BCT4204 Optical Fiber Communication

The scope of this course is to present an overview of today's optical communication, especially fiber optical transmission systems. During the course, the student will be introduced to basic elements of optics and optoelectronic devices necessary to understand the technology (hardware) issues in optical fiber communications. Light Sources with emphasis on LED’s and semiconductor Lasers, are discussed with their utilization for the different types of optical fibers. The multimode and single mode fibers are studied with their implications on signal attenuation and dispersion. Detection of optical signal and its conversion to electronic signal is presented with a review of physical characteristics of photodiodes and their limitations. Practical implementations of modulation and demodulation schemes of optical signals are also treated. Optical switching, multiplexing, and networks architectures are finally presented. 

Course Objectives 
After completion of this course students should be able to:

• Explain fiber optic concept to information transmission 
• Identify the elements of an optical fiber transmission link.
• Understand optical fiber structure, wave guiding and fabrication
• Compute and simulate the modes in slab waveguide, step index fiber and graded index fiber
• Calculate and simulate the attenuation and signal degradation due to intermodal and     intramodal   distortion
• Understand the structure, the performance and the signal analysis of optical sources
• Understand the structure, the performance and signal analysis of optical detectors
• Calculate power coupling losses due to connectors, splices, source output pattern and   fiber numerical aperture
• Design optimum single mode and multimode fiber link
• Design and analyze optical receivers.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course students should be able to:

• Understand basic terminology and concepts and take the lead in fiber optic discussions
• Compare and contrast the features, functions, benefits and challenges of fiber optic communications with other wireline and wireless solutions
• Match communication requirements with feasible fiber optic systems
• Specify optical fibers, cables, connectors, splices, and other transmission equipment
• Participate in or manage all aspects of the fiber optic system life cycle from planning through design, installation, maintenance, upgrading and troubleshooting
• Identify when and how to test fiber optic systems by use of power meters and OTDRs
• Stay current as fiber optics evolves to higher performance and greater market penetration