Optical Fiber

communication
EE 493
Lecture # 1
Chapter 1
Historical Perspective of Optical Systems
 The physics of light:
Defined light?

What is light?

Where light comes from?

 Chapter 24: The Light
Verse 1
An-Noor: - ‫سورة النور‬
‫الر ْح َٰم ِن ه‬
‫الر ِح ِيم‬ ِ ‫ِب ْس ِم ه‬
‫اَّلل ه‬
‫ت لََّه ُُ ْم ََ هُ ُرون‬ ٍ ‫سورة ٌ أ ْنز ْلناها وفرضْناها وأ ْنز ْلنا ِفيها آيا‬
ٍ ‫ت بيِنا‬ ُ
A sura which We have sent down and which We have ordained in it have We sent down Clear
Signs, in order that ye may receive admonition
Verse 34
‫ت ومث اًل ِمن الهَِين خَّ ْوا ِم ْن ق ْب َِّ ُُ ْم وم ْو ِعظةا ِل َّْ ُمَ ه ِقين‬ ٍ ‫ولق ْد أ ْنز ْلنا ِإل ْي ُُ ْم آيا‬
ٍ ‫ت ُمبيِنا‬
We have already sent down to you verses making things clear, an illustration from (the story of)
people who passed away before you, and an admonition for those who fear (Allah).
Verse 35
ُ‫الزجاجة‬ ُّ ۖ ‫صبا ُح فِي ُزجاج ٍة‬ ْ ‫صبا ٌح ۖ ْال ِم‬
ْ ‫ور ِه ُ ِم ْشُاةٍ فِيها ِم‬ ِ ُ‫ض ۚ مث ُل ن‬ِ ‫ت و ْاْل ْر‬ِ ‫سماوا‬ ُ ُ‫اَّللُ ن‬
‫ور ال ه‬ ‫ه‬
‫ضي ُء ول ْو ل ْم‬ ِ ُ‫ي يُوقدُ ِم ْن شجر ٍة ُمبارُ ٍة ز ْيَُون ٍة َل ش ْر ِقيه ٍة وَل غ ْر ِبيه ٍة يُادُ ز ْيَُها ي‬ ٌّ ‫ب د ُِر‬ٌ ُ‫ُأنهها ُ ْو‬
‫اس ۗ وا هَّللُ بِ ُُ ِل‬ِ ‫اَّللُ ْاْل ْمثال ِلَّنه‬
‫ب ه‬ ُ ‫ور ِه م ْن يشا ُء ۚ ويض ِْر‬ ِ ُ‫اَّللُ ِلن‬ ٍ ُ‫ور عَّ َٰى ن‬
‫ور ۗ ي ْهدِي ه‬ ٌ ُ‫ار ۚ ن‬ ٌ ‫َ ْمس ْسهُ ن‬
‫ش ْيءٍ ع َِّي ٌم‬
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a
Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: Lit
from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh
luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allah doth guide whom He will to His
Light: Allah doth set forth Parables for men: and Allah doth know all things.
EM Spectrum and simple relations:
Electromagnetic waves has mainly the following three physical properties:

 Frequency f
 wavelength λ
 Energy E

Frequencies range from 1023 Hz (1 GeV gamma rays) down to the local plasma frequency of the ionized
interstellar medium (~1 kHz).

Wavelength is inversely proportional to the wave frequency, so gamma rays have very short
wavelengths that are fractions of the size of atoms, whereas wavelengths can be as long as the universe.

Photon energy is directly proportional to the wave frequency, so gamma ray photons have the highest
energy (around a billion electron volts), while radio wave photons have very low energy (around a
femtoelectronvolt). These relations are illustrated by the following equations:

where:

c = 299,792,458 m/s is the speed of light in vacuum

h = 6.62606896(33)×10−34 J s = 4.13566733(10)×10−15 eVs is Planck's constant.
Light is Electromagnetic radiation

Electromagnetic radiation (EM radiation or EMR) is a form

of radiant energy, propagating through space via photon wave
particles. In a vacuum, it propagates at a characteristic speed, the
speed of light, normally in straight lines. EMR is emitted and
absorbed by charged particles. As an electromagnetic wave, it has
both electric and magnetic field components, which oscillate in a
fixed relationship to one another, perpendicular to each other and
perpendicular to the direction of energy and wave propagation
Electromagnetic spectrum:

γ= Gamma rays MIR= Mid infrared HF= High freq.

