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Unit outline_

ELEC5511: Optical Communication Systems

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Optical telecommunications has revolutionized the way we receive information and communicate with one another. This course will provide an understanding of the fundamental principles of optical fibre communication systems. It commences with a description of optical fibre propagation characteristics and transmission properties. We will then consider light sources and the fundamental principles of laser action in semiconductor and other lasers including quantum well lasers, tunable lasers and fibre lasers, and also the characteristics of optical transmitters based on semiconductor and electro-optic modulation techniques. The characteristics of optical amplifiers will also be discussed. On the receiver side, the principles of photodetection and optical receiver sensitivity will be presented. Other aspects such as fibre devices and multiple wavelength division multiplexing techniques will also be discussed. Finally, the complete optical fibre communication system will be studied to enable the design of data transmission optical systems, local area networks and multi-channel optical systems.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

(ELEC3405 OR ELEC9405) AND (ELEC3505 OR ELEC9505). Basic knowledge of communications, electronics and photonics

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Xiaoke Yi, xiaoke.yi@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Individual final exam
60% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Assignment Assignment 1
Individual/Group assignment
6% Week 06
Due date: 07 Apr 2024 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10
Assignment Assignment 2
Individual/Group assignment
6% Week 10
Due date: 05 May 2024 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Skills-based evaluation Computer laboratory
Individual/Group Assignment
20% Week 11
Due date: 13 May 2024 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment 3
Individual/Group Assignment
8% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10

Assessment summary

  • Assignments: Each assignment will assess student knowledge and understanding of the design and analysis of optical fibres, laser transmitters, optical receivers, and optical communication systems.
  • Computer laboratory: The computer labratory assessment will comprise computer aided design and simulation modules. 
  • Final exam: The final exam will cover all aspects of the unit of study.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Optical fibre communications overview; 2. Key fibre system elements, lightwave transmission capacity Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 02 1. Optical fibres; 2. Single-mode optical fibre Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 03 1. Single-mode optical fibre; 2. Propagation modes Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 04 1. Dispersion in optical fibres and compensation; 2. Loss in optical fibres; 3. Specialty photonic crystal fibres Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 05 1. Principles of lasers; 2. Laser mode control Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 06 1. Laser characteristics; 2. Laser dynamic pulse modulation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 07 1. Light emitting diodes; 2. Electro-optic modulators Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 08 1. Optical receivers; 2. Avalanche photodetector APD Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 10 1. Digital optical receiver design; 2. Receiver sensitivity Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 11 1. Optical communication system design; 2. Optical amplifiers Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 12 1. Optical fibre amplifiers; 2. Multichannel lightwave systems Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 13 Multichannel lightwave networks and systems Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Assumed knowledge: Basic knowledge of communications, electronics and photonics.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • G. P. Agrawal, Fiber-optic Communication Systems. Wiley.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate the ability to undertake inquiry and knowledge development by first identifying the information needs and then effectively targeting searches of various media and formats such as the internet, library databases and electronic publications and synthesising the information most pertinent to the project at hand
  • LO2. demonstrate the ability to write reports to communicate technical and often complex material using clear and concise language, as well as a logic string of thought, for the presentation of lab and project work
  • LO3. demonstrate the ability to work in a team, assuming specific roles and responsibilities and drawing on the collective knowledge of the group to reach design solutions for optimised fibre transmission and optical transmitters
  • LO4. demonstrate the ability to design a complete optical fibre communication system to enable the design of data transmission optical systems, local area networks and multi-channel optical systems
  • LO5. demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of optical fibre propagation characteristics and transmission properties, using the principles developed throughout the course
  • LO6. demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of light sources including the principles of laser action in semiconductors, the characteristics of optical transmitters based on semiconductor and external modulation techniques, and the characteristics of optical amplifiers
  • LO7. demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of the principles of photodetection and optical receiver operation
  • LO8. demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of fibre devices and multiple wavelength division multiplexing techniques and application to multichannel systems and networks
  • LO9. utilise knowledge of the concepts in optical communications to apply the principles to the design of complete optical communication systems for data transmission and networks
  • LO10. demonstrate effective use of computer-based tools of analysis, visualisation and simulation in engineering work and draw out meaningful and applicable information, aiding a specific engineering project.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No significant changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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