| Instructor(s) | Dr. Xavier Fernando [Coordinator] Office: ENG437 Phone: (416) 979-5000 x 556077 Email: fernando@torontomu.ca Office Hours: By Appointment | ||||||||||||||
| Calendar Description | This course provides a good understanding of the fundamentals of optical communications; both fiber optics and emerging optical wireless systems will be covered. Some of the topics are: high speed single mode and low speed multimode fibers, step and graded refractive index profiles, different dispersion mechanisms and their effect on high-speed links, advantage of coherent (LASER) light source over incoherent (LED) sources for long haul, high-speed links, photo detectors and their role in bit error rate (BER). Students will do design calculations for point to point and star type fiber optic networks, and they will also be introduced to Synchronous Optical Networks (SONET) and wavelength division multiplexing scenarios. Signal processing performance improvements will also be discussed. | ||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites | ELE 635 | ||||||||||||||
| Antirequisites | None | ||||||||||||||
| Corerequisites | None | ||||||||||||||
| Compulsory Text(s): |
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| Reference Text(s): |
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| Learning Objectives (Indicators) | At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
NOTE:Numbers in parentheses refer to the graduate attributes required by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB). | ||||||||||||||
| Course Organization | 3.0 hours of lecture per week for 13 weeks | ||||||||||||||
| Teaching Assistants | Ammad Shah | ||||||||||||||
| Course Evaluation |
Note: In order for a student to pass a course, a minimum overall course mark of 50% must be obtained. In addition, for courses that have both "Theory and Laboratory" components, the student must pass the Laboratory and Theory portions separately by achieving a minimum of 50% in the combined Laboratory components and 50% in the combined Theory components. Please refer to the "Course Evaluation" section above for details on the Theory and Laboratory components (if applicable). | ||||||||||||||
| Examinations | Midterm exam typically held in Week 7 and, it will cover materials studied during weeks 1-6. It will be a closed book examination for two hours with multiple-choice and written type questions. Final exam will be held during the posted exam period. It will primarily focus materials studied during weeks 7-13. It will be a closed book examination for three hours with multiple-choice and written type questions. Two in-class quizzes will be conducted, typically one before the midterm exam and one after the midterm exam. Online quizzes will be available weekly on D2L. Cumulatively these will carry 10% marks. | ||||||||||||||
| Other Evaluation Information | During tutorial hours, the TAs will solve selected problem from the Problem Sets. Students will have the chance to clarify doubts with the Teaching Assistants. | ||||||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Teaching will be done via in-person lectures during the calendar hours. | ||||||||||||||
| Other Information | Attending the lectures and solving problem sets and on-line quizzes on your own are essential to gain a good understanding of the course material. | ||||||||||||||
Week | Hours | Chapters / | Topic, description |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | Introduction to Optical Communications | |
2-3 | 4.5 | Optical Fibers (Chapter 2) | |
3-4 | 4.5 | Signal Degradation in Optical Fibers (Chapter 3) | |
5-6 | 6 | Optical Sources (Chapter 4) | |
7-8 | 6 | Photo detectors and Receivers (Chapters 6 and 7) | |
9-10 | 6 | Digital Transmission Systems (Chapter 8) | |
10-11 | 4.5 | Optical Networks and WDM (Chapters 10 and 12) | |
11-12 | 4.5 | Radio over Fiber (Chapter 3) |
Week | L/T/A | Description |
|---|---|---|
2 | Problem Set I | Basic optics and waves |
3 | Problem Set II | Fiber Basics |
4 | Problem Set III | Fiber and Dispersion |
5 | Problem Set IV | Optical Sources: LEDs |
6 | Problem Set V | Optical Sources: LASERS |
7 | Problem Set VI | Optical Receivers |
8 | Problem Set VII | Point-to-point-links |
9 | Problem Set VIII-a | Star Networks |
10 | Problem Set VIII-b | Bus Networks |
11 | Problem Set IV | Fiber Wireless Systems |
Students are reminded that they are required to adhere to all relevant university policies found in their online course shell in D2L and/or on the Senate website
Refer to the Departmental FAQ page for furhter information on common questions.
The Library provides research workshops and individual assistance. If the University is open, there is a Research Help desk on the second floor of the library, or students can use the Library's virtual research help service to speak with a librarian.
You can submit an Academic Consideration Request when an extenuating circumstance has occurred that has significantly impacted your ability to fulfill an academic requirement. You may always visit the Senate website and select the blue radio button on the top right hand side entitled: Academic Consideration Request (ACR) to submit this request.
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