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ENEE20003 - Optical Fibre Communications

General Information

Unit Synopsis

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

Level Postgraduate
Unit Level 9
Credit Points 12
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.25
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites There are no pre-requisites for the 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).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School Compulsory Residential School
View Unit Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2019

Term 1 - 2019 Profile
Melbourne
Perth
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2019 Profile
Melbourne
Perth
Rockhampton
Term 1 - 2020 Profile
Melbourne
Perth
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2020 Profile
Melbourne
Perth
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2021 Profile
Melbourne
Mixed Mode
Perth
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2022 Profile
Melbourne
Mixed Mode
Perth
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2024 Profile
Melbourne
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton

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).

Assessment Overview

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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Online Test 15%
2. Practical Assessment 15%
3. Literature Review or Systematic Review 20%
4. Project (applied) 35%
5. Online Test 15%

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

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

Term 2 - 2022 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 50.00% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 100.00% response rate.

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.

Source: Unit Coordinator's observation
Feedback
Hand-on experiences with the application of the theory learned in this unit will significantly enhance student learning and satisfaction with the unit.
Recommendation
Create hand-on simulations or practical exercises to illustrate the learning concepts.
Action Taken
This practice was continued. Students gained experiences in design of a complex communication system using the industry leading design suite of software.
Source: Unit Coordinator's observation
Feedback
Guidance and providing specific explanations of the assessment tasks will improve student performance.
Recommendation
Provide customised workshops to assist students with the assessments to improve their understanding of the assessment expectations.
Action Taken
Workshops were provided to students prior to relevant assessment tasks to clarify the requitements and provide tips on methods to tackle the assessment problems.
Source: Unit Survey's feedback
Feedback
The assessments were challenging and perhaps more difficult than what they should be.
Recommendation
Revise the assessment tasks to ensure they align well with the scaffolded learning activities. In addition, design and provide learning activities to help students develop knowledge and skills to solve more challenging problems.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Unit Survey's feedback
Feedback
Students are not familiar with the industry software used for the design assessment. Although, the software has been taught in the intensive learning workshop, it is helpful to have more practices of the software during the term.
Recommendation
Incorporate software-based problems in the weekly tutorial exercises to allow early and more frequent practices of using the software and therefore enhance competency in using the software.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Unit Coordinator's reflection
Feedback
The range of topics covered in the unit are perhaps excessive for one term.
Recommendation
Revise the unit learning contents to streamline the materials and improve the content flow.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Unit Survey's feedback
Feedback
It is helpful to provide guidance and specific explanations of the assessment tasks to help students perform well in the assessments.
Recommendation
Provide dedicated workshops to assist students with the assessments to improve their understanding of the assessment expectations and provide suggestive strategies to tackle the assessment problems.
Action Taken
Nil.
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Analyse optical components including advanced models of optical transmitter, receiver and optical fibre
  2. Predict system performances through advanced modelling of loss, bandwidth and error rate using the state of the art simulation tools
  3. Design sophisticated fibre optic systems using advanced technologies
  4. Research advanced topics and emerging technologies in the optical fibre communications field
  5. Document and communicate professional engineering information, including computer-based simulations and drawings using appropriate electrical engineering standards, terminology and symbols
  6. 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 •
2 - Practical Assessment • •
3 - Literature Review or Systematic Review • •
4 - Project (applied) • • • •
5 - Online Test •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Advanced Level
• Professional Level
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 •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Advanced Level
• Professional Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Online Test • •
2 - Practical Assessment • • • • •
3 - Literature Review or Systematic Review • • • • •
4 - Project (applied) • • • • •
5 - Online Test • •