Electrical and Computer Engineering

ELEC-548.    Fiber Optics Communication.  Credit 3.  Optical fiber structures and physical characteristics, electromagnetic waveguiding properties and modes, fiber materials, loss mechanisms, and dispersion.  Semiconductor laser and led sources and photodetectors.  Connectors.  Fiber measurements, communication aspects of fiber transmission.  Fiber system examples and design procedures.   

 Prerequisite:              EECE-304, ELEC-310.   

Course Goals:

To introduce the wave guiding fundamentals and communications aspects of fiber optical communication links, leading to link system evaluation,  construction, and design.   

Course Objectives:       

The student will be able to:   

                                1.        Understand the role of fiber optics in modern communications.   

                                2.        Quantitatively evaluate the characteristic and requirements                                          necessary for transmitter, fiber, and receiver in the operation of                                          fiber optic systems.    

                                3.        Design and build a simple fiber optic communication link.  

Texts:

John Powers, An Introduction to Fiber Optic Systems, Irwin Publ. Co., 2nd.Ed 1997.

Donald Sterling, Technician=s Guide to Fiber Optics, 3rd. Ed., Delmar, 2000.

Reference:   

J. Senior, Optical Fiber Communications, 2nd ed. Prentice Hall Intl., 1993.     

Prerequisites by topic:

Wave Equation and EM wave fundamentals.  Spectral Analysis of  signals.  Mode structure in Waveguides

Topics:     

1.      Physical description and parameters of optical fibers (6 lectures)

2.      Wave guidance: rays and modes  (5 lectures)

3.      Wave equations and solutions for planar waveguide.(4 lectures)

4.       Mode power and fiber attenuation; dispersion  (4 lectures)

5.         Semiconductor and laser fundamentals  (5 lectures)

6.         Power coupling and misalignment (3 lectures)

7.         Photodetectors   (5 lectures)

8.         Noise and coding formats   (2 lectures)

9.         System design via loss budget and rise time analyses(6 lectures)

      10.        Testing (midterm, final examination)  (5 hours)   

Computer Usage:

                      Use of  computer-assisted fiber  optic link design program in conjunction                             with  design project.   

Laboratory projects :

                          Investigation of power and speed limits of  simple fiber optic link (2 rs.)

                              Report required.

Term Paper Required:

                      At least 12 typewritten pages on chosen or assigned topic in order to                               broaden and deepen understanding of this field.   Professional                               awareness is further emphasized by outside speakers.

Design Project: 

                      Personalized design project assigned to each student involving loss                              budget and rise time analysis, computer program usage and cost                               investigation. Report required.   

ABET category content as estimated by the faculty member who prepared this course description:       Engineering Design:  1 credit   (33%) 

                             Engineering Science: 2 credits (67%)   

Prepared by:     Dr.  Romeo Pascone                       Date:   June 15, 2001