HX= Hard X-rays FIR= Far infrared MF= Medium freq.
SX= Soft X-rays Radio waves LF= Low freq.
EUV= Extreme ultraviolet EHF= Extremely high freq. VLF= Very low freq.
NUV= Near ultraviolet SHF= Super high freq. VF/ULF= Voice freq.
Visible light UHF= Ultra high freq. SLF= Super low freq.
NIR= Near Infrared VHF= Very high freq. ELF= Extremely low freq.
Freq=Frequency
Visible light wavelength and color examples:
Wavelength (nm) Color Color Example
100-280 UV-C
280-320 UV-B
320-395 UV-A
395-430 Violet
430-450 Indigo
450-480 Blue
480-520 Blue-Green
520-555 Green
555-585 Yellow-Green
585-600 Yellow
600-615 Amber
615-625 Orange
625-640 Orange-Red
640-700 Red
700-770 Shortwave NIR
770-1100 Longwave NIR
>=1100 Infrared
1. Historical Perspective of Optical Systems:
- Mirrors
- Fire
- Signal lamps
- Flags ……etc…..
- Bet rate (B) <1 b/s
1792Claude Chappe mechanically coding system
Morse code

Navy Signalman signals another Navy mine hunter coastal ship

using Morse code
 Optical Fiber
communication
EE 493
Lecture # 2
Chapter 1
Basic Concepts
1.1 The need for Fiber optic communications:
- 1830 Telegraphy switched communication to electricity.

- Bet rate (B) increased to 10 b/s using Morse code.

- Communication for long distances such as 1000 km.

- 1866 first trans Atlantic cable established.

- 1940 Coaxial cables put for use which increased the capacity to 3
MHz which allowed 300 voice channel or one signal television
channel to be transmitted.

- There is always the need for higher B  distance product.

- Microwave technology 1-10 GHz using Modulation techniques.

- First Microwave system was put in 1948.

-Both Coaxial and Microwave managed to operate at 100Mb/s.

1.1 The need for Fiber optic communications (2):
1975 the most advanced Coaxial system was established with 274 Mb/s.
 posting station was every 1 km. Microwave posting distance is better but B is
smaller.

1950’s found that B X L product will be higher if we use light waves.

The need was for coherent optical source and transmission medium.

1960 the first issue solved

1966 was suggested that optical fiber could be the medium. main problem was fiber
losses. (>1000dB/km)

 1970 breakthrough when fiber losses reduced to 20 dB/km

On the same time GaAs Laser running continually at room temperature
demonstrated.
 Now a days the bit rate-distance product is 107 first generation light wave systems.
1.1 The need for Fiber optic communications (3):
1.1 The need for Fiber optic communications (4):
-1950’s found that B X L product will be higher if we use light waves.

-The need was for coherent optical source and transmission medium.

-1960 the first issue solved

-1966 was suggested that optical fiber could be the medium.

main problem was fiber losses. (>1000dB/km)

- 1970 breakthrough when fiber losses reduced to 20 dB/km

-On the same time GaAs Laser running continually at room temperature
demonstrated.
- Now a days the bit rate-distance product is 107 first generation light
wave systems.
1.2 Basic Concepts:
Analog and digital signals

bit rate (B) =TB-1

1.2 Basic Concepts (2):
Converting Analog and digital signals:
Converting Analog and digital signals:
1.2 Basic Concepts (3):
Channel Multiplexing:

- Digital voice channel operates at 64 kb/s.

- Fiber optic communication system can transmit at a rate > 1Gb/s.

