Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years (1.8.2018-31.7.2020), which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The course provides an understanding of the principles and technologies behind modern optical communications systems. The first part deals with basic photonics components; light sources and detectors, optical fibers and waveguides, modulators and switches. In the second part, network and systems level aspects are introduced as well as some emerging new technologies.
Credits: 5
Schedule: 09.09.2020 - 02.12.2020
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Hanne Ludvigsen, Edward Mutafungwa
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Hanne Ludvigsen, Edward Mutafungwa
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Ability to send huge amounts of data over long distances is a necessity for the functioning of our information society. Today, photonic technologies provide the only possible means to meet the requirements. In the future, these technologies will penetrate deeper to enable achievement of national broadband targets and also provide supporting infrastructure for advanced wireless systems (e.g. fifth generation "5G" systems). Therefore, it will be most useful for all participating in the development of the information society to know the basics of the underlying optical communications technologies.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Home exercises, group assignment, exam
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Lectures, exercises, group assignment presented as poster. The assignment is performed in groups consisting of 3-4 persons
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Slides and other material distributed in MyCourses
I. Cristiani and V. Degiorgio, Photonics – A Short Course (2nd edition, Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015)
R. Ramaswami et al., Optical Networks - A Practical Perspective (3rd edition, Morgan-Kaufman, 2010)
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Any basic course on networks/telecommunications systems
FURTHER INFORMATION
Details on the schedule
Applies in this implementation:
Week 1: Introduction, foundation of communication technology, sources for optical fiber communication (light emitting diode, laser diode, tunable laser), basic concepts of photodetectors and their characteristics (p-i-n photodetector, avalanche photodiode).
Week 2: Transmission characteristics of optical fibers, waveguiding based on ray theory and wave description, numerical aperture, optical fiber modes, cut-off wavelength, attenuation and pulse broadening mechanisms, group delay, dispersion (material, waveguide, chromatic, polarization mode), fiber fabrication techniques.
Week 3: Optical fiber components and devices, directional coupler, fiber Bragg gratings, optical fiber amplifiers (Raman amplifier, erbium-doped fiber amplifier).
Week 4: Presentation of simulation software (RP Fiber Power)
Week 5-6: Project work. Selection of topic.
Week 7: Project work. Preparation of poster.
Week 8: Presentation of nLight.
Week 9: Fiber link and system design for dispersion and attenuation limited systems, multiplexing technologies, performance characterization
Week 10: Optical network technologies and protocols, optical network planning, practical deployment considerations, network test and measurement.
Week 11: Poster presentations. Each student is expected to deliver a 5-minute pitch.
Week 12: Presentation of FUNET.