Optical Fiber Communication EEE 4235

OPTICAL FIBER COMMUNICATION

PART - A

UNIT - 1
OVERVIEW OF OPTICAL FIBER COMMUNICATION: Introduction,
Historical development, general system, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of optical
fiber communication, optical fiber waveguides, Ray theory, cylindrical fiber (no derivations in
article 2.4.4), single mode fiber, cutoff wave length, mode filed diameter. Optical Fibers: fiber
materials, photonic crystal, fiber optic cables specialty fibers. 8 Hours

UNIT - 2
TRANSMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF OPTICAL FIBERS: Introduction,
Attenuation, absorption, scattering losses, bending loss, dispersion, Intra modal dispersion, Inter
modal dispersion. 5 Hours

UNIT - 3
OPTICAL SOURCES AND DETECTORS: Introduction, LED‘s, LASER diodes,
Photo detectors, Photo detector noise, Response time, double hetero junction structure, Photo
diodes, comparison of photo detectors. 7 Hours
UNIT - 4
FIBER COUPLERS AND CONNECTORS: Introduction, fiber alignment and joint
loss, single mode fiber joints, fiber splices, fiber connectors and fiber couplers. 6 Hours

PART - B
UNIT - 5

OPTICAL RECEIVER: Introduction, Optical Receiver Operation, receiver sensitivity,

quantum limit, eye diagrams, coherent detection, burst mode receiver operation, Analog
receivers. 6 Hours

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Optical Fiber Communication EEE 4235

UNIT - 6
ANALOG AND DIGITAL LINKS: Analog links – Introduction, overview of analog
links, CNR, multichannel transmission techniques, RF over fiber, key link parameters, Radio
over fiber links, microwave photonics. Digital links – Introduction, point–to–point links, System
considerations, link power budget, resistive budget, short wave length band, and transmission
distance for single mode fibers, Power penalties, nodal noise and chirping. 8 Hours

UNIT – 7
WDM CONCEPTS AND COMPONENTS: WDM concepts, overview of WDM
operational principles, WDM standards, Mach Zender Interferometer, multiplexer, isolators and
circulators, direct thin film filters, active optical components, technology, variable optical
attenuators, tunable optical fibers, dynamic gain equalizers, optical drop multiplexers,
polarization controllers, chromatic dispersion compensators, tunable light sources. 6 Hours

UNIT - 8
OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS AND NETWORKS: optical amplifiers, basic applications
and types, semiconductor optical amplifiers, EDFA. Optical Networks: Introduction, SONET /
SDH, Optical Interfaces, SONET/SDH rings, High – speed light – waveguides. 6 Hours

TEXT BOOKS:

1. Optical Fiber Communication – Gerd Keiser, 4th Ed., MGH, 2008.

2. Optical Fiber Communications– – John M. Senior, Pearson Education. 3rd Impression, 2007.

REFERENCE BOOK:

1. Fiber optic communication – Joseph C Palais: 4th Edition, Pearson Education.

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Optical Fiber Communication EEE 4235

INDEX SHEET

SL.NO UNITS PAGE NO.

PART- A

UNIT – 1
I 4-40
OVERVIEW OF OPTICAL FIBER COMMUNICATION

UNIT – 2
2 TRANSMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF OPTICAL 41-64
FIBERS

UNIT – 3
3 65-92
OPTICAL SOURCES AND DETECTORS

UNIT – 4
4 93-108
FIBER COUPLERS AND CONNECTORS

PART-B
UNIT - 5
5 109-128
OPTICAL RECEIVER

UNIT – 6
6 129-156
ANALOG AND DIGITAL LINKS

UNIT – 7
7 157-178
WDM CONCEPTS AND COMPONENTS

UNIT – 8
8 179-211
OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS AND NETWORKS

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Optical Fiber Communication EEE 4235

PART – A
UNIT - 1

SYLLABUS:

OVERVIEW OF OPTICAL FIBER COMMUNICATION: Introduction,

Historical development, general system, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of optical
fiber communication, optical fiber waveguides, Ray theory, cylindrical fiber (no derivations in
article 2.4.4), single mode fiber, cutoff wave length, and mode filed diameter. Optical Fibers:
fiber materials, photonic crystal, fiber optic cables specialty fibers. 8 Hours

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

TEXT BOOKS:

1. Optical Fiber Communication – Gerd Keiser, 4th Ed., MGH, 2008.

2. Optical Fiber Communications– – John M. Senior, Pearson Education. 3rd Impression,
2007.

REFERENCE BOOK:

1. Fiber optic communication – Joseph C Palais: 4th Edition, Pearson Education.

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Optical Fiber Communication EEE 4235

Unit – 1

Overview of Optical Fiber communication

1. Historical Development
Fiber optics deals with study of propagation of light through transparent dielectric
waveguides. The fiber optics are used for transmission of data from point to point
location. Fiber optic systems currently used most extensively as the transmission line
between terrestrial hardwired systems.
The carrier frequencies used in conventional systems had the limitations in handling the
volume and rate of the data transmission. The greater the carrier frequency larger the
available bandwidth and information carrying capacity.
First generation
The first generation of light wave systems uses GaAs semiconductor laser and operating
region was near 0.8 μm. Other specifications of this generation are as under:
i) Bit rate : 45 Mb/s
ii) Repeater spacing : 10 km
Second generation
i) Bit rate: 100 Mb/s to 1.7 Gb/s
ii) Repeater spacing: 50 km
iii) Operation wavelength: 1.3 μm
iv) Semiconductor: In GaAsP
Third generation
i) Bit rate : 10 Gb/s
ii) Repeater spacing: 100 km
iii) Operating wavelength: 1.55 μm
Fourth generation
Fourth generation uses WDM technique.
i) Bit rate: 10 Tb/s
ii) Repeater spacing: > 10,000 km
Iii) Operating wavelength: 1.45 to 1.62 μm

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Fifth generation
Fifth generation uses Roman amplification technique and optical solitiors.
i) Bit rate: 40 - 160 Gb/s
ii) Repeater spacing: 24000 km - 35000 km
iii) Operating wavelength: 1.53 to 1.57 μm
Need of fiber optic communication
Fiber optic communication system has emerged as most important communication
system. Compared to traditional system because of following requirements:
1. In long haul transmission system there is need of low loss transmission medium
2. There is need of compact and least weight transmitters and receivers.
3. There is need of increase dspan of transmission.
4. There is need of increased bit rate-distrance product.
A fiber optic communication system fulfills these requirements, hence most widely
accepted
2. General Optical Fiber Communication System.
Basic block diagram of optical fiber communication system consists of following
important blocks.
1. Transmitter
2. Information channel
3. Receiver.
Fig. 1.2.1 shows block diagram of OFC system.

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Message origin
Generally message origin is from a transducer that converts a non-electrical message into
an electrical signal. Common examples include microphones for converting sound waves into
currents and video (TV) cameras for converting images into current. For data transfer between
computers, the message is already in electrical form.
Modulator
The modulator has two main functions.
1. It converts the electrical message into the proper format.
2. It impresses this signal onto the wave generated by the carrier source.
3. Two distinct categories of modulation are used i.e. analog modulation and digital
modulation.
Carrier source
Carrier source generates the wave on which the information is transmitted. This wave is
called the carrier. For fiber optic system, a laser diode (LD) or a light emitting diode (LED) is
used. They can be called as optic oscillators; they provide stable, single frequency waves with
sufficient power for long distance propagation.
Channel coupler
Coupler feeds the power into the information channel. For an atmospheric optic system,
the channel coupler is a lens used for collimating the light emitted by the source and directing
this light towards the receiver. The coupler must efficiently transfer the modulated light beam
from the source to the optic fiber. The channel coupler design is an important part of fiber system
because of possibility of high losses.
Information channel
The information channel is the path between the transmitter and receiver. In fiber optic
communications, a glass or plastic fiber is the channel. Desirable characteristics of the
information channel include low attenuation and large light acceptance cone angle. Optical
amplifiers boost the power levels of weak signals. Amplifiers are needed in very long links to
provide sufficient power to the receiver. Repeaters can be used only for digital systems. They
convert weak and distorted optical signals to electrical ones and then regenerate the original
digital pulse trains for further transmission.

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Another important property of the information channel is the propagation time of the
waves travelling along it. A signal propagating along a fiber normally contains a range of optic
frequencies and divides its power along several ray paths. This results in a distortion of the
propagating signal. In a digital system, this distortion appears as a spreading and deforming of
the pulses. The spreading is so great that adjacent pulses begin to overlap and become
unrecognizable as separate bits of information.
Optical detector
The information being transmitted is detector. In the fiber system the optic wave is
converted into an electric current by a photo detector. The current developed by the detector is
proportional to the power in the incident optic wave. Detector output current contains the
transmitted information. This detector output is then filtered to remove the constant bias and then
amplified.
The important properties of photo detectors are small size, economy, long life, low power
consumption, high sensitivity to optic signals and fast response to quick variations in the optic
power.
Signal processing
Signal processing includes filtering, amplification. Proper filtering maximizes the ratio of
signal to unwanted power. For a digital system decision circuit is an additional block. The bit
error rate (BER) should be very small for quality communications.
Message output
The electrical forms of the message emerging from the signal processor are transformed
into a sound wave or visual image. Sometimes these signals are directly usable when computers
or other machines are connected through a fiber system.

3. Advantages of Optical Fiber Communications

1. Wide bandwidth
The light wave occupies the frequency range between 2 x 1012 Hz to 3.7 x 1012 Hz.
Thus the information carrying capability of fiber optic cables is much higher.
2. Low losses
Fiber optic cables offers very less signal attenuation over long distances. Typically it is
less than 1 dB/km. This enables longer distance between repeaters.

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3. Immune to cross talk

Fiber optic cables have very high immunity to electrical and magnetic field. Since fiber
optic cables are non-conductors of electricity hence they do not produce magnetic field. Thus
fiber optic cables are immune to cross talk between cables caused by magnetic induction.
4. Interference immune
Fiber optic cable immune to conductive and radiative interferences caused by electrical
noise sources such as lighting, electric motors, fluorescent lights.
5. Light weight
As fiber cables are made of silica glass or plastic which is much lighter than copper or
aluminum cables. Light weight fiber cables are cheaper to transport.
6. Small size
7. The diameter of fiber is much smaller compared to other cables, therefore fiber cable is
small in size, requires less storage space.
8. More strength
Fiber cables are stronger and rugged hence can support more weight.
9. Security
Fiber cables are more secure than other cables. It is almost impossible to tap into a fiber
cable as they do not radiate signals. No ground loops exist between optical fibers hence they are
more secure.
10. Long distance transmission
Because of less attenuation transmission at a longer distance is possible.
11. Environment immune
Fiber cables are more immune to environmental extremes. They can operate over large
temperature variations. Also they are not affected by corrosive liquids and gases.
12. Sage and easy installation
Fiber cables are safer and easier to install and maintain. They are non-conductors hence
there is no shock hazards as no current or voltage is associated with them. Their small size and
light weight feature makes installation easier.
13. Less cost
Cost of fiber optic system is less compared to any other system.

4. Disadvantages of Optical Fiber Communications

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1. High initial cost

The initial cost of installation or setting up cost is very high compared to all other system.
2. Maintenance and repairing cost
The maintenance and repairing of fiber optic systems is not only difficult but expensive
also.
3. Jointing and test procedures
Since optical fibers are of very small size. The fiber joining process is very costly and
requires skilled manpower.
4. Tensile stress
Optical fibers are more susceptible to buckling, bending and tensile stress than copper cables.
This leads to restricted practice to use optical fiber technology to premises and floor backbones
with a few interfaces to the copper cables.
5. Short links
Even though optical fiber cables are inexpensive, it is still not cost effective to replace every
small conventional connector (e.g. between computers and peripherals), as the price of
optoelectronic transducers are very high.
6. Fiber losses
The amount of optical fiber available to the photo detector at the end of fiber length depends
on various fiber losses such as scattering, dispersion, attenuation and reflection.

5. Applications of Optical Fiber Communications

Applications of optical fiber communications include telecommunications, data
communications, video control and protection switching, sensors and power applications.
1. Telephone networks
Optical waveguide has low attenuation, high transmission bandwidth compared to copper
lines; therefore numbers of long haul co-axial trunks links between telephone exchanges are
being replaced by optical fiber links.
2. Urban broadband service networks
Optical waveguide provides much larger bandwidth than co-axial cable, also the
number of repeaters required is reduced considerably.

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Modern suburban communications involves videotext, videoconferencing Video

telephony Switched broadband communication network. All these can be supplied
over a single fiber optic link. Fiber optic cables is the solution to many of today‘s
high speed, high bandwidth data communication problems and will continue to play a
large role in future telecom and data-com networks.
6. Optical Fiber Waveguides
In free space light ravels as its maximum possible speed i.e. 3 x 108 m/s or 186 x 103
miles/sec. When light travels through a material it exhibits certain behavior explained by laws of
reflection, refraction.
a. Electromagnetic Spectrum
The radio waves and light are electromagnetic waves. The rate at which they alternate
in polarity is called their frequency (f) measured in hertz (Hz). The speed of
electromagnetic wave (c) in free space is approximately 3 x 108 m/sec. The distance
travelled during each cycle is called as wavelength (λ)

In fiber optics, it is more convenient to use the wavelength of light instead of the
frequency with light frequencies, wavlengfth is often stated in microns or nanometers
1 micron (μ) = 1 Micrometre (1 x 10-6)
1 nano (n) = 10-9 metre
Fig. 1.6.1 shows electromagnetic frequency spectrum.

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Fiber optics uses visible and infrared light. Infrared light covers a fairly wide range of
wavelengths and is generally used for all fiber optic communications. Visible light is normally
used for very short range transmission using a plastic fiber.

7. Ray Transmission Theory

Before studying how the light actually propagates through the fiber, laws governing the
nature of light m ust be studied. These was called as laws of optics (Ray theory). There is
conception that light always travels at the same speed. This fact is simply not true. The speed of
light depends upon the material or medium through which it is moving. In free space light travels
at its maximum possible speed i.e. 3 x 108 m/s or 186 x 103 miles/sec. When light travels
through a material it exhibits certain behavior explained by laws of reflection, refraction.
b. Reflection
The law of reflection states that, when a light ray is incident upon a reflective surface at some
incident angle 1 from imaginary perpendicular normal, the ray will be reflected from the
surface at some angle 2 from normal which is equal to the angle of incidence. Fig. 1.6.2 shows
law of reflection.

c. Refraction
Refraction occurs when light ray passes from one medium to another i.e. the light ray
changes its direction at interface. Refraction occurs whenever density of medium changes. E.g.
refraction occurs at air and water interface, the straw in a glass of water will appear as it is bent.
The refraction can also observed at air and glass interface.
When wave passes through less dense medium to denser medium, the wave is
refracted (bent) towards the normal. Fig. 1.6.3 shows the refraction phenomena.
The refraction (bending) takes place because light travels at different speed in
different mediums. The speed of light in free space is higher than in water or glass.
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d. Refractive Index
The amount of refraction or bending that occurs at the interface of two materials of
different densities is usually expressed as refractive index of two materials. Refractive
index is also known as index of refraction and is denoted by n.
Based on material density, the refractive index is expressed as the ratio of the
velocity of light in free space to the velocity of light of the dielectric material
(substance).