It is feasible to transmit many channels simultaneously through multiplexing

- Time division multiplexing (TDM)

- Frequency division multiplexing (FDM)
1.2 Basic Concepts (3):
Channel Multiplexing:
1.2 Basic Concepts (4):
Modulation Formats:

The first step in the design of an optical communication system is to decide

how to convert the electrical signal into an optical bit stream.
1.2 Basic Concepts (4):
Modulation Formats:
1.2 Basic Concepts (4):
Modulation Formats:

Nortel’s WDM System

1.3 Optical Communication System:
- Guided
- Unguided
1.3 Optical Communication System:
- Optical Transmitters:

- Optical Receivers:

Optical Transceiver
Problem:

1.1 Calculate the carrier frequency for optical communication systems operating at
0.88, 1.3, and 1.55 μm. What is the photon energy (in eV) in each case?
Solution:

Where:
c = 3108 m/s is the speed of light in vacuum

h = 6.63×10−34 J s = 4.14×10−15 eVs is Planck's constant.

0.88 μm = 0.8810-6 m = 1 f1 = C/1 = 3.41 1014 Hz

1.3 μm = 1.310-6 m = 2 What is f ? f2 = C/2 = 2.31 1014 Hz
1.55 μm =1.5510-6 m = 3 f3 = C/3 = 1.94 1014 Hz

What is the photon energy (in eV): E=hf

For : 0.88 μm E = 4.14×10−15 eVs  3.41 1014 Hz =1.41 eV

1.3 μm E = 4.14×10−15 eVs  2.31 1014 Hz = 0.96 eV
1.55 μm E = 4.14×10−15 eVs  1.94 1014 Hz = 0.80 eV
H.W 1

Solve any 3 questions from chapter 1 problems

pages (20-21) including problem 1.8
Chapter 2: Optical fibers
Refraction as a known optical phenomena:
Snells law:
Snell's law (also known as the Snell–
Descartes law and the law of refraction)
is a formula used to describe the
relationship between the angles of
incidence and refraction, when referring to
light or other waves passing through a
boundary between two different media,
such as water and glass

Refraction of light at the interface between two media of different refractive indices, with n si yticolev eht ecniS . 1n >2
muidem dnoces eht ni rewol V2<V1 ,the angle of refraction θ2 is less than the angle of incidence θ ni yar eht ,si taht ; 1
.lamron eht ot resolc si muidem xedni -rehgih eht
In optics, the law is used in ray tracing to compute the angles of incidence or refraction, and in experimental optics
and gemology to find the refractive index of a material. The law is also satisfied in metamaterials, which allow light to
be bent "backward" at a negative angle of refraction (negative refractive index)
Although named after Dutch astronomer Willebrord Snellius ( yb debircsed yletarucca tsrfi saw wal eht ,) 1626–1580
984 ni nehw ,truoc dadhgaB ta lhaS nbI tstineics barA ehthe used the law to derive lens shapes that focus light with
no geometric aberrations in the manuscript On Burning Mirrors and Lense
Snell's law states that the ratio of the sines of the angles of incidence and refraction is equivalent to the ratio
of phase velocities in the two media, or equivalent to the opposite ratio of the indices of refraction :

sin 1 V1 n2
Snell's law is  
sin  2 V2 n1
 Total internal reflection and critical angle:

When light travels from a medium with higher refractive index to one
with lower refractive index, Snell's law seems to require in some cases
(whenever the angle of incidence is large enough) that the sine of the
angle of refraction be greater than one. This of course is impossible,
and the light in such cases is completely reflected by the boundary, a
phenomenon known as total internal reflection. The largest possible
angle of incidence which still results in a refracted ray is called the
critical angle; in this case the refracted ray travels along the boundary
between the two media.
 sin 1 n2

sin  2 n1
Example:
• consider a ray of light moving from water to air with
an angle of incidence of 50°. The refractive indices of
water and air are approximately 1.333 and 1,
respectively, so Snell's law gives us the relation

