The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

University College of Engineering & Technology,

B.S. Telecommunication Engineering
Course Title: Optical Fiber Communication Systems

Course code: TE-431 (3+1)

Prerequisites:
Microwave Engineering
Analog Communication Systems

Course Instructor: Dr. Engr. K.B.Khattak

Contact Info: kb.khattak@gmail.com

Course Catalog Description:

Comparison between optical and electrical mediums, basic optical communication system, Snell’s law,
refractive index, line width, optical and electrical bandwidth. Step index fiber, graded index fiber, refractive
index profiles, meridional and skew rays, acceptance angle and acceptance con, numerical aperture for
meridional and skew rays. EM waves, modes, modes in planar wave guides, wave guide condition,
evanescent waves, phase velocity, group velocity, group index, modes in cylindrical fibers, Parameters for
single mode fiber (cutoff wavelength, mode field diameter, effective refractive index, group delay).
Attenuation due to: (i) absorption, (ii) scattering (iii) bending losses Dispersion, Reflectance and optical
return losses, special types of fibers. Optical sources, modulators and modulating schemes, line coding,
optical detectors, demodulator and demodulation methods, couplers, connectors, switches, splicing, optical
amplifiers and repeaters, Optical time division multiplexing, wavelength division multiplexing (techniques
and devices) link budgeting w.r.t time and power. LAN system, FDDI, SONETS and SDH, Wavelength
routing based optical networks, Optical burst switching.

Textbook:

Gerd Keiser, “Optical Fiber Communications,” 5th Edition, Tata McGraw-Hill, 2008

Reference Books:

1. John M. Senior, “Optical Fiber Communications: Principles and Practice”, 6th Edition, Prentice
Hall
2. Harold Kolimbiris, “Fiber Optics Communications,” 4th Edition, Prentice Hall
3. Djafar Mynbaev and Lowell Scheiner, “Fiber-Optic Communications Technology,” 2nd Edition,
Prentice Hall
4. Opto Electronic, Wilson and Hawks, 3rd Edition.
5. Laser Electronics, Joseph T. Verdeyen, 4th Edition.
 The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
University College of Engineering & Technology,
B.S. Telecommunication Engineering
Course Learning Objectives:

This course is designed for senior undergraduate students. A thorough knowledge of basic concepts, theory,
principals, and components involved in the physical layer of optical communication is given in the course.

Course Learning Outcomes:

CLO: 1. Explain the fundamental concepts of physical nature and phenomena related to optics, optical
fibers, propagation of light in fibers and fiber modes (Learning Level: C2)

CLO: 2. Demonstrate a profound understanding of the losses and degradations in the optical
communication systems, and use techniques & methodologies to reduce/limit them to desired
level (Learning Level: C2)

CLO: 3. Recognize the basic components of optical communication system, their physical properties, and
operational conditions (Learning Level: C3)

CLO: 4. Understand the basic design cycle of optical communication system and device solutions using
the desirables/constraints and procedures of power/data-rate budget calculations (Learning Level: C5)

CLO: 5. Analyze and differentiate between various optical communications and networks
technologies/standards, and point out challenges related to them (Learning Level: C4)

Course Schedule:

3 Credit Hours/week
One laboratory session/week (3 hours/session)

Assessment Plan:

Theory Quizzes(4) 10%

Homework assignments 10%
Midterm exam (75 minutes) 30%
Terminal exam (120 minutes) 50%
Total (theory) 100%
Lab work Lab reports (15) 15%
Lab Sessional 15%
Lab project and terminal exam 20%
Total (lab) 50%
 The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
University College of Engineering & Technology,
B.S. Telecommunication Engineering

Learning Outcomes Assessment Plan:

Sr. # Course Learning Outcomes Assessment

1. 1 Assignment 1
2. 1 Quiz 1
3. 2 Quiz 2
4. 1,2 Mid term
5. 2,3 Assignment 2
6. 3 Quiz 3
7. 3,4 Assignment 3
8. 4,5 Assignment 4
9. 4,5 Quiz 4
10. 1,2,3,4,5 Terminal
Table 1 - Assessment Plan for Course Learning Outcomes

