Simple WDM
Practical proof of concept of a wavelength-division multiplexing system.
To implement a simple 3 channel wavelength-division multiplexing system I used:
- Arduino UNO
- Transparent plastic fiber
- RGB LED
- CD
A board allows control of the three channels through buttons and potentiometers. The buttons overwrite the default signal that is sent through the corresponding channel. The potentiometers change the speed of transmission of each channel.
Exterior (MUX y cable)
Interior (DEMUX)
Implementation
The RGB LED acts as a multiplexor because it transmits three different wavelengths that simultaneously travel along the same fiber, but it allows individual control of each chanell. The CD acts as a demultiplexor because its surface works as a diffraction grating; it separates light in different angles according to its wavelength, recovering each original channel.
🔵 Blue channel: "UTN" (National Technological University) in binary ASCII.
🟢 Green channel: "SOS" in morse code.
🔴 Red channel: intermittent light of variable frequency controlled by one of the potentiomenters.
Three channels were transmitted simultaneously and independently, demonstrating the WDM principle with accessible materials and without the need for amplifiers.
