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Unit of study_
ELEC5512: Optical Networks
2025 unit information
This unit builds upon the fundamentals of optical communication introduced in ELEC3405 (Communications Electronics and Photonics). It focuses on photonic network architectures and protocols, network design, enabling technologies and the drivers for intelligent optical network. Students will learn how to analyse and design optical networks and optical components. Introduction, photonic network architectures: point to point, star, ring, mesh; system principles: modulation formats, link budgets, optical signal to noise ratio, dispersion, error rates, optical gain and regeneration; wavelength division multiplexed networks; WDM components: optical filters, gratings, multiplexers, demultiplexers, wavelength routers, optical crossconnects, wavelength converters, WDM transmitters and receivers; Wavelength switched/routed networks, ultra high speed TDM, dispersion managed links, soliton systems; broadcast and distribution networks, multiple access, subcarrier multiplexed lightwave video networks, optical local area and metropolitan area networks; protocols for photonic networks: IP, Gbit Ethernet, SDH/SONET, FDDI, ATM, Fibre Channel.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Engineering
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | School of Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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Knowledge of digital communications, wave propagation, and fundamental optics |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. demonstrate understanding of photonic packet switched networks and design considerations to the extent of the material presented
- LO2. demonstrate proficiency in assessing the capabilities and the principles of operation of various optical components which are used in today's networks, using the techniques presented in the course
- LO3. demonstrate an understanding of wavelength routing and switching and how it can be utilized to increase the capacity of a network
- LO4. describe the interaction between various layers in the network using the in-depth technical skills developed
- LO5. demonstrate an understanding of different generations of optical networks and their characteristics using concepts and principles developed or presented
- LO6. solve problems related to optical network design and analyze the effect of various parameters in the performance of the system.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