The refractive index for vacuum and air os 1.0 for water it is 1.3 and for glass refractive
index is 1.5.
e. Snell’s Law
Snell‘s law states how light ray reacts when it meets the interface of two media
having different indexes of refraction.
Let the two medias have refractive indexes n1 and n2 where n1 >n2.
1 and 2 be the angles of incidence and angle of refraction respectively. Then
according to Snell‘s law, a relationship exists between the refractive index of both
materials given by,

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A refractive index model for Snell‘s law is shown in Fig. 1.6.4.

The refracted wave will be towards the normal when n1 < n2 and will away from it
then n1 > n2.
Equation can be written as,

This equation shows that the ratio of refractive index of two mediums is inversely
proportional to the refractive and incident angles. As refractive index

substituting these values in equation

f. Critical Angle
When the angle of incidence ( 1) is progressively increased, there will be progressive
increase of refractive angle ( 2). At some condition ( 1) the refractive angle ( 2)
becomes 90o to the normal. When this happens the refracted light ray travels along

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the interface. The angle of incidence ( 1) at the point at which the refractive angle
( 1) becomes 90 degree is called the critical angle. It is denoted by c.
The critical angle is defined as the minimum angle of incidence ( 1) at which the ray
strikes the interface of two media and causes an angle of refraction ( 2) equal to 90o.
Fig 1.6.5 shows critical angle refraction

Hence at critical angle 1 = c and 2 = 90o .Using Snell‘s law: n1 sin 1 = n2 sin 2

The actual value of critical angle is dependent upon combination of materials present on
each side of boundary.
g. Total Internal Reflection (TIR)
When the incident angle is increase beyond the critical angle, the light ray does not
pass through the interface into the other medium. This gives the effect of mirror exist
at the interface with no possibility of light escaping outside the medium. In this
condition angle of reflection ( 2) is equal to angle of incidence ( 1). This action is
called as Total Internal Reflection (TIR) of the beam. It is TIR that leads to the

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propagation of waves within fiber-cable medium. TIR can be observed only in

materials in which the velocity of light is less than in air.
The two conditions necessary for TIR to occur are:
1. The refractive index of first medium must be greater than the refractive index
of second one.
2. The angle of incidence must be greater than (or equal to) the critical angle.
h. Acceptance Angle
Applying Snell‘s law to external incidence angle.

n0 sin 0 = n1 sin 1
But 1 = (90 - c)
sin 1 = sing (90 - c) = cos c
Substituting sin 1 in above equation.
n0 sin 0 = n1 cos c

Applying Pythagorean Theorem to ΔPQR.

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The maximum value of external incidence angle for which light will propagate in the
fiber.

When the light rays enters the fivers from an air medium n0 = 1. Then above equation
reduces to,

The angle 0 is called as acceptance angle and omax defines the maximum angle in
which the light ray may incident on fiber to propagate down the fiber.

i. Acceptance Cone

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Rotating the acceptance angle omax around the fiber axis, a cone shaped pattern is
obtained, it is called as acceptance cone of the fiber input. Fig 1.6.10 shows formation of
acceptance cone of a fiber cable.

The Cone of acceptance is the angle within which the light is accepted into the core and
is able to travel along the fiber. The launching of light wave becomes easier for large acceptance
cone.
The angle is measured from the axis of the positive cone so the total angle of
convergence is actually twice the stated value.
j. Numerical Aperture (NA)
The numerical aperture (NA) of a fiber is a figure of merit which represents its light
gathering capability. Larger the numerical aperture, the greater the amount of light
accepted by fiber. The acceptance angle also determines how much light is able to be
enter the fiber and hence there is relation between the numerical aperture and the cone
of acceptance.
Numerical aperture (NA) = sin omax

Hence acceptance angle = sin-1 NA

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By the formula of NA note that the numerical aperture is effectively dependent

only on refractive indices of core and cladding material. NA is not a function of fiber
dimension.
The index difference (Δ) and the numerical aperture (NA) are related to the core and
cladding indices:

Example 1.6.1: A light ray is incident from medium-1 to medium-2. If the refractive indices of
medium-1 and medium-2 are 1.5 and 1.36 respectively then determine the angle of refraction for
an angle of incidence of 30o.
Solution: Medium-1, n1 = 1.5
Medium-2, n2 = 1.36
Angle of incidence 1 = 30o.
Angle of incident 2 =?

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Angle of refraction 33.46 degrees from normal.

8. Optical Fiver as Waveguide
An optical fiber is a cylindrical dielectric waveguide capable of conveying
electromagnetic waves at optical frequencies. The electromagnetic energy is in the form of
the light and propagates along the axis of the fiber. The structural of the fiver determines the
transmission characteristics.
The propagation of light along the waveguide is decided by the modes of the
waveguides, here mode means path. Each mode has distict pattern of electric and
magnetic field distributions along the fiber length. Only few modes can satisfy the
homogeneous wave equation in the fiver also the boundary condition a waveguide
surfaces. When there is only one path for light to follow then it is called as single
mode propagation. When there is more than one path then it is called as multimode
propagation. Single fiber structure
A single fiber structure is shown in Fig. 1.6.6. It consists of a solid dielectric cylinder
with radius ‗a‘. This cylinder is called as core of fiber. The core is surrounded by
dielectric, called cladding. The index of refraction of core (glass fiber) is slightly
greater than the index of refraction of cladding. If refractive index of core (glass
fiver) = n1 and refractive index of cladding = n2 then n1 > n2.

9. Modes of Fiber
Fiber cables cal also be classified as per their mode. Light rays propagate as an
electromagnetic wave along the fiber. The two components, the electric field and the
magnetic field form patterns across the fiber. These patterns are called modes of
transmission. The mode of a fiber refers to the number of paths for the light rays within the
cable. According to modes optic fibers can be classified into two types.
1. Single mode fiber

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2. Multimode fiber.
Multimode fiber was the first fiber type to be manufactured and commercialized.
The term multimode simply refers to the fact that numerous modes (light rays) are carried
simultaneously through the waveguide. Multimode fiber has a much larger diameter,
compared to single mode fiber, this allows large number of modes.
Single mode fiber allows propagation to light ray by only one path. Single mode
fibers are best at retaining the fidelity of each light pulse over longer distance also they do
not exhibit dispersion caused by multiple modes. Thus more information can be transmitted
per unit of time. This gives single mode fiber higher bandwidth compared to multimode
fiber.
Some disadvantages of single mode fiber are smaller core diameter makes
coupling light into the core more difficult. Precision required for single mode connectors and
splices are more demanding.
Fiber Profiles
A fiber is characterized by its profile and by its core and cladding diameters.
One way of classifying the fiber cables is according to the index profile at fiber.
The index profile is a graphical representation of value of refractive index across the core
diameter.
There are two basic types of index profiles.
1. Step index fiber.
2. Graded index fiber.
Step Index (SI) Fiber
The step index (SI) fiber is a cylindrical waveguide core with central or inner core has a
uniform refractive index of n1 and the core is surrounded by outer cladding with uniform
refractive index of n2. The cladding refractive index (n2) is less than the core refractive index
(n1). But there is an abrupt change in the refractive index at the core cladding interface.
Refractive index profile of step indexed optical fiber is shown in Fig. 1.6.13. The refractive
index is plotted on horizontal axis and radial distance from the core is plotted on vertical
axis.

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The propagation of light wave within the core of step index fiber takes the path of
meridional ray i.e. ray follows a zig-zag path of straight line segments. The core typically has
diameter of 50-80 μm and the cladding has a diameter of 125 μm.
The refractive index profile is defined as –

Graded Index (GRIN) Fiber

The graded index fiber has a core made from many layers of glass.
In the graded index (GRIN) fiber the refractive index is not uniform within the
core, it is highest at the center and decreases smoothly and continuously with distance
towards the cladding. The refractive index profile across the core takes the parabolic nature.
Fig. 1.6.14 shows refractive index profile of graded index fiber .

In graded index fiber the light waves are bent by refraction towards the core axis
and they follow the curved path down the fiber length. This results because of change in
refractive index as moved away from the center of the core.
A graded index fiber has lower coupling efficiency and higher bandwidth than the
step index fiber. It is available in 50/125 and 62.5/125 sizes. The 50/125 fiber has been
optimized for long haul applications and has a smaller NA and higher bandwidth. 62.5/125
fiber is optimized for LAN applications which is costing 25% more than the 50/125 fiber
cable.

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The refractive index variation in the core is giver by relationship

Where,
r = Radial distance from fiber axis
a = Core radius
n1 = Refractive index of core
n2 = Refractive index of cladding
α = Shape of index profile.
Comparison of Step Index and Graded Index Fiber

Optic Fiber Configurations

Depending on the refractive index profile of fiber and modes of fiber there exist three
types of optical fiber configurations. These optic-fiber configurations are -
Single mode step index fiber.

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Multimode step index fiber.

Multimode graded index fiber.
Single mode Step index Fiber
In single mode step index fiber has a central core that is sufficiently small so that
there is essentially only one path for light ray through the cable. The light ray is propagated
in the fiber through reflection. Typical core sizes are 2 to 15 μm. Single mode fiber is also
known as fundamental or mono mode fiber.
Fig. 1.6.16 shows single mode fiber.

Single mode fiber will permit only one mode to propagate and does not suffer
from mode delay differences. These are primarily developed for the 1300 nm window but
they can be also be used effectively with time division multiple (TDM) and wavelength
division multiplex (WDM) systems operating in 1550 nm wavelength region.
The core fiber of a single mode fiber is very narrow compared to the wavelength
of light being used. Therefore, only a single path exists through the cable core through. which
light can travel. Usually, 20 percent of the light in a single mode cable actually travels down
the cladding and the effective diameter of the cable is a blend of single mode core and degree
to which the cladding carries light. This is referred to as the ‗mode field diameter‘, which is
larger than physical diameter of the core depending on the refractive indices of the core and
cladding.
The disadvantage of this type of cable is that because of extremely small size
interconnection of cables and interfacing with source is difficult. Another disadvantage of
single mode fibers is that as the refractive index of glass decreases with optical wavelength,
the light velocity will also be wavelength dependent. Thus the light from an optical
transmitter will have definite spectral width.
Multimode step Index Fiber

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Multimode step index fiber is more widely used type. It is easy to manufacture. Its
core diameter is 50 to 1000 μm i.e. large aperture and allows more light to enter the cable.
The light rays are propagated down the core in zig-zag manner. There are many paths that a
light ray may follow during the propagation.
The light ray is propagated using the principle of total internal reflection (TIR).
Since the core index of refraction is higher than the cladding index of refraction, the light
enters at less than critical angle is guided along the fiber.

Light rays passing through the fiber are continuously reflected off the glass
cladding towards the centre of the core at different angles and lengths, limiting overall
bandwidth.
The disadvantage of multimode step index fibers is that the different optical
lengths caused by various angles at which light is propagated relative to the core, causes the
transmission bandwidth to be fairly small. Because of these limitations, multimode step index
fiber is typically only used in applications requiring distances of less than 1 km.
Multimode Graded Index Fiber
The core size of multimode graded index fiber cable is varying from 50 to 100 μm
range. The light ray is propagated through the refraction. The light ray enters the fiber at
many different angles. As the light propagates across the core toward the center it is
intersecting a less dense to more dense medium. Therefore the light rays are being constantly
being refracted and ray is bending continuously. This cable is mostly used for long distance
communication.
Fig 1.6.18 shows multimode graded index fiber.

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The light rays no longer follow straight lines, they follow a serpentine path being
gradually bent back towards the center by the continuously declining refractive index. The
modes travelling in a straight line are in a higher refractive index so they travel slower than
the serpentine modes. This reduces the arrival time disparity because all modes arrive at
about the same time.
Fig 1.6.19 shows the light trajectory in detail. It is seen that light rays running
close to the fiber axis with shorter path length, will have a lower velocity because they pass
through a region with a high refractive index.

Rays on core edges offers reduced refractive index, hence travel more faster than axial
rays and cause the light components to take same amount of time to travel the length of fiber,
thus minimizing dispersion losses. Each path at a different angle is termed as ‗transmission
mode‘ and the NA of graded index fiber is defined as the maximum value of acceptance
angle at the fiber axis.
Typical attenuation coefficients of graded index fibers at 850 nm are 2.5 to 3
dB/km, while at 1300 nm they are 1.0 to 1.5 dB/km.
The main advantages of graded index fiber are:
1. Reduced refractive index at the centre of core.
2. Comparatively cheap to produce.
10. Mode Theory for Cylindrical Waveguide
To analyze the optical fiber propagation mechanism within a fiber, Maxwell equations
are to solve subject to the cylindrical boundary conditions at core-cladding interface. The
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core-cladding boundary conditions lead to coupling of electric and magnetic field

components resulting in hybrid modes. Hence the analysis of optical waveguide is more
complex than metallic hollow waveguide analysis.
Depending on the large E-field, the hybrid modes are HE or EH modes. The two
lowest order does are HE11 and TE01.
11. Overview of Modes
The order states the number of field zeros across the guide. The electric fields are
not completely confined within the core i.e. they do not go to zero at core-cladding interface
nd extends into the cladding. The low order mode confines the electric field near the axis of
the fiber core and there is less penetration into the cladding. While the high order mode
distribute the field towards the edge of the core fiber and penetrations into the cladding.
Therefore cladding modes also appear resulting in power loss. In leaky modes the fields are
confined partially in the fiber core attenuated as they propagate along the fiber length due to
radiation and tunnel effect.
Therefore in order to mode remain guided, the propagation factor β must satisfy
the Condition

Where, n1 = Refractive index of fiber core

n2 = Refractive index of cladding
k = Propagation constant = 2π / λ
The cladding is used to prevent scattering loss that results from core material
discontinuities. Cladding also improves the mechanical strength of fiber core and reduces
surface contamination. Plastic cladding is commonly used. Materials used for fabrication of
optical fibers are silicon dioxide (SiO2), boric oxide-silica.
Summary of Key Modal Concepts

Normalized frequency variable, V is defined as

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Where, a = Core radius

λ = Free space wavelength

The total number of modes in a multimode fiber is given by

Example 1.7.1 : Calculate the number of modes of an optical fiber having diameter of 50 μm, n1
= 1.48, n2 = 1.46 and λ = 0.82 μm.

