Introductory description

ES4C4-15 Optical Communication Systems

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Characteristics of optical fibre transmission: Basic waveguiding; ray propagation, numerical aperture, acceptance angle, skew rays, fibre types. Electromagnetic wave equation; multimode and single mode propagation, approximate solutions, normalised frequency, cut-off wavelength. Linear and non-linear propagation phenomena. Optical fibre coupling.

System components: optical sources; optical filters; optical detectors; doped fibre optical amplifiers; optical modulators; optical multiplexers; applications and system design including the major component types.

Optical transmission systems: System design considerations. Transmitter design; receiver design; noise and sensitivity performance; link design considerations.

Optical Networks: underlying principles; optical access networks; all optical networks; radio-over-fibre; optical wireless systems.

International industry standards including ITU G.700 series and ANSI SONET T1.105.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Analyse and design modern optical fibre systems.
• Display advanced knowledge of modern optical components and their integration.
• Exhibit insight into emerging technologies in optical fibre and optical wireless systems.
• Be able to select the best optical sources for different applications based on quantitative performance determination.
• Quantify, and understand the significance of, physical impairments in optical communication systems.
• Comprehend the propagation of signals in optical fibres and utilise appropriate methods to obtain quantitative insight into this topic.
• Demonstrate advanced understanding of optical receiver signals, amplification, noise, distortion and bit errors.

Indicative reading list

G P Agrawal, Fiber-optic communication systems, 4th edition, Wiley, 2010, ISBN 9780470918517 [eBOOK]
J M Senior, Optical fiber communications: principles and practice, 3rd edition, Prentice-Hall, 2009, ISBN 9780130326812 [TK 5103.8.S3]
T E Stern, G Ellinas and K Bala, Multiwavelength Optical Networks: Architectures, Design, and Control, 2nd edition, Cambridge University Press, 2008, ISBN 9780511811708 [eBOOK].
R Ramaswami, K N Sivarajan and G H Sasaki, Optical Networks: A Practical Perspective, 3rd edition, Morgan Kaufmann, 2009 ISBN 9780123740922 [TK 5103.8.R2]

Subject specific skills

Comprehension of the principles of advanced optical communications components and the fibre characteristics of importance in communication systems.
Ability and skills to design and analyse optical fibre transmission systems using various enabling technologies and modern techniques.
Appreciation of the state-of-the-art in currently deployed optical communication systems and of the future trends in the field.
Ability to make quantitative calculations of optical communication system performance, given knowledge detailed system properties and components.

Transferable skills

Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy in the solution of complex problems and the interpretation of the answers.
Ability to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations to find solutions through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, resources and creativity.
Production of professional engineering reports based on conducting laboratory work and the associated modelling, analysis and simulation.
Independent learning ability by enhancing existing skills and developing new ones whilst managing time and resources effectively