Course information

OPTICAL DATA TRANSMISSION MSC

Course code Modules Prerequisite course(s) Teaching staff (the first has overall responsibility) Approximate size of class Semester 1BXS 1 none Dr AC Bryce (telephone 4929, email C.Bryce) Prof R M De La Rue (telephone 4793; email R. Delarue) Dr. A.E. Kelly (telephone 8443; email A. Kelly) Dr M Sorel (telephone 5229, email M.Sorel) 24 students 1 Description of course Aims To introduce devices and systems principles underlying digital optical data transmission. Objectives Understanding Optical data transmission starting from materials and devices, through the properties of optical fibres to an elementary understanding of overall system concepts. Knowledge Materials used in optoelectronics, the operation of LEDs and lasers, optical fibres, optical detectors and concepts for modern optical fibre communication systems. Skills Design of devices (laser, detectors and fibres) and overall system considerations. Practical skills in fabrication of devices, handling of optical fibres, coupling of optical sources to optical fibres. 1. Optical Data Transmission 20 lectures and 4 tutorials Syllabus Optical properties of semiconductors: semiconductor band structure, effective masses, density of states, recombination mechanisms, interband matrix element, stimulated and spontaneous rates, direct and indirect semiconductors, semiconductor alloys. Injection luminescence, internal quantum efficiency, double heterostructures, quantum wells, description of LEDs, lasers: basic principles of laser action, condition for laser action, types of lasers, fibre laser, laser modes and mode control, semiconductor laser. Theory of laser action in semiconductors, both bulk and quantum confined, semiconductor lasers for optical fibre systems: full description of device. Slab optical waveguide and rays. Optical fibres, multi-mode and single-mode, numerical aperture and dispersion. Fibre optical components. Photodiodes (PIN, avalanche and heterostructure); principles of operation, construction and frequency response. Noise; shot and Johnson. Receiver amplifier noise and bandwidth analysis; integrating (high impedance), low impedance and transimpedance designs.

Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering

Course information

Systems: point-to-point, power budgets, dispersion limits. Wideband networks, Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) and Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM). Digital optical network design: topologies and multiplexing. Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH/SONET). Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). High capacity digital networks: Optical TDM (OTDM) and Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM). 2. Laboratory 5 sessions and 2 laboratory project sessions Syllabus Practical and modelling experience of optoelectronic technology. The laboratory project involves the fabrication and characterisation of a semiconductor laser diode. Recommended books Authors J Gowar S O Kasap D L Lee Gerd Keiser Title, edition Optical Communication Systems (2nd ed) Optoelectronics and Photonics Electromagnetic Principles of Integrated Optics Optical Communications Essentials (1st Ed) Publisher Prentice Hall Prentice Hall Wiley McGraw Hill Year ISBN Cost 1993 0136387276 46 2001 0201610876 35 1986 0471879789 56 2003 0071412042 48 Code B B B B

Codes : A = compulsory; B = strongly recommended; C = recommended; D = wider reading Study times Type Assignments Tutorial Sheets Self study Report Writing Details 4 hours per term 4 hours per term 4 hours per week 5 hours per term

These times are a rough estimate of the work required outside formal classes by a typical student. There will be wide variations between individuals, but you will run a grave risk of failure if you spend significantly less time on this course than these guidelines suggest. Assessment % 50 50 Type Continuous assessment Degree examination Details 4 marked tutorials, laboratory reports and student talks. 3 hour paper: Section A is compulsory; choice of 2 questions from 4 in Section B.

The degree examination is held in week 11; no resit is available.

Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering