University of Tripoli

Faculty of Engineering
Computer Engineering Department
COURSE NAME: Fiber Optic Communications
COURSE CODE: EC532
CREDIT: 3
SEMESTER: Fall 2020
LECTURES: (Saturday 9:30-10:45) & Monday (online at 3:00 -4:15)
PREREQUISIT: EC331 & EC482
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Sarra Elrabiei

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this course is to first prepare the engineer with a fundamental
principles for understanding and applying optical fiber technology to modern communications
systems. This course is intended to provide both a physical understanding of the underlying
principles of optical components but also engineering skills to examine the performance
characteristics of optical links and networks.

COURSE CONTENT:
1. Fiber Optic Communications Systems
The Basic Communication Systems
Nature of Light Advantages of Fibers
Applications of Fiber-Optics Communications
2. Optics Review
Ray Theory and Applications
Lenses
Numerical Aperture
3. Lightwave Fundamentals
Dispersion, Pulse Distortion and Information
Rate Polarization
Resonant Cavities
Critical-Angle Reflections
4. Optic Fiber Waveguides
Step-Index Fiber
Graded-Index Fiber
Modes in Step-Index Fibers
Modes in Graded-Index Fibers
5. Light Sources
Light-Emitting Diodes
Light-Emitting Diodes Operating Characteristics
Laser Principles
 Laser Diodes
Laser Diodes Operating Characteristics
6. Light Detectors
Principles of Photo-detection
Photomultiplier Semiconductor
Photo-diode
PIN Photo-diode
Avalanche Photo-diode
7. Couplers and Connectors
Connector Principles
Fiber End Preparation
Splices
Connectors
Source Coupling
8. System Design.

GRADING
● Midterm and (Assignments, Quizzes and/or Mini-project) (50%)
● Final Exam (50%)

TEXT BOOKS: Joseph C. Palais, Fiber Optic Communication, 4th ed., Prentice.
REFERENCES:
● Optical and Wireless communication Systems, Brunel University Uxbridge, Middlesex,
UK
● Gerd Keiser, Optical Fiber Communications, Third Edition, McGraw-Hill.
● John P. Powers, An Introduction to Fiber Optic Systems, 2nd ed. Irwin
● Govind P. Agrawal, Fiber-Optics Communication Systems, 2nd ed., Wiley-Interscience