• which is impossible to satisfy. The critical angle θcrit

is the value of θ1 for which θ2 equals 90°:
Example: 1

Find the refraction angle when an incident beam with angle 45 degrees cross
the interface between air and medium with refractive index n1=1.4.
Is the light refracted or totally reflected back?
Explain when it will be totally reflected back

sin 1 n2 Air
 n2 =1
sin  2 n1
2
1.4
sin(  2 )  sin( 45)  0.9898
1 n1=1.4

 2  81.9

n2
sin(  c ) 
n1
 c  45.6
Step Index Fiber
Total internal reflection is the basic
mechanism behind light confinement in
optical fibers where most of the light energy
will be confined in the core area.
Fiber losses up to 1000 dB/km

In 1970 breakthrough append when fiber losses reduced to 20 dB/km

2.1 Geometrical Optics Description
Acceptance angle and Numerical aperture of fibers
2.1 Geometrical Optics Description
Problems:
1.8 A 1.55-μm fiber-optic communication system is transmitting digital signals over
100 km at 2 Gb/s. The transmitter launches 2 mW of average power into the fiber
cable, having a net loss of 0.3 dB/km. How many photons are incident on the
receiver during a single 1 bit? Assume that 0 bits carry no power, while 1 bits
are in the form of a rectangular pulse occupying the entire bit slot (NRZ format).
Solution:
(1 W = 1 J/s), (1 Hz = 1 s−1).

Total loss = 0.3100 = 30 dB

Photon Energy (E) = 6.63×10−34 J.s  3108 m.s-1 / (1.5510-6 m) = 12.83 10-20 J

Bit time TB= 1/(2109) = 5 10-10 S

Example:
A silica optical fiber with a core diameter large enough to be considered by ray theory
analysis has a core refractive index of 1.50 and a cladding refractive index of 1.47.
Determine:
(a) the critical angle at the core-cladding interface;
(b) the NA for the fiber;
(c) the acceptance angle in air for the fiber.

Solution:
(a) The critical angle c at the core-cladding interface is given by
c = sin−1 (n2 / n1 )
= sin−1 (1.47 / 1.5 )
= 78.5°

(b) NA  n1 2 2
1

where,  
n1  n2 
n1
NA = 0.30

(c) The acceptance angle in air θa is given by:

θa = sin−1 NA = sin−1 (0.30)

= 17.4°
2.1 Geometrical Optics Description

Multipath Dispersion
2.1 Geometrical Optics Description
2.1.2 Graded-Index Fibers
2.1.2 Graded-Index Fibers

Quick benefit: Intermodal or Multipath dispersion is reduced for graded-index fibers

2.1.2 Graded-Index Fibers
How Intermodal or Multipath dispersion is reduced for graded-index fibers?
2.1.2 Graded-Index Fibers
2.1.2 Graded-Index Fibers
2.1.2 Graded-Index Fibers
Example 1:
Step index fiber cable connect between two cities 20 Km apart. If the core and
cladding refractive indices are 1.5 and 1.47 respectively. What would be the
maximum bit rate between the two cities considering healthy communications.
Example 2:
Graded index fiber cable connect between two cities 20 Km apart. If the core and
cladding refractive indices are 1.5 and 1.47 respectively. What would be the
maximum bit rate between the two cities considering healthy communications.
 2.2 Wave Propagation:
We consider propagation of light in step-index fibers by using
Maxwell’s equations for electromagnetic waves.

Why Maxwell’s equations?

2.2.1 Maxwell’s Equations:

For a non-conducting medium without free charges, Maxwell’s equations take the form
2.2.1 Maxwell’s Equations:
2.2.1 Maxwell’s Equations:
2.2.2 Fiber Modes:
An optical mode refers to a specific solution of the wave equation

that satisfies the appropriate boundary conditions and has the property
that its spatial distribution does not change with propagation
Fiber modes classification:
- Guided modes Signal transmission in fiber-optic communication
- Leaky modes
- Radiation modes

To take advantage of the cylindrical symmetry, the wave equation is written in the
cylindrical coordinates ρ , φ , and z as

Where
2.2.2 Fiber Modes:
Using the method of separation of variables:

Can be written as:

Where,
2.2.2 Fiber Modes:
A general solution for the last equation take the form:

Similarly for the Hz component:

2.2.2 Fiber Modes:
Eigenvalue equation:
2.2.2 Fiber Modes: Single mode condition
Eigenvalue equation:

Set m = 0 the eigenvalue equations for TE01 TM01

can be obtained as:
 2.2.2 Fiber Modes: Single mode condition
Example: Using Figure 2.5 in the text book, design a single mode fiber for optical
communication operates at 1.55m, n1 = 1.45 and  = 510-3.
Explain how you can make the fiber radius equal 10 µm yet you have single mode
operation?

