EE568 – FIBER OPTICS

 

CATALOG DATA:

EE 568 FIBER OPTICS  (3)

The course presents theory and practice related to (a) fiber optic cable and their fabrication, (b) fiber optic transmitters and detectors, (c) fiber optic communication systems and (d) fiber optic remote sensors. Prereq:  EE 468G.  (Same as MSE 568.)

 

TEXTBOOK:

An Introduction of Optical Fibers,

A.H. Cherin.

COORDINATOR:

Dr. Janet Lumpp, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering

 

PREREQUISITES:

EE 468G Introduction to Engineering Electromagnetics

 

TOPICS:

  1. Maxwell’s equations, boundary conditions
  2. Plane waves
  3. Metallic waveguides
  4. Dielectric slab waveguides
  5. Wave equation solution in cylindrical coordinates, Bessel functions
  6. Hollow, metallic circular waveguides, TEz and TMz modes
  7. Step-index fibers
  8. Graded-index fibers
  9. Ray optics
  10. Optical materials
  11. Loss and bandwidth limiting mechanisms
  12. Fabrication of fiber optic cables
  13. Measurement of fiber optic cables
  14. Packaging of fiber optic cables
  15. Source coupling, splices and connectors

 

EXPECTED STUDENT OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course students should demonstrate the ability to:

  1. Qualitatively and quantitatively describe how an electromagnetic wave can be guided by metallic and dielectric waveguides.
  2. Analyze the dielectric slab waveguide for the number and types of propagating modes and describe their field structure.
  3. Analyze the step-index round optical fiber for the number and types of propagating modes, describe the types of signal distortion, and estimate the pulse broadening due to chromatic and waveguide dispersion.
  4. Analyze the graded-index round optical fiber for the number and types of propagating modes, and qualitatively describe why varying the core index of refraction provides benefit for minimizing signal distortion.
  5. Understand how fiber optic cables are manufactured, common materials used, and common slicing methods.
  6. Understand sources and transducers used in fiber optic communication and why certain wavelength bands are preferred over others.

 

COMPUTER USAGE:

Many computer assignments are given in this course.  All of these can be solved using mathematics packages such as Mathematica and Mathcad.  The computer is used to numerically solve for the propagation constants and subsequently to observe the field patterns in step-index and graded-index optical fibers.

 

PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTION:

Engineering Science:           2 credits or 67%

Engineering Design:            1 credits or 33%

There are two primary design projects in this course.  The first is for students to develop a graphical solution method to obtain the propagation constant of a round, optical fiber.  (There is no analytical solution.)  This can be accomplished in a myriad of ways.  The second project is for the students to design a round, optical fiber which is to satisfy a list of constraints for proper operation.  Again, there are an unlimited number of possible solutions.

 

RELATION OF COURSE TO PROGRAM OUTCOMES:

 (j) a knowledge of contemporary issues

(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

(m)                depth of knowledge in at least one area

(o)                 knowledge of mathematics through differential and integral calculus

(p)                 knowledge of basic sciences, computer science, and engineering sciences necessary to analyze and design complex electrical and electronic devices, software, and systems containing hardware and software components

(q)                 knowledge of advanced mathematics, linear algebra, complex variables, and discrete mathematics.

 

Prepared by:  Janet K. Lumpp

Date:  May 10, 2004