525.772.8VL - Fiber-Optic Communication Systems

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the course menu.

Course Topics

Module        Date       Topics Covered

Module 1     8/28        Introduction

• Course Overview
• History of Fiber Optic Communications
• Basic Concept
• Optical Communication Systems
• Lightwave System Components

NO CLASS 9/04        Labor Day

Module 2     9/11        Optical Fibers

• Fiber Fabrication Process
• Basic Fiber Properties
• Derivation of Fiber Modes
• Linearly Polarized Fiber Modes
• Properties of Single Mode Fibers
• Single Mode Fiber Cable Types

Module 3     9/18        Dispersion and Loss

• Dispersion in Single Mode Fiber
• Dispersion-Induced Limitations
• Fiber Losses

Module 4     9/25        Nonlinear Optical Effects

• Origin of Kerr Nonlinearity
• Types of Kerr Nonlinearity: SPM, XPM and FWM
• Origins of Scattering Nonlinearities
• Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS)
• Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS)

(Initial topic ideas for term paper are due)

Module 5     10/02      Optical Transmitter

• Semiconductor Laser Physics
• Single-Mode Semiconductor Laser
• Semiconductor Laser Characteristics
• Modulation Techniques
• Light-Emitting Diode

Module 6     10/09      Optical Receiver

• Basic Concepts
• Common Photodetectors
• Receiver Design
• Receiver Noise
• Coherent Detection
• Receive Sensitivity
• Sensitivity Degradation

Module 7     10/16      Lightwave Systems

• System Architectures
• Design Guidelines
• Long-Haul Systems
• Sources of Power Penalties
• Forward Error Correction
• (Outline for term paper is due)

Module 8     10/23      Mid-term Exam

Module 9     10/30      Multichannel Systems

• WDM Systems and Networks
• WDM Components
• System Performance Issues
• Subcarrier Multiplexing

Module 10   11/06      Loss Management

• Compensation of Fiber Losses
• Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers
• Raman Amplifiers
• Optical Signal-to-Noise Ratio
• Electrical Signal-to-Noise Ratio
• Receiver Sensitivity and Q Factor
• Role of Dispersive and Nonlinear Effects

Module 11   11/13      Dispersion Management

• Dispersion Problem
• Dispersion Compensating Fibers
• Fiber Bragg Gratings
• Dispersion-Equalizing Filters
• Optical Phase Conjugation

NO CLASS 11/20      Thanksgiving week

Module 12   11/27      Control of Nonlinear Effects

• Impact of Fiber Nonlinearity
• Solitons in Optical Fibers
• Pseudo-linear Lightwave Systems
• Management of Nonlinear Effects

Module 13   12/04      Coherent Lightwave Systems and Advanced Topics

• Coherent Transmitters
• Coherent Receivers
• Noise and Bit-Error Rate
• Sources of Performance Degradation
• Management of Nonlinear Effects
• Digital Signal Processing

Module 14   12/11      Term Paper Presentations  

• Presentations on Emerging Technologies
• Term papers due

Course Goals

To introduce students to the fundamental principles of modern fiber-optic communication systems and apply these principles to calculate system performance.  The principles of operation and properties of optoelectronic components, as well as signal guiding characteristics of glass fibers are discussed.  System design issues include point-to-point optical links and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) fiber-optic networks.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Following the completion of this course, students will obtain the knowledge needed to perform fiber-optic communication system engineering calculations, identify system tradeoffs, and apply this knowledge to modern fiber optic systems. This will enable the students to evaluate real systems and understand the most recent literature in the field of fiber-optic communcations.

Textbooks

Fiber-Optic Communication Systems, 5th Ed., by G. P. Agrawal Wiley (2021)

Student Coursework Requirements

Grading Policy

P uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10).

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.