Solution: d = 50 μm
n1 = 1.48
n2 = 1.46
λ = 0.82 μm

Number of modes is given by,

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Example 1.7.3: A multimode step index fiber with a core diameter of 80 μm and a relative index
difference of 1.5 % is operating at a wavelength of 0.85 μm. If the core refractive index is 1.48,
estimate the normalized frequency for the fiber and number of guided modes. [July/Aug.-2008,
6 Marks]

Solution:
Given : MM step index fiber, 2 a = 80 μm
 Core radians a = 40 μm
Relative index difference, Δ = 1.5% = 0.015
Wavelength, λ = 0.85μm
Core refractive index, n1 = 1.48
Normalized frequency, V =?
Number of modes, M =?
Numerical aperture

Normalized frequency is given by,

Number of modes is given by,

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Example 1.7.4: A step index multimode fiber with a numerical aperture of a 0.20 supports
approximately 1000 modes at an 850 nm wavelength.
i) What is the diameter of its core?
ii) How many modes does the fiber support at 1320 nm?
iii) How many modes does the fiber support at 1550 nm? [Jan./Feb.-2007, 10 Marks]

Solution:

i) Number of modes is given by,

ii)

iii)

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12. Mode Field Diameter and Spot Size

The mode filed diameter is fundamental parameter of a single mode fiber. This parameter
is determined from mode field distributions of fundamental LP01 mode.
In step index and graded single mode fibers, the field amplitude distribution is
approximated by Gaussian distribution. The mode Field diameter (MFD) is distance between
opposite 1/e – 0.37 times the near field strength amplitude and power is 1/e2 = 0.135 times.
In single mode fiber for fundamental mode, on field amplitude distribution the
mode filed diameter is shown in fig. 1.8.1.

The spot size ω0 is gives as –

MFD = 2 ω0
The parameter takes into account the wavelength dependent filed penetration into the
cladding. Fig. 1.8.2 shows mode field diameters variation with λ.

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13. Fiber Materials

Requirements of Fiber Optic Material
1. The material must be transparent for efficient transmission of light.
2. It must be possible to draw long thin fibers from the material.
3. Fiber material must be compatible with the cladding material.
Glass and plastics fulfills these requirements.
Most fiber consists of silica (SiO2) or silicate. Various types of high loss and low
loss glass fibers are available to suit the requirements. Plastic fibers are not popular because
of high attenuation they have better mechanical strength.
Glass Fibers
Glass is made by fusing mixtures of metal oxides having refractive index of 1.458
at 850 nm. For changing the refractive index different oxides such as B2O3, GeO2 and P2O5
are added as dopant. Fig. 1.8.3 shows variation of refractive index with doping concentration.

The principal raw material for silica is sand and glass. The fiber composed of pure
silica is called as silica glass. The desirable properties of silica glass are :-
Resistance to deformation even at high temperature.
Resistance to breakage from thermal shocks (low thermal expansion).

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Good chemical durability.

Better transparency.
Other types of glass fibers are
Halide glass fibers.
Active glass fibers
Chalgenide glass fibers
Plastic optical fibers
Fiber Fabrication Methods
The vapor-phase oxidation process is popularly used for fabricating optical fibers.
In this process vapors of metal halides such as SiCl4 and Gecl4 reactive with oxygen and
forms powder of SiO2 particles. The SiO2 particles are collected on surface of bulk glass and
then sintered to form a glass rod called Preform. The preforms are typically 10-25 mm
diameter and 60-120 cm long from which fibers are drawn. A simple schematic of fiber
drawing equipment
The preform is feed to drawing furnace by precision feed mechanism. The
preform is heated up in drawing furnace so that it becomes soft and fiber can be drawn easily.

The fiber thickness monitoring decides the speed of take up spool. The fiber is then
coated with elastic material to protect it from dust and water vapor.

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Outside Vapor-Phase Oxidation (OVPO)

The OVPO process is a lateral deposition process. In OVPO process a layer of
SiO2 (Soot) is deposited from a burner on a rotating mandrel so as to make a perform.
Fig, 1.8.5 shows this process.

During the SiO2 deposition O2 and metal halide vapors can be controlled so the
desired core-cladding diameters can be incorporated. The mandrel is removed when
deposition process is completed; this preform is used for drawing thin filament of fibers in
fiber drawing equipment.
Vapor-Phase Axial Deposition (VAD)
In VAD process, the SiO2 particles are deposited axially. The rod is continuously
rotated and moved upward to maintain symmetry of particle deposition.
The advantages of VAD process are - Both step and graded index fibers are
possible to fabricate in multimode and single mode.
The performs does not have the central hole.
The performs can be fabricated in continuous length.
Clean environment can be maintained.
Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition (MCVD)
The MCVD process involves depositing ultra fine, vaporized raw materials into a
premade silica tube. A hollow silica tube is heated to about 1500 oC and a mixture of oxygen
and metal halide gases is passed through it. A chemical reaction occurs within the gas and
glass ‗500t‘ is formed and deposited on the inner side of the tube. The soot that develops
from this deposition is consolidated by heating. The tube is rotated while the heater is moved
to and along the tube and the soot forms a thin layer of silica glass. The rotation and heater
movement ensures that the layer is of constant thickness. The first layer that is deposited

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forms the cladding and by changing the constituents of the incoming gas the refractive index
can be modified to produce the core. Graded index fiber is produced by careful continuous
control of the constituents.
The temperature is now increased to about 1800 oC and the tube is collapsed to
form a solid rod called a preform. The preform is about 25 mm in diameter and 1 meter in
length. This will produce 25 km of fiber.

The preform is placed at a height called a pulling tower and its temperature is
increased to about 2100 oC. To prevent contamination, the atmosphere is kept dry and clean.

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The fiber is then pulled as a fine strand from the bottom, the core and cladding flowing
towards the pulling point. Laser gauges continually monitor the thickness of the fiber and
automatically adjust the pilling rate to maintain required thickness. After sufficient cooling
the primary buffer is applied and the fiber is drummed.
Fig. 1.8.6 (Refer Fig. 1.8.6 on previous page) shows the overall MCVD process.

Plasma-Activated Chemical Vapor Deposition (PCVD)

PCVD process is similar to MCVD process where the deposition occurs on silica
tube at 1200 oC. It reduces mechanical stress on glass films. There is no soot formation and
hence sintering is not required. Non-isothermal microwave plasma at low pressure initiates
the chemical reaction.

Double-Crucible Method
Double-crucible method is a direct melt process. In double-crucible method two
different glass rods for core and Cladding are used as feedstock for two concentric crucibles.
The inner crucible is for core and outer crucible is for cladding. The fibers can be drawn from
the orifices in the crucible. Fig. 1.8.7 shows double crucible method of fiber drawing.

Major advantage of double crucible method is that it is a continuous production process.

14. Fiber Optic Cables
The fiber optic cable is to be used under variety of situations such as underground,
Outdoor poles or submerged under water. The structure of cable depends on the situation where
it is to be used, but the basic cable design principles remain same.

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Mechanical property of cable is one of the important factor for using any specific
cable. Maximum allowable axial load on cable decides the length of the cable be reliably
installed.
Also the fiber cables must be able to absorb energy from impact loads. The outer
sheath must be designed to protect glass fibers from impact loads and from corrosive
environmental elements.
Fiber Arrangements
Several arrangements of fiber cables are done to use it for different applications.
The most basic form is two fiber cable designs. Fig. 1.10.1 shows basic two fiber cable
design. It is also known as basic building block of fiber cable.
For providing strength to the core several coatings of different materials are
applied as shown in fig 1.10.1.

Multiple fiber cable can be combined together using similar techniques. Fig. 1.10.2
shows commonly used six fiber cables.
The basic fiber building blocks are used to form large cable. These units are
bound on a buffer material which acts as strength element along with insulated copper
conductor. The fiber building blocks are surrounded by paper tape, PVC jacket, yarn and
outer sheath.

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Fiber Optic Cable Ducts

Number of cores is bundled in plastic ducts. To ease identification, individual
fibers are colour coded Table 1.10.1 shows an example of the colour coding used by
manufacturers

If there are more than 12 fibers in a tube they are usually bundled together in
quantities of 12 and held together with a coloured binding yarn.

Plastic Fiber Optic Cables

Fibers can also be manufactured from transparent plastic which offers advantages
of larger diameter (1 mm), increased flexibility, can be cut using a hot razor blade, ease of
termination. But because of high intrinsic loss use of plastic fibers is normally restricted to
only few metres.
Plastic optic fiber (POF) offers noise immunity and low cable weight and volume
and is competitive with shielded copper wire making it suitable for industrial applications.

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Silica (glass) optical fiber has better transmission characteristics (Low loss) than
POF. Also, silica fiber can tolerate higher temperature than plastic fiber. On the other hand,
POF is more flexible, less prove to breakage, easier to fabricate and cost is low than glass
fibers.
Another advantage of glass/glass fiber is that very clean fracture surface can be
obtained which ensures that fiber cladding inside the connector retains its optical
characteristics right upto the end face to fiber. Whereas in plastic glass/plastic fiber some
additional losses exists due to fracture zone of plastic which even after grinding and
polishing still have microscope end face absorption areas. These advantages and
disadvantages are summarized in Table 1.10.3.

Recommended Questions
1. State and explain the advantages and disadvantages of fiber optic communication systems?
2. State and explain in brief the principle of light propagation?
3. Define following terms with respect to optical laws –
A) Reflection
B) Refraction
C) Refractive index
D) Snell‘s law
E) Critical angle
F) Total internal reflection (TIR)
4. Explain the important conditions for TIR to exit in fiber.?

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5. Derive an expression for maximum acceptance angle of a fiber?

6. Explain the acceptance come of a fiber?
7. Define numerical aperture and state its significance also?
8. Explain the different types of rays in fiber optic?
9. Explain the following –?
A) Step index fiber
B) Graded index fiber
10. What is mean by mode of a fiber?
11. Write short notes on following –
A) Single mode step index fiber
B) Multimode step index fiber
C) Multimode graded index fiber.
12. Explain the fiber materials used in fabrication requirements?
13. In case of glass fibers how the refractive index can be varied?
14. Briefly explain following techniques of fabrication?
i) OVPO ii) VAD iii) MCVD iv) PCVD

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UNIT - 2

SYLLABUS:

TRANSMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF OPTICAL FIBERS: Introduction,

Attenuation, absorption, scattering losses, bending loss, dispersion, Intra modal dispersion, Inter
modal dispersion. 5 Hours

RECOMMENDED READINGS:
TEXT BOOKS:

1. Optical Fiber Communication – Gerd Keiser, 4th Ed., MGH, 2008.

2. Optical Fiber Communications– – John M. Senior, Pearson Education. 3rd Impression, 2007.

REFERENCE BOOK:

1. Fiber optic communication – Joseph C Palais: 4th Edition, Pearson Education.

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Unit-2
Transmission Characteristics of Optical Fibers
1. Introduction
One of the important properties of optical fiber is signal attenuation. It is also known as
fiber loss or signal loss. The signal attenuation of fiber determines the maximum distance
between transmitter and receiver. The attenuation also determines the number of
repeaters required, maintaining repeater is a costly affair.
Another important property of optical fiber is distortion mechanism. As the signal pulse
travels along the fiber length it becomes broader. After sufficient length the broad pulses
starts overlapping with adjacent pulses. This creates error in the receiver. Hence the
distortion limits the information carrying capacity of fiber.
2. Attenuation
Attenuation is a measure of decay of signal strength or loss of light power that occurs as
light pulses propagate through the length of the fiber.
In optical fibers the attenuation is mainly caused by two physical factors absorption and
scattering losses. Absorption is because of fiber material and scattering due to structural
imperfection within the fiber. Nearly 90 % of total attenuation is caused by Rayleigh
scattering only.
Micro bending of optical fiber also contributes to the attenuation of signal. The rate at
which light is absorbed is dependent on the wavelength of the light and the characteristics
of particular glass. Glass is a silicon compound; by adding different additional chemicals
to the basic silicon dioxide the optical properties of the glass can be changed.
The Rayleigh scattering is wavelength dependent and reduces rapidly as the wavelength
of the incident radiation increases.
The attenuation of fiber is governed by the materials from which it is fabricated, the
manufacturing process and the refractive index profile chosen. Attenuation loss is
measured in dB/km.
Attenuation Units

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As attenuation leads to a loss of power along the fiber, the output power is
significantly less than the couple‘s power. Let the couples optical power is p(0) i.e. at
origin (z = 0). Then the power at distance z is given by,

Where, αp is fiber attenuation constant (per km).

This parameter is known as fiber loss or fiber attenuation.

Attenuation is also a function of wavelength. Optical fiber wavelength as a
function of Wavelength is shown in Fig. 2.1.1.

Example 2.1.1: A low loss fiber has average loss of 3 dB/km at 900 nm. Compute the length
over which – a) Power decreases by 50 % b) Power decreases by 75 %.

Solution: α = 3 dB/km
a) Power decreases by 50 %.

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α is given by,

b) Power decreases by 75 %.

Since power decrease by 75 %.

Example 2.1.2: When mean optical power launched into an 8 km length of fiber is 12 μW, the
mean optical power at the fiber output is 3 μW. Determine –
1) Overall signal attenuation in dB.
2) The overall signal attenuation for a 10 km optical link using the same fiber with splices at 1
km intervals, each giving an attenuation of 1 dB.
Solution :
Given : z = 8 km
1P(0) = 120 μW
P(z) = 3 μW
1) Overall attenuation is given by,

2) Overall attenuation for 10 km,

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Attenuation per km

Attenuation in 10 km link = 2.00 x 10 = 20 dB

In 10 km link there will be 9 splices at 1 km interval. Each splice introducing attenuation
of 1 dB.
Total attenuation = 20 dB + 9 dB = 29 dB

Example 2.1.4: A continuous 12 km long optical fiber link has a loss of 1.5 dB/km.
i) What is the minimum optical power level that must be launched into the fiber to
maintain as optical power level of 0.3 μW at the receiving end?
ii) What is the required input power if the fiber has a loss of 2.5 dB/km?
[July/Aug-2007, 6 Marks]
Solution:
Given data: z = 12 km
α = 1.5 dB/km
P (0) = 0.3 μW
i) Attenuation in optical fiber is given by,

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ii) Input power = ? P(0)

When α = 2.5 dB/km

Absorption loss is related to the material composition and fabrication process of fiber.
Absorption loss results in dissipation of some optical power as hear in the fiber cable.
Although glass fibers are extremely pure, some impurities still remain as residue after
purification. The amount of absorption by these impurities depends on their concentration
and light wavelength.
Absorption is caused by three different mechanisms.
1) Absorption by atomic defects in glass composition.
2) Extrinsic absorption by impurity atoms in glass mats.
3) Intrinsic absorption by basic constituent atom of fiber.
3. Absorption by Atomic Defects
Atomic defects are imperfections in the atomic structure of the fiber materials such as
missing molecules, high density clusters of atom groups. These absorption losses are
negligible compared with intrinsic and extrinsic losses.

