EE 8114: Optical Communications and Networks 

Fall 2011

Projects,   Formatting,   Drawing,  Study Material and Problems  Reference Sources,

Prerequisites: Electrical engineering background with good understanding in digital and analog communications

Instructor: 
Xavier N. Fernando, Office: ENG-437, Phone: 416-979-5000 ext. 6077, E-mail: fernando at ryerson.ca, Counseling: Thursdays 3-5PM or by appointment

Lecture Hours: Mondays 6.00 PM-9.00 PM at room VIC 104

Objective: The objective of the course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of optical communication systems and networks. The course starts with basics of light waves and their propagation, and single/multimode optical fibers. Then move to broadband (light emitting diode) and narrowband (laser diodes) optical sources and their modulation; PIN and Avalanche photo detectors and other elements of optical systems. We will study basic optical networks then using a design approach to point-to-point fiber links, star, bus and ring topologies. Multiple access techniques such as WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) and SCM (Sub Carrier Multiplexing) also will be covered. Synchronous Optical Networks (SONET) will be covered to good extend. Passive Optical Networks (PON) widely used in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) schemes and emerging radio over fiber (ROF) networks that bridge the optical and wireless networks will also be covered.

Teaching Method: Main form of information delivery will be through lectures. However, students have to frequently visit the course site to check for the course announcements, postings and to participate in the e-mail discussions.

Evaluation:
 
Mid term examination
 20 %  (October 24)
Final examination
 35 % 
Quizzes (2 - surprise)  
 10  %
Project Proposal    5 %  (Due October 03) Click here for Project Proposal Form
Project Presentation
 10 % - Should match the proposal
Term paper 
 20 % - Publishable?


Term Paper: Each student will write a term paper. This will give the students a chance to explore a topic of their interest in detail. The project will involve with some additional background reading, and suggesting a better solution to a typical optical communications problem. Verification of results can be done by mathematical proof or by computer simulation or by experiment. A formal paper should be submitted to the course instructor and a visual presentation should be made.

Marking Scheme for the Paper
 
Abstract
Not more than 200 words, should precisely describe what is done 
4 %
Introduction
A brief outline and motivation of the problem under investigation 
3 %
Theory
Theoretical definition of the problem and your derivations (if any)
3 %
The Work
What has actually been done in the paper, details of the simulation, analysis or experiment 
3 %
Results and Discussions
Significance and the application of the results
3 %
Reference
A properly formatted list of all the references
2 %
Formatting
Adhere to the specified format
2 %

The term paper should confirm the following format. There will be a penalty for not adhering to the format guidelines.

Plagiarism: Reproducing other's work or idea without proper citation is defined as plagiarism. If your work found to have plagiarized material, you will get zero marks for the work. If the offence is serious, then it may be reported to the academic council as an academic misconduct.

Note: Significant portion of research is studying what others have done. Then an attempt is made enhance the work by adding more. Therefore, a well-written paper should clearly mention relevant previous work and clarify what is done new. 

References: There is no text book for the course, we will use given course notes, articles from journals and conferences, power point presentation slides etc.

US Department of Commerce Institute for Telecommunications Sciences Glossary Search Engine

Good site for long lasting high power LED related articles 

http://lasers.jpl.nasa.gov/index.html

http://www.lascomm.com/tutorial.htm

White Papers by Corning ;

In-depth - very technical - Fiber optic write up

WDM basics (Wavelength Division Multiplexing)

DWDM basics (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing)

Fiber Optics Training Provider

Various publications from IEEE, Society of Photonics and Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) and Lasers and Electro Optic Society (LEOS)

Gerd Keiser, 'Optical Fiber Communications' third edition, McGraw-Hill (2000)

Jeff Hecht, 'Understanding Fiber Optics' 5/e, Prentice Hall (2006) 

John Senior, `Optical Fiber Communications' second edition, Prentice Hall (1999) 

S. O. Kasap, 'Optoelectronics and Photonics: principles and practices' Prentice Hall (2001) 

Joseph C. Palais, 'Fiber Optic Communication' fourth edition, Prentice Hall (1998) 

IEEE and OSA, `Journal of Lightwave Technology' 

IEEE LEOS, `Photonics Technology Letters'