Friday 9th February 2024
Bidi, or bi-directional, transmission operates through specialized transceivers utilizing two distinct wavelengths to facilitate two-way transmission on a single fiber. Unlike typical optical transceivers that sport two ports, Bidi transceivers feature only one. They achieve bidirectional signal transmission by employing different center wavelengths through a technique called wavelength division multiplexing (WDM).
How Bidi Works
The fundamental distinction between conventional transceivers and Bidi transceivers lies in the latter's integration of WDM couplers. These couplers effectively combine or segregate data transmitted over a solitary fiber by utilizing various wavelengths of light. Bidi transceivers often come in matched pairs: one section for the upstream ("U") direction and its counterpart for the downstream ("D") direction. Each of these components transmits at a distinct wavelength.
Benefits of Bidi
Bidi presents several advantages by utilizing a single fiber strand for dual-direction data transmission instead of multiple strands.
Maximize Network Capacity:
One key advantage is the optimization of all available fiber strands, effectively doubling the network's capacity. For instance, in a six-strand cable, Bidi enables the utilization of all six strands for bidirectional transmission rather than dedicating three strands to each direction.
Enhanced Reliability:
Another significant benefit is the improved reliability offered by single-strand solutions, as they are less susceptible to connection errors due to their reduced number of connections and endpoints.
Cost Efficiency:
Arguably the most apparent benefit is cost reduction. Bidi minimizes expenses associated with fiber optic cabling, labor, and materials required for terminating endpoints in a single-fiber system. By reducing the amount of fiber needed, it leads to overall cost savings, avoiding construction costs by maximizing the capacity of existing fibers instead of installing new ones. Additionally, fewer terminated fiber strands result in a reduction in patch cords and patch panel ports, leading to significant cost savings.