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The absorption effect is most significant when fiber is exposed to ionizing radiation in
nuclear reactor, medical therapies, space missions etc. The radiation dames the internal
structure of fiber. The damages are proportional to the intensity of ionizing particles. This
results in increasing attenuation due to atomic defects and absorbing optical energy. The
total dose a material receives is expressed in rad (Si), this is the unit for measuring
radiation absorbed in bulk silicon.
1 rad (Si) = 0.01 J.kg
The higher the radiation intensity more the attenuation as shown in Fig 2.2.1.

Extrinsic Absorption
Extrinsic absorption occurs due to electronic transitions between the energy level and
because of charge transitions from one ion to another. A major source of attenuation is
from transition of metal impurity ions such as iron, chromium, cobalt and copper. These
losses can be upto 1 to 10 dB/km. The effect of metallic impurities can be reduced by
glass refining techniques.
Another major extrinsic loss is caused by absorption due to OH (Hydroxil) ions
impurities dissolved in glass. Vibrations occur at wavelengths between 2.7 and 4.2 μm.
The absorption peaks occurs at 1400, 950 and 750 nm. These are first, second and third
overtones respectively.
Fig. 2.2.2 shows absorption spectrum for OH group in silica. Between these absorption
peaks there are regions of low attenuation.

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Intrinsic Absorption
�Intrinsic absorption occurs when material is in absolutely pure state, no density
variation and in homogeneities. Thus intrinsic absorption sets the fundamental lower limit
on absorption for any particular material.
Intrinsic absorption results from electronic absorption bands in UV region and from
atomic vibration bands in the near infrared region.
The electronic absorption bands are associated with the band gaps of amorphous glass
materials. Absorption occurs when a photon interacts with an electron in the valene band
and excites it to a higher energy level. UV absorption decays exponentially with
increasing wavelength (λ).
In the IR (infrared) region above 1.2 μm the optical waveguide loss is determined by
presence of the OH ions and inherent IR absorption of the constituent materials. The
inherent IR absorption is due to interaction between the vibrating band and the
electromagnetic field of optical signal this results in transfer of energy from field to the
band, thereby giving rise to absorption, this absorption is strong because of many bonds
present in the fiber.
Attenuation spectra for the intrinsic loss mechanism in pure Ge is shown in Fig. 2.2.3.

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The ultraviolet loss at any wavelength is expressed as,

where, x is mole fraction of GeO2.

λ is operating wavelength.
αuv is in dB/km.
The loss in infrared (IR) region (above 1.2 μm) is given by expression:

The expression is derived for GeO2-SiO2 glass fiber.

4. Rayleigh Scattering Losses
Scattering losses exists in optical fibers because of microscopic variations in the material
density and composition. As glass is composed by randomly connected network of
molecules and several oxides (e.g. SiO2, GeO2 and P2O5), these are the major cause of
compositional structure fluctuation. These two effects results to variation in refractive
index and Rayleigh type scattering of light.
Rayleigh scattering of light is due to small localized changes in the refractive index of the
core and cladding material. There are two causes during the manufacturing of fiber.
The first is due to slight fluctuation in mixing of ingredients. The random changes
because of this are impossible to eliminate completely.
The other cause is slight change in density as the silica cools and solidifies. When light
ray strikes such zones it gets scattered in all directions. The amount of scatter depends on
the size of the discontinuity compared with the wavelength of the light so the shortest

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wavelength (highest frequency) suffers most scattering. Fig. 2.3.1 shows graphically the
relationship between wavelength and Rayleigh scattering loss.

Scattering loss for single component glass is given by,

where, n = Refractive index

kB = Boltzmann‘s constant
βT = Isothermal compressibility of material
Tf = Temperature at which density fluctuations are frozen into the glass as it solidifies
(Fictive temperature)
Another form of equation is

where, P = Photoelastic coefficient

Scattering loss for multi component glasses is given by,

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Multimode fibers have higher dopant concentrations and greater compositional

fluctuations. The overall losses in this fiber are more as compared to single mode fibers.
Mie Scattering:
Linear scattering also occurs at in homogeneities and these arise from imperfections in
the fiber‘s geometry, irregularities in the refractive index and the presence of bubbles etc. caused
during manufacture. Careful control of manufacturing process can reduce mie scattering to
insignificant levels.
5. Bending Loss
Losses due to curvature and losses caused by an abrupt change in radius of curvature are
referred to as ‗bending losses.‘
The sharp bend of a fiber causes significant radiative losses and there is also possibility
of mechanical failure. This is shown in Fig. 2.4.1.

As the core bends the normal will follow it and the ray will now find itself on the wrong
side of critical angle and will escape. The sharp bends are therefore avoided. The radiation loss
from a bent fiber depends on –
Field strength of certain critical distance xc from fiber axis where power is lost through
radiation.
The radius of curvature R. The higher order modes are less tightly bound to the fiber
core, the higher order modes radiate out of fiber firstly. For multimode fiber, the effective
number of modes that can be guided by curved fiber is given expression:

where,
α is graded index profile.

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Δ is core – cladding index difference.

n2 is refractive index of cladding.
k is wave propagation constant .
N∞ is total number of modes in a straight fiber.

Microbending
Microbending is a loss due to small bending or distortions. This small micro bending is
not visible. The losses due to this are temperature related, tensile related or crush related.
The effects of microbending on multimode fiber can result in increasing attenuation
(depending on wavelength) to a series of periodic peaks and troughs on the spectral
attenuation curve. These effects can be minimized during installation and testing. Fig.
2.4.2 illustrates microbening.

Macrobending
The change in spectral attenuation caused by macrobending is different to micro bending.
Usually there are no peaks and troughs because in a macrobending no light is coupled
back into the core from the cladding as can happen in the case of microbends.
The macrobending losses are cause by large scale bending of fiber. The losses are
eliminated when the bends are straightened. The losses can be minimized by not
exceeding the long term bend radii. Fig. 2.4.3 illustrates macrobending.

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Core and Cladding Loss

Since the core and cladding have different indices of refraction hence they have different
attenuation coefficients α1 and α2 respectively.
For step index fiber, the loss for a mode order (v, m) is given by,

For low-order modes, the expression reduced to

For graded index fiber, loss at radial distance is expressed as,

The loss for a given mode is expressed by,

Where, P(r) is power density of that model at radial distance r.

6. Signal Distortion in Optical Waveguide

The pulse gets distorted as it travels along the fiber lengths. Pulse spreading in fiber is
referred as dispersion. Dispersion is caused by difference in the propagation times of light rays
that takes different paths during the propagation. The light pulses travelling down the fiber
encounter dispersion effect because of this the pulse spreads out in time domain. Dispersion

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limits the information bandwidth. The distortion effects can be analyzed by studying the group
velocities in guided modes.

Information Capacity Determination

Dispersion and attenuation of pulse travelling along the fiber is shown in Fig. 2.6.1

Fig. 2.6.1 shows, after travelling some distance, pulse starts broadening and overlap with the
neighboring pulses. At certain distance the pulses are not even distinguishable and error will
occur at receiver. Therefore the information capacity is specified by bandwidth distance product
(MHz. km). For step index bandwidth distance product is 20 MHz. km and for graded index it is
2.5 MHz. Km.

Group Delay
Consider a fiber cable carrying optical signal equally with various modes and each mode
contains all the spectral components in the wavelength band. All the spectral components travel
independently and they observe different time delay and group delay in the direction of
propagation. The velocity at which the energy in a pulse travels along the fiber is known as
group velocity. Group velocity is given by,

Thus different frequency components in a signal will travel at different group velocities and
so will arrive at their destination at different times, for digital modulation of carrier, this results
in dispersion of pulse, which affects the maximum rate of modulation. Let the difference in
propagation times for two side bands is δτ.

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where,

Then

Material Dispersion

Material dispersion is also called as chromatic dispersion. Material dispersion exists due to
change in index of refraction for different wavelengths. A light ray contains components of
various wavelengths centered at wavelength λ10. The time delay is different for different

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wavelength components. This results in time dispersion of pulse at the receiving end of fiber.
Fig. 2.6.2 shows index of refraction as a function of optical wavelength.

The material dispersion for unit length (L = 1) is given by

Where, c = Light velocity

λ = Center wavelength

Negative sign shows that the upper sideband signal (lowest wavelength) arrives before the
lower sideband (highest wavelength).

A plot of material dispersion and wavelength is shown in Fig. 2.6.3

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The unit of dispersion is: ps/nm. Km. the amount of material dispersion depends upon the
chemical composition of glass.

Example 2.6.1: An LED operating at 850 nm has a spectral width of 45 nm. What is the
pulse spreading in ns/km due to material dispersion? [Jan./Feb.-2007, 3 Marks]

Solution:
Given : λ = 850 nm
σ = 45 nm
R.M.S pulse broadening due to material dispersion is given by,
σm = σ LM
Considering length L = 1 meter

For LED source operating at 850 nm,

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Example 2.6.2: What is the pulse spreading when a laser diode having a 2 nm spectral width
is used? Find the the material-dispersion-induced pulse spreading at 1550 nm for an LED with a
75 nm spectral width? [Jan./Feb.-2007, 7 Marks]

Solutions:

Given: λ = 2 nm

σ = 75

Waveguide Dispersion

Waveguide dispersion is caused by the difference in the index of refraction between the
core and cladding, resulting in a ‗drag‘ effect between the core and cladding portions of
the power.
Waveguide dispersion is significant only in fibers carrying fewer than 5-10 modes. Since
multimode optical fibers carry hundreds of modes, they will not have observable
waveguide dispersion.
The group delay (τwg) arising due to waveguide dispersion.

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Where, b = Normalized propagation constant

k = 2π / λ (group velocity)
Normalized frequency V,

The second term

is waveguide dispersion and is mode dependent term..

As frequency is a function of wavelength, the group velocity of the energy varies with
frequency. The produces additional losses (waveguide dispersion). The propagation constant (b)
varies with wavelength, the causes of which are independent of material dispersion.

Chromatic Dispersion
The combination of material dispersion and waveguide dispersion is called chromatic
dispersion. These losses primarily concern the spectral width of transmitter and choice of correct
wavelength.

A graph of effective refractive index against wavelength illustrates the effects of material,
chromatic and waveguide dispersion.

Material dispersion and waveguide dispersion effects vary in vary in opposite senses as the
wavelength increased, but at an optimum wavelength around 1300 nm, two effects almost cancel
each other and chromatic dispersion is at minimum. Attenuation is therefore also at minimum
and makes 1300 nm a highly attractive operating wavelength.

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Modal Dispersion
As only a certain number of modes can propagate down the fiber, each of these modes carries
the modulation signal and each one is incident on the boundary at a different angle, they will
each have their own individual propagation times. The net effect is spreading of pulse, this form
of dispersion is called modal dispersion.

Modal dispersion takes place in multimode fibers. It is moderately present in graded

Index fibers and almost eliminated in single mode step index fibers.
Modal dispersion is given by,

where Δt modal = Dispersion

n1 = Core refractive index
Z = Total fiber length
c = Velocity of light in air
Δ = Fractional refractive index

The modal dispersion Δtmodal describes the optical pulse spreading due to modal effects
optical pulse width can be converted to electrical rise time through the relationship.

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Signal distortion in Single Mode Fibers

The pulse spreading σwg over range of wavelengths can be obtained from derivative of
group delay with respect to λ.

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This is the equation for waveguide dispersion for unit length.

Example 2.6.3 : For a single mode fiber n2 = 1.48 and Δ = 0.2 % operating at A = 1320 nm,
compute the waveguide dispersion if

Solution : n2 = 1.48
Δ = 0.2
λ = 1320 nm
Waveguide dispersion is given by,

Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD)

Different frequency component of a pulse acquires different polarization state (such as
linear polarization and circular polarization). This results in pulse broadening is known as
polarization mode dispersion (PMD).

PMD is the limiting factor for optical communication system at high data rates. The
effects of PMD must be compensated.

Pulse Broadening in GI Fibers

The core refractive index varies radially in case of graded index fibers, hence it supports
multimode propagation with a low intermodal delay distortion and high data rate over long
distance is possible. The higher order modes travelling in outer regions of the core, will travel
faster than the lower order modes travelling in high refractive index region. If the index profile is
carefully controlled, then the transit times of the individual modes will be identical, so
eliminating modal dispersion.

The r.m.s pulse broadening is given as :

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The intermodal delay and pulse broadening are related by expression given by Personick

Where τg is group delay.

From this the expression for intermodal pulse broadening is given as:

The intramodal pulse broadening is given as :

Where σλ is spectral width of optical source.

