504994 - OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS

courses

ID:

504994

Duration (hours):

72

CFU:

SSD:

ELETTRONICA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)

Course Objectives

This course is a survey on optical communications, and provides information on the propagation medium (the fiber), lasers and detectors, passive components,optical amplification, and telecommunication systems. At the end of this class, students will be able to understand the basic principles of optical communications and the operation of the basic elements of optical networks

Course Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of electromagnetic theory, optics and electronics from the courses of the First Level Degree in Electronics and Telecommunications; basic knowledge on lasers and photodetectors.

Teaching Methods

The course includes frontal lessons, during which the course topics are carried out including several examples, using overhead projection of transparencies and Powepoint presentations. The course is completed by some laboratory activity, where optical devices and measurement instrumentation for optical networks are shown.

Assessment Methods

A two-hour written exam, including both numerical exercises and theoretical questions, will test the candidate's knowledge on modern optical networks and their components and subsystems presented in the course, as well as its ability to perform simple numerical evaluations on optical signal transmission. A calculator is recommended. Computers, books and notes are not allowed. The final score is out of thirty.

Texts

Gerd Keiser. Optical fiber Communications. McGraw Hill. Gerd Keiser. Fiber Optic Communications. Springer (2021) For reference only. Dispense di Comunicazioni ottiche dalle lezioni dei prof. Silvano Donati, Valerio Annovazzi Lodi, Guido Giuliani. CUSL (in Italian). Copies of transparencies (on the Kiro web site).

Optical Fiber, Emitters and Photodetectors, Passive components, Networks, Measurements Optical Fibers Single-mode and multi-mode fibers, specialty fibers. Geometrical and optical parameters. Modal theory of fibers. Attenuation. Dispersion. Emitters and Photodetcters Lasers and LEDs for optical communications. Laser/fiber coupling. Photodiodes for optical communications. Passive components Connectors and splices. Coupled-mode theory. Couplers; mirrors and resonators with couplers. Retarders and polarizer. Isolators and circulators. Modulators. Bragg gratings and filters. Arrayed waveguide devices. Telecommunication systems Point to point interconnections. Networks. Power budget. Electro-optic repeater. Optical amplifiers. Multi-wawelength transmission (WDM). Coherent detection. Measurements Measurements on fibers and on devices for optical communications: power, attenuation, return loss, geometrical parameters, dispersion and frequency response. OTDR, BER tester.

Course Language

English

More information

For students of categories recognized by the University as having the right to compensatory measures, or who, for reasons recognized by the University, cannot attend the course in presence, appropriate teaching methods will be applied, including the availability of written texts of the lessons and recorded lessons. Additional Office hours will be offered, even remotely. If necessary, exams can also be given remotely.