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 optical 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/technology review into a specialised topic and utilise the advanced knowledge to design sophisticated optical communications 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. Online students are required to attend compulsory residential school.
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 - 2019
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.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Survey
Reminders of weekly teaching and learning activities in the lectures and Moodle have helped students remain focused on their learning.
Students will continue to be reminded of the teaching and learning activities every week, at the end of lectures and also via news items posted in Moodle when relevant. It is anticipated that the timely reminder of the learning activities will improve performance student outcomes in this unit.
Feedback from Unit Survey
One day workshop for learning the simulation software is inadequate for effective use of this software for the design project.
Learning the simulation software will be introduced much earlier in the term in the form of weekly homework for students to familiarise themselves with the operation and the working of the simulation software within the first half of the term and a formal workshop focusing on the design project will be further provided in week 7 as it has always been offered in the previous terms. With these additional scaffolding of learning, it is believed that the students' ability to use the software for simulation of complex systems would be improved. This will then have a flowing effect to improve the quality of the project work and the unit pass rate.
Feedback from Unit Survey
The teaching style and the quality of lecture materials and the effective method of delivery had helped me to learn the subject in an easy way.
The teaching materials and the delivery method will be maintained and continuously revised for improvements. Especially more scaffolding of learning steps will be introduced to further ease the learning of difficult concepts to better equip students with the necessary knowledge to tackle the assessment tasks.
Feedback from Unit coordinator's observation
The laboratory exercises were very useful to help students learn the key concepts introduced in the lecture.
The laboratory exercises are an integral part of the learning activities for this unit. They also provide students with the practical experiences of optical components and systems. The laboratory exercises will be maintained and continue to be improved with updated materials. A more detailed guidance for the lab report will also be provided to assist students to achieve a better report mark and thus improve their experiences and satisfaction with this assessment.
Feedback from Unit coordinator's observation
The online tests assist students to stay focused on recent learned materials and also provide prompt feedback to students about their understanding.
The online tests will be maintained and updated to encourage students to review the materials regularly and also provide them a means for obtaining prompt feedback. This early feedback will provide students with indications of their understanding of the materials which then allow them to act on a timely manner and to improve their unit outcome.
- 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 fibre 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 Program. 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 - Online Test - 15% | ||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 15% | ||||||
| 3 - Literature Review or Systematic Review - 20% | ||||||
| 4 - Project (applied) - 35% | ||||||
| 5 - Online Test - 15% | ||||||
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 - Online Test - 15% | ||||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 15% | ||||||||
| 3 - Literature Review or Systematic Review - 20% | ||||||||
| 4 - Project (applied) - 35% | ||||||||
| 5 - Online Test - 15% | ||||||||
Textbooks
Optical Fiber Communications: Principles and Practice
Edition: 3rd (2008)
Authors: John Senior
Pearson
Edinburgh Gate Edinburgh Gate , Harlow , England
ISBN: 9780130326812
Binding: eBook
FIBER OPTIC COMMUNICATIONS
Fifth Edition (2005)
Authors: Josepth C. Palais
Pearson
Upper Saddle River Upper Saddle River , New Jersey , USA
ISBN: 978-0-130-08510-8
Binding: Hardcover
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft Office 2010 or 2013 (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
- VPI Photonic design suite
- Pdf creator/scanner
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
Teaching Arrangements & Introduction to Optical Fibre Communications
Chapter
Textbook's Chapter 1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Literature Review of a Photonic Topic
Chapter
None
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Forming laboratory group, literature view group, and project group
- Submission of literature review topics (to be approved by the Unit Coordinator)
Module/Topic
Introduction to Optical Fibre
Chapter
Textbook's Chapter 2 and Chapter 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Optical sources - Lasers
Chapter
Textbook's Chapter 6 and Chapter 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Optical receivers - Photodetectors
Chapter
Textbook's Chapter 8 and Chapter 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Non teaching week
Chapter
None
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Online Test 1 opened (Friday)
Module/Topic
Introduction to VPI Photonics Design Suite
Chapter
None
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Optical Amplifier
Chapter
Textbook's Chapter 10
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Laboratory
- Technology Discussion Slides due
Module/Topic
Technology Discussion Presentations
Chapter
None
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Optical Modulation
Chapter
Textbook's Chapter 12 and Chapter 13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
Chapter
Textbook's Chapter 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Link Design - System Rise Time and Bandwidth
Chapter
Textbook's Chapter 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Probability of Errors and Bit Error Rate (BER)
Chapter
Textbook's Chapter 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Online Test 2 opened (Friday)
Design Project Due: Week 12 Friday (11 Oct 2019) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
None
Chapter
None
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
For non Melbourne based students, intensive teaching and learning activities for this unit are arranged around the middle of term in which students will conduct the laboratory and do VPI Photonics workshops. Attendances of these activities are compulsory as they are crucially important for learning of this Unit. If students could not attend any of these activities, he or she must make alternative arrangements with the Unit Coordinator at the start of term (prior to Week 3).
