ECE 571

Optical Fiber Communication

Chapter 1: Introduction

Dr. Lamia Khashan & Dr. Mohamed Asaad

Notes: “ Dr. Saleh Heussin”

Ch 1: Introduction Page 1
• Instructor : Dr. Mohamed Asaad
Mohamed.asaad@miuegypt.edu.eg

• Lectures & Office Hours :

Day Time Room
Tuesday 1:30-3:00 Main 250
• Thursday 1:30-3:00 Main 250

• Level : B.Sc. 5th level

• Prerequisites : GEE 337, ECE 442 & ECE 447

• Duration : 12 weeks

Ch 1: Introduction Page 2
• Credit Hours : 3
– Lecture: 3 hrs/week
– Tutorial / Lab: 1.5 hrs/week
• Assessment:
– Attendance 5 Marks

– Quizzes 10 Marks
– Assignments+ TA 5 Marks
– Mid-Term Exam 25 Marks

– Lab. Exam 10 Marks

– Quiz 5 Marks
– Assignments+ TA 5 Marks
– Participation ++ 5 Marks
– Final Exam 35 Marks

Ch 1: Introduction Page 3
About the Class

• Classroom Protocols:
– Always be on time
– No side conversation
– No cellphones ringing
• You’r welcome to ask questions
– You can interrupt me at any time
• Our responsibility is to facilitate your learning. You have
to make the effort
• If you have a question on the lecture material, then
– Look up a book.
– Ask me during my office hours, or email me at anytime

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List of References

• Textbook:
– Joseph C. Palais, “Fiber Optic Communications”, 5th Edition,
Person, 2005.

Ch 1: Introduction Page 5
Course Objective

What? Why? How?

• What do you expect to study?

• What is fiber optics?

• What are the main rules?

• Why do we need fiber optics?

• How does optical communication system look like?

Ch 1: Introduction Page 6
Course Contents
• Ch.1: Introduction
– Fiber optic comm. System
– Advantages & Applications
• Ch. 2: Fundamentals of Optics
– Ray, lenses, diffraction, wave & particle theories.
• Ch. 3: Fiber Optic Cables
– Fiber Cables Classification
– Dispersion & data rate
• Ch. 4: Signal Degradation in Fiber Links
– Attenuation & Fiber link engineering
• Ch. 5: Optical Devices
– LED, laser diode & photo detectors
• Ch. 6: Digital Optical Fiber Communication Systems
– Digital wavelength division Multiplexing (WDM), SDH & MSAN

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 Introduction

Ch 1: Introduction Page 8
Fiber Optics

• Communication System

Electrical Channel Electrical

Signal @ Tx Signal @ Rx

• Optical Communication System

Electrical Optical to
Electrical Fiber Electrical
to Optical Electrical
Signal @ Tx Cable Signal @ Rx
Converter Converter

• What is Fiber Optics?

• Using light to transfer information along fiber cables.

Ch 1: Introduction Page 9
History

• Optical communications came into real in 1960s.

– Between 1959 and 1960, light amplification by stimulated
emission of radiation (Laser) had been invented.
– In 1966, the first optical fiber communication was proposed with
high attenuation about 100 dB/km which was not comparable
with coaxial cables (5 dB/km).
– In the 1970s the optical fiber losses were decreased to below 5
dB/km.
– The first commercial optical communication system was
proposed in 1975.
• Optical communication systems sometimes called light
wave systems, it use high optical carrier frequencies
over 100 THz.

Ch 1: Introduction Page 10
History
• Optical communication systems can be classified into
two categories: guided and unguided systems
– Guided optical system, it uses optical fibers to guide the optical
signal. Therefore, it is called fiber optical communications
– Unguided optical system, the optical signal is emitted in the
space which is called free space optical communications.
• The fiber optical communications can be classified
according to transmission distance into two categories:
short haul and long haul transmission systems compared
with intercity distances (~ 80 km).
– Short haul transmission systems operate at low bit rates over
distances of less than 10 km which is not very cost-effective.
– Long haul transmission systems operate at high bit rates over
distance more 80 km.
–
Ch 1: Introduction Page 11
History
– Commercial products using distance of 20, 40, 60 & 80 km.
– Using optical amplifiers, transmission distances of thousands of
kilometers can be realized
• Optical communication systems can also be categorized
according to modulation techniques into single-carrier
and multicarrier modulations.
• 1st generation of fiber optical communications operated
at a bit rate of 45 Mb/s with repeater spacing up to 10
km.
• 4th generation used optical amplifiers and wavelength-
division multiplexing (WDM) technique to increase the
repeater spacing up to 60-80 km and the system bit rate
up to 10 Tb/s in 2001.

