Skip to main content
Skip header

Optical Communications I

* Exchange students do not have to consider this information when selecting suitable courses for an exchange stay.

Course Unit Code440-4114/03
Number of ECTS Credits Allocated5 ECTS credits
Type of Course Unit *Choice-compulsory type A
Level of Course Unit *Second Cycle
Year of Study *First Year
Semester when the Course Unit is deliveredWinter Semester
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-face
Language of InstructionCzech
Prerequisites and Co-Requisites There are no prerequisites or co-requisites for this course unit
Name of Lecturer(s)Personal IDName
NED086doc. Ing. Jan Nedoma, Ph.D.
Summary
This subject presents an introduction to the studies of optoelectronics problems specialized in optical communications. Except an introduction, that represents the place of optical communications in today's communication technologies, freshmen will be familiarized with fundamental properties of light essential for phenomena understanding in optical fibres. Optical fibers themselves are divided into different levels: basic description and advanced description. All fibres are described in this way, multimode, single mode and plastic optical fibers. All characteristics are described - from mechanism of light guidance, over attenuation and dispersive phenomena. As the linear so nonlinear phenomena in optical fibers are described.
Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit
Understand the function of optoelectronic components used in optical networks.

Learning outcomes are set so that the students are able to identify and apply tasks in the field of optoelectronics.
Course Contents
1. Introduction to telecommunications and optical fibers - history and development of transmission properties and parameters of optical fibers, fiber optic communication systems, basic block diagram of optical information transmission, current state in optical systems, future development trends
2. Fundamentals of optical fibers I - light conduction in optical fibers, complete reflection at the core-shell interface, refractive indices of the core and shell, cut-off angle at the core-shell interface and cut-off angle, introduction of light into the optical fiber, reception cone, numerical aperture
3.Basics of optical fibers II - mode and chromatic dispersion, solution of mode dispersion - gradient fibers, single-mode fibers
4. Basics of optical fibers III - chromatic dispersion, mechanism of chromatic dispersion, calculation of pulse propagation by chromatic dispersion, definition of transmission speed and bandwidth, connection of transmission speed and bandwidth
5. Basics of optical fibers IV - catalog parameters of optical fibers, general parameters, optical characteristics, geometric characteristics of optical fibers, specification of working conditions of optical fibers, mechanical characteristics, other characteristics
6. Fundamentals of single-mode fibers I - principle of single-mode fiber operation, Gaussian bundle, influence of core and sheath on mode field diameter MFD, limiting wavelength of SM fiber, attenuation of SM fibers, macro-bending losses, micro-bending losses, light absorption and scattering in SM fibers, dispersion and bandwidth of SM fibers
7. Basics of single-mode fibers II - chromatic dispersion, material dispersion, waveguide dispersion, conventional fibers, fibers with shifted dispersion characteristic, fibers with flat dispersion characteristic, polarization mode dispersion (PMD), bandwidth and transmission speed of SM fibers, catalog parameters of SM fibers , general characteristics, transmission characteristics, MFD and limiting wavelength, geometrical characteristics, mechanical properties of SM fibers
8. Basics of sources for optical communications (laser) - basic properties of lasers, spontaneous and stimulated emission, population inversion, positive feedback, material losses, laser activity and laser transfer characteristics, characteristics and properties of laser light,
9. Basics of sources for optical communications (LED) - advantages and disadvantages of LEDs in comparison with laser diodes, formation of photons in semiconductors, formation of light at PN junction, basic description and characteristics of LEDs, homogeneous LED transitions, LEDs on heterostructures, surface emitting LEDs ( SLED), edge-emitting LED (ELED), LED-optical fiber light coupling, technology to improve coupling, LED catalog parameters, LED modulation bandwidth
10. Basics of receivers for optical communications - basic requirements for optical detectors, basic principles and arrangement of photodetectors, photodiode on PN junction, resistance and photovoltaic mode, photodiode sensitivity, photodiode spectral behavior, longwave limit of photodetector, photodetector resolution, photodetector bandwidth, spare photodiode scheme, limitation and control of photodiode response speed
11. Basics of receivers for optical communications - PIN photodiode, avalanche photodiode (APD), MSM detectors
12. Introduction to measurement of optical fibers and cables - types of measurements, measurements on SM and MM fibers and cables, attenuation measurement, conditions of attenuation measurement, two-length method, direct method, OTDR-meter, basic parts of the instrument, dead zones of measurement, curve backscatter, cable factor, shape of faults on the backscatter curve
13. Introduction to fiber optic networks - basic concepts of fiber optic networks, terminology of fiber optic networks, optical network nodes, WDM networks and their variants, management of fiber optic networks
14. Reserve
Recommended or Required Reading
Required Reading:
[1] Ghatak,A.K., Thyagarajan,K.: Introduction to fiber optics. Cambridge University Press, 1st edition, 1998, ISBN 0-521-577853
[2] Agrawal,G.P.. Fiber optic communication systems. J.Wiley and Sons, 1st edition, 1992, ISBN 0-471-54286-5
[3] Papen,G.C., Blahut, E.R.: Lightwave Communications. Cambridge University Press, 2019, ISBN 978-1-108-42756-2
[4] Lam,C.: Passive Optical Networks, Principles and Practice. Elsevier 2007, ISBN 978-0-12-373853-0
[1] Ghatak,A.K., Thyagarajan,K.: Introduction to fiber optics. Cambridge University Press, 1.vydání, 1998, ISBN 0-521-577853
[2] Papen,G.C., Blahut, E.R.: Lightwave Communications. Cambridge University Press, 2019, ISBN 978-1-108-42756-2
[3] Lam,C.: Passive Optical Networks, Principles and Practice. Elsevier 2007, ISBN 978-0-12-373853-0
Recommended Reading:
[1] Filka,M.: Optoelectronics for telecommunications and informatics. ProfiberNetworking CZ,s.r.o., ISBN 987-80-86785-14-1
[1] Studijní opora pro Optoelektronika I
[2] Filka,M.: Optoelektronika pro telekomunikace a informatiku. ProfiberNetworking CZ,s.r.o., ISBN 987-80-86785-14-1
[3] Šiška,P. a kol.: Optoelektronika. Skripta byla podpořena projektem č. CZ.1.07/2.3.00/20.0217
[3] Vašinek, V., Fajkus, M., Líner, A., Optické komunikace I, Studijní podklady, Ostrava, 2014, 127 str., ESF
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures, Tutorials, Experimental work in labs, Project work
Assesment methods and criteria
Task TitleTask TypeMaximum Number of Points
(Act. for Subtasks)
Minimum Number of Points for Task Passing
Credit and ExaminationCredit and Examination100 (100)51
        CreditCredit45 25
        ExaminationExamination55 26