No: EE 465
Title: FIBER OPTICS, DEVICES AND APPLICATIONS
Credits: 4
Coordinator: Martin A. Afromowitz, Professor, Electrical Engineering
Goals: To develop a working knowledge of fiber optic principles, systems and components.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this course, students will be able to
Textbook: Clifford R. Pollock, Fundamentals of Optoelectronics, Irwin Inc., 1995.
Reference: None
Prerequisites by Topic:
Topics:
Course Structure: The class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 2 consecutive 50-minute sessions. A weekly homework assignment is assigned consisting of problems related to the topics covered in class. Three laboratory exercises are assigned during the quarter, and experiments are performed by lab teams consisting of three students. Each student will prepare a written lab report on one of the experiments, selected by the instructor. There will be a midterm and a final exam.
Computer Resources: None required, although Mathcad, Matlab or Mathematica may be useful for some of the homework assignments. One or more of these programs are available on license to the Department.
Laboratory Resources: Typical laboratory experiments take two to three hours, and may include experiments such as:
Lab teams will select available lab times, and either the instructor or a TA will be available during each lab session to introduce each team to the experimental apparatus and lab procedures.
Grading: Course grading will be based upon homework (15%), the lab report (10%), and the two exams (75%).
Outcome Coverage:
a: An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering In every lecture and in every laboratory exercise, math, science and engineering knowledge will be developed in the student. This includes: practice in the use of Maxwell's Equations to derive guided-wave solutions in dielectric waveguides of various geometries; the basic physics of the wavelength-dependence of refractive index, absorption and scattering; engineering principles of the dispersion of digital signals; fiber manufacturing techniques and quality control issues; the fundamentals of semiconductor optical devices; and the design of sensing and communications systems. All homeworks and exams will test various aspects of the math, science and engineering knowledge developed by the students. (H)
b: An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data Each lab exercise will be introduced by related lecture materials (10% of the course). General laboratory objectives will be outlined, and suitable methods will be presented, but specific procedures will be designed by each lab team as they attempt to answer specific questions. Experimental design, the conduct of experiments, analysis, interpretation and presentation of the data will be tested through lab reports (10% of the final grade). (M)
c: An ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability Several homework assignments and exam problems will require the students to design optical waveguides to meet specified engineering characteristics, and to optimize the design of small communications modules or sensing systems. Overall, design issues will be discussed in about 20% of the lectures will contribute to about 20% of the final grade but the only "realistic" constraints mentioned that lend themselves to this subject are economic and manufacturability . (M)
d: An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams (N/A)
e: An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems The homework involves solving engineering problems posed by the assignments and exemplified by class discussion. The midterm and final projects challenge the students to identify the issues and formulate their individual solutions. (H)
f: An understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities (N/A)
g: An ability to communicate effectively Students receive one hour of lecture and written guidelines on proper format and writing style for laboratory reports. For one of the three assigned experiments, each student is required to write a five to seven page laboratory report in the required format. The laboratory reports are graded on a combination of writing style and technical content. Writing style is typically 30% of the laboratory report grade. (M)
h: The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context Optical fiber systems have become pervasive in land-based, trans-oceanic, aircraft and shipboard telecommunications systems. In reviewing the societal impact of the increased bandwidth and lower cost afforded by these innovations, we also discuss the potential for future improvements, and consider the changes that may result from them. (M)
i: A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning Fiber optic technology is rapidly changing, and gives us an opportunity to discuss the need for life-long learning. (M)
j: Knowledge of contemporary issues We will discuss outsourcing of research and manufacturing jobs, patent conflicts, etc. as information becomes available in the press. (L)
k: An ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice The laboratory exercises and associated lectures instruct the students on the use of modern optical fiber system test equipment (three lectures, three labs), and their proficiency is examined through lab reports, homework problems and exam questions (10% of final grade). (M)
l: Knowledge of probability and statistics, including applications appropriate to electrical engineering (N/A)
m: Knowledge of differential equations, linear algebra, complex variables and discrete mathematics. This outcome is generally considered to be subsumed by outcome (a). (L)
n: Knowledge of mathematics through differential and integral calculus, 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, as appropriate to program objectives. (N/A)
Prepared By: Martin A. Afromowitz
Last revised: 5/17/07