Ch 1: Introduction Page 12
Frequencies for Communication

twisted coax cable optical transmission

pair

1 Mm 10 km 100 m 1m 10 mm 100 m 1 m
300 Hz 30 kHz 3 MHz 300 MHz 30 GHz 3 THz 300 THz

VLF LF MF HF VHF UHF SHF EHF infrared visible light UV

• VLF = Very Low Frequency UHF = Ultra High Frequency

• LF = Low Frequency SHF = Super High Frequency
• MF = Medium Frequency EHF = Extra High Frequency
• HF = High Frequency UV = Ultraviolet Light
• VHF = Very High Frequency

Ch 1: Introduction Page 13
Light Nature
• Light wave is an
electromagnetic wave which
have electrical and magnetic
fields.
• Light in space travels at
velocity of speed light 𝑐 = 3 ×
108 𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐.
• In fiber optics, it is found more
convenient to use wavelength
 instead of frequency 𝑓 to
describe the signals.
𝑐
𝑐 = 𝑓 (850 to 1620 nm)

Ch 1: Introduction Page 14
Why Fiber Optics?

• High bandwidth for voice, video and data applications

• Optical fiber carries thousands of times more information than
copper wire.
• Fiber is more lightweight than copper. Copper cable equals
approximately 36 kg./300 m while fiber weighs about 4 kg./
300 m
• Low loss. The higher frequency, the greater the signal loss
using copper cabling.
• Reliability - Fiber is more reliable than copper and has a
longer life span
• Secure - Fiber does not emit electromagnetic interference
and is difficult to tap
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Fiber Cable Installation

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World Cables Connections

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Transmission Media

Media

Guided (Wired) Unguided (Wireless)

Twisted Coaxial Fiber Free Space

Wireless
Pair Cable Cable Optical

Ch 1: Introduction Page 18
Optical System Components

Electrical Optical Fiber Optical Electrical

Signal @ Tx Transmitter Cable Receiver Signal @ Rx

• Optical Transmitters:
– Convert electrical data into an optical bit stream suitable for
transmission.
• Communication Channel:
– Optical fibers are used for transmitting optical bit streams in most
terrestrial networks.
• Optical Receivers:
– Convert optical bit stream into the original electrical form.

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Optical System Components

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Optical System Components

Ch 1: Introduction Page 21
Optical Transmitters
• Optical Source (laser or LED) provides
single carrier frequency light with well
defined wavelength with few mW. Carrier
frequency varies in range of several
𝑐
hundred THz from 179 to 350 THz 𝑐 = 𝑓
𝑐
(780 to 1620 nm)
• The light signal is electromagnetic wave which is often
called electrical field.
• Sources
1. Laser (LD): light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.
2. LED: Light emitting diode.

Ch 1: Introduction Page 22
Optical Transmitters
• Transmitters are designed to emit light at one of three
wavelengths:
– 850 nanometers, 1310 nanometers, and 1550 nanometers.
• These wavelengths have extremely low attenuation and
therefore are a good choice for fiber optic communications.

Characteristics LD LED
O/P Power High Low
Switching Speed Fast Slow
Linewidth Narrow Wide
Expense More Less
Application Single Mode Multimode

Ch 1: Introduction Page 23
Modulator

• Digital signal is modulated on the carrier by the

modulator. Most modulators have capability to modulate
the power of the light. For example: the instantaneous
optical power (light intensity) is proportional to the
modulating data signal.
• Modulation Technique:
1. Direct modulation: laser current modulated to produce the bit
stream (no external modulator needed)
2. Separate external modulator: for light intensity modulation
(EAM: Electro absorption modulator, MZM: Mach Zehnder
modulator).

Ch 1: Introduction Page 24
Direct Modulation

• Output power of device depends directly on input drive

current. This means light is emitted from the device
when "1 (binary one)" is being transmitted and no light is
emitted when "0 (binary zero) " is being transmitted.

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Direct Modulation
• Advantages: This optical modulation is simple. It is
cheaper as no complex circuitry is involved during
modulation process.
• Disadvantages: This method is slower compare to
indirect or external modulation type. It can be used
below 40 GHz.

Ch 1: Introduction Page 26
External Modulation
• External device is incorporated to modulate the
intensity/phase of the light source. Here light source is
kept ON and external modulator is used which functions
as switch/shutter. This switch is controlled by information
to be transmitted.