1 Online Test
Online Test 1 is designed to assess student understanding and application of the materials covered between Week 1 and Week 5. This test comprises of multiple choice questions and will be timed. Some of the questions require students to perform designs and calculations to arrive at the correct answers. Please ensure that you read the instructions accompanied the test carefully and understand them clearly prior commencing the test. The test will automatically end when the test time elapses and therefore it is advisable that you move on to the next question if you are getting stuck at the current question. You have only ONE chance to complete the test. Good luck.
Week 6 Friday (30 Aug 2019) 11:59 pm AEST
The test will be opened on Friday of the study break week and closed on Friday of Week 6. It is important that the test MUST be completed within this period of time.
Week 8 Friday (13 Sept 2019)
Test results are to be returned to students immediately after the test is closed.
Online Test 1 aims to assess student understanding and applications of the materials covered between Week 1 and Week 5 inclusively. In particular, the test will include questions relating to the following topics:
- Introduction to optical fibre communication
- Optical Fibre
- Optical sources: Lasers and LEDs
- Optical receivers: PIN and Avalanche photodetectors
- Analyse optical components including advanced models of optical transmitter, receiver and optical fibre
- Knowledge
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
2 Practical Assessment
The laboratory aims to provide students with hand on experiences with optical fibre components and systems. The laboratory consists of several sessions and will be carried out in Week 7 of the term during which students will perform several experiments/measurements, record observations and results and report their findings. 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 report. Students who do not contribute to the laboratory report by providing their parts will receive a zero mark for the report.
Week 9 Friday (20 Sept 2019) 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 11 Friday (4 Oct 2019)
Marked reports will be returned to students within 2 weeks after submission.
The detailed marking criteria will be provided within the laboratory document. The assessment criteria focus on the technical details and the demonstrations of understanding and applications of the learnt knowledge, however, there are also some marks allocated for presentation and technical writing. Only one report is required to be submitted per group. No mark will be given for report missing the team contribution/responsibility matrix. IMPORTANCE: Please be reminded that this assessment has a minimum pass grade of 40% which means if you achieve less than this minimum grade in this assessment, you will immediately and automatically fail this Unit.
- Predict system performances through advanced modelling of loss, bandwidth and error rate using the state of the art simulation tools
- Document and communicate professional engineering information, including computer-based simulations and drawings using appropriate electrical engineering standards, terminology and symbols
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
3 Literature Review or Systematic Review
Students are working in group to conduct a literature review on a topic related to the field of optical fiber communications and/or photonics and summarise their findings in a report of approximately 2000 words (~ 4x A4 pages in length using 12 point font size and single line-spacing). It is important that this report provides an in-depth review of the chosen topic that must be agreed and approved by the Unit Coordinator at the start of the term. Furthermore students are also required to present their literature review to the whole class at the end of the term in Week 12. The presentation will contribute to half of the total mark of this assessment task while the report contributes the remaining half.