What is V for single mode operation?

V = 2.405

2
2.405  a 1.45  2  5  10 3

1.55 106
a  4.1m
When the radius (a) = 10 µm

2.405 1.55 106

2   0.0409
2 10 10 1.45
6
a

  8.38 10 4
2.2.2 Fiber Modes: Mode index n
The mode index n at the operating wavelength can be obtained by using Eq.
(2.2.34) in the text book, according to which

The normalized propagation constant (b ) and by using Fig. 2.5, which provides b
as a function of V for the HE11 mode. An analytic approximation for b is:

b (V ) ≈ (1.1428−0.9960/V)2

It is accurate to within 0.2% for V in the range 1.5–2.5

 2.2.2 Fiber Modes: Spot Size
Since the field distribution given by Eq. (2.2.39) is cumbersome to use in practice, it is
often approximated by a Gaussian distribution of the form

where w is the field radius and is referred to as the spot size. It is determined by
fitting the exact distribution to the Gaussian function. Figure 2.7 shows the
dependence of w/a on the V parameter.

It can also be determined from an

analytic approximation accurate to
within 1% for
1.2 <V < 2.4
and given by :

w/a ≈ 0.65 + 1.619V−3/2 + 2.879 V−6

2.2.2 Fiber Modes: Confinement Factor
Example:
Using Figure 2.5 in the text book, design a single mode fiber for optical
communication operates at 1.55m, n1 = 1.45 and  = 510-3.
 Calculate the normalized propagation constant considering that you use the
 maximum a value for the given .
 What is the spot size of the field distribution?
 Find the Confinement Factor of the fiber you designed

Using the last example where V is 2.405 we can say that:

a  4.1m
2.3 Dispersion in Single-Mode Fibers

Intermodal Dispersion in multi mode fiber lead to As a reason for multi

~ 10 ns /km optical pulse broadening paths for different rays

different mode group velocioties

Dispersion in Single-Mode Fibers is a result of
it called modal dispersion

Yet pulse broadening still occur since

No Intermodal Dispersion in Single Mode fiber
the group velocity of the fundamental
Which is Main advantage of Single Mode fiber
mode is frequency dependent
2.3.1 Group velocioty dispersion

Consider a single-mode fiber of length L. A specific spectral component at the

frequency ω would arrive at the output end of the fiber after a time delay

T = L/ vg
where vg is the group velocity, defined as vg = (dβ /dω)−1.
2.3.1 Group velocioty dispersion

If Δω is the spectral width of the pulse, the extent of pulse

broadening for a fiber of length L is governed by

The parameter β2 = d2β /dω2 is known as the GVD parameter. It

determines how much an optical pulse would broaden on
propagation inside the fiber.

In some optical communication systems, the frequency spread

Δω is determined by the range of wavelengths Δλ emitted by the
optical source.
2.3.1 Group velocioty dispersion
It is customary to use Δλ in place of Δω. By using ω = 2π c/λ and
Δω = (−2π c/λ2)Δλ
the previous equation can be written as:

2.3.4

Where
King Faisal University
College Of Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Optical Fiber communication (EE 493)
Course Project
Wed. 10-2-2021

Students should form Project groups (4-5 Students) and submit the students’ names and
project title by next week.

Each group need to choose one topic and submit research paper or Project report about
the following: [Experimental work is optional]

1) Optical communication systems, concept, design and operation.

