugged enclosure protects optical components, supports rack or wall mounting installation.

 

 

Passive Operation

Zero power consumption, no cooling required. MTBF exceeds 100 years for maintenance-free deployment.

 

 

Low Insertion Loss

≤1.6dB (4CH) to ≤4.5dB (18CH) maximizes optical power budget for extended reach.

 

 

High Channel Isolation

Adjacent >30dB, Non-adjacent >40dB eliminates wavelength crosstalk interference.

 

 

ITU-T G.694.2 CWDM Wavelength Grid (18 Channels)

All modules follow the ITU-T G.694.2 grid: 18 nominal wavelengths from 1270 nm to 1610 nm (ITU nominal 1271–1611 nm) on 20 nm spacing, ±0.5 nm center-wavelength accuracy, >13 nm passband. Any colored SFP, SFP+, SFP28 or QSFP28 tuned to these wavelengths is compatible.

BandCWDM Wavelengths (nm)ChannelsAttenuation / Fiber Note
O-band1270, 1290, 1310, 1330, 13505Low loss on all G.652 fiber
E-band1370, 1390, 1410, 1430, 145051390/1410 nm sit in the water-peak region — usable on low-water-peak G.652.C/D fiber; higher loss on legacy G.652.A/B
S-band1470, 1490, 15103Low loss
C-band1530, 15502Lowest loss (~0.22 dB/km); preferred for longest spans
L-band1570, 1590, 16103Low loss (~0.25 dB/km)

Common channel plans (custom subsets available):

PlanWavelengthsBest for
4CH low-band1270–1330Short campus links, legacy fiber
8CH high-band1470–1610Most common 8λ plan; full S/C/L coverage, longest reach
16CH skip-band1270–1570 (skips 1590/1610)High density while avoiding L-band edge
18CH full-spectrum1270–1610Maximum capacity on low-water-peak fiber

Need a non-standard subset (e.g. 1430/1450 only, or a custom 6λ plan)? We build any combination on the 18-wavelength grid — see Custom Configuration below.

 

Thin Film Filter Technology

Our manufacturing process utilizes proprietary thin film coating and non-flux metal bonding micro-optics packaging. This delivers wide passband (>13nm @-0.5dB), low polarization dependent loss (<0.1dB), and excellent temperature stability (<0.005dB/°C) across operating temperatures from -40°C to +85°C.

 

Technical Specifications

 

The following table summarizes key optical parameters for our passive wavelength multiplexer modules:

Parameter4 Channel8 Channel16 Channel18 Channel
Wavelength Range1270nm - 1610nm (ITU-T G.694.2)
Channel Spacing20nm
Center Wavelength Accuracy±0.5nm
Channel Passband (@-0.5dB)>13nm
Insertion Loss (Max)≤1.6dB≤2.5dB≤4.5dB≤4.5dB
Channel Uniformity≤0.6dB≤1.0dB≤1.5dB≤1.5dB
Adjacent Channel Isolation>30dB
Non-Adjacent Isolation>40dB
Polarization Dependent Loss<0.1dB
Return Loss>45dB
Operating Temperature-5°C to +75°C (Extended: -40°C to +85°C)
Package Dimension (ABS Box)L100×W80×H10mmL142×W102×H14.5mm

Channel Configuration Options

 

4 Channel Passive Multiplexer Module

The entry-level 4 channel CWDM Mux Demux provides cost-effective fiber capacity expansion for smaller metro networks and enterprise campus interconnections. With insertion loss ≤1.6dB and compact ABS packaging (L100×W80×H10mm), this configuration supports high-band (1470-1610nm) or low-band (1270-1330nm) wavelength plans.

8 Channel Coarse WDM Module

Doubling the capacity while maintaining excellent optical performance with insertion loss ≤2.5dB. The 8 channel CWDM multiplexer is available in single fiber bidirectional and dual fiber configurations, ideal for metro ring networks, mobile backhaul aggregation, and enterprise WAN connections requiring protocol-transparent transport.

16 Channel High-Density Wavelength Module

Maximizes fiber utilization by supporting 16 independent wavelengths over dual fiber infrastructure. With insertion loss ≤4.5dB and channel uniformity ≤1.5dB, this 16 channel high-density CWDM Mux Demux addresses demanding metropolitan network applications for ISPs and carriers.

18 Channel Full-Spectrum Module

Represents maximum coarse WDM capacity utilizing all available wavelengths from 1270nm to 1610nm. This 18 channel full-spectrum CWDM multiplexer demultiplexer serves large-scale metro deployments where fiber resources are severely constrained, delivering 18 independent services over a single fiber pair.

 

Customization Options

 

Single-Fiber vs Dual-Fiber Configuration

Choose the fiber scheme before channel count — it determines how many duplex services you actually get.

 Dual-Fiber (Duplex)Single-Fiber (BiDi)
Fibers used2 (Tx and Rx separate)1 (both directions share one fiber)
Usable duplex channelsFull grid (e.g. 18λ each way)~Half — wavelengths split into two directional groups
DeploymentStandard point-to-pointAlways in matched A/B pairs
Choose whenFiber is available; you want maximum channelsFiber is the scarce/expensive resource (leased or long metro spans)

Single-fiber halves usable channels but cuts fiber cost in half — the right trade only when fiber, not wavelength budget, is your constraint.

