Overview
In this unit you will develop an understanding of optical fibre communications from the basic components up to the system levels. You will analyse various fibre link parameters including loss, bandwidth and error rate. You will characterise optical components and systems using practical experiments and advanced simulation tools during laboratory sessions for on-campus students or during residential school for mixed mode students. You will conduct a literature review into a specialised topic and utilise the advanced knowledge to design sophisticated systems. Upon completion of this unit, you will gain advanced knowledge to analyse and design complex optical communication systems. Prior knowledge of basic concepts of electrical circuit analysis, signals and linear systems and fundamental electromagnetic theory is assumed.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Residential Schools
This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 12-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Analyse optical components including advanced models of optical transmitter, receiver and optical fibre
- Predict system performances through advanced modelling of loss, bandwidth and error rate using the state of the art simulation tools
- Design sophisticated fibre optic systems using advanced technologies
- Research advanced topics and emerging technologies in the optical communications field
- Document and communicate professional engineering information, including computer-based simulations and drawings using appropriate electrical engineering standards, terminology and symbols
- Scope, plan, manage and successfully complete engineering projects autonomously and in teams with responsible, ethical and professional attitude regarding the role of engineers.
We are seeking accreditation for the Masters of Engineering. This will be a unit in that course.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Literature Review or Systematic Review - 20% | ||||||
| 2 - Project (applied) - 50% | ||||||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 30% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||||
| 4 - Research | ||||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| 1 - Literature Review or Systematic Review - 20% | ||||||||
| 2 - Project (applied) - 50% | ||||||||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 30% | ||||||||
Textbooks
Optical Fiber Communications Principles and Practice
Edition: 3rd (2008)
Authors: John M. Senior
Pearson United Kingdom
Harlow Harlow , Essex , England
ISBN: 9780130326812
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
Detailed information about the book can be found on the publisher's website at http://www.pearson.com.au/products/S-Z-Senior/Optical-Fiber-Communications-Principles-and-Practice/9780130326812?R=978013032681
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Access to a document scanner and a software that can create pdf documents.
- MSOffice (Excel, Word, Powerpoint etc) or similar software
- Zoom Conferencing (Webcam and Microphone)
- VPI Photonic design suite
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.bui@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Overview of the teaching schedule and assessments
Introduction to optical fibres:
- Various types of fibres
- Fibre characteristics: loss, dispersion, polarisations and etc.
Chapter
Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 of the Textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
None
Module/Topic
Literature review of Optical Fiber Communications
- Method for conducting a scientific literature review
- Suggested topics for literature reviews
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Forming laboratory group, literature view group, and project group
Module/Topic
Optical sources:
- Fabry-Perot lasers
- Single mode lasers
- Laser noises
Chapter
Chapter 6 of the Textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Submission of the literature review topics (to be approved by the Unit Coordinator)
Module/Topic
Optical receivers
- Photodetectors
- Noise and sensitivity
Chapter
Chapter 8 of the Textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to VPI Photonics Simulation Suite
- Tutorials on how to use VPI Photonics Simulation Suite
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
N/A
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
N/A
Module/Topic
Optical amplifiers
- Erbium dopped fiber amplifier (EDFA)
- Gain and noise
- Cascade amplifiers
Chapter
Chapter 10 of the Textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Optical modulations
- Basics of modulation formats
- Light modulation devices
- Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)
- Phase Shift Keying (PSK)
Chapter
Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 of the Textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to WDM systems
- Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) concepts
- WDM System components
- WDM System design
Chapter
Chapter 5 and Chapter 12 of the Textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Fiber dispersion, system rise time and bandwidth
- Fiber dispersion and dispersion compensation
- System rise time
- Maximum bit rate
Chapter
Chapter 3 and Chapter 12 of the Textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The probability of error and bit error rate (BER)
- Probability of error
- BER
Chapter
Chapter 12 of the Textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Literature review presentation - day 1
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Laboratory 2 report due (Friday at midnight)
Module/Topic
Literature review presentation - day 2
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Simulation of optical systems Due: Week 12 Friday (5 Oct 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
N/A
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
N/A
Module/Topic
N/A
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
N/A
This unit will be delivered from the Melbourne campus. Students from Perth must attend the compulsory residential school that will be run during the break week between Week 5 and Week 6 of the term on their local campus. Failing to attend this residential school will result in an immediate fail for this Unit.
