Course description
Fibre-optic communication is a method of transmitting information from one place to another by sending pulses of infrared light. This process has become an essential part of our everyday lives as it is used in the telecommunication industry, therefore providing a technological foundation for societal communication. This course will introduce you to the different types of optical sources that are available, including why fibre-optic communication produces far more speed over longer distances and why it is more secure than traditional communication channels. While specific network capacities are privileged information, telecommunications investment reports indicate that network capacity has increased dramatically with fibre. Fibre optics has enabled the development of other technologies such as medical devices, ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) devices and many others that require data to be transmitted back to a server. Even though there are many advantages to optical fibre, there are obstacles. One of the barriers is in the installation of the fibre itself, which is expensive.
Are you curious about the history of communication and how it has evolved through the ages? In this course, you will learn why we need optical communication in today’s world and discover the different wavelengths used in optical communication. In addition to this, the advantages and disadvantages of the different wavelengths used in fibre-optic communication and the various network topologies utilised for different situations will be discussed. This course will cover the different multiplexing schemes and explain how optical fibre carries information to and within data centres. Knowing the various parts of the block diagram and how to set up a link is important, along with how power is measured in a digital modulation unit. Alongside this, you will be exposed to theoretical scenarios and various formulas used to solve these scenarios and the setbacks of direct modulation lasers, specifically the chirp modulation and transient chirp and the effects when the data signal is being transmitted through a long optical fibre. Electro-optic phase modulation will also be presented. You will learn how to generate a high repetition rate. Additionally, you will learn about phase-shift keying and why it is the standard method for data modulation.
Fibre optics technology is widely used in medical procedures for non-intrusive surgical procedures; such as endoscopies. It is also being used in areas such as prosthetics to help the user perceive what they are touching. Fibre-optic cables use light signals rather than electrical signals and are far less likely to be affected by power outages and or electromagnetic interference. As a result, they are much stronger than copper wire, making them more impervious to the elements. As the use and demand for greater bandwidth and faster speed increases, there is no question that fibre optic transmission will bring more possibilities. There are many opportunities in the field of research as the need arises to expand and cater for these future needs. Fibre optics has changed our world in more ways than you can imagine and will possibly be the source of major breakthroughs, prompting greater technological evolutions. Do you like to work with computers, electronic gadgets and enjoy all types of technology? Are you curious about how things work and passionate about the digital world? Don’t wait! Begin this course today and become an expert in the field of fibre-optic communication and technology.
Upcoming start dates
Training content
Introduction to Fiber Optic Technology
Description: The module is an introduction to Fiber Optic Technology. It Covers how communicate has changed over the past decade, the steps taken to make this change and how Optical Communication Systems came about.
- Learning Outcomes
- Communication Through the Ages
- Communication: Basics
- Digital Communication for Optical Communication
- Digital modulation: Basics 2
- Digital modulation: Basics 3
- Optical Communication System
- Lesson Summary
Optical Sources in Fiber Optic Communication
Description: This module will discuss LED. You will learn about LED parameters and their efficiency as well as LED and laser diode structures.
- Learning Outcomes
- Optical Sources
- Semiconductor Gain Media- Structure, Spectrum
- Optical Sources: LED
- External Quantum Efficiency
- Modulation Bandwidth of LED
- Optical and Electrical Bandwidth of LED
- Emission Pattern of LED
- Optical Sources: Laser Diodes over LEDs
- Laser Diodes: Resonator Concepts
- Lesson Summary
Laser Diodes and Modulation Responses
Description: This module will cover the Laser diodes and the lifetime of Photons. You will learn about the different modulation responses and setbacks in a system.
- Learning Outcomes
- Laser Diodes: Gain Coefficient
- Laser Diodes: Photon Life Time
- Laser Rate Equation: Steady-State Solution1
- Laser Rate Equation: LI Chara
- Laser Power Derivation
- Modulation Response of Laser 1
- Modulation Response of Laser 2
- Modulation Response of Laser 3
- Setbacks of Direct Modulation of Laser: Modulation Chirp
- Setbacks of Direct Modulation of Laser: Transient Chirp
- Lesson Summary
Diploma in Fiber Optic Communication Technology- First Assessment
Description: This module enables you to review your learning so you can determine your knowledge and understanding of Modules 1 to 3 in the following course; Diploma in Fiber Optic Communication Technology.
- Assessment: Diploma in Fiber Optic Communication Technology- First Assessment
Effects of Laser Noise and Electro-Optic Phase Modulation
Description: In this module, you will learn about the different noises in laser, why single-frequency lasers are used and why electro-optic material is being used in some systems.
- Learning Outcomes
- Noise in Lasers
- Relative Intensity Noise
- Laser Phase Noise
- Effect of Laser Phase Noise: A Case Study
- Electro-Optic Phase Modulation
- Electro-Optic Intensity Modulator
- Biasing of MZM: BPSK Generation
- Biasing of MZM: QPSK and 16 QAM Generation
- Line Coding Schemes and Bandwidth Requirements
- Lesson Summary
Introduction to Optical Fiber
Description: This module will seek to explain the properties of fiber and how the light gets guided in a fiber. You will learn about the different types of fibers available, the different loss mechanism as well as their respective pros and cons.
- Learning Outcomes
- Introduction to Optical Fiber
- Attenuation in Optical Fibers
- Fiber Modes
- Modes of a Step Index Fiber
- Modes and Cut-off Conditions
- Universal b-V Curves
- Modal Profiles in Step Index Fiber
- Lesson Summary
Total Dispersion in Optical Fiber
Description: This module covers the different types of dispersions that take place in optical fiber. You will learn the consequences of each type of dispersion and its advantage. Additionally, you will learn what type of material is needed to facilitate each type of dispersion, and which is more suited for single and multimode frequencies.
- Learning Outcomes
- Mode Field Diameter
- Dispersion - Intermodal Dispersion Derivation
- Dispersion - Bit Rate Distance Product
- Phase Velocity and Group Velocity
- Material Dispersion
- Waveguide Dispersion
- Total Dispersion in Optical Fiber
- Polarization Mode Dispersion
- Lesson Summary
Diploma in Fiber Optic Communication Technology- Second Assessment
Description: This module enables you to review your learning so you can determine your knowledge and understanding of Modules 3 to 6 in the following course; Diploma in Diploma in Fiber Optic Communication Technology
- Assessment: Diploma in Fiber Optic Communication Technology - Second Assessment
Course assessment
- Assessment: Diploma in Fiber Optic Communication Technology - Final Assessment
Certification / Credits
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the need for optical communication
- Describe the advantages and limitations of optical communication
- Identify the types of optical transmitters, their properties and the modulation schemes
- State the properties of the fibre channel
- Identify the receivers and the sources of noise in the demodulation schemes
- Explain the different multiplexing schemes
- Evaluate the trade-offs of a point-to-point link
- Indicate the network topologies for optical communication
- Discuss passive optical networks
- Recall the performance metrics of a passive optical link
- Summarise the benefits and disadvantages of using a particular multiplexing scheme
- Distinguish between fibre-to-the-home link, core network and metro network
Quick stats about Alison?
Providing Free Online Learning since 2007
Over 45 Million Learners across 193 Countries have studied with us
Over 5 Million people use the Alison Learning App, where you can study anywhere and anytime
Contact this provider
Alison Free Learning
Alison is the world’s largest free online empowerment platform for education and skills training, offering thousands of CPD-accredited courses and a range of impactful career development tools. It is a for-profit social enterprise dedicated to making it possible for anyone,...