Optical Communications

Course aim

To appraise the fundamentals of guided wave optics, opto-electronic devices, and communication principles in order to design fibre optic communication systems.

Course content

Electromagnetic theory of guided waves: Maxwell's equations, ray optics, wave optics. Optical fibres: mode analysis, solutions for step-index fibre, dispersion and losses, graded-index fibre, single-mode fibre, fibre manufacture, cables and components, connectors, joints and couplers, fibre transducers. Optical sources: laser principles, semiconductor junction lasers, light emitting diodes, fibre interface, couplings, laser safety. Detectors: avalanche photo-diode, pin photo-diode. Electro-optic devices and Integrated optics. Fibre communications: digital transmission requirements, pulse dispersion, fibre bandwidth, rise-times, optical transmitters, regenerators, system losses, rise-time calculations, performance standards, design of digital fibre systems. 

Textbook(s)

Khare, R.P. 2004, Fiber Optics and Optoelectronics, Oxford

Keiser, G. 2000, Optical Fibre Communications (alternative textbook - a copy is available on short term loan in the library.), 3, McGraw-Hill

Prerequisite(s)

Physics of Materials and Technology [PHYS 2002] is assumed knowledge.

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Component	Duration
INTERNAL, MAWSON LAKES
Lecture	2 hours x 13 weeks
Tutorial	1 hour x 11 weeks
Practical	2 hours x 11 weeks

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Continuous assessment, Examination, Practical

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 2)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
How to determine your Commonwealth Supported course fee. (Opens new window)

Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
How to determine the relevant non award tuition fee. (Opens new window)

Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.