VTE-265 Fiber Optics

Course Description: This course explores the development of fiber optic technology, explains the theory of light propagation and includes the advantages and limitations of fiber optic technology.  In addition fiber optic components, signal transmission, connections and fiber optic system trouble shooting will also be studied.

• Prerequisite Course: VEE 240

A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOS):
The student will be able to:

1. Practice safety and occupational health procedures in the workplace.
2. Use electronics tools and test equipment competently.
3. Interpret schematic diagrams and waveforms.
4. Build electronics project to a given specification.
5. Practice a career in the Telecom Industry
6. Troubleshoot microwave, fiber optic, radio communication and telephone system

B. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - GENERAL:
The student will be able to:

1. Describe the fiber optic system.
2. Describe the fiber optic components parameters and properties.
3. Describe methods of transmission and modulation in fiber optics circuit.
4. Construct fiber optic system using time division multiplexing.
5. Terminate fiber optic cable and connector.
6. Troubleshoot a fiber optic system.

SLO	PLO 1	PLO 2	PLO 3	PLO 4	PLO 5	PLO 6
1	DM	DM	DM	DM	DM	DM
2		DM	DM		DM	DM
3		D	DM			D
4	D	M	DM			M
5		D	DM	D		D
6	D	D	DM	D		D

C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - SPECIFIC:
The student will be able to:

General SLO 1.  Describe the fiber optic system principles.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
1.1  Explain what light is and how it is produced	Quizzes and written test. .
1.2  Identify the components of the visible spectrum and the optical spectrum
1.3 Describe the difference between reflection and refraction
1.4 Identify the law of reflection and Snell’s law
1.5 Explain total internal reflection
1.6 Explain the operation of a fiber optic system
1.7 Describe the three sections of a fiber optic system
1.8 Identify optical light sources and optical detectors
1.9 Describe the construction of a fiber optic cable
1.10 Identify the advantages and disadvantages of fiber
1.11 Compare fiber optic cables
1.12 Observe the operation of a fiber optic system

General SLO 2.  Describe the fiber optic components parameters and properties.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
2.1 Define attenuation and bandwidth	Quizzes and written test.
2.2 List primary causes of attenuation
2.3 Differentiate single mode and multimode waveguides
2.4 Describe aperture rating
2.5 Explain light emitting diode (LED) characteristics
2.6 Describe light amplification by stimulated emission of light (LASER) characteristics
2.7 Explain P type, intrinsic and N type material (PIN) photodiode characteristics
2.8 Describe avalanche photodiode (APD) characteristics

General SLO 3. Describe methods of transmission and modulation in fiber optics circuit.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
3.1 Explain signal transmission and modulation in amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM) and pulse coded modulation (PCM)	Quizzes and written test.
3.2 Identify multiplexing techniques use in fiber optic system
3.3 Identify sound to noise ratio (SNR)
3.4 Analyze bit error rate (BER)

General SLO 4. Construct fiber optic system using time division multiplexing (TDM).

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
4.1 Setup and calibrate time division multiplexing (TDM) modulator circuit	Quizzes, written test and practical exam.
4.2 Setup and calibrate TDM demodulator circuit
4.3 Connect fiber optic link between TDM modulator and demodulator circuit
4.4 Inject signal on TDM modulator circuit
4.5 Monitor TDM demodulator circuit output using oscilloscope

 General SLO 5. Terminate fiber optic cable and connector.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
5.1 Explain causes of light losses	Quizzes, written test and practical exam.
5.2 State the basic steps to properly splice waveguides
5.3 Identify the six requirements for a good connector
5.4 Recognize the correct termination of a fiber optic cable
5.5 Determine the losses of adding a non mechanical splice to a fiber optic cable

General SLO 6. Troubleshoot a fiber optic system.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
6.1  Identify a faulted optic system	Quizzes, written test and practical exam.
6.2 State an organized troubleshooting strategy
6.3  Isolate a faulty section of a fiber optic system
6.4  Demonstrate steps in fiber optic troubleshooting
6.5 Analyze the characteristics of a faulty transmission circuit, medium and receiver circuit

D. COURSE CONTENTS

1. Introduction to fiber optic system
2. Attenuation and bandwidth of fiber optic components
3. Methods of transmission and modulation in fiber optics circuit
4. TDM in fiber optic transmission
5. Fiber optic termination
6. Troubleshooting a fiber optic system

E. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

1. Computer Aided Instruction
2. Practical/Experimentation
3. Lecture/Demonstration

F. REQUIRED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS

Nida Corporation. (2001). Fiber Optics. Melborne, FL: Nida Corporation publishing (or most recent edition).

G. REFERENCE MATERIALS

NIDA student resource package

H. INSTRUCTIONAL COST

None

I. EVALUATION

Student in telecommunication program must achieve a grade of "C" or better to pass the course.

J. CREDIT BY EXAMINATION

None