What is MWDM Wavelength Division Multiplexing
                     What is MWDM Wavelength Division Multiplexing? 
 
 
The large-scale construction of 5G new infrastructure also places higher demands on 
the bearer network. The 5G bearer network mainly includes 5G fronthaul networks 
and 5G backhaul networks. Wavelength division multiplexing(WDM) technology is the 
preferred solution for 5G fronthaul networks. According to the different wavelengths 
used, it can be divided into DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing), CWDM 
(Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing),the newly proposed MWDM, and LWDM. 
 
Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) and Dense Wavelength Division 
Multiplexing (DWDM) are both mature WDM technologies. What is MWDM? 
 
To understand what MWDM is, you first need to know why MWDM was proposed. 
 
5G fronthaul network requires high reliability, high performance, low cost and easy 
deployment solutions. Need a low-cost technical solution that can quickly respond to 
market needs. Chinese telecom operators innovatively put forward the concept of 12-
wave multiplexing WDM. MWDM is proposed based on mature CWDM technology. 
 
CWDM has 18 wavelengths (1271~1611nm), but due to the relatively large attenuation 
of the 1270~1470nm band and cost considerations, usually only 6 wavelengths 
(1271nm, 1291nm, 1311nm, 1351nm, 1371nm) are used. MWDM is based on the 6 
wavelengths of CWDM, shifted by 3.5nm left and right to expand to 12 waves (1267.5, 
1274.5, 1287.5, 1294.5, 1307.5, 1314.5, 1327.5, 1334.5, 1347.5, 1354.5, 1367.5, 
1374.5nm). 
 
 
 
What are the advantages of this? MWDM reuses the first 6 wavelengths of CWDM, 
compresses the 20nm wavelength interval of CWDM to 7nm, and uses Thermal 
Electronic Cooler (TEC) temperature control technology to expand 1 wave into 2 waves. 
In this way, an increase in capacity can be achieved while further saving optical fibers. 
 
MWDM can reuses the production process and industrial chain of CWDM to meet the 
urgent needs of 5G commercial. 
 
With 20 years’ experience of OEM ODM manufacturing, HYC has a wide range of 
optical passive WDM modules for 5G networks. HYC has a large-scale production 
capacity to help 5G deployment. Now we have developed a series of MWDM modules 
that can be provided to our customers in the process of global 5G network 
construction.  
 
About HYC Co., Ltd 
HYC Co., Ltd is a leading manufacturer of optical passive devices and has built a certain 
influence in the global industry. We focus on providing customers with one-stop 
customization of optical passive devices design, development, and manufacturing. We 
have production lines including optical fiber connectors, optical fiber jumpers, PLC 
splitters, WDM, MEMS optical switches, and products that are widely used in FTTH, 
Data center, 5G network, Telecom, etc.