Ch 1: Introduction Page 27
External Modulation

• laser diode is emitting light whose power vs time graph is

constant. The second component i.e. switch emits light
when input data is binary "1" and blocks light when input
data is binary "0".
• Advantages: It is much faster in processing. It can be
used with high power laser devices. It can be employed
in high speed applications e.g. long haul telecom or
cable TV head ends.
• Disadvantages: It is more expensive. High frequency
RF modulation circuit is required for operation which
usually will be complex.

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External Modulation

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Optical Channel

• It consists of :
– Optical Fiber
– Optical Amplifier ( or Repeaters)
– Optical Filter
– Optical Coupler
• Beam Splitter

• The fiber channel may be modeled as a linear system in

1st order with transfer function 𝐻(𝑓)

Ch 1: Introduction Page 30
Optical Fiber

• Guided wave propagation is silica glass fiber or

plastic fiber. Fiber has 5-10 m (single mode
fiber SMF) or 50 m (multimode fiber MMF) in
diameter, where core and the outer cladding
both are silica glass. Core has slightly higher
refractive index and very low loss.

Ch 1: Introduction Page 31
Losses in SMF and MMF

Total losses due absorption and scattering

• Typical Values:
• 1.4 dB/km @ 850nm
• 0.4 dB/km @ 1310 nm
• 0.2 dB/km @ 1550 nm

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Optical Amplifiers (Repeaters)
• Boost the power levels of weak signals. Amplifiers are
needed in very long links (hundreds and thousands of
kilometers) to provide sufficient power to the receiver.
• Optical amplifier increases the strength of the optical
signal. Typical fiber cable has loss of about 0.2dB per
km. Hence if the signal occurs loss of about 20dB if it
travels a distance of 100km.
• The signal needs to be amplified in order to compensate
for the losses at the regular intervals and to maintain
BER.
• Optical amplification may be carried out by converting
signal from optical to electrical and later signal is
converted back to optical form.

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Optical Amplifiers
• Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) has made it
possible to amplify the signal in the optical form without
being converted to the electrical form avoiding costly
high speed electronic devices needed for such
conversions at frequency of more than 10 GHz.
• Types of Optical Amplifier
– EDFA, commercially available for use, works in 1500-1600 nm
band, Gain 40dB
– Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOA), works in 1280-1650 nm
band, Gain 30dB
– Raman Amplifier, works 1310-1550 nm

Ch 1: Introduction Page 34
Optical Coupler (Beam Splitter)
• A fiber optic coupler is a device that can distribute the
optical signal from one fiber among two or more fibers.
• A fiber optical coupler can also combine the optical
signal from two or more fibers with different wave length
into a single fiber. it is not possible to combine two or
more inputs of the same optical frequency into one
single-polarization output
• A signal is attenuated more in a fiber optic coupler than
in a connector or a splice, because the input signal is not
directly transmitted from one fiber to another, but divided
among the output ports. For instance, with a 1 x 2 fiber
optic coupler, each output is less than one-half the
power of the input signal (over a 3dB loss).

Ch 1: Introduction Page 35
Optical Coupler (Beam Splitter)

Ch 1: Introduction Page 36
Optical Coupler (Beam Splitter)

• Optical Coupler Features

– High isolation
– No signal reflectivity
– Low coupling power loss
– No added polarization effects
– No added dispersion effects
– No signal absorption
– No added noise
– No through-phase shift

Ch 1: Introduction Page 37
Optical Filter

• It basically passes signal of desired wavelength and

rejects all the other wavelengths as designed.
• Optical filters are used in wave division multiplexing
(WDM) for multiplexing and de-multiplexing.
• There are three main types of optical filter based on the
wavelengths they pass through
– Long pass Filter: transmits wavelengths above a certain cut off
wavelength.
– Short pass Filter: transmits wavelengths below a certain cut off
wavelength
– Band pass Filter: transmits wavelengths in a narrow band.

Ch 1: Introduction Page 38
Optical Receiver
• Photo Diode: in Direct detection system which is used to
convert the optical signal to electrical signal.
• Conversion is done by detecting of received optical power
(envelope detector).
• Detector re-creates the electrical bit stream.
• All receivers need a certain
minimum power to operate reliably
is known as the receiver sensitivity.
• Noise added during transmission
and at receiver leads to errors.
• Bit-error rate (BER) is required to
be < 10−9 (After FEC).