 

Form Factor / Housing Options

Form FactorMountingTypical Use
ABS / Aluminum box (pigtailed)Tray, shelf, wall bracketCompact splice-in, small/remote sites
LGX cassetteLGX-compatible chassis / ODF panelSlot-in for fiber distribution frames
1U 19” rack mountStandard 19” rack, front-panel adaptersCentral office, data center racks
Wall-mount bracketDirect wall fixingCell sites, MDU, remote cabinets

Confirm available housings against current SKUs before publishing.

 

Connector Type Selection

Modules ship with your choice of fiber optic connectors including LC/UPC, LC/APC, SC/UPC, SC/APC, FC/PC, FC/APC, and ST configurations. LC connectors remain popular for data center deployments due to high port density.

 

Wavelength Plan Customization

Configure specific wavelength combinations for your network architecture. Common configurations include high-band only (1470-1610nm), full-band, skip-band (avoiding 1390/1410nm), or custom designs with expansion ports. Our engineering team assists with wavelength planning for complex multi-site deployments.

 

Optional Monitor Port

Add a 1% or 2% tap coupler for non-intrusive optical power monitoring. This enables troubleshooting and performance verification without service interruption, supporting proactive network maintenance programs.

Application Scenarios

 

Metro Network Fiber Capacity Expansion

Telecommunications carriers deploy passive wavelength multiplexers to increase existing fiber capacity without new cable installation. A single fiber pair equipped with 8 or 16 channel modules supports multiple independent services including business Ethernet, mobile backhaul, and residential broadband.

Data Center Interconnect (DCI)

Enterprise and cloud data centers utilize passive CWDM multiplexer for data center interconnect applications. Each wavelength carries an independent 10G, 25G, or 100G link, enabling aggregate capacities from 40Gbps to 1.8Tbps over metro distances without power requirements at intermediate sites.

Enterprise Campus Backbone

Large corporate campuses implement 4 or 8 channel Mux Demux modules for enterprise campus connectivity, consolidating building-to-building links onto existing fiber infrastructure while supporting simultaneous data, voice, video, and storage replication traffic.

5G Mobile Fronthaul and Backhaul

Mobile network operators embrace CWDM wavelength multiplexer for 5G fronthaul aggregation. An 8 channel module at the hub site combines traffic from multiple remote radio units, reducing fiber count between cell sites and baseband controllers as network densification accelerates.

 

Protocol Transparent Operation​ol Transparent Operation

All modules are completely protocol and rate transparent, supporting services from 1Gbps to 25Gbps per wavelength including Gigabit Ethernet, 10G/25G Ethernet, SDH/SONET, Fibre Channel, CPRI, and CATV RF overlay. Mix different services on the same system without configuration changes.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

 

Every unit undergoes comprehensive optical testing before shipment, verifying insertion loss, channel isolation, return loss, and wavelength accuracy across the full operating temperature range. Manufacturing processes comply with ISO 9001 quality management standards, and all Telcordia GR-1221 compliant CWDM modules meet carrier network deployment requirements.

 

RoHS and REACH compliance ensures environmentally responsible materials throughout our product line. Detailed test reports accompany each shipment providing traceability and documentation with a standard 3-year warranty.

 

FAQ

Q: What is the difference between coarse and dense wavelength division multiplexing?

A: Coarse WDM uses 20nm channel spacing with uncooled lasers, supporting up to 18 wavelengths over the 1270-1610nm range. Dense WDM employs much tighter spacing (typically 0.8nm) with temperature-stabilized lasers, enabling 40-96+ channels. The coarse approach offers lower cost and simpler operation for metro distances under 80km. FB-LINK manufactures both DWDM equipment and coarse WDM passive modules.

Q: Do these passive modules require electrical power?

A: No, these are completely unpowered optical devices using thin film filter technology to separate and combine wavelengths without electronic components. This passive Mux Demux zero power design means no heat generation and MTBF exceeding 100 years—ideal for unmanned remote sites where power availability is constrained.

Q: What transceivers are compatible?

A: Any colored SFP, SFP+, SFP28, or QSFP28 transceiver tuned to ITU-T G.694.2 wavelengths operates with our modules. FB-LINK supplies compatible optical transceivers including 1G, 10G, 25G, and 100G CWDM4 variants. Multi-vendor interoperability is guaranteed through standards-based wavelength specifications.

Q: Can channel count be expanded after initial deployment?

A: Yes, modular deployments allow incremental capacity growth. Start with 4 channels and add wavelengths as bandwidth demand increases. Our expandable CWDM Mux Demux with expansion port options enables cascading additional modules without disturbing existing traffic, aligning capital investment with revenue-generating services.

Q: What is the maximum transmission distance?

