Optical Transmission Networks

On completion of this course, you should be able to:
understand the principles of optically amplified optical transmission systems, power levels, noise accumulation and the trade-off between system capacity and reach
carry out power-budget calculations for optically amplified links
understand signal transmission impairments: fibre dispersion, PMD, fibre nonlinearity
carry out calculations quantifying the effects of dispersion and nonlinearity on an optical link
understand the concept of spectral efficiency, appreciate the difference between symbol rate and bit rate, and describe the use of different modulation formats and other signal dimensions to increase capacity (such as polarisation and phase)
clearly understand optical system performance metrics: signal-to-noise ratio, sources of noise, capacity and spectral efficiency
understand trade-offs between optical systems capacity and reach, choice of modulation and detection formats, and implications on system performance
understand and apply the principles of electronic processing (transmitter and receiver based) and the basics of coherent detection
describe and analyse a variety of optical network architectures: access vs core, static vs dynamic operating on different time - and length - scales
analyse and design network topologies and calculate their capacities
have the knowledge and confidence to design optical communications links and networks on different time - and distance - scales

The department's short courses/CPD modules are aimed at those working in the telecommunications industry such as researchers, engineers, IT professionals and managers.
They're particularly suited to graduates in electronic and electrical engineering, communications engineering and computer science who want to further their knowledge on a particular topic, or work towards a Master's degree.
You don't need to have any pre-requisite qualifications to take this course.

The course runs over four days followed by a three-hour tutorial and an optional exam.
A certificate of attendance will be issued on completion for those who take the module but not the exam.
If you take and pass the exam you'll get a certificate stating this, which includes your pass level.