Ch 1: Introduction Page 39
Dispersion

• Due to different propagation speed, the pulses will spread

• Increased BER
• Types:
– Chromatic Dispersion
– Polarization Mode Dispersion

Ch 1: Introduction Page 40
Quality of Transmission

• How close is estimation of the received signal 𝑟 𝑡 to the

original signal s 𝑡 ?
– Better estimation = higher quality transmission
• After removing undesired signal (noise) using filter, and
amplifying the signal
– Analog => processing is required to maximize SNR
𝑆𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
𝑆𝑁𝑅 =
𝑁𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ
– Digital signal => processing is required to minimize BER
𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝐵𝐸𝑅 =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑠

Ch 1: Introduction Page 41
Power Level in Decibels

• If a 1-mW signal reduces to 1  W after 100 km of fiber,

1𝑚
then loss = 1 = 0.001
• The decibel (dB) is a convenient measure of relative
power levels (ratio or gain) in communication system.
𝑃1 R or G 𝑃2

• Any ratio converted into dB as

𝑃
R 𝑑𝐵 = 10 log10 𝑅 = 10 log10 2 .
𝑃1
𝑅
𝑃2 = 𝑃1 1010

Ch 1: Introduction Page 42
Power Level in Decibels
• if 𝑃1 = 𝑃2 = 1 ⇒ R = 0dB
𝑃
• If 𝑃1 > 𝑃2 ⇒ 𝑃2 < 1, R = −ve dB
1

• Signal-to-noise ratio is defined as

𝑃
𝑆𝑁𝑅 = 10 log10 𝑃 𝑆
𝑁

• For cascaded elements

𝑃4 𝑃2 𝑃3 𝑃4
𝐺= = × × = 𝐺1 × 𝐺2 × 𝐺3
𝑃1 𝑃1 𝑃2 𝑃3

Ch 1: Introduction Page 43
Power Level in Decibels
𝑃4 𝑃2 𝑃3 𝑃4
𝐺𝑑𝐵 = 10 log10 = 10 log10 × ×
𝑃1 𝑃1 𝑃2 𝑃3
𝑃2 𝑃3 𝑃4
𝐺𝑑𝐵 = 10 log10 + 10 log10 + 10 log10
𝑃1 𝑃2 𝑃3
𝐺𝑑𝐵 = 𝐺1𝑑𝐵 + 𝐺2𝑑𝐵 + 𝐺3𝑑𝐵
• dBm: is an abbreviation for the power ratio in decibels
(dB) of the measured power referenced to one milliwatt
(mW). It is used in radio, microwave and fiber-optical
communication networks.
𝑃
P 𝑑𝐵𝑚 = 10 log10 −3 = 10 log10 𝑃 − 10 log10 10−3
10
𝑃𝑑𝐵𝑚 = 𝑃𝑑𝐵 + 30
𝑃𝑑𝐵 = 𝑃𝑑𝐵𝑚 − 30

Ch 1: Introduction Page 44
Example 1

1. Suppose that the three elements have losses -11, -6,

and -3 dB, respectively. Find the total loss of the
combination.
– Then find the output power if the input power is 5 mW
• Sol.:
𝐿𝑑𝐵 = 𝐿1𝑑𝐵 + 𝐿2𝑑𝐵 + 𝐿3𝑑𝐵
𝐿𝑑𝐵 = −11 − 6 − 3 = −20 𝑑𝐵
𝑃4
𝐿𝑑𝐵 = 10 log10
𝑃1
𝐿𝑑𝐵 −20
𝑃4 = 𝑃1 10 10 = 5 × 10−3 × 10 10 = 5 × 10−5 𝑤 = 0.05 𝑚𝑤

Ch 1: Introduction Page 45
Example 2
• A light-emitting diode radiates 2 mW. Compute the dBm
value of this radiated power. This power travels through
a group of components having a combined loss of 23 dB.
Compute the output power.
• Sol.:
2 × 10−3
𝑃𝑖 𝑑𝐵𝑚 = 10 log10 −3
= 3 𝑑𝐵𝑚
10
𝑃𝑜
𝑃𝑜 10 −3
𝐿𝑡 𝑑𝐵 = 10 log10 = 10 log10 = 𝑃𝑜 𝑑𝐵𝑚 − 𝑃𝑖 𝑑𝐵𝑚
𝑃𝑖 𝑃𝑖
10−3
𝑃𝑜 𝑑𝐵𝑚 = 𝐿𝑡 𝑑𝐵 + 𝑃𝑖 𝑑𝐵𝑚 = −23 + 3 = −20 𝑑𝐵𝑚
𝑃𝑜 𝑑𝐵 = 𝑃𝑜 𝑑𝐵𝑚 − 30 = −50 db
−50 = 10 log10 𝑃𝑜 ⇒ 𝑃𝑜 = 10−5 𝑤
Ch 1: Introduction Page 46
Particle Nature of Light

• Light is made up of very small particles called photons.