A: Distance depends on fiber attenuation, transceiver power budget, and wavelength selection. Typical deployments achieve 40-80km without amplification using 10G SFP+ transceivers. Longer wavelengths (1550-1610nm) experience lower attenuation (~0.25dB/km) enabling extended reach. Contact our engineering team for specific link budget calculations.

Q: What lead time and MOQ apply?

A: Standard configurations ship within 3-5 business days with no minimum order quantity for samples. Custom wavelength plans require 7-10 business days. We maintain buffer stock of popular 4CH and 8CH modules for rapid fulfillment. Contact us for wholesale pricing on larger deployment projects.

Q: Does FB-LINK provide OEM/ODM manufacturing?

A: Yes, we offer complete OEM and ODM services as a professional CWDM Mux Demux OEM ODM manufacturer. We produce modules to your specifications with custom branding, packaging, and documentation. Our engineering team supports custom wavelength configurations and unique enclosure designs for system integrators and telecom equipment vendors.

Q: Should I use single-fiber or dual-fiber CWDM, and does single-fiber cut my channel count?

A: Use dual-fiber by default and switch to single-fiber only when fiber strands — not wavelengths — are your scarce resource. A single-fiber(BiDi) link carries both directions on one strand, so the 18-wavelength grid is split into two directional groups and you get roughly half the duplex services of a dual-fiber link. Single-fiber units must also be deployed as matched A/B pairs. The math is simple: single-fiber saves 50% of fiber but halves usable duplex channels. It pays off on leased fiber or long metro spans where each strand is expensive; on owned campus fiber where strands are free, dual-fiber gives you double the capacity for the same module cost. Not suitable when you need the full 18λ duplex over one strand — that requires a dual-fiber pair.

Q: Can I run all 18 CWDM wavelengths, and why do some 16-channel plans skip 1390/1410 nm?

A: Whether all 18 wavelengths are usable depends on your installed fiber,not the module. The two E-band channels at 1390 and 1410 nm fall in the “water peak” region, where older G.652.A/B fiber shows a sharp attenuation spike from residual OH⁻ ions — enough to make those channels unreliable over distance. Low-water-peak G.652.C/D fiber (ITU-T G.652.D is the modern default) flattens that peak, so all 18 channels run normally. This is exactly why a common 16-channel plan skips 1390/1410 nm:it guarantees consistent performance on mixed or unknown fiber. Practical rule: specify 18CH only when you’ve confirmed G.652.C/D end to end;otherwise a 16CH skip-band plan removes the risk. If you don’t know your fiber’s water-peak rating, send us the route and we’ll recommend the safe channel plan.

Q: What MOQ and lead time apply to custom CWDM channel/wavelength plans, and can one CWDM channel also carry DWDM?

A: Samples ship with no MOQ — one unit, 3–5 business days, because we hold buffer stock of 4CH and 8CH plans. Standard 4/8/10/16/18-channel modules also ship in 3–5 business days. Custom wavelength or channel plans — any subset of the 18-wavelength grid, including odd counts like 3, 5, 9 or 12 channels and skip-band layouts — run 7–10 business days as made-to-order. For capacity beyond CWDM, a 1530/1550 nm expansion port lets you stack multiple DWDM wavelengths inside a single CWDM channel,so one fiber pair carries a CWDM base plus a DWDM overlay without replacing the existing mux. Suitable for staged growth where you start on CWDM economics and add DWDM density later; not needed if your total service count stays within the 18 CWDM channels. Bulk and OEM projects are quoted factory-direct with scheduled batch delivery.

Ordering, MOQ & Lead Time

 

Factory-direct from Shenzhen — no trading-company markup. Transparent terms before you ask:

Order TypeMOQLead TimeNotes
Sample (any standard config)No MOQ — 1 unit3–5 business daysBuffer stock of 4CH/8CH for same-week dispatch
Standard 4/8/10/16/18CHLow / negotiable3–5 business daysPopular plans held in stock
Custom wavelength or channel plan (2–18λ)Project-based7–10 business daysAny subset on the G.694.2 grid; odd channel counts supported
Bulk / OEM projectVolume-basedQuoted per projectFactory-direct pricing, scheduled batch delivery

Custom channel counts: beyond the standard 4/8/10/16/18, we build 2, 3, 5, 9, 12-channel and other counts to order — plus skip-band plans(avoiding 1390/1410 nm) and hybrid layouts with a 1310/1550 nm expansion port for CWDM/DWDM overlay.

 

Every unit ships with an individual optical test report (insertion loss,isolation, return loss, wavelength accuracy) verified across the full operating temperature range under our Telcordia GR-1221 process. 3-year warranty.

Request Quotation

 

As a leading passive wavelength multiplexer manufacturer in China, FB-LINK Technology welcomes wholesale inquiries and OEM/ODM partnerships. Contact our sales team for competitive factory direct pricing on all channel configurations.

 

Contact now

As one of the leading cwdm equipment manufacturers and suppliers in China, we warmly welcome you to wholesale or buy discount cwdm equipment in stock here from our factory. All customized products are with high quality and competitive price. Contact us for quotation and free sample.

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