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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Optical Communications Systems and Data Networks |
| Unit code |
EENGM2001 |
| Credit points |
10 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Yu |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Engineering |
Description including Unit Aims
Optical networks now carry the bulk of the world’s data and voice traffic. Therefore it is essential to teach this key technology to the final year and MSc candidates. This course builds on the basic knowledge that the students already gained in the teaching block 1 (TB1) modules such as ‘Optoelectronic Devices and Systems’ and communications/networks related modules. Therefore, for optical communications systems, it will mainly deal with transmission issues in the optical fibre links. From the networking point of view, it will mainly deal with lower layer protocols that directly interact with the optical media, with an emphasis on the physical layer technology that enables the network interconnection. The unit deals with management, control, reliability and survivability aspects of optical networks. It will also provide updated information about the latest developments in this fast-developing area
Optical Communications SystemsProf S. Yu
- This course will describe in detail the evolution of optical communication systems and networking along the two lines of development, i.e. computer data networking, and voice-traffic-oriented (connection-oriented) networking. The contents will include past and present technologies, and future development directions.
- Historical perspective: fibre capacity; proliferation of optical technologies; TDM, WDM, need for networking; different traffic-voice and data. Telecommunication and data communications.
- Optical transmission systems: transmitter, fibre, and receiver characteristics. Loss and Power budgeting. Dispersion and other impairments.
- From optical links to optical networks: telephony communications: SDH/SONET, optical backbone systems and network. Electronic and optical
Data Networks Prof S. Yu
- Computer data networks: LAN, MAN, and the need to carry data further over the backbone network. Network economics.
- Fibre to the home (FTTH): various versions of passive optical networks (PON).
- Protocols: SDH/SONET and its optical interfaces, optical physical layer interfaces of ATM, generations of Ethernet, and storage area network protocols. Mapping data comms protocols into SDH/SONET.
- Optical technologies: OC-n and DWDM, DEMUX, OADM, EDFA, Dispersion compensation, equalisation, optical cross connects (OXC), tunable laser, wavelength conversion, wavelength routing, optical switching. MMF and offset-launch.
- Network Management and Topology: Topologies: Star, Bus, and Ring networks. Multicast.
- Transmission/physical plane and control plane. Timing, signalling, wavelength and bandwidth provisioning, protection/recovery.
- Future developments: The next generation optical transport networks. Convergence of traffic-Integrated data/voice/video service: is it necessary and how? Technologies in the pipeline: All-optical circuit switching; Wavelength routing; All optical protection; Dynamic optical bandwidth provision. * Technological deficiencies and opportunities.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, the students will have:
- A general understanding of the key issues and building blocks in modern optical communications systems and data networks;
- An understanding of the importance of protocols and enabling optical technologies in relation to the proliferation of optical networks;
- An understanding of the signal characteristics as a driving force, consequently particular protocols and shifting emphasis (such as QoS vs. cost) of different kinds of optical networks, from data-carrying local area networks (LAN) to the telephony-oriented backbone networks;
- An understanding of the issues arising from the need of interfacing these different networks;
- Sufficient familiarity with optical networks and related technologies and protocols to provide a good starting point for a future career in related areas.
Teaching Information
Combination of lectures and laboratory sessions
Assessment Information
Name: Terminal Exam
Description: 2 hour written paper
% of final mark: 100
Reading and References
- Gowar, J., Optical Communications Systems, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall, 1993, ISBN 0-1363-8727-6 (TK 5103.59 GOW)
- Ramaswami R., and Sivarajan, K.N., Optical Networks, 2nd Ed., Morgan Kaufmann, ISBN 55860655-6.