The energy of a single photon is:
𝑐
𝑊𝑝 = ℎ × 𝑓 = ℎ × 𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙

Where ℎ: Planck’s constant.
• It is impossible to break a wave into divisions smaller
than the photon. Ordinarily, beams of light contain huge
numbers of photons.
• Because power is the rate at which energy is delivered,
we can write the total energy as:
𝑊 =𝑃×𝑡

Ch 1: Introduction Page 47
Particle Nature of Light

• Example: Find the number of photons incident on a

detector in 1 s if the optic power is 1 𝑊 and the
wavelength is 0.8 m.
• Sol.:
𝑐 −34 3×108
𝑊𝑝 = ℎ ×  = 6.626 × 10 × = 2.48 × 10−19 𝐽
0.8×10−6
𝑊 = 𝑃 × 𝑡 = 1 × 10−6 × 1 = 1 × 10−6 J
𝑊 1×10−6
No. of photons = = = 4.03 × 1012 𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠
𝑊𝑝 2.48×10−19

Ch 1: Introduction Page 48
Electron Volt

• It is the kinetic energy acquired by an electron when it is

accelerated by 1 V of potential difference. The
relationship between electron volts and joules is:
1 𝑒. 𝑉 = 1.6 × 10−19 𝐽
• Example: find the photon energy in electron volt if the
photon energy is 2.48 × 10−19 𝐽.
• Sol.:
1 𝑒. 𝑉 = 1.6 × 10−19 𝐽
1 −19
𝑊𝑝 = −19
× 2.48 × 10 = 1.55 𝑒. 𝑉
𝑒.𝑉 1.6 × 10

Ch 1: Introduction Page 49
Advantages of Optical Fiber Communication
• Increased bandwidth and channel capacity
• Low signal attenuation
• Flexible for installing
• Immune to noise
• No crosstalk
• Lower BER
• Signal security
• Electrical isolation
• Reduced size and weight of cables
• Radiation resistant and environment friendly
• Resistant to temperature variations.

Ch 1: Introduction Page 50
Disadvantages of Optical Fiber Communication

• Specialist skills needed

• Cost of installation
• Maintenance cost (splicing) is higher than that for copper
cables
• Cost of transmission equipment from electrical to optical
signals
• Optical fibers can not carry electrical power

Ch 1: Introduction Page 51
 It is your task to summarize the key
points presented in this chapter.

Ch 1: Introduction Page 52
Self Study

• Read the following section in the textbook and

summarize what you have read, and deliver your
summary within a week, and label it first assignment.

APPLICATIONS OF FIBER OPTIC COMMUNICATIONS

Ch 1: Introduction Page 53
Assignment 1

1. An optical communication system is given with the

following specifications: Laser: = 1.55µm, power =
5dBm, Photo detector: Power sensitivity (minimum
detectable power at the receiver) = -40dBm. Fiber
length = 100km, losses = 0.25dB/km Source coupling
loss = 3dB Two connectors with loss = 2dB for each.
Splice every 50 km with loss = 5dB System: 400 Mbps,
NRZ, 100km.
• Find the safety margin?
• Determine the listed components are suitable for the
system or not?

Ch 1: Introduction Page 54
Assignment 1
2. A fiber communication system has the following specified
components:
– Laser diode transmitter with = 1,33 m with output power of 10
mW.
– Coupling and connector losses of 7 dB.
– 160 Km of optical fiber cable with attenuation rate of 0.05 dB/Km.
– One intermediate optical amplifier with gain of 11.5 dB.
– Cable required splicing every 20 km with a loss of 0.05 dB every
splice.
• Compute the sensitivity of the photo-detector that achieves
power margin of 7 dB.
• Compute the number of photons incident on the detector in
one second.

Ch 1: Introduction Page 55
Useful Constants

Description Symbol Value

Light velocity 𝑐 3 × 108 𝑚/𝑠
Plank constant ℎ 6.626× 10−34 𝐽. 𝑠
Electron charge 𝑒 1.6 × 10−19 𝐶
Boltzmann constant 𝑘 1.38× 10−23 𝐽/𝐾
Electron volt 1 𝑒. 𝑉 1.6 × 10−19 𝐽

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofEqFlqkiS0

Ch 1: Introduction Page 56
Remember 2

Ch 1: Introduction Page 57
 Thanks for your attention

Ch 1: Introduction Page 58