Tunable DWDM SFP+ is one of the DWDM optical modules. It is commonly used in DWDM systems. In the market, the price of tunable SFP+ optical modules is usually two to four times that of DWDM SFP+ optical modules. Many people may think that the DWDM SFP+ optical module in the DWDM system is enough, why do you need an adjustable SFP+ optical module? This article will introduce you what are tunable DWDM SFP+ optical modules, and explain in detail why you need to use them in DWDM systems.

What is the definition of tunable DWDM SFP+ optical module?
Tunable SFP+ optical module is a new technology, which has developed rapidly once it came out. Since CWDM wavelengths are too widely spaced, they are only available as DWDM. Therefore, the tunable SFP+ optical module is also called the tunable DWDM SFP+ optical module. The tunable SFP+ optical module is equipped with an integrated full C-band 50GHz tunable transmitter and a high-performance PIN receiver to meet ITU-T (50GHz DWDM ITU-T full C-band) requirements. It shares the same hot-swappable SFP+ package as the DWDM SFP+ optical module. The main difference between them is that DWDM SFP+ only has fixed wavelength or λ, while adjustable SFP+ can adjust its wavelength to the required λ on site. The tunable DWDM SFP+ optical module enables us to change its wavelength infinitely within the C-band DWDM ITU band, and can be applied to various types of equipment, such as switches, routers and servers, etc.

Why do you need to use tunable DWDM SFP+ optical modules in DWDM systems?
In traditional DWDM systems, fixed-wavelength SFP+ optical modules are often used as light sources in the field of optical communications. However, with the continuous development, application and promotion of optical communication systems, the shortcomings of DWDM-SFP+ optical modules are gradually exposed. Here are the reasons why tunable SFP+ optical modules are needed in DWDM systems: On the one hand, spare SFP+ optical modules must be prepared for each DWDM wavelength to avoid unnecessary failures. In traditional DWDM systems, a small number of additional SFP+ optical modules are sufficient. However, with the development of technology, the number of wavelengths in DWDM 50GHz has now reached hundreds. This means that one has to provide up to hundreds of backup DWDM SFP+ optical modules, which will greatly increase operating costs. The tunable SFP+ optical module provides equipment manufacturers and operators with great flexibility, realizes the optimization of the overall network performance, and greatly reduces the existing operators' demand for DWDM SFP+ optical module inventory. On the other hand, in a DWDM system, it may be necessary to use a large number of SFP+ optical modules with different wavelengths to support dynamic wavelength allocation in the optical network and improve network flexibility. However, the utilization rate of each optical module is very low, resulting in waste of resources. The emergence of tunable DWDM SFP+ optical modules effectively solves this problem. Using adjustable SFP+ optical modules, different DWDM wavelengths can be configured and output in the same light source, and these wavelength values and intervals meet the requirements of ITU-T (50GHz DWDM ITU-T full C-band).

Because the tunable DWDM SFP+ optical module has the characteristics of flexible selection of working wavelength, it has great practical value in applications such as optical fiber communication wavelength division multiplexing systems, optical add-drop multiplexers and optical cross-connects, optical switching equipment, and light source components. .