EE4-06 Optical Communication
Lecturer(s): Prof Eric YeatmanAims:
This course aims to provide an understanding of the structure, operating principles and underlying physical concepts of optical communication systems (particularly fibre links), and thus to show what the capabilities and restrictions of such systems are, in both a current technological sense and in terms of fundamental principles.
Learning Outcomes:
To know what components make up an optical communication link, what the main choices are for each of these, and on what basis these choices should be made. To be able to estimate the capacity (length x bandwidth)of a given optical link or system. To have some knowledge of the state-of-the-art in optical systems, and the likely direction of future developments.
Syllabus:
Fundamentals of communicating with light. Guided electro-magnetic waves: the slab waveguide, modes, dispersion. Modes and attenuation in fibres. Properties of LED’s and lasers as communication sources. Photodiodes and receiver circuits, sensitivity, noise and bandwidth. Modulation techniques, coherent communication. Time-division and wavelength division multiplexing. Optical amplifiers, non-linear effects. System architectures and applications. Free space systems. Signal processing, routing and timing.
Assessment:
One 3-hour exam in April/May
Coursework contribution: 0%
Term: Autumn
Closed or Open Book (end of year exam): Closed
Coursework Requirement
nil
Oral Exam Required (as final assessment): no
Prerequisite: None required
Course Homepage: unavailable
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