What Is Optical Muxponder?
In fiber optical communications, muxponders can combine multiple services into a single wavelength/uplink by utilizing ITU optical transport network (OTN) protocol for mapping the services over the same uplink. A muxponder can maximize the fiber capacity by reducing the number of wavelengths that are needed to transport data, enabling more efficient use of fibers and making them ideal for future network growth. Carriers, ISPs and other industries often adopt muxponders since they have carrier-grade features like flexible remote monitoring and management, link diagnostic tools, and bi-directional performance monitoring of the client service interfaces and uplink.
What Is Optical Transponder?
A transponder can eliminate the need for generators by mapping the signals into standard OTN which supports forward error correction (FEC) in long-haul and metro amplified links. Optical transponders are usually classified according to their data rates and signal transmission range. Carriers, ISPs and other industries often deploy transponders to build their carrier-grade backbones and DCI networks, or for providing managed services to enterprises.
Optical transponders are often adopted to extend the optical transmission distance by wavelength conversion. It converts the optical signal of the customer side into an electrical signal by performing the 3Rs (retiming reshaping and re-amplifying) or by mapping it into the optical transport network, and then converts it back to an optical signal toward the line side. Performing 3Rs can ensure a reliable error-free optical communication link.
A transponder can eliminate the need for generators by mapping the signals into standard OTN which supports forward error correction (FEC) in long-haul and metro amplified links. Optical transponders are usually classified according to their data rates and signal transmission range. Carriers, ISPs and other industries often deploy transponders to build their carrier-grade backbones and DCI networks, or for providing managed services to enterprises.
Main Difference Between Muxponder vs. Transponder in OTN Network
In fiber optical communications, both transponders and muxponders are the elements that receive and send the signals over the fiber. Muxponders combine multiplex low-capacity services into a single high-capacity wavelength/uplink. Transponders convert each optical signal from the customer equipment to a wavelength.
The main difference between muxponders vs. transponders is that muxponders have the additional capacity to combine multiple services into a single wavelength by multiplexing several channels to a higher-order signal, which enables more efficient use of fibers than a transponder.
Functions of Transponder & Muxponder in WDM Network
Transponders and muxponders are used to conduct OEO (Optical-Electrical-Optical) applications in the WDM network. The functions mainly include:
- Amplify the optical signal- They can convert a weak input signal into a strong output signal.
- Multimode to single-mode- Extend the transmission distance by multimode to single-mode conversion.
- Fiber type conversion- Maximum the fiber capacity by fiber type conversion.
- Optical wavelength conversion- Achieve WDM solution by fiber wavelength conversion.
When to Use Transponders and Muxponders?
Transponders and muxponders can automatically receive, amplify and re-transmit signals on new wavelengths without any changes to the data carried over the signal at all, which can not be achieved by only adopting transceivers.
A WDM solution based on active transponders or muxponders is a better choice, especially when transceivers and switches are not fully compatible or when transceivers alone are not to enough meet your needs. For instance, you may need higher speed, longer transmission distance, and higher security than that achieved by the combination of switches and routers already installed. Below are some cases where using a transponder-based solution can solve common challenges:
1. If you want to encrypt your networks, muxponders and transponders will contribute to protecting sensitive data and meet regulatory requirements with encryption.
2. If the data needs to be transmitted over a very long distance which the transceivers don't support long-distance WDM, an OEO-based solution with transponders and muxponders can extend the distance of WDM network with FEC error correction.
3. If ISPs need to hand off a gray (i.e. non-WDM) signal to end-users, transponders and muxponders can realize it and make it easier for ISPs to restrict the bandwidth of optical connection.
4. If the data needs to be transmitted at a higher rate in WDM networks than that achieved by transceivers, transponders and muxponders are another way to support a faster rate without turning to faster transceivers which could be larger than the vendors prefer.
3Coptics provides the best 10G/25G/100G transponders and 10G/100G/200G muxponders, together with professional chassis and accessories to meet all your needs.
