Catalog Description: Analysis and design of optical communication systems. Free-space, fiber-optic, and turbulent atmostpheric channels; modal representation of random fields. Coherent and incoherent sources; modulation methods. Modeling and statistical analysis of photodetectors; Poisson and related processes; thermal and shot noise. Direct and heterodyne detection; analog and digital transmission; signal-to-noise ratios; error probabilities. System optimization.

Prerequisites: ECEN 3410, Electromagnetic Waves and Transmission, and ECEN 4242, Communication Theory

Textbooks:

Optical Communications

Fiber-Optics Communications Systems

Goals:

Topics:

Review of probability, stochastic fields and orthogonal expansions.
Overview of an archtypical communication system.
The optical detection process.
Quantum theory of optical sources.
Current propagation through receiver front.
Direct detection systems.
Coherent systems.
Future possibilities.

Computer Usage:

A term project which requires a simulation of an optical communication system.

Laboratory Projects:

None.

ABET Category Content:

Basic Science and Mathematics: 1 credit or 33%

Engineering Science: 1 credit or 33%

Engineering Design: 1 credit or 33%