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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 bit error rate. You will characterise optical components and systems using practical experiments and advanced simulation tools during laboratory/workshop sessions for on-campus students or during a residential school for mixed-mode students. 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 systems and fundamental electromagnetic theory is assumed. Online students are also required to attend a 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 2 - 2020

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
Term 2 - 2025 Profile
Melbourne
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2026 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 0%
2. Practical Assessment 20%
3. Online Test 10%
4. Project (applied) 25%
5. Online Test 45%

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

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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: SUTE
Feedback
Audio and video equipment often malfunctioned at the start of class, resulting in lost class time.
Recommendation
Classroom audio and video equipment should be checked before the start of class.
Action Taken
Classroom equipment was checked for proper functioning before each class.
Source: SUTE
Feedback
The relevance of the unit materials to the degree should be provided to students.
Recommendation
The relevance of the materials to the degree and future career should be explained in class.
Action Taken
Explanations and examples illustrating the use and relevance of unit materials and concepts were provided in class as appropriate.
Source: UC's observation
Feedback
Limited licenses of the VPI Photonics Design Suite created challenges for completing the design assessment.
Recommendation
Students should be advised to begin the design assignment early and use the booking form efficiently to ensure fair and effective access to the software.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: UC's observation
Feedback
The range of topics covered may have been too extensive for a one-term unit.
Recommendation
The unit content should be revised to focus on key topics and streamline secondary material.
Action Taken
In Progress
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. Characterise components of optical fibre communications systems and confirm overall system performances using both theoretical analysis and practical measurements
  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 a responsible, ethical, and professional attitude regarding the role of engineers.

We are seeking accreditation for the Masters of Engineering Course. 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
2 - Practical Assessment • • • •
3 - Online Test •
4 - Project (applied) • • • •
5 - Online Test •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Professional Level
• Advanced 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
• Professional Level
• Advanced Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8
1 - Online Test • •
2 - Practical Assessment • • • • •
3 - Online Test • • •
4 - Project (applied) • • • • •
5 - Online Test • •