Solving the expression gives:

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Recommended Questions:

1. Briefly explain material dispersion with suitable sketch?

2 .Give expression of pulse broadening in graded index fiber?.
3. Elaborate dispersion mechanism in optical fibers?
4. Differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic absorption? [May/June-2006, 4 Marks]
5. Derive an expression for the pulse spread due to material dispersion using group delay
concept? [May/June-2006, 4 Marks, May-2007, 8 Marks]
6. Explain the significance of measure of information capacity? [May-2007, 6 Marks]
7. Describe the material dispersion and waveguide Dispersion? [May/June-2008, 6 Marks]
8. Discuss Bending Loss?[Dec/Jan-2008, 04 Marks]
9. Explain absorption losses? [May/June-2010, 6 Marks, Dec-2010, 6marks].
10.Describe attenuation mechanism?[Dec-2011,6Marks,Dec-2012,6Marks]

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UNIT - 3

SYLLABUS:

OPTICAL SOURCES AND DETECTORS: Introduction, LED‘s, LASER diodes, Photo

detectors, Photo detector noise, Response time, double hetero junction structure, Photo diodes,
comparison of photo detectors. 7 Hours

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

TEXT BOOKS:

1. Optical Fiber Communication – Gerd Keiser, 4th Ed., MGH, 2008.

2. Optical Fiber Communications– – John M. Senior, Pearson Education. 3rd Impression, 2007.

REFERENCE BOOK:

1. Fiber optic communication – Joseph C Palais: 4th Edition, Pearson Education.

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Unit-3
Optical Sources and Detectors
1. Optical Sources
Optical transmitter coverts electrical input signal into corresponding optical signal. The
optical signal is then launched into the fiber. Optical source is the major component in an
optical transmitter.
Popularly used optical transmitters are Light Emitting Diode (LED) and semiconductor
Laser Diodes (LD).
Characteristics of Light Source of Communication
To be useful in an optical link, a light source needs the following characteristics:
i) It must be possible to operate the device continuously at a variety of temperatures for many
years.
ii) It must be possible to modulate the light output over a wide range of modulating frequencies.
iii) For fiber links, the wavelength of the output should coincide with one of transmission
windows for the fiber type used.
iv) To couple large amount of power into an optical fiber, the emitting area should be small.
v) To reduce material dispersion in an optical fiber link, the output spectrum should be narrow.
vi) The power requirement for its operation must be low.
vii) The light source must be compatible with the modern solid state devices.
viii) The optical output power must be directly modulated by varying the input current to the
device.
ix) Better linearity of prevent harmonics and intermodulation distortion.
x) High coupling efficiency.
xi) High optical output power.
xii) High reliability.
xiii) Low weight and low cost.
Two types of light sources used in fiber optics are light emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser
diodes (LDs).
2. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
P-n Junction

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Conventional p-n junction is called as homojunction as same semiconductor

material is sued on both sides junction. The electron-hole recombination occurs in
relatively wide layer = 10 μm. As the carriers are not confined to the immediate
vicinity of junction, hence high current densities can not be realized .
The carrier confinement problem can be resolved by sandwiching a thin layer (=
.1 μm) between p-type and n-type layers. The middle layer may or may not be
doped. The carrier confinement occurs due to band gap discontinuity of the
junction. Such a junction is call heterojunction and the device is called double
heterostructure.
In any optical communication system when the requirements is –
i) Bit rate f 100-2—Mb/sec.
ii) Optical power in tens of micro watts.
LEDs are best suitable optical source.
LED Structures
Heterojunction
A heterojunction is an interface between two adjoining single crystal
semiconductors with different band gap.
Heterojunction are of two types, Isotype (n-n or p-p) or Antistype (p-n).
Double Heterojunction (DH)
In order to achieve efficient confinement of emitted radiation double heterojunction are
used in LED structure. A heterojunction is a junction formed by dissimilar semiconductors.
Double heterojunction (DH) is formed by two different semiconductors on each side of active
region. Fig. 3.1.1 shows double heterojunction (DH) light emitter.
The crosshatched regions represent the energy levels of free charge. Recombination
occurs only in active InGaAsP layer. The two materials have different band gap energies and
different refractive indices. The changes in band gap energies create potential barrier for both
holes and electrons. The free charges can recombine only in narrow, well defined active layer
side.
A double heterojunction (DH) structure will confine both hole and electrons to a narrow
active layer. Under forward bias, there will be a large number of carriers injected into active
region where they are efficiently confined. Carrier recombination occurs in small active region

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so leading to an efficient device. Antoer advantage DH structure is that the active region has a
higher refractive index than the materials on either side, hence light emission occurs in an optical
waveguide, which serves to narrow the output beam.

LED configurations
At present there are two main types of LED used in optical fiber links –
1. Surface emitting LED.
2. Edge emitting LED.
Both devices used a DH structure to constrain the carriers and the light to an active layer.
Surface Emitting LEDs
In surface emitting LEDs the plane of active light emitting region is oriented
perpendicularly to the axis of the fiber. A DH diode is grown on an N-type substrate at the top of
the diode as shown in Fig. 3.1.2. A circular well is etched through the substrate of the device. A
fiber is then connected to accept the emitted light.

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At the back of device is a gold heat sink. The current flows through the p-type material
and forms the small circular active region resulting in the intense beam of light.
Diameter of circular active area = 50 μm
Thickness of circular active area = 2.5 μm
Current density = 2000 A/cm2 half-power
Emission pattern = Isotropic, 120o beamwidth.
The isotropic emission pattern from surface emitting LED is of Lambartian pattern. In
Lambartian pattern, the emitting surface is uniformly bright, but its projected area
diminishes as cos θ, where θ is the angle between the viewing direction and the normal to
the surface as shown in Fig. 3.1.3. The beam intensity is maximum along the normal.

The power is reduced to 50% of its peak when θ = 60o, therefore the total half-power
beamwidth is 120o. The radiation pattern decides the coupling efficiency of LED.
Edge Emitting LEDS (ELEDs)

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In order to reduce the losses caused by absorption in the active layer and to make the
beam more directional, the light is collected from the edge of the LED. Such a device is
known as edge emitting LED or ELED.
It consists of an active junction region which is the source of incoherent light and two
guiding layers. The refractive index of guiding layers is lower than active region but
higher than outer surrounding material. Thus a waveguide channel is form and optical
radiation is directed into the fiber. Fig. 3.1.4 shows structure of ELED.

Edge emitter‘s emission pattern is more concentrated (directional) providing improved

coupling efficiency. The beam is Lambartian in the plane parallel to the junction but diverges
more slowly in the plane perpendicular to the junction. In this plane, the beam divergence is
limited. In the parallel plane, there is no beam confinement and the radiation is Lambartian. To
maximize the useful output power, a reflector may be placed at the end of the diode opposite the
emitting edge. Fig. 3.1.5 shows radiation from ELED.

Features of ELED:
1. Linear relationship between optical output and current.
2. Spectral width is 25 to 400 nm for λ = 0.8 – 0.9 μm.
3. Modulation bandwidth is much large.
4. Not affected by catastrophic gradation mechanisms hence are more reliable.

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5. ELEDs have better coupling efficiency than surface emitter.

6. ELEDs are temperature sensitive.
Usage :
1. LEDs are suited for short range narrow and medium bandwidth links.
2. Suitable for digital systems up to 140 Mb/sec.
3. Long distance analog links.
Light Source Materials
The spontaneous emission due to carrier recombination is called electro luminescence. To
encourage electroluminescence it is necessary to select as appropriate semiconductor material.
The semiconductors depending on energy band gap can be categorized into,
1. Direct band gap semiconductors.
2. Indirect band gap semiconductors.
Some commonly used band gap semiconductors are shown in following table 3.1.1

Direct band gap semiconductors are most useful for this purpose. In direct band gap
semiconductors the electrons and holes on either side of band gap have same value of

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crystal momentum.Hence direct recombination is possible. The recombination occurs

within 10-8 to 10-10 sec.
In indirect band gap semiconductors, the maximum and minimum energies occur at
Different values of crystal momentum. The recombination in these semiconductors is
quite slow i.e. 10-2 and 10-3 sec.
The active layer semiconductor material must have a direct band gap. In direct band gap
semiconductor, electrons and holes can recombine directly without need of third particle
to conserve momentum. In these materials the optical radiation is sufficiently high.
These materials are compounds of group III elements (Al, Ga, In) and group V element (P,
As, Sb). Some tertiary alloys Ga Al As are also used. Emission spectrum of Ga1-x AlxAs LED is
shown in Fig. 3.1.6.

The peak output power is obtained at 810 nm. The width of emission spectrum at half power
(0.5) is referred as full width half maximum (FWHM) spectral width. For the given LED FWHM
is 36 nm.
The fundamental quantum mechanical relationship between gap energy E and frequency v is
given as –

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where, energy (E) is in joules and wavelength (λ) is in meters. Expressing the gap energy
(Eg) in electron volts and wavelength (λ) in micrometers for this application.

Different materials and alloys have different bandgap energies.

The bandgap energy (Eg) can be controlled by two compositional parameters x and y,
within direct bandgap region. The quartenary alloy In1-x Gax Asy P1-y is the principal
material sued in such LEDs. Two expression relating Eg and x,y are –

Quantum Efficiency and Power

The internal quantum efficiency (ηint) is defined as the ratio of radiative recombination rate to
the total recombination rate.

Where,
Rr is radiative recombination rate.
Rnr is non-radiative recombination rate.
If n are the excess carriers, then radiative life time,

non-radiative life time,

The internal quantum efficiency is given as –

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The recombination time of carriers in active region is τ. It is also known as bulk

recombination life time.

Therefore internal quantum efficiency is given as –

\
If the current injected into the LED is I and q is electron charge then total number of
recombination per second is –

Optical power generated internally in LED is given as –

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Not all internally generated photons will available from output of device. The external
quantum efficiency is used to calculate the emitted power. The external quantum
efficiency is defined as the ratio of photons emitted from LED to the number of photons
generated internally. It is given by equation

The optical output power emitted from LED is given as –

Example 3.1.3 : The radiative and non radiative recombination life times of minority carriers in
the active region of a double heterojunction LED are 60 nsec and 90 nsec respectively.
Determine the total carrier recombination life time and optical power generated internally if the
peak emission wavelength si 870 nm and the drive currect is 40 mA. [July/Aug.-2006, 6 Marks]
Solutions:
Given : λ = 870 nm 0.87 x 10-6 m
τr = 60 nsec.
τnr = 90 nsec.
I = 40 mA = 0.04 Amp.
i) Total carrier recombination life time:

ii) Internal optical power:

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Advantages of LED
1. Simple design.
2. Ease of manufacture.
3. Simple system integration.
4. Low cost.
5. High reliability.
Disadvantages of LED
1. Refraction of light at semiconductor/air interface.
2. The average life time of a radiative recombination is only a few nanoseconds, therefore
nodulation BW is limited to only few hundred megahertz.
3. Low coupling efficiency.
4. Large chromatic dispersion.

Comparison of Surface and Edge Emitting LED

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Injection Laser Diode (ILD)

The laser is a device which amplifies the light, hence the LASER is an acronym for light
amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. The operation of the device may be
described by the formation of an electromagnetic standing wave within a cavity (optical
resonator) which provides an output of monochromatic highly coherent radiation.
Principle:
Material absorption light than emitting. Three different fundamental process occurs
between the two energy states of an atom.
1) Absorption
2) Spontaneous emission
3) Stimulated emission.
Laser action is the result of three process absorption of energy packets (photons)
spontaneous emission, and stimulated emission. (These processes are represented by the
simple two-energy-level diagrams).
Where, E1 is the lower state energy level.
E2 is the higher state energy level.
Quantum theory states that any atom exists only in certain discrete energy state,
absorption or emission of light causes them to make a transition from one state to
another. The frequency of the absorbed or emitted radiation f is related to the difference
in energy E between the two states.
If E1 is lower state energy level. and E2 is higher state energy level.
E = (E2 – E1) = h.f.
Where, h = 6.626 x 10-34 J/s (Plank‘s constant).
An atom is initially in the lower energy state, when the photon with energy (E2 – E1) is
incident on the atom it will be excited into the higher energy state E2 through the
absorption of the photon.

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When the atom is initially in the higher energy state E2, it can make a transition to the
lower energy state E1 providing the emission of a photon at a frequency corresponding to E =
h.f. The emission process can occur in two ways.
A) By spontaneous emission in which the atom returns to the lower energy state in random
manner.
B) By stimulated emission when a photon having equal energy to the difference between the two
states (E2 – E1) interacts with the atom causing it to the lower state with the creation of the
second photon.

Spontaneous emission gives incoherent radiation while stimulated emission gives

coherent radiation. Hence the light associated with emitted photon is of same frequency of
incident photon, and in same phase with same polarization.
It means that when an atom is stimulated to emit light energy by an incident wave, the
liberated energy can add to the wave in constructive manner. The emitted light is bounced back
and forth internally between two reflecting surface. The bouncing back and forth of light wave
cause their intensity to reinforce and build-up. The result in a high brilliance, single frequency
light beam providing amplification.
Emission and Absorption Rates
It N1 and N2 are the atomic densities in the ground and excited states.
Rate of spontaneous emission
Rspon = AN2
Rate of stimulated emission
Rstim = BN2 ρem
Rate of absorption

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Rabs = B‘ N1 ρem
Where,
A, B and B‘ are constants.
ρem is spectral density.
Under equilibrium condition the atomic densities N1 and N2 are given by Boltzmann statistics.

Where,
KB is Boltzmann constant.
T is absolute temperature.
Under equilibrium the upward and downward transition rates are equal. AN2 + BN2 ρem =
B‘ N1 ρem Spectral density ρem

Comparing spectral density of black body radiation given by Plank‘s formula,

A and B are called Einstein‘s coefficient.

3. Fabry – Perot Resonator

Lasers are oscillators operating at frequency. The oscillator is formed by a resonant cavity
providing a selective feedback. The cavity is normally a Fabry-Perot resonator i.e. two parallel
plane mirrors separated by distance L,

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Light propagating along the axis of the interferometer is reflected by the mirrors back to the
amplifying medium providing optical gain. The dimensions of cavity are 25-500 μm longitudinal
5-15 μm lateral and 0.1-0.2 μm transverse. Fig. 3.1.10 shows Fabry-Perot resonator cavity for a
laser diode.
The two heterojunctions provide carrier and optical confinement in a direction normal to the
junction. The current at which lasing starts is the threshold current. Above this current the output
power increases sharply.
Distributed Feedback (DFB) Laser
In DFB laser the lasing action is obtained by periodic variations of refractive index along
the longitudinal dimension of the diode. Fig. 3.1.11 shows the structure of DFB laser diode.

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Lasing conditions and resonant Frequencies

The electromagnetic wave propagating in longitudinal direction is expressed as –
E(z, t) = I(z) ej(ω t-β z)
where,
I(z) is optical field intensity.
Ω is optical radian frequency.
β is propagation constant.
The fundamental expression for lasing in Fabry-Perot cavity is –

Γ is optical field confinement factor or the fraction of optical power in the active layer.
α is effective absorption coefficient of material.
g is gain coefficient.
h v is photon energy.
z is distance traverses along the lasing cavity.
Lasing (light amplification) occurs when gain of modes exceeds above optical loss during
one round trip through the cavity i.e. Z = 2L. If R1 and R2 are the mirror reflectivity‘s of the two
ends of laser diode. Now the expression for lasing expressing is modified as,

The condition of lasing threshold is given as –

i) For amplitude: I (2L) = I (0)
ii) For phase: e-j2β L = 1
iii) Optical gain at threshold = Total loss in the cavity.
i.e. Γ gth = αt
Now the lasing expression is reduced to –

Where,
Α end is mirror loss in lasing cavity.
An important condition for lasing to occur is that gain, g ≥ g th i.e. threshold gain.

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External Quantum Efficiency

The external quantum efficiency is defined as the number of photons emitted per electron
hole pair recombination above threshold point. The external quantum efficiency ηext is given by

Where,
ηi = Internal quantum efficiency (0.6-0.7).
gth = Threshold gain.
α = Absorption coefficient.
Typical value of ηext for standard semiconductor laser is ranging between 15-20 %.