2) 40 GB optical communication system solution, concept, design and operation.
3) Laser Diode technology, concept, design and operation.
4) Optical communication detectors, concept, design and operation.
5) 400 GB optical communication system, solution, concept, design and operation

Project due date Tuesday 20-4-2021

Deliveries: Project report, ppt Presentation and any prototype (optional)
2.3.1 Group velocioty dispersion

Example
Solution
The condition for healthy communications for a single mode fiber is

So, The Bit rate is no more than 12.5 GB/Sec to insure healthy communications.
2.3.1 Group velocioty dispersion
2.3.2 Material dispersion

For silica only:

ZD

In the wavelength range 1.25–1.66 μm it can be approximated by an empirical relation

DM ≈ 122(1−λZD / λ ).
2.3.3 Waveguide Dispersion
The waveguiding of the fiber may also create chromatic dispersion. This results
from the variation in group velocity with wavelength for a particular mode.
Considering the ray theory approach, it is equivalent to the angle between the ray
and the fiber axis varying with wavelength which subsequently leads to a variation
in the transmission times for the rays, and hence dispersion.

DW is negative in the entire wavelength range 0 –1.6 μm. On the other hand, DM is negative
for wavelengths below λZD and becomes positive above that.

The main effect of waveguide dispersion is to shift λZD by an amount 30–40 nm so that the
total dispersion is zero near 1.31 μm. It also reduces D from its material value DM in the
wavelength range 1.3–1.6 μm that is of interest for optical communication systems.

Typical values of D are in the range 15–18 ps/(km-nm) near 1.55 μm. This wavelength
region is of considerable interest for light wave systems, since, the fiber loss is minimum
near 1.55 μm. High values of D limit the performance of 1.55-μm light wave systems
2.3.3 Waveguide Dispersion (2)
Total Dispersion
 International Telecommunications Union
(ITU) Spectral band definitions:

Name ITU band Wavelength range (μm)

Original band O-band 1.260 to 1.360
Extended band E-band 1.360 to 1.460
Short band S-band 1.460 to 1.530
Conventional band C-band 1.530 to 1.565
Long band L-band 1.565 to 1.625
Ultra-long band U-band 1.625 to 1.675
 Optical Fiber
communication
EE 493
Lecture # 13
Chapter 2
2.3.4 Higher Order Dispersion

It is estimated that for a source with spectral width Δ the effective value of dispersion
parameter become:
D = S Δ

So, now the BL product can be estimated for healthy communications as:

BL |S |(Δ)2 < 1
Example:
What is the max. BL product for a light source with spectral width Δ = 2 nm and
dispersion shifted fiber with S= 0.05 ps/(km.nm2) at wavelength =1.55 µm?
Solution:
Since the BL |S|(Δ)2 < 1
The BL product ≈ 5Tb.km/s
2.4.3 Dispersion induced Limitations on the Bit Rate
The broadening factor defined as σ /σ0 , where σ0 is the RMS width of the input
Gaussian pulse (σ0 = T0 / √ 2), the broadening factor is obtained

The limitation imposed on the bit rate by fiber dispersion can be quite different depending
on the source spectral width. It is instructive to consider the following two cases
separately.
Optical Sources with a Large Optical Sources with a Small
Spectral Width Spectral Width
LED’s Lasers
2.4.3 Dispersion induced Limitations on the Bit Rate(2)
Example:
Consider the case of a light-emitting diode where σλ ≈ 15 nm. Using
D = 17 ps/(km.nm) at 1.55 μm, Find the BL product ?

Solution
Since the light emitting diode is an Optical Sources with a Large Spectral Width
with σλ ≈ 15 nm then the BL product is given by:
1
BL D   
4
1 1 km.nm 1 1
BL    nm
4 D   4 17 10 12 s 15

BL  1 GB.km.s 1

What if the system is designed to operate at the zero-dispersion

BL can be increased to 20 (Gb/s)-km for a typical value S = 0.08
ps/(km-nm2).
2.5 Fiber Losses
Example:
When the mean optical power launched into an 8 km length of fiber is 120 μW, the
mean optical power at the fiber output is 3 μW.
Determine:
(a) the overall signal attenuation or loss in decibels through the fiber assuming there
are no connectors or splices;
(b) the signal attenuation per kilometer for the fiber.
(c) the overall signal attenuation for a 10 km optical link using the same fiber with
splices at 1 km intervals, each giving an attenuation of 1 dB;
(d) the numerical input/output power ratio in (c).