1 Literature Review or Systematic Review
Students are working in a group to conduct a literature review on a topic related to the field of optical fiber communications or photonics in general and summarise their findings in a report of approximately 2000 words (~ 4x A4 pages in length using 12 point font and single line-spacing). It is important that this report provides an in-depth review of the chosen topic which must be agreed with the Unit Coordinator at the start of the term. Students are also required to present their literature review to the whole class at the end of the term. The presentation will contribute to half of the total mark of this assessment task while the report contributes the remaining half.
Week 10 Friday (21 Sept 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Only one PDF report is submitted per group. This report submission must be accompanied by the team contribution/responsibility matrix.
Week 12 Friday (5 Oct 2018)
Marked reports will be returned to students around 2 weeks after submissions
The literature review will be assessed based on the quality of the findings and insights into the reviewed topic. The following format must be adhered to when reporting the literature review:
1) Introduction: introduce the topic of literature review and place it in the context of the general applications and uses so that a layperson can relate and understand
2) Method: explain techniques/methods used to conduct the literature review
3) Result: summarise the results/findings of the literature review
4) Discussions: provide in-depth and insightful discussions of the results and the findings and what do they mean, possibly identify the frontiers and/or the knowledge gaps.
5) Conclusions: summarise the work
There will be some mark allocation for the report presentation.
To encourage collaboration and teamwork, a matrix showing the contributions of each student must be submitted together with the report. Students who have no contribution to the literature review will receive zero marks and they shall immediately fail the Unit.
- Research advanced topics and emerging technologies in the optical communications field
- Document and communicate professional engineering information, including computer-based simulations and drawings using appropriate electrical engineering standards, terminology and symbols
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Research
- Self-management
2 Project (applied)
This task requires students to work in a group and use VPI Photonics Design Suite to simulate optical systems and prepare a report based on the simulation results. Each student in the group will work on a distinct aspect of the system, they, however, need to collaborate together to produce a coherent group report. As only one mark is given to the report, this mark will be shared equally among the students encouraging teamwork and collaborations. Students who do not contribute to the project report by providing their parts of the report will receive zero marks and shall immediately fail the Unit.
Week 12 Friday (5 Oct 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Only one PDF report is submitted per group. This report submission must be accompanied by the team contribution/responsibility matrix.
Exam Week Friday (19 Oct 2018)
Marked reports are returned to students approximately two weeks after submssions.
The detailed marking criteria will be provided in the project description/information document. Students will investigate optical systems using VPI Photonics Design Suite and prepare a report of their findings. Only one report is required per group. The assessment criteria will focus on the technical details and the demonstrations of understanding and applications of knowledge, however, there will be some mark allocated for technical writing and report presentation.
- Analyse optical components including advanced models of optical transmitter, receiver and optical fibre
- Predict system performances through advanced modelling of loss, bandwidth and error rate using the state of the art simulation tools
- Design sophisticated fibre optic systems using advanced technologies
- Document and communicate professional engineering information, including computer-based simulations and drawings using appropriate electrical engineering standards, terminology and symbols
- Scope, plan, manage and successfully complete engineering projects autonomously and in teams with responsible, ethical and professional attitude regarding the role of engineers.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
3 Practical Assessment
This assessment consists of two laboratory reports: Laboratory 1 report is due in Week 7 and Laboratory 2 report is due in Week 11 respectively. Students will perform several experiments with optical fiber components and systems, record experimental results and report their findings in the two laboratory reports. Students will work in a group, however, each student must nominate to work on a specific part of the reports. Collaborations among the students are required to ensure that they can achieve the best possible marks for their group reports as all will share the same report marks. Students who do not contribute to the lab reports by providing their parts will receive zero marks for the respective reports.
Week 7 Friday (31 Aug 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Only one PDF report is submitted per group. This report submission must be accompanied by the team contribution/responsibility matrix.
Week 9 Friday (14 Sept 2018)
Marked reports will be returned to students around 2 weeks after submissions
The detailed marking criteria will be provided in the laboratory instruction sheets. The assessment criteria focus on the technical details and the demonstrations of understanding and applications of knowledge, however, there is some mark allocated for presentation and technical writing. Only one report is required to be submitted per group.
- Analyse optical components including advanced models of optical transmitter, receiver and optical fibre
- Design sophisticated fibre optic systems using advanced technologies
- Document and communicate professional engineering information, including computer-based simulations and drawings using appropriate electrical engineering standards, terminology and symbols
- Scope, plan, manage and successfully complete engineering projects autonomously and in teams with responsible, ethical and professional attitude regarding the role of engineers.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
