Learn about the fundamentals of fiber optic communications, with emphasis on the historical background, current practice, and future directions. This course will aim to introduce students to the fundamentals of fiber optic communications, which constitute the backbone of the internet.
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The course will start with a refresher on the operation of key components needed for an effective fiber optic communication system, and then show how these components interact at a system level. Finally, the course will conclude with outlook for future research in extending the capabilities of these networks to higher bandwidths and quantum-secured communications.
Students taking this course will be required to complete four (4) proctored exams using the edX online Proctortrack software.
This course is part of the Nanoscience and Technology MicroMasters program.
What you'll learn
- wave propagation, dispersion, and loss
- optical transmitters and receivers: materials, sources, modulation, speed limitations
- fundamental concepts in optical communication networks: power, noise, and speed
- current optical communication network architectures: TDM, DWDM, QPSK, QAM
- future optical networks: fiber-to-the-home, data centers, quantum key distribution
Syllabus
Week 1: Optical Fibers
- Overview and Introduction
- Multi-Mode/Single-Mode Fibers
- Graded Index (GRIN) and Step Index Fibers
- Fiber Equations and Networking
- Fiber Modes
- System Components
- Modulation
- Multiplexing
- Optical Transmitters
- Einstein Coefficients
- Semiconductor Photonics
- Light Emitting Diodes
Week 2: Optical Transmitters and Receivers
- Lasers
- Laser Principles
- Laser Transitions
- General Rate Equations
- Semiconductor Lasers
- Amplification
- Lasing Conditions
- Quantum Confinement
- Functionality
Week 3: Fundamental Concepts in Optical Communications
- Optical Telecommunications System Limitations
- Links
- System Limitations
- Optical Amplifiers
- Principles
- Hardware
Week 4: Current Optical Communication Network Architecture
- Wavelength Division Multiplexing
- WDM Principles
- WDM Hardware
- Hybrid Packet/Optical Networks
- Modulation Formats
- CDM, TDM
- ASK, PSK, and FSK
Week 5: Future Optical Networks
- Networking Growth
- Upgrading Existing Network Hardware
- Improved Communications Protocols
- Novel Network Concepts
- On-Chip Interconnects
- Guided-Wave Interconnects
- Photonic Crystals
- Photonic Waveguides
- Photonic Slabs
- Quantum Cryptography
- Classical Cryptography
- Quantum Key Distributions
- Quantum Networks
- Quantum Networking Fundamentals
- Quantum Repeaters
- Quantum Teleportation
- Quantum Computation