Mapping Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) to Standard Program Outcomes (SPOs):

Standard Program Outcomes:

a) An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
b) An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
c) An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic
constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety,
manufacturability, and sustainability
d) An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
e) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
f) An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
g) An ability to communicate effectively
h) The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global,
economic, environmental, and societal context
i) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
j) A knowledge of contemporary issues
k) An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering
practice.
 The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
University College of Engineering & Technology,
B.S. Telecommunication Engineering
Standard Program Outcomes
a b c d e f g h i j K
1 x
Outcomes
Learning

2 x x x
Course

3 x x x
4 x x x
5 x x x
Total 5 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
Impact HIGH HIGH N/A N/A HIGH N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Table 2 – Course Learning Outcomes mapped to Standard Program Outcomes.

Outcome Coverage Explanation:

(a) An ability to apply knowledge of math, science, and engineering: The homework, exams, and
laboratory experiments require direct application of mathematics and engineering knowledge to
successfully complete the course. Students learn how fundamental mathematical concepts are used to
understand and design basic systems for processing signals (High relevance to course).

(b) An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data: laboratory
exercises give students experience in manipulating optical signals generation, transmission, and
reception. Interpreting the results from basic experiments (High relevance to course).

(c) and (d): These objectives are not directly addressed in this course.

(e) An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems: The course shows the value of
theory, by making it possible for the students to solve relevant engineering problems, which form the
basis of more complex problems in optical communication (High relevance to course).

(f), (g), (h), (i),(j) and (k): These objectives are not directly addressed in this course
 The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
University College of Engineering & Technology,
B.S. Telecommunication Engineering
ANNEXURE-I

Tentative Lecture Breakdown (42 Lectures):

Course Overview: Introduction covers the background, motivation, justification, and

Week 1
benefits of the Optical Fiber Communication, Electromagnetic Spectrum.

Optical Fiber Waveguides: Provides an understanding of ray theory, Total internal

Week 2
reflection, Acceptance angle, Numerical aperture, Skew Rays

Electromagnetic Mode Theory: Provides general mode theory, Phase and group
Week 3 velocity, Phase shift, Mode coupling, step indexed fibers, graded indexed fibers, single
mode fibers, cutoff wavelength, Mode field diameter and spot size.

Transmission characteristics of optical fibers: Introduction, attenuation, Material

Week 4
absorption losses in silica glass fibers, Linear scattering losses.

Transmission characteristics of optical fibers: Nonlinear scattering losses,

Week 5
fiber bend loss, mid-infrared and far-infrared transmission.

Dispersion Fundamentals: Introduction to dispersion, Intra-modal dispersion,

Week 6 material dispersion, Waveguide dispersion, Intermodal dispersion, Dispersion modified
single-mode fibers, Dispersion shifted fibers.

Polarization: Introduction to polarization, Polarization maintaining fibers, Nonlinear

phenomena in optical fibers.
Week 7
Optical Fibers and Cables: Preparation of optical fiber, vapour phase deposition
techniques, Fluoride glass fibers, optical fibers

Week 8 Mid Term Exam

Optical lasers: Introduction, Basic concepts, optical emission from semiconductors,

Week 9
optical sources, LED, LED structure.

Optical Detectors: Introduction, device types, optical detection principles,

Week 10
absorption, quantum efficiency, semiconductor photodiodes.
 The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
University College of Engineering & Technology,
B.S. Telecommunication Engineering

Optical amplification and integrated optics: Introduction, optical amplifiers, fiber

Week 11
amplifiers. Applications and future developments.

Optical fiber connections: Introduction, fiber alignment and joint loss, multimode
Week 12
fiber joints, fiber splices, fusion splices, mechanical splices, multiple splices,

Optical Link design MZI couplers and tuners, Fiber Bragg Grating filters, Link-
Week 13
Power and Rise-time Budgets, Noise and Chirping.

Week 14 Optical transmission networks: PDH, SDH systems

WDM Components and Concepts: WDM, DWDM, OTDM

Week 15

Week 16 Final Exam