Resonant Frequencies
At threshold lasing

m is an integer.

Gain in any laser is a function of frequency. For a Gaussian output the gain and frequency are
related by expression –

where,
g(0) is maximum gain.

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λ0 is center wavelength in spectrum.

σ is spectral width of the gain.
The frequency spacing between the two successive modes is –

The wavelength Spacing is given as –

Optical Characteristics of LED and Laser

The output of laser diode depends on the drive current passing through it. At low drive
current, the laser operates as an inefficient Led, When drive current crosses threshold value,
lasing action beings. Fig. 3.1.13 illustrates graph comparing optical powers of LED operation
(due to spontaneous emission) and laser operation (due to stimulated emission).

Advantages of Laser Diode

1. Simple economic design.
2. High optical power.
3. Production of light can be precisely controlled.
4. Can be used at high temperatures.
5. Better modulation capability.
6. High coupling efficiency.
7. Low spectral width (3.5 nm)
8. Ability to transmit optical output powers between 5 and 10 mW.
9. Ability to maintain the intrinsic layer characteristics over long periods.

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Disadvantages of Laser Diode

1. At the end of fiber, a speckle pattern appears as two coherent light beams add or subtract their
electric field depending upon their relative phases.
2. Laser diode is extremely sensitive to overload currents and at high transmission rates, when
laser is required to operate continuously the use of large drive current produces unfavorable
thermal characteristics and necessitates the use of cooling and power stabilization.
Comparison of LED and Laser Diode

Optical Detectors
Principles of Optical Detectors

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The photo detector works on the principle of optical absorption. The main requirement
of light detector or photo dector is its fast response. For fiber optic communication purpose most
suited photo detectors are PIN (p-type- Intrinsic-n-type) diodes and APD (Avalanche
photodiodes)
The performance parameters of a photo detector are responsivity, quantum efficiency,
response time and dark current.
Cut-off Wavelength (λc)
Any particular semiconductor can absorb photon over a limited wavelength range. The
highest wavelength is known as cut-off wavelength (λc). The cut-off wavelength is determined
by band gap energy Eg of material.

where,
Eg inelectron volts (eV) and
λc cut-off wavelength is in μm.
Typical value of λc for silicon is 1.06 μm and for germanium it is 1.6 μm.
Quantum Efficiency (η)
The quantum efficiency is define as the number of electron-hole carrier pair generated per
incident photon of energy h v and is given as –

where, Ip is average photocurrent.

Pin is average optical power incident on photo detector.
Absorption coefficient of material determines the quantum efficiency. Quantum
efficiency η < 1 as the entire photons incident will not generate e-h pairs. It is normally
expressed in percentage.

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Detector Responsivity
The responsivity of a photo detector is the ratio of the current output in amperes to the
incident optical power in watts. Responsivity is denoted by

Responsivity gives transfer characteristics of detector i.e. photo current per unit incident
optical power.
Typical responsivities of pin photodiodes are –
Silicon pin photodiode at 900 nm →0.65 A/W.
Germanium pin photodiode at 1.3 μm →0.45 A/W.
In GaAs pin photodiode at 1.3 μm →0.9 A/W.

As the intensity of optical signal at the receiver is very low, the detector has to meet high
performance specifications. - The conversion efficiency must be high at the operating
wavelength. - The speed of response must be high enough to ensure that signal distortion does
not occur. - The detection process introduces the minimum amount of noise. - It must be
possible to operate continuously over a wide range of temperatures for many years. - The
detector size must be compatible with the fiber dimensions.
At present, these requirements are met by reverse biased p-n photodiodes. In these
devices, the semiconductor material absorbs a photon of light, which excites an electron from the
valence band to the conduction band (opposite of photon emission). The photo generated

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electron leaves behind it a hole, and so each photon generates two charge carriers. The increases
the material conductivity so call photoconductivity resulting in anincrease in the diode current.
The diode equation is modified as –

Where,
Id is dark current i.e. current that flows when no signal is present.
Is is photo generated current due to incident optical signal.
PIN Photodiode
PIN diode consists of an intrinsic semiconductor sandwiched between two heavily doped
p-type and n-type semiconductors as shown in Fig. 3.2.2.

Sufficient reverse voltage is applied so as to keep intrinsic region free from carries, so its
resistance is high, most of diode voltage appears across it, and the electrical forces are strong
within it. The incident photons give up their energy and excite an electron from valance to
conduction band. Thus a free electron hole pair is generated, these are called as photocarriers.
These carriers are collected across the reverse biased junction resulting in rise in current in
external circuit called photocurrent. In the absence of light, PIN photodiodes behave electrically
just like an ordinary rectifier diode. If forward biased, they conduct large amount of current. PIN
detectors can be operated in two modes : Photovoltaic and photoconductive. In photovoltaic
mode, no bias is applied to the detector. In this case the detector works very slow, and output
isapproximately logarithmic to the input light level. Real world fiber optic receivers never use
the photovoltaic mode. In photoconductive mode, the detector is reverse biased. The output in
this case is a current that is very linear with the input light power. The intrinsic region some what
improves the sensitivity of the device. It does not provide internal gain. The combination of

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different semiconductors operating at different wavelengths allows the selection of material

capable of responding to the desired operating wavelength
Depletion Layer Photocurrent
Consider a reverse biased PIN photodiode.

The total current density through depletion layer is –

Jtot = Jdr + Jdiff
Where,
Jdr is drift current density due to carriers generated in depletion region.
Jdiff is diffusion current density due to carriers generated outside depletion region.
The drift current density is expressed as –

where,
A is photodiode area.
φ0 is incident photon flux per unit area.
Φ1 The diffusion current density is expressed as –

where,
Dp is hole diffusion coefficient.
Pn is hole concentration in n-type material.
Pn0 is equilibrium hole density.

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Substituting in equation 3.2.7, total current density through reverse biased depletion layer
is –

Response Time
Factors that determine the response time of a photodiode are –
i) Transit time of photo carriers within the depletion region.
ii) Diffusion time of photo carriers outside the depletion region.
iii) RC time constant of diode and external circuit.
The transit time is given by –

The diffusion process is slow and diffusion times are less than carrier drift time. By considering
the photodiode response time the effect of diffusion can be calculated. Fig. 3.2.4 shows the
response time of photodiode which is not fully depleted.

The detector behaves as a simple low pass RC filter having pass band of

where,
RT, is combination input resistance of load and amplifier.
CT is sum of photodiode and amplifier capacitance.

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Avalanche Photodiode (APD)

When a p-n junction diode is applied with high reverse bias breakdown can occur by two
separate mechanisms direct ionization of the lattice atoms, zener breakdown and high velocity
carriers impact ionization of the lattice atoms called avalanche breakdown. APDs uses the
avalanche breakdown phenomena for its operation. The APD has its internal gain which
increases its responsivity.
Fig. 3.2.5 shows the schematic structure of an APD. By virtue of the doping
concentration and physical construction of the n+ p junction, the electric filed is high enough to
cause impact ionization. Under normal operating bias, the I-layer (the p‫ ־‬region) is completely
depleted. This is known as reach through condition, hence APDs are also known as reach
through APD or RAPDs.]

Similar to PIN photodiode, light absorption in APDs is most efficient in I-layer. In this
region, the E-field separates the carriers and the electrons drift into the avalanche region where
carrier multiplication occurs. If the APD is biased close to breakdown, it will result in reverse
leakage current. Thus APDs are usually biased just below breakdown, with the bias voltage
being tightly controlled.
The multiplication for all carriers generated in the photodiode is given as –

IM = Average value of total multiplied output current.

IP = Primary unmultiplied photocurrent.
Responsivity of APD is given by –

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Recommended Questions

1. List the characteristics of light sources required in optical communication.

2. Describe the construction and working of LED.
3. Explain the structure of surface emitting and edge emitting LEDs.
4. Compare the performance parameters of surface emitting LED and edge emitting LED.
5. Deduce the expression at internal quantum efficiency and internally generated optical power
for LED. From this expression how external efficiency and power is calculated?
6. Explain the principle of laser action. Explain also the spontaneous and stimulated emission
process.
7. Give the necessary conditions for lasing threshold.
8. Explain the structure of –
i) Fabry-Perot resonator.
ii) DFB laser diode.

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9. Derive expression for lasing condition and hence for optical gain.
10. Explain the power current characteristics of laser diode.
11. Give the expression for –
i) External quantum efficiency.
ii) Frequency spacing.
iii) Wavelength spacing.
State the significance of each parameter in the expression.
12. Compare the parameters of LED and LASER.
13. With a proper sketch briefly explain the structure of PIN diode.
14. Explain the following term relating to PIN photodiode with proper expressions.
i) Cut-off wavelength.
ii) Quantum efficiency.
iii) Responsivity.
15. Explain the structure and principle of working of APD.
16. Deduce the expression for total current density for APD.
17. How the response time of APD is estimated?
18. Give expression for pass band of APD detector.
19. Compare the performance parameters of PIN and APD.

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UNIT - 4
SYLLABUS:
FIBER COUPLERS AND CONNECTORS: Introduction, fiber alignment and joint loss,
single mode fiber joints, fiber splices, fiber connectors and fiber couplers. 6 Hours

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

TEXT BOOKS:

1. Optical Fiber Communication – Gerd Keiser, 4th Ed., MGH, 2008.

2. Optical Fiber Communications– – John M. Senior, Pearson Education. 3rd Impression, 2007.

REFERENCE BOOK:
1. Fiber optic communication – Joseph C Palais: 4th Edition, Pearson Education.

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Unit-4
Fiber Couplers and Connectors
Fiber Alignment
In any fiber optic communication system, in order to increase fiber length there is need to
joint the length of fiber. The interconnection of fiber causes some loss of optical power.
Different techniques are used to interconnect fibers. A permanent joint of cable is referred to as
splice and a temporary joint can be done with the connector.
The fraction of energy coupled from one fiber to other proportional to common mode
volume Mcommon. The fiber – to – fiber coupling efficiency is given as –

where,
ME is number of modes in fiber which launches power into next fiber.
The fiber – to – fiber coupling loss LF is given as –
LF = -10log ηF
Mechanical Misalignment
The diameter of fiber is few micrometer hence the microscopic alignment is required. If
the radiation cone of emitting fiber does not match the acceptance cone of receiving fiber,
radiation loss takes place. The magnitude of radiation loss depends on the degree of
misalignment. Different types of mechanical misalignments are shown in Fig. 4.1.1.

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1. Lateral misalignment
Lateral or axial misalignment occurs when the axes of two fibers are separated by
distance ‗d‘.
2. Longitudinal misalignment
Longitudinal misalignment occurs when fibers have same axes but their end faces are
separated by distance ‗S‘.
3. Angular misalignment
Angular misalignment occurs when fiber axes and fiber end faces are no longer parallel.
There is an angle ‗θ‘ between fiber end faces. The axial or lateral misalignment is most common
in practice causing considerable power loss. The axial offset reduces the common core area of
two fiber end faces as shown in Fig. 4.1.2.

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The optical power coupled is proportional to common area of two fiber cores. The
common area is given by expression –

Where,
a is core radius of fiber.
d is separation of core axes.
The coupling efficiency for step index fiber is the ratio of common core area to the end-
face area.

For graded index fiber, the total received power for axial misalignment is given by –

Where,
P is the power in emitting fiber.
When, d << a, the above expression reduces to

Fiber Related Losses

Losses in fiber cables also causes due to differences in geometrical and fiber
characteristics. These includes,
- Variation in core diameter.
- Core area ellipticity.
- Numerical aperture.
- Refractive – index profile.
- Core-cladding concentricity.

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The user has less control over these variations since they are related to manufacturing
process.
Coupling loss when emitter fiber radius aE and receiving fiber radius aR is not same, is
given as –

where,
aE is emitter fiber radius.
aR is receiver fiber radius.
Coupling loss when numerical apertures of two fibers are not equal, to expressed as –

Coupling loss when core refractive index of two fibers are not same, is expressed as

Precaution
If the stress distribution is not properly controlled, fiber can fork into several cracks,
various types of defects can be introduced in the fiber, few of them are mentioned here.

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Fiber Splices
A permanent or semi permanent connection between two individual optical fibers is
known as fiber splice. And the process of joining two fibers is called as splicing. Typically, a
splice is used outside the buildings and connectors are used to join the cables within the
buildings. Splices offer lower attenuation and lower back reflection than connectors and are less
expensive.
Types of Splicing
There are two main types of splicing
i) Fusion splicing.
ii) Mechanical splicing / V groove
Fusion Splicing
Fusion splicing involves butting two cleaned fiber end faces and heating them until they
melt together or fuse. Fusion splicing is normally done with a fusion splicer that controls the
alignment of the two fibers to keep losses as low as 0.05 dB. Fiber ends are first pre aligned and
butted together under a microscope with micromanipulators. The butted joint is heated with
electric arc or laser pulse to melt the fiber ends so can be bonded together. Fig. 4.2.1 shows
fusion splicing of optical fibers.

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Mechanical Splicing / V Groove

Mechanical splices join two fibers together by clamping them with a structure or by
epoxying the fibers together. Mechanical splices may have a slightly higher loss and back
reflection. These can be reduced by inserting index matching gel. V groove mechanical
splicing provides a temporary joint i.e fibers can be disassembled if required. The fiber ends are
butted together in a V – shaped groove as shown in Fig. 4.2.2.

The splice loss depends on fiber size and eccentricity

Source-to-Fiber Power Launching
Optical output from a source is measured in radiance (B). Radiance is defined as the
optical power radiated into a solid angle per unit emitting surface area. Radiance is specified in
Watts/cm2/Steradian. Radiance is important for defining source to fiber coupling efficiency.
Source Output Pattern
Spatial radiation pattern of source helps to determine the power accepting capability of
fiber. Fig. 4.3.1 shows three dimensional spherical co-ordinate system for characterizing the
emission pattern from an optical source. Where the polar axis is normal to the emitting surface
and radiance is a function of θ and

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The Lambartian output by surface emitting LED is equally bright from any direction. The
emission pattern of Lambartian output is shown in Fig. 4.3.2 and its output is –
B(θ,�) = B0cos θ
Where,
B0 is the radiance along the normal to the radiating surface.
Both radiations in parallel and normal to the emitting plane are approximated by expression –

Where,
T and L are transverse and lateral power distribution coefficients.
Power Coupling Calculation
To calculate power coupling into the fiber, consider an optical source launched into the fiber as
shown in Fig. 4.3.3.

Brightness of source is expressed as B(As, Ωs),

Where, As is area of source.
Ωs is solid emission angle of source.