Solution: Pi
(a) Signal attenuation  10 log 10 
Po
120 10 6
 10 log 10
3 10 6
 10 log 10 40  16.0 dB
(b) The signal attenuation per kilometer for the fiber may be simply obtained by
dividing the result in (a) by the fiber length
Signal attenuation per kilometer = α(dB)/ L
= 16.0 /8 = 2.0 dB.km−1
(c) Since α(dB)/L = 2 dB.km−1,
the loss happened along 10 km of the fiber is given by:

α (dB) = 2 × 10 = 20 dB

However, the link also has nine splices (at 1 km intervals) each with an
attenuation of 1 dB. Therefore, the loss due to the splices is 9 dB.
Hence, the overall signal attenuation for the link is:

Signal attenuation = 20 + 9 = 29 dB

(d) To obtain a numerical value for the input/output power ratio,

Use

Pi / Po = 1029/10 = 794.3
Problems:
1.8 A 1.55-μm fiber-optic communication system is transmitting digital signals over
100 km at 2 Gb/s. The transmitter launches 2 mW of average power into the fiber
cable, having a net loss of 0.3 dB/km. How many photons are incident on the
receiver during a single 1 bit? Assume that 0 bits carry no power, while 1 bits
are in the form of a rectangular pulse occupying the entire bit slot (NRZ format).
Solution:
Total loss = 0.3100 = 30 dB

10 P (1 W = 1 J/s),
Signal attenuation   log 10 o  Po = ??
L Pi (1 Hz = 1 s−1).

Energy contained in the rectangular pulse occupying the entire bit slot = Po ×TB

Bit time TB= 1/(2109) = 5 10-10 S

Photon Energy (E) = 6.63×10−34 J.s  3108 m.s-1 / (1.5510-6 m) = 12.83 10-20 J

Use the above to complete the answer

Example:
A glass fiber exhibits material dispersion related to| λ2(d2n1/dλ2) | of 0.025. Determine the
material dispersion parameter at a wavelength of 0.85 μm, and estimate the rms pulse
broadening per kilometer for a good LED source with an rms spectral width of 20 nm at this
wavelength.
Solution:
The material dispersion parameter may be obtained from

Dm

  L d 2 n1
The rms pulse broadening is given by  rms   2
c d
Therefore in terms of the material dispersion parameter M defined by

 rms    L Dm
Hence, the rms pulse broadening per kilometer due to material dispersion

 rms (1km)  20 1 98.11012  1.96 nskm1

 EE493 Fiber Optics Communications
Home work set # 2
Solve the following questions
Q.1 Explain the difference between step index and graded index
fibers. [Advantages and disadvantages]
Q.2 Explain the difference between single mode and multi mode
fibers. [Advantages and disadvantages]

Q. 2.5, Q. 2.8, Q. 2.11, and Q. 2.16 (Page 74)

due date (TBD).

 Optical Fiber
communication
EE 293
Lecture # 14
Chapter 2
Polarization state

Linear Circular Elliptical

Fiber Birefringence
Birefringence is the optical property of a material having a refractive index that
depends on the polarization and propagation direction of light.
Real fibers exhibit considerable variation in the shape of their core along the fiber
length. They may also experience non-uniform stress such that the cylindrical
symmetry of the fiber is broken. Degeneracy between the orthogonally polarized
fiber modes is removed because of these factors, and the fiber acquires
birefringence. The degree of modal birefringence is defined by

Bm  n x  n y
Fiber Birefringence
Because of variations in the core shape and the stress acting on the core,
Linear polarized light quickly reaches a state of arbitrary polarization.

Also, Different frequency component of a pulse acquire different

polarization states
As a results:

Pulse broadening will happen

The phenomenon called Polarization-mode dispersion (PMD)