Fiber Optics Communications - ECE60431
For Spring 2020, the class duration is: Mar 30 - May 1, 2020
This course will aim to introduce students to the fundamentals of fiber optic communications, which constitute the backbone of the internet. The course will start with a refresher on the operation of key components needed for an effective fiber optic communication system, and then show how these components interact at a system level. Finally, the course will conclude with outlook for future research in extending the capabilities of these networks to higher bandwidths and quantum-secured communications.
Learning Objective:
- To analyze wave propagation in optical fibers
- To select optical receivers and transmitters suitable for optical telecommunications
- To design efficient fiber optical physical networks
- Optical network architectures
- To assess key concepts behind future optical networks
Topics Covered:
| Week | Topics | Agrawal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Optical fibers: wave propagation, dispersion, and loss | Chapters 1 & 2 |
| 2 | Optical transmitters and receivers: materials, sources, modulation, speed limitations | Chapters 3 & 4 |
| 3 | Fundamental concepts in optical communication networks: power, noise, and speed | Sections 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.4 |
| 4 | Current optical communication network architectures: TDM, DWDM, QPSK, QAM | Chapter 8, Section 10.2 |
| 5 | Future optical networks: fiber-to-the-home, data centers, quantum key distribution | Chapter 9 |
Prerequisites:
Graduate standing. Background in optics (e.g., ECE 311 or higher) preferred.
Applied / Theory:
50 / 50
Homework:
Homework sample problems will be provided for practice
Exams:
There will be 5 weekly quizzes (one per unit).
Textbooks:
The primary course textbook is Fiber-optic communication systems (4th Edition) by Govind P. Agrawal, John Wiley, & Sons, New York, 2010. ISBN 0470505117
Computer Requirements:
ProEd minimum requirements.
Other Requirements:
edX will be the hub of activity. Will provide information that can't be shared via edX through either Blackboard (or a replacement learning management system), or in rare cases, Filelocker.