Course Description: Fiber optics is a rapidly growing technology for ground based communications systems. This course is intended to provide students with a background in the topics required to understand key elements of fiber optic communications systems. A proper background includes exposure to both the physical principals of optical signal generation, transmission, and detection, and the communications theory aspects of this problem. The course will be divided into two modules. The first will cover physical parameters related to fiber optic devices and the second with communication aspects of optical fiber systems. Each of these sections will be followed by an exam. The third segment of the course will cover fiber optic systems. During the third segment students are expected to work on a system design project in which they incorporate earlier concepts presented in lecture.

Course Objectives: Provide an understanding of the concepts of modes in planar optic waveguides. Describe computational methods for determining the allowed modes in different optical waveguides. Describe the different sources of dispersion in optical signals transferred through optical fiber. Develop statistical and probability concepts that are applicable to fiber optic systems. Provide background on the emission, spectral, and modulation properties of optical sources used in fiber optic systems. Provide an understanding of the optical detection process and how it relates to high speed data transmission in optical fibers. Provide a basic understanding of high speed modulation techniques and coding methods used in fiber optic systems. Develop the basic physical characteristics of optical amplifiers. Develop techniques for analyzing a complete fiber optic communication channel and the interaction of different elements in the link. Provide a background of the properties of WDM and DWDM systems. Provide an overview of basic networks and network concepts used in fiber optic systems. Provide students with a familiarity of fiber optic device and system performance characteristics and how to design a system incorporating these properties.

Course Outline by Topical Areas:

Introduction to fiber properties

TIR, NA, V#

Modes

Fiber fabrication

Attenuation in silica optical fibers

Field propagation in planar waveguides

Asymmetric and symmetric waveguides

Even and odd modes

Propagation constants

Phase velocity and group velocity in planar waveguides

Field propagation in cylindrical waveguides

Field solutions with cylindrical boundary conditions

TE, TM, HE, EH modes and cut off conditions

Linearly polarized modes

Multi mode fibers - SI and GI

Single mode fibers - SI, mode power distribution

Dispersion in fibers

modal dispersion

waveguide dispersion

material/chromatic dispersion

polarization mode dispersion

Communication fundamentals

Probability concepts

Basic pdf distributions related to optical communications

Random variables

Signals and systems

Optical sources used in fiber optic systems

semiconductor structures and heterojunctions

Semiconductor diode lasers

Modulation characteristics of LEDs and LDs

Noise characteristics

Spectral characteristics

Frequency chirp

Injection current and external modulation

Basic laser structures and output characteristics

Optical detectors for fiber optic systems

Sensitivity

PN, PIN, APD, MSM photodiodes

Frequency response

Detector circuit models, 3dB BW, RT, TIA

Noise in the detection process, thermal, shot

Bit error rate (BER), minimum received optical power

Quantum detection limit, minimum photons/bit

General optical communications system design

Power budget/power penalty

Rise time budget/dispersion considerations

Communication models for fiber optical components

Tx and Rx considerations

Modulation formats; RZ, NRZ

Eye diagrams, signal analysis

Inter symbol interference, distortion effects on transmission

Optical Amplifiers - gain saturation, gain equalization, cascaded amplifiers

Optical channel equalization, AGC

Basic error correction code (ECC) techniques

Wavelength division multiplexing systems

Effects of optical nonlinearities

DWDM devices and device considerations

System performance measures

Fiber optic networks

LANs

Metropolitan area networks

Long haul networks

Course Requirements:

Homework: 6-7 Homework sets will be assigned as well as a design project.

Examinations: Two 1-hour in class exams and one final exam

Computer Language: None required but working knowledge of some computer language or a math analysis program such as Matlab or Mathcad is helpful.

Degree Applicability:

CE[AA]	CH[NA]	CS[AA]	EE[BDE]	EM[E]	ESM[NA]	MAT[E]
MBA[NA]	ME[E]	MES[BE]	MSE[E]	SE[NA]	SY[AA]

Click here for further information on degree applicability.

NTU Semester Credit Hours: 3
Number of Lecture Hours: 28 (75 minute) lectures
Days Class Meets on Campus: Tuesday/Thursday

Contributing Scholar:
Raymond Kostuk
Elec & Computer Engr & The Optical Sciences Cent
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ   85721
Phone: 520-621-6172

Fax: 520-621-8076
kostuk@ece.arizona.edu

Note: Contributing Scholars are responsible for the design, organization, content, and presentation of NTU courses. Online classroom management, student management, and other matters related to academic administration of courses are the responsibility of support "Faculty". Either person is often called "Instructor". To identify and differentiate between these roles, we use the terms "Contributing Scholar" and "Faculty".

Academic/Administrative Contact:  
Ms. Pam Shack
Phone: 520-626-4573
Fax: 520-626-1102
pshack@email.arizona.edu


Prerequisites: Undergraduate course in introductory elecromagnetics or device electronics. Basic understanding of electro magnetics, semiconductor device properties, and engineering math skills will help in this class.

Textbooks: (Order Materials)

1.	Fiber Optic Communication Systems, G.P. Agrawal, Wiley Interscience, 2nd edition