Week 10 Friday (27 Sept 2019) 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 (11 Oct 2019)
Marked reports will be returned to students within 2 weeks after submissions.
The technology discussion paper will be assessed based on the quality of the findings and the insights into the reviewed topic. The following format must be strictly adhered to when preparing the literature review:
1) Introduction: introduces the topic of literature review and place it in the context of the general applications and uses so that a layperson can easily relate and understand
2) Method: explains techniques/methods used to conduct the literature review
3) Result: summaries the results/findings of the literature review
4) Discussions: provides a critical/in-depth analysis and insightful discussions of the findings and what do they mean to you personally and also identify the frontiers and the knowledge gaps.
5) Conclusions: summaries key points from your review/analysis
There will be some mark allocation for the report quality and coherency. 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 report will receive a zero mark. IMPORTANCE: Please be reminded that this assessment has a minimum pass grade of 50% which means if you achieve less than this minimum grade in this assessment, you will immediately and automatically fail this Unit.
- Research advanced topics and emerging technologies in the optical fibre communications field
- 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
- Research
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
4 Project (applied)
This task requires students to work in a group and use VPI Photonics Design Suite to simulate a sophisticated optical system and prepare a report based on their simulation results. The project consists of two components. The first component is the group work where students work together to complete the system design. The second component is individual student work where each student studies a distinct, predefined aspect of the designed system. Since only a single laboratory report is produced and submitted for each group, students must collaborate together to produce a coherent report. The project mark will be assessed in two parts. The mark for the first part - the group work will be shared by all group's members while the mark for the second part - the individual work will be only given to the student conducted that work. For this reason, students in the same group may have different marks and to maximize marks, students must do well in both parts of the reports.To encourage equal contribution to the project work, a team responsibility matrix must be submitted together with the report. Students who do not contribute to the project work by providing their parts of the report will receive zero mark for this report.
Week 12 Friday (11 Oct 2019) 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 (25 Oct 2019)
Marked reports are returned to students approximately two weeks after submssions.
The detailed marking criteria is provided in the project description/information document. Students shall investigate a sophisticated optical system 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 demonstration of understanding and applications of the knowledge learned, however, there will be some marks allocated for technical writing and report presentation. To encourage equal contribution to the project work, a team responsibility matrix must be submitted together with the report. Students who do not contribute to the project work by providing their parts of the report will receive zero mark for this report. IMPORTANCE: Please be reminded that this assessment has a minimum pass grade of 50% which means if you achieve less than this minimum grade in this assessment, you will immediately and automatically fail this Unit.
- 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
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
5 Online Test
Online Test 2 is designed to assess student's understanding and applications of the materials covered between Week 6 and Week 12. This test comprises of multiple choice questions and will be timed. Some of the questions require students to perform a design and/or calculations to arrive at the correct answers. Please ensure that you read the instructions accompanied the test carefully and understand them clearly prior commencing the test. The test will automatically end when the test time elapses and therefore it is advisable that you move on the next question if you are getting stuck at the current question. You have only ONE chance to complete this test. Good luck.
Review/Exam Week Friday (18 Oct 2019) 11:59 pm AEST
The test will be opened on Friday of Week 12 and closed on Friday of the Review/Exam Week (Week 13). It is important that the test MUST be completed within this period.
Exam Week Friday (25 Oct 2019)
Test results are to be returned to students immediately after the test is closed.
Online Test 2 aims to assess student's understanding and applications of the materials covered between Week 6 and Week 12 inclusively. In particular, the test will include questions relating to the following topics:
- VPI Photonics simulations of optical fibre and photonics systems
- Optical amplifications and EDFA
- Optical modulations
- Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
- Link design - System Rise Time and Bandwidth
- Bit error rate (BER) and probability of error
- Analyse optical components including advanced models of optical transmitter, receiver and optical fibre
- Knowledge
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
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?