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The coupled power P can be calculated as –

The integral limits are area of source and solid acceptance angle (θ0max).
Here dθs rdr is incremental emitting area.
Let the radius of surface emitting LED is rs, and for Lambartian emitter,
B(θ,�) = B0 cos θ then

Power coupled to step – index fiver

For step index fiber NA is not dependent on θs and r. Therefore LED power from step
index fiber is,

Consider optical power Ps emitted from source are As into hemisphere (2π Sr).

When source radius rs <a, the fiber core radius, the LED output power is given from
equation

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When rs > a equation (4.3.5) becomes,

Power coupled to graded index fiber

In graded index fiber, the index of refraction varies radially from fiber axis. Numerical
aperture for graded index fiber is given by,

Is source radius (rs) is less than fiber core radius (a) i.e. rs <a, the power coupled from
surface emitting LED is given as –
For coupling maximum power to fiber, the refractive index of the medium separating
source and fiber must be same; otherwise there will be loss of power. The power couple is
reduced by factor,

where,
n is the refractive index of medium.
n1 is the refractive index of fiber core.
R is the Fresnel reflection or reflectivity.
Lensing Schemes for Coupling Improvement
When the emitting area of the source is smaller than the core area of fiber, the power
coupling efficiency becomes poor. In order to improve the coupling efficiency miniature lens is
placed between source and fiber. Micro lens magnifies the emitting area of source equal to core
area. The power coupled increases by a factor equal to magnification factor of lens.
Important types of lensing schemes are:
1. Rounded – end fiber.
2. Spherical – surfaced LED and Spherical-ended fiber.
3. Taper ended fiber.
4. Non imaging microsphere.

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5. Cylindrical lens,
6. Imaging sphere.
Fig. 4.4.1 shows the lensing schemes.
There are some drawbacks of using lens.
1. Complexity increases.
2. Fabrication and handling difficulty.
3. Precise mechanical alignment is needed.

Equilibrium Numerical Aperture

The light source has a short fiber fly lead attached to it to facilitate coupling the source to
a system fiber. The low coupling loss, this fly lead should be connected to system fiber with
identical NA and core diameter. At this junction certain amount of optical power approximately
to 1 dB is lost, the exact loss depends on method of connecting. Also excess power loss
occurs due to non propagating modes scattering out of fiber. The excess power loss is to be
analyzed carefully in designing optical fiber system. This excess loss is shown in terms of
fiber numerical aperture.

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Numerical aperture at input light acceptance side is denoted by NAin. When light
emitting area LED is less than fiber core cross-sectional area then power coupled to the fiber is
NA = NAin.
If the optical powers of measured in long fiber lengths under equilibrium of modes, the
effect of equilibrium numerical aperture NAeq is significant. Optical power at this point is given
by,

Where,
P50 is optical power in fiber at 50 m distance from launch NA.
The degree of mode coupling is mainly decided by core – cladding index difference.
Most optical fibers attain 80 – 90 % at their equilibrium NA after 50 m. Hence NAeq is
important while calculating launched optical power in telecommunication systems. 4.8 Fiber
Connectors. Connectors are mechanisms or techniques used to join an optical fiber to another
fiber or to a fiber optic component.
Different connectors with different characteristics, advantages and disadvantages and
performance parameters are available. Suitable connector is chosen as per the requirement and
cost.
Various fiber optic connectors from different manufactures are available SMA 906, ST,
Biconic, FC, D4, HMS-10, SC, FDDI, ESCON, EC/RACE, LC, MT.

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Three different types of connectors are used for connecting fiber optic cables. These are –
1. Subscriber Channel (SC) connector.
2. Straight Tip (ST) connector.
3. MT-RJ connector.
SC connectors are general purpose connections. It has push-pull type locking system. Fig.
shows SC connector.

ST connectors are most suited for networking devices. It is more reliable than SC
connector. ST connector has bayonet type locking system. Fig. 4.8.2 shows ST connectors.

MT-RJ connector is similar to RJ45 connector. Fig. 4.8.3 shows MT-RJ connector

Principles of Good Connector Design

1. Low coupling loss.
2. Inter-changeability – No variation is loss whenever a connector is applied to a fiber.

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3. Ease of assembly.
4. Low environmental sensitivity.
5. Low cost – The connector should be in expensive also the tooling required for fitting.
6. Reliable operation.
7. Ease of connection.
8. Repeatability – Connection and reconnection many times without an increase in loss.
Connector Types
Connectors use variety of techniques for coupling such as screw on, bayonet-mount,
puch-pull configurations, butt joint and expanded beam fiber connectors. Butt Joint Connectors.
Fiber is epoxied into precision hole and ferrules are used for each fiber. The fibers are
secured in a precision alignment sleeve. But joints are used for single mode as well as for
multimode fiber systems. Two commonly used butt-joint alignment designs are:
1. Straight-Sleeve.
2. Tapered-Sleeve/Biconical.
In straight sleeve mechanism, the length of the sleeve and guided ferrules determines the
end separation of two fibers. Fig. 4.8.4 shows straight sleeve alignment mechanism of fiber optic
connectors.

In tapered sleeve or biconical connector mechanism, a tapered sleeve is used to

accommodate tapered ferrules. The fiber end separations are determined by sleeve length and
guide rings. Fig. 4.8.5 shows tapered sleeve fiber connectors.

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Connector Return Loss

At the connection point of optical link low reflectance levels are desired since the optical
reflections can be source of unwanted feed back into the laser cavity. Due to this unwanted
feedback the optical frequency response may degrade, also it generates internal noise within the
source affecting overall system performance. Fig. 4.8.6 shows the connection model.

The return loss for the index-matched gap region is given by,

Where,
D is the separation between fiber ends.
n1 is index-matching material.
R is reflectivity constant.

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Recommended Questions
1. State the considerations for power coupling and power launching in a fiber optic
system.
2. Derive the expression for power coupling to a step index fiber by a surface emitting
LED.
3. Derive the expression for power coupling to a graded index fiber by a surface emitting
LED.
4. Explain various types of misalignments in fiber cables.
5. Derive the expression for power received by fiber for axial misalignment.
6. Give the expressions for various fiber-related losses.
7. State the steps involved in cleaving process
8. Explain controlled fracture technique of cleaving.
9. Define finer splicing. Explain different types of splicing.
10. State the considerations for power coupling and power launching in a fiber optic
system.
11. Derive the expression for power coupling to a step index fiber by a surface emitting
LED.
12. Derive the expression for power coupling to a graded index fiber by a surface
emitting LED.
13. State the factors on which the power launching capability of source is
dependent.
14. What is lensing schemes? With simple sketch show different lensing scheme. State
the drawback of lensing schemes also.
15. Explain equilibrium numerical aperture.
16. Write note on laser diode to fiber coupling.
17. State the principles of good connector design.
18. List the steps involved in process of installing fiber optic connectors.

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PART - B
UNIT – 5

SYLLABUS:

OPTICAL RECEIVER: Introduction, Optical Receiver Operation, receiver sensitivity,

quantum limit, eye diagrams, coherent detection, burst mode receiver operation, Analog
receivers. 6 Hours

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

TEXT BOOKS:
1. Optical Fiber Communication – Gerd Keiser, 4th Ed., MGH, 2008.
2. Optical Fiber Communications– – John M. Senior, Pearson Education. 3rd Impression,
2007.

REFERENCE BOOK:
1. Fiber optic communication – Joseph C Palais: 4th Edition, Pearson Education

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Unit-5
Optical Receiver
Optical Receiver Design

An optical receiver system converts optical energy into electrical signal, amplify the
signal and process it. Therefore the important blocks of optical receiver are
- Photo detector / Front-end
- Amplifier / Liner channel
- Signal processing circuitry / Data recovery.

Noise generated in receiver must be controlled precisely as it decides the lowest signal
level that can be detected and processed. Hence noise consideration is an important factor in
receiver design. Another important performance criteria of optical receiver is average error
probability.

Receiver Configuration
Configuration of typical optical receiver is shown in Fig. 5.1.2.

Photo detector parameters –

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- PIN or APD type

- Gain M = 1
- Quantum efficiency η
- Capacitance Cd
- Dias resistance Rb
- Thermal noise current ib (t) generated by Rb.
Amplifier parameters –
- Input impendence Ra
- Shunt input capacitance Co
- Transconductance gm (Amp/volts)
- Input noise current ia (t) because of thermal noise of Ra
- Input noise voltage source ea (t)
Equalizer is frequency shaping filter used to mollify the effects of signal distortion and
ISI.
Expression for Mean Output Current from Photodiode
Assumptions :
1. All noise sources are Gaussian in statistics.
2. All nose sources are flat in spectrum.
3. All noise sources are uncorrelated (statistically independent).
Binary digital pulse train incident on photodector is fiven by –

Where,

P(t) is received optical power.

Tb is bit period.
bn is amplitude parameter representing nth message bit.
hp (t) is received pulse shape.
At time t, the mean output current due to pulse train P(t) is –

Where, M is gain of photodectector

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Neglecting dark current, the mean output current is given as –

Then mean output current is amplified, filtered to give mean voltage at the output.
Preamplifier Types
The bandwidth, BER, noise and sensitivity of optical receiver are determined by
preamplifier stage. Preamplifier circuit must be designed with the aim of optimizing these
characteristics.
Commonly used preamplifier in optical communication receiver are –
1. Low – impedance preamplifier (LZ)
2. High – impedance preamplifier (HZ)
3. Transimpedance preamplifier (TZ)
1. Low – impedance preamplifier (LZ)
In low-impedance preamplifier, the photodiode is configured in low – impedance
amplifier. The bias resister Rb is used to match the amplifier impedance. Rb
along with the input capacitance of amplifier decides the bandwidth of amplifier.
Low – impedance preamplifier can operate over a wide bandwidth but they have poor
receiver sensitivity. Therefore the low – impedance amplifier are used where sensitivity
is of not prime concern.

2. High – impedance preamplifier (HZ)

In high – impedance preamplifier the objective is to minimize the noise from all sources.
This can be achieved by –
- Reducing input capacitance by selecting proper devices.
- Selecting detectors with low dark currents.
- Minimizing thermal noise of baising resistors.
- Using high impedance amplifier with large Rb.
The high impedance amplifier uses FET or a BJT. As the high impedance circuit has
large RC time constant, the bandwidth is reduced. Fig. 5.1.3 shows equivalent circuit of
high input impedance pre-amplifier.

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High-input impedance preamplifier are most sensitive and finds application in long –
wavelength, long haul routes. The high sensitivity is due to the use of a high input
resistance (typically > 1 MΩ), which results in exceptionally low thermal noise. The
combination of high resistance and receiver input capacitance, results in very low BW,
typically < 30 kHz, and this causes integration of the received signal. A differentiating,
equalizing or compensation network at the receiver output corrects for this integration.
3. Transimpedance preamplifier (TZ)
The drawbacks of ghigh input impedance are eliminated in transimpedance preamplifier.
A negative feedback is introduced by a feedback resistor Rf to increase the bandwidth of
open loop preamplifier with an equivalent thermal nose current if (t) shunting the input.
An equivalent circuit of transimpedance preamplifier is shown in Fig. 5.1.4.
ea (t) = Equivalent series voltage noise source
ia(t) = Equivalent shunt current noise.

Rf = Feedback resistor.
if (t) = Equivalent thermal noise current.

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Although the resulting receiver is often not as sensitive as the integrating front end
design, this type of preamplifier does not exhibit a high dynamic range and is usually
cheaper to produce.
High Impedance FET Amplifier
High input impedance preamplifier using FET is shown in Fig. 5.1.5.

Basic noise sources in the circuit are –

- Thermal noise associated with FET channel.

- Thermal noise from load.

- Thermal noise from feedback resistor.

- Shot noise due to gate – leakage current (Igate)

- FET 1/f noise.

As the amplifier input resistance is very high, the input current noise spectral density

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S1 is expressed as –

Thermal noise associated with FET channel

The voltage noise spectral density is –

where,
gm is transconductance.
Γ is channel noise factor.
Thermal noise characteristic equation is a very useful figure of merit for a receiver as
it measures the noiseness of amplifier. The equation is reproduced here –

Substituting S1 and SE, the equalizer output is then

Where, C = Cd + Cgs + Cgd + Cs … (5.1.6)

If bias resistor Rb is very large, so that the gate leakage current is very low. For this the
detector output signal is integrated amplifier input resistance. It is to be
compensated by differentiation in the equalizer. The integration – differentiation
known as high input impedance preamplifier design technique. However, the
integration of receive signal at the front end restricts the dynamic range of
receiver. It may disrupt the biasing levels and receiver may fail. To correct it the line
coded data or AGC may be employed such receivers can have dynamic ranges in excess
of 20 dB.
Of course, FET with high gm is selected. For high data rates GaAs MESFET are
suitable while at lower frequencies silicon MOSFETs or JFET are preferred.

High Impedance Bipolar Transistor Amplifier

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High input impedance preamplifier using BJT is shown in Fig. 5.1.6.

Input resistance of BJT is given as –

Where,
IBB is base bias current.
Spectral density of input noise current source because shot noise of base current is –

Spectral height of noise voltage source is given as –

Where, gm is transconductance.

The performance of receiver is expressed by thermal noise characteristic equation (W)

Substituting Rin, SI and SE in characteristic equation.

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Transimpedance Amplifier
An ideal transimpedance preamplifier provides an output voltage which is directly
proportional to the input current and independent of course and load impedance.
A transimpednace amplifier is a high-gain high-impedance amplifier with feedback
resistor Rf Fig. 5.1.7 shows a simple CE/CC. Shunt feedback transimpedance receiver.

Bandwidth (BW)
To find BW, the transfer function of non-feedback amplifier and feedback amplifier is
compared. The transfer function of non-feedback amplifier is

Where,
A is frequency independent gain of amplifier.
Now the transfer function of feedback (transimpedance) amplifier is –

This yields the BW of transimpedance amplifier.

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i.e. BW of transimpedance amplifier is A times that of high-impedance amplifier. Because of this

equalization becomes easy.

Characteristic equation
The thermal noise characteristic equation (W) is reduced to –

Where,
WHZ is noise characteristic of high-impedance amplifier (non-feedback amplifier).
Thus thermal nose of transimpedance amplifier is sum of ooutput noise of non-feedback
amplifier and noise associated with Rf.

Benefits of transimpedance amplifier

1. Wide dynamic range : As the BW of transimpedance preamplifier is high enough so that no

integration takes place and dynamic range can be set by maximum voltage swing at preamplifier
output.
2. No equalization required : Since combination of Rin and Rf is very small hence the time
constant of detector is small.
3. Less susceptibe to external noise : The output resistance is small hence the amplifier is
less susceptible to pick up noise, crosstalk, RFI and EMI.
4. Easy control : Transimpedance amplifiers have easy control over its operation and is
stable.
5. Compensating network not required : Since integration of detected signal does not
occur, compensating network is not required.
High Speed Circuit
Now fiber optic technology is widely employed for long-distance communication, LAN
and in telephone networks also because of improvement in overall performance, reliable
operation and cost effectiveness.

