ECE5143 Optical communications
Faculty of Engineering
ECE5143 Optical communications is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2021 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- 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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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 assess methods for increasing the data bandwidth of optical systems.
- 3
Research and appraise the performance of optical components within optical systems, and design systems to mitigate the effects of the performance constraints from components.
- 4
Simulate and plan for 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.
- 6
Reflect upon the use of optical communications within a wider communications system context, and deliberate upon the use of optical technologies in future communications networks.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories22 hours
- Lectures12 hours
- Practical activities12 hours
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of 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.
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.
The practical classes are an opportunity for problem-based learning, taking the concepts from the lectures and providing concrete examples of their application.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Bill Corcoran
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Bill Corcoran
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECE5143?
ECE5143 has no prerequisites.
When is ECE5143 offered?
In 2021, ECE5143 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is ECE5143?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECE5143 have an exam?
No. ECE5143 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.