ECE4043 Optical communications
Faculty of Engineering
ECE4043 Optical communications is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2021 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs (ECE3141 or ECE2041) and (PHS2062 or ECE3121).
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2021
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ECE4043
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After ECE4043
No unit lists ECE4043 as a prerequisite in the 2021 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Prohibitions: ECE4405, ECE5043, ECE5405
Prerequisites: Or (ECE2021 or PHS2022) and (ECE3141 or ECE2041)
Overview
You will study the characteristics of key components that make up optical communications systems including lasers and advanced lightwave sources and direct modulation, optical modulators, optical fibres, optical amplifiers, filters and multiplexers, optical receivers and associated electronics. Secondly, you will use this knowledge to analyse and design optical communications systems. Examples will include local-area networks, metropolitan area networks, long-haul links and transcontinental networks.
Offerings in 2021
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Assessment Task 1: Lab exerciseThreshold hurdle10%
- Assessment Task 2: Mid-semester testThreshold hurdle15%
- Assessment Task 3: Design projectThreshold hurdle15%
- Final assessmentThreshold hurdle60%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe the underlying physical principles of optical subsystems, and apply this understanding to predict and quantify the effect on optical fibre communication system performance.
- 2
Generate and analyse methods for increasing the data bandwidth of optical systems.
- 3
Quantify the performance of optical components within optical systems, and design systems to mitigate the effects of the performance constraints from components.
- 4
Simulate and predict the interactions of components, and both quantify and reflect upon their impact on performance metrics.
- 5
Research and appraise state-of-the-art optical technologies, and justify their incorporation into optical communications links for short-, medium- and long-haul applications.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures12 hours
- Laboratories22 hours
- Practical activities12 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 4-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-8 hours independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
The practical classes are an opportunity for problem-based learning, taking the concepts from the lectures and providing concrete examples of their application.
Laboratory-based classes: The laboratory session allow for problem-based learning with an element of enquiry-based approaches. They allow students to work on their skills in analysis. Model systems will help students identify key problem-solving approaches to the design and implementation of optical communication systems.
The design task in the latter weeks of the course provides a more open, enquiry-based learning approach, focused on a real-world problem of designing a long-haul optical fibre link in an Australian context. This task approximates the kind of project one might encounter working in optical communications.
Learning resources
Required resources
An engineering-approved calculator for invigilated exams
Recommended resources
Access to textbooks for the course, most of which come in an eBook format
Technology resources
Access to a device that can run the Monash Virtual Environment (MoVE)
Where it fits
ECE4043 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2021 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Bill Corcoran
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Bill Corcoran
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECE4043?
You need (ECE3141 or ECE2041) and (PHS2062 or ECE3121) before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is ECE4043 offered?
In 2021, ECE4043 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is ECE4043?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECE4043 have an exam?
No. ECE4043 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include ECE4043?
ECE4043 is part of Electrical and computer systems engineering; and Electrical engineering.