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Fiber optic link offers wide bandwidth to support high speed analog and digital
communication.
Because of advancement in technology minimized transmitters and receivers
and available in integrated circuits package.

Receiver Noise
In a receiver system errors arises because of noises and disturbances in the signal
detection system. Noise is an unwanted electric signal in signal processing. The noise
sources can be internal or external to the system. Only the internal sources of noise are
considered here.
The nose is generated by spontaneous fluctuations of current and voltage (e.g. shot noise,
thermal noise). When photons incident on the photo detector are random in nature,
quantum noise (shot noise) is generated. This noise is significant for both PIN and APD
receivers.
Other sources of photo detector noise are from dark current and leakage current. These
noise can be reduced considerably by choosing proper components. Thermal noise is
generated from detector load resistances.

Intersymbol interference (ISI) also contributes to error which is causing from pulse
spreading. Because of pulse spreading energy of a pulse spreads into neighbouring time
slots, results in an interfering signal. Fig. 5.2.1 shows ISI.

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Energy in appropriate time slot is γ. The total energy in adjacent slots is 1 – γ as shown in
the Fig. 5.2.1.

Noise Mechanisms

Where,
vN (t) is noise voltage.
vout (t) is mean output voltage.
The noise voltage can be expressed as –

Where,
Vshot (t) is quantum or shot noise.
vR (t) is thermal or Johnson noise.
vI (t) is resulted by amplifier input noise current source ia (t).
vE (t) is requested by amplifier input voltage noise source ea (t).

The mean square noise voltage is expressed as –

i) Thermal noise of load resistor Rb :

Where,
kB T is product of Boltzmann‘s constant and temperature.
A is amplifier gain.
Bbae is noise equivalent BW.

ii) Thermal noise due to amplifier input noise current source ia (t) :

Where,

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SI is the spectral density of amplifier input noise current source.

iii) Thermal noise due to amplifier input noise voltage source ea (t) :

Where,
SE is the spectral density of amplifier noise voltage source.
Be is noise equivalent BW of amplifier.
iv) Mean square shot noise :

Where,

All constituents of mean square noise voltage are summarized here.

Receiver Sensitivity
To calculate optical receiver sensitivity, total noise in the receiver is calculated.
Substituting these values and solving equation (5.2.3) gives

Substituting these values and solving equation (5.2.3) gives

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This equation is known as thermal noise characteristic of an optical receiver.

The optimum gain to achieve desired BER for receiver is given by –

Assuming no ISI i.e. γ =1

Where,
Q is parameter related so S/N ratio to achieve desired BER.
W is thermal noise characteristic of receiver. X is photodiode factor.
I2 is normalized BW.
Mean Square Input Noise Current
The mean square input noise current is gives as –

i) Shot noise Current :

ii) Thermal Noise :

iii) Shunt Noise :

iv) Series Noise :

v) Total Noise:

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Example 5.3.1 : An InGaAs PIN photodiode has the following parameters at a wavelength of
1300 nm : ID = 4 nA, η = 0.9, RL = 1000 Ω and the surface leakage current is negligible. The
incident optical power is 300 nW (- 35 dBm) an the receiver bandwidth is 20 MHz. Find the
various nosie terms of the receiver.

Solution : Given :
λ = 1300 nm
ID = 4 nA
η = 0.9
RL = 1000Ω
Pincident = 300nW
B = 20 MHz
Mean square quantum noise current

Mean spark dark current

Mean square thermal noise current

Where B is Boltzman constant = 1.38 x 10-23 J/K

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Analog Receivers
Fiber optic transmission also supports analog links i.e. voice channels. The performance
of analog receiver is measured interms of S/N ratio (ratio of mean square signal current to
mean square noise current).
The current generated at optical receiver by analog optical signal is given as –

For a photodiode detector mean noise current is sum of

i) Mean square quantum noise current.
ii) Equivalent resistance thermal noise current.
iii) Dark noise current.
iv) Surface leakage noise current..

Where,

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Ip is primary photocurrent.
ID is primary dark current.
IL is surface leakage current.
F (M) is photodiode noise factor.
B is effective noise BW.
Req is equivalent resistance of photo detector and amplifier.
Ft is noise figure of baseband amplifier.
Signal – to – noise ratio (S/N ratio) is given as –

This limits the sensitivity of analog receiver.

S/N ratio for PIN and APD receiver as a function of received optical power is shown in
Fig. 5.4.1.

Digital Receivers
The equalizer signal is compared with a threshold level to determine the presence of a
pulse. The comparison is done on time slot basis.

Probability of Error
Bit error rate (BER) is defined as the ratio of number of errors occurring over a time
interval to the number of pulses transmitted during the interval.

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Where,
Ne is number of errors occurring during the interval.
Nt is number of pulses transmitted during the interval.

B is bit rate or pulse transmission rate.

BER for optical fiber communication system is ranging between 10-9 to 10-12. BER of
receiver depends on S/N ratio. To compute the BER at receiver probability distribution of
output signal is considered.
Condiitonal PDF : P(y/x) is the probability that the output voltage is y when x was
transmitted. The functions p (y/1) and p (y/0) are conditional PDF as shown in
Fig. 5.5.1.

The probability distributions are given as –

It is the probability that output voltage is less than threshold when logic ‗1‘ is sent.

It is the probability that output voltage exceeds threshold voltage when a logic ‗0‘ is sent.
The error probability is expressed as

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Where,
a and b are probabilities that either 1 or 0 occurs

Where,
V is the pulse amplitude.
σ is standard deviation (measure of width of probability distribution)

Quantum Limit
For an ideal photo detector having quantum efficiency η = 1 and has zero dark current
(i.e. no output when light is absent) then the minimum received power for a specific bit –
error rate is known as Quantum Limit.
Let an optical pulse of energy E is incident on photoetector in time interval τ. Then the
probability of emitting zero electrons during the interval is

Where,
XXXX is average number of electron – hole pairs.

Example 5.5.1 : A digital fiber link operating at 850 nm requires a BER of 10-9. Calculate the
quantum limit in terms of quantum efficiency.
Solutions : λ = 850 nm = 850 x 10-9 m
BER = 10-9

Probability of error

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No. of electron – hole paid generated (XXXX), quantum efficiency (η), photo energy (hv) and
energy received (E) are related by,

Comparison of Receiver Performance

Review Questions
1. In an optical receiver explain the sources of errors.
2. Deduce the expression for mean output current from photodiode.
3. For a digital optical receiver find the expression of probability of error.
4. Find the expression for mean square noise voltage for optical receiver.

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UNIT – 6

SYLLABUS:

ANALOG AND DIGITAL LINKS: Analog links – Introduction, overview of analog links,
CNR, multichannel transmission techniques, RF over fiber, key link parameters, Radio over fiber
links, microwave photonics.
Digital links – Introduction, point–to–point links, System considerations, link power budget,
resistive budget, short wave length band, transmission distance for single mode fibers, Power
penalties, nodal noise and chirping. 8 Hours

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

TEXT BOOKS:
1. Optical Fiber Communication – Gerd Keiser, 4th Ed., MGH, 2008.
2. Optical Fiber Communications– – John M. Senior, Pearson Education. 3rd Impression, 2007.

REFERENCE BOOK:
1. Fiber optic communication – Joseph C Palais: 4th Edition, Pearson Education.

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Unit-6
Analog and Digital Links

Analog Links

Overview of Analog Links

Elements of analog links are,
i) Optical transmitter.
ii) Fiber channel.
iii) Optical amplifier.
iv) Optical detector.

The incoming information signal, speech, music video etc. is used to control the power
output from the LED or the laser. The light output is as near as possible, a true copy of
the electrical variations at the input. At the far end of the fiber, the receiver converts the
light back to electrical pulses which is the true replica of input signal.
Any non-linearity either in transmitter or receiver will affect the accuracy of the
transmission or reception of signal.
The other problem is noise. Since the receiver received an analog signal, it must be
sensitive to any changes in amplitude. Any random fluctuations in light level caused by
light source, the fiber at the receiver will cause unwanted noise in the output signal.
Electrical noise due to lightening will give rise to electrical noise in the non-fiber parts of
the system.
As the signal travels along the fiber, it is attenuated. To restore signal amplitude,

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amplifiers (repeaters) are added at regular intervals. The repeater has a limited ability to
reduce noise and distortion present.

Carrier – to – Noise Ratio (CNR)

Carrier – to – Noise Ratio (CNR) is defined as the ratio of r.m.s. carrier power to r.m.s.
noise power at the receiver.
CNR requirement can be relaxed by changing the modulation format from AM to FM.
The BW of FM carrier is considerably larger (30 MHz in place of 4 MHz). The required
CNR for FM receiver is much lower (16 dB compared to 50 dB in AM) because of FM
advantage. As a result, the optical power needed at the receiver can be small as 10 μW.
But the receiver noise of FM system is generally dominated by the thermal noise.
The important signal impairments includes –
- Laser intensity noise fluctuations.
- Laser clipping noise.
- Photodectercotr noise.
- Optical Amplifier Noise (ASE noise).
- Harmonic noise.
- Intermodulaiton noise.
- Shot noise.

Carrier Power
To calculate carrier power signal generated by optical source is considered. The
optical source is a square law device and current flowing through optical source is sum of
fixed bias current and a time varying current (analog signal).
If the time-varying analog drive signal is s(t), then the instantaneous optical output power
is given by,

where
Pt is optical output power at bias level,

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The received carrier power C is given by,

where,
is responsivity of photo detector
M is gain of photo detector.
P is average received optical power

Photo detector and Preamplifier Noises

Photo detector noise is given by,

where,
Req is equivalent resistance.
Ft is noise factor of preamplifier.

Relative Intensity Noise (RIN)

The output of a semiconductor laser exhibits fluctuations in its intensity, phase and
frequency even when the laser is biased at a constant current with negligible current
fluctuations. The two fundamental noise mechanisms are
i) Spontaneous emission and
ii) Electron-hole recombination (shot noise).

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Noise in semiconductor lasers is dominated by spontaneous emission. Each

spontaneously emitted photon adds to the coherent field a small field component whose
phase is random, and thus deviate both amplitude and phase in random manner. The noise
resulting from the random intensity fluctuations is called Relative Intensity Noise
(RIN). The resulting mean-square noise current is given by,

RIN is measured in dB/Hz. Its typical value DFB Lasers is ranging from -152 to -158
dB/Hz.

Reflection Effects on RIN

The optical reflections generated within the systems are to be minimized. The reflected
signals increases the RIN by 10 – 20 dB. Fig. 6.1.2 shows the effect on RIN due to
change in feedback power ratio.

The feedback power ratio is the amount of optical power reflected back to the light output
from source. The feedback power ratio must be less than -60 dB to maintain RIN
valueless than -140 dB/Hz.
Limiting Conditions
When optical power level at receiver is low, the preamplifier noise dominates the system
noise.
The quantum noise of photo detector also dominates the system noise.
The reflection noise also dominates the system noise.

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The carrier-to-noise ratio for all three limiting conditions is shown in table.
Fig. 6.1.3 shows carriers-to-noise ratio as a function of optical power level at the receiver with
limiting factors. For low light levels, thermal noise is limiting factor causes 2 dB roll of in C/N
for each 1 dB drop in received power. At intermediate levels, quantum noise is limiting, factor
causing 1 dB drop in C/N for every 1 dB decrease in received optical power. At high received
power source noise is dominator factor gives a constant C/N.

Multichannel Transmission Techniques

Multiplexing technique is used to transmit multiple analog signals over the same higher
capacity fiber cable.
Number of baseband signals are superimposed on a set of N sub-carrier of frequencies f1,
f2, f3 …fN.
Channel or signal multiplexing can be done in the time or frequency domain through
Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) and Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM). The
methods of multiplexing includes Vestigial Sideband Amplitude Modulation (VSB-AM),
frequency Modulation (FM) and Sub-Carrier Multiplexing (SCM). All the schemes have
different advantages and disadvantage.

Multichannel Amplitude Modulation

In some applications the bit rate of each channel is relatively low but the number of
channels are quite large. Typical example of such application is cable television (CATV).

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Fig. 6.1.4 shows the technique for combining N independent channels. Different channel
information are amplitude modulated on different carrier frequencies.

Power combiner sums all amplitude modulated carriers producing a composite FDM. The
composite FDM signal is used to modulate the intensity of semiconductor laser directly
by adding it to the bias current. At optical receiver, a bank of band pass filters separates
the individual carriers.
Optical modulation index m is given by

where,
N is no. of channels
mi is per channel modulation index
Since the laser diode is a non-linear device and when multiple carrier frequencies pass
through such device, the analog signal is distorted during its transmission, the distortion
is referred to as inter modulation distortion (IMD). The IMD causes undesirable signals
to produce called inter modulation product (IMP). The new frequencies (IMPs) are
further classified as
- Two-tone IMPs and
- Triple-beat IMPs.
The classification is depending on whether two frequencies coincides or all three
Frequencies are distinct.
The triple-bear IMPs tend to be a major source of distortion because of their large
number. An N-channel system generates N (N – 1) (N – 2)/2 triple-beat terms compared
with N (N – 1) two-tone terms. Depending on channel carrier spacing some of Imps fall

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within the bandwidth of a specific channel and affect the signal recovery. This is called as
beat-stacking.
The beat stacking result in two types of distortions, which adds power for all IMPs that
fall within the passband of a specific channel, these distortions are:
i) Composite Second Order (CSO) and
ii) Composite Triple Bear (CTB)

CSO and CTB are used to describe the performance of multichannel An links. CSO and
CTD are expressed in dBc units, where ‗c‘ in dBc denotes normalization with respect to
the carrier power. Typically, CSO and CTB distortion values shoud be below – 60 dBc for
negligible impact on the system performance. Both CSO and CTB increases rapidly with
increase in modulation index.

Multichannel Frequency Modulation

The CNR requirement can be relaxed by changing the modulation format from AM to
FM. The BW of FM carrier is considerably larger (30 MHz in place of 4 MHz). This
results in S/N ratio improvement over C/N ratio.
S/N ratio at the output of FM detector is :

where,
B is required bandwidth.
Δfpp is peak to peak frequency deviation of modulator.
fv is highest video frequency.
W is weighing factor for white noise.
The total S/N improvement is ranging between 36-44 dB.

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Sub-Carrier Multiplexing (SCM)

Sub-Carrier Multiplexing (SCