Outline

Overview

Optical telecommunications has revolutionized the way we receive information and communicate with one another. This course will provide an understanding of the fundamental principles of optical fibre communication systems. It commences with a description of optical fibre propagation characteristics and transmission properties. We will then consider light sources and the fundamental principles of laser action in semiconductor and other lasers including quantum well lasers, tunable lasers and fibre lasers, and also the characteristics of optical transmitters based on semiconductor and electro-optic modulation techniques. The characteristics of optical amplifiers will also be discussed. On the receiver side, the principles of photodetection and optical receiver sensitivity will be presented. Other aspects such as fibre devices and multiple wavelength division multiplexing techniques will also be discussed. Finally, the complete optical fibre communication system will be studied to enable the design of data transmission optical systems, local area networks and multi-channel optical systems.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	ELEC5511
Academic unit	Electrical and Information Engineering
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	(ELEC3405 OR ELEC9405) AND (ELEC3505 OR ELEC9505). Basic knowledge of communications, electronics and photonics
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Xiaoke Yi, xiaoke.yi@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final exam	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1	7%	Week 06	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2	9%	Week 10	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Computer laboratory	9%	Week 11	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 3	15%	Week 13	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Assignments: Each assignment will assess student knowledge and understanding of the design and analysis of optical fibres, laser transmitters, optical receivers, and optical communication systems.
Computer laboratory: The computer labratory assessment will comprise computer aided design and simulation modules.
Final exam: The final exam will cover all aspects of the unit of study.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Optical fibre communications overview; 2. Key fibre system elements, lightwave transmission capacity	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	1. Optical fibres; 2. Single-mode optical fibre	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	1. Single-mode optical fibre; 2. Propagation modes	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	1. Dispersion in optical fibres and compensation; 2. Loss in optical fibres; 3. Specialty photonic crystal fibres	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	1. Principles of lasers; 2. Laser mode control	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	1. Laser characteristics; 2. Laser dynamic pulse modulation	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	1. Light emitting diodes; 2. Electro-optic modulators	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	1. Optical receivers; 2. Avalanche photodetector APD	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	1. Digital optical receiver design; 2. Receiver sensitivity	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	1. Optical communication system design; 2. Optical amplifiers	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	1. Optical fibre amplifiers; 2. Multichannel lightwave systems	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 13	Multichannel lightwave networks and systems	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Assumed knowledge: Basic knowledge of communications, electronics and photonics.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

G. P. Agrawal, Fiber-optic Communication Systems. Wiley, 2010.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate the ability to undertake inquiry and knowledge development by first identifying the information needs and then effectively targeting searches of various media and formats such as the internet, library databases and electronic publications and synthesising the information most pertinent to the project at hand
LO2. demonstrate the ability to write reports to communicate technical and often complex material using clear and concise language, as well as a logic string of thought, for the presentation of lab and project work
LO3. demonstrate the ability to work in a team, assuming specific roles and responsibilities and drawing on the collective knowledge of the group to reach design solutions for optimised fibre transmission and optical transmitters
LO4. demonstrate the ability to design a complete optical fibre communication system to enable the design of data transmission optical systems, local area networks and multi-channel optical systems
LO5. demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of optical fibre propagation characteristics and transmission properties, using the principles developed throughout the course
LO6. demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of light sources including the principles of laser action in semiconductors, the characteristics of optical transmitters based on semiconductor and external modulation techniques, and the characteristics of optical amplifiers
LO7. demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of the principles of photodetection and optical receiver operation
LO8. demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of fibre devices and multiple wavelength division multiplexing techniques and application to multichannel systems and networks
LO9. utilise knowledge of the concepts in optical communications to apply the principles to the design of complete optical communication systems for data transmission and networks
LO10. demonstrate effective use of computer-based tools of analysis, visualisation and simulation in engineering work and draw out meaningful and applicable information, aiding a specific engineering project.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No significant changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ELEC5511: Optical Communication Systems

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect