Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Optical Fibre Systems and Networks

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

EEET1070

City Campus

Undergraduate

125H Electrical & Computer Engineering

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016

EEET1070

City Campus

Undergraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 2 2024,
Sem 2 2025

Course Coordinator: Dr Jiao Lin

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2925

Course Coordinator Email: jiao.lin@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: B010 F09 R001

Course Coordinator Availability: Please email for an appointment.


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Recommended Prior Study
It is recommended to have satisfactorily completed the following course before you commence this course:

  • EEET2254 – Communication Engineering 1

Assumed Knowledge

It is assumed that you will have previous knowledge of the properties of optical fibres (multimode and single-mode optical fibres, fibre attenuation, fibre dispersion, preferred wavelengths of operation) and the basic components of optical fibre communication systems (laser diodes, photodetectors, optical receivers).

If you have completed prior studies at RMIT or another institution that developed the skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible to apply for credit transfer.

Alternatively, if you have prior relevant work experience that developed the skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.

Please follow the link for further information on how to apply for credit for prior study or experience.


Course Description

Optical fibre communication systems have revolutionised our global telecommunications network. With their very high data rates and capacity, optical fibre systems link continents, countries, cities and end users. They have enabled the internet and changed our society.

This course builds on work presented in earlier years of the program in order to enable you to develop a fuller understanding and appreciation of the factors which affect the design, operation and performance ofoptical fibre communication systems.

Optical fibre systems and networks include long distance backbone or trunk networks, metropolitan and access networks, passive optical networks and RF photonic systems. Fibre networks are also used to distribute signals for broadband wireless access networks.

The design of an optical fibre system involves many design factors and trade-offs. The characteristics and limitations of system components (laser diodes, optical modulators, optical fibre, optical amplifiers and optical receivers) and the factors affecting the performance of different optical fibre communication systems will be studied.

Particular topics to be studied will include:

  1. Laser diodes
  2. Optical receivers
  3. Optical modulation schemes
  4. Optical and electrical noise sources
  5. Calculation of system Q factor and Bit Error Rate
  6. Fibre dispersion and dispersion compensation
  7. System optical power budget and system risetime budget
  8. Calculation of maximum usable bit rate
  9. Optical fibre networks
  10. Passive optical network
  11. Optical fibre amplifiers

Please note that if you take this course for a bachelor honours program, your overall mark in this course will be one of the course marks that will be used to calculate the weighted average mark (WAM) that will determine your award level. (This applies to students who commence enrolment in a bachelor honours program from 1 January 2016 onward. See the WAM information web page for more information.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for:
BH073P23 Bachelor of Engineering (Electronic and Computer Systems Engineering) (Honours) - Major: Electronic & Communication Engineering
BH111ECH23 - Bachelor of Engineering (Electronic and Computer Systems Engineering) (Honours) / Bachelor of Business - Major: Electronic & Communication Engineering
BH071P17 Bachelor of Engineering (Telecommunications Engineering) (Honours)
BH094TEHDD Bachelor of Engineering(Telecommunications Engineering)(Honours)/Bachelor of Computer Science
BH097TEHDD Bachelor of Science(Physics)/Bachelor of Engineering(Telecommunications Engineering)(Honours)

PLO 1. Demonstrate a coherent and advanced understanding of scientific theories, principles and concepts and engineering fundamentals within the engineering discipline​
PLO 2. Demonstrate a coherent and advanced body of knowledge within the engineering discipline
PLO 3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities, bounds, design practice and research trends of contemporary engineering practice including sustainable practice
PLO 4. Apply knowledge of established engineering methods to the solution of complex problems in the engineering discipline
PLO 5. Utilise mathematics, software, tools and techniques, referencing appropriate engineering standards and codes of practice, in the design of complex engineering systems
PLO 8. Communicate engineering designs and solutions respectfully and effectively, employing a range of advanced communication methods, in an individual or team environment, to diverse audiences.​​
PLO 10. Critically analyse, evaluate, and transform information, while exercising professional judgement, in an engineering context.
PLO 11. Collaborate and contribute as an effective team member or leader in diverse, multi-disciplinary teams, with commitment to First Nations peoples and/or globally inclusive perspectives and participation in an engineering context.​

For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

CLO1 Explain the operating principles, key components (e.g., optical sources, fibres, detectors), and system architectures (e.g., point-to-point, WDM networks) of optical fibre communication systems, and analyse their role in enabling high-speed global telecommunications infrastructure.

CLO2 Critically evaluate the performance of different optical fibre communication systems (e.g., WDM, PON), considering metrics such as bandwidth, attenuation and dispersion, to identify their strengths and limitations in practical applications.

CLO3 Calculate key parameters of optical fibre systems, including such as system optical power budget, system risetime budget, and bit error rate.

CLO4 Critically analyse key performance-limiting factors (such as dispersion, attenuation, and nonlinearities) in various optical fibre communication systems (e.g., single-mode, WDM, PON) to identify design challenges and propose informed solutions.

CLO5 Investigate emerging advancements in optical technologies with reference to current literature.

CLO6 Communicate technical analyses, design solutions and results of investigations effectively through structured reports aimed at a professional audience.

CLO7 Critically reflect on professional behaviours and personal contributions to team-based investigations.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, andthrough links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Quiz, 10%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3 and CLO4
Assessment Task 2: Laboratory reports, 30%, CLO2, CLO3, CLO6 and CLO7
Assessment Task 3: Project, 30%, CLO2, CLO4, CLO5 and CLO6
Assessment Task 4: Timed and timetabled assessment, 30%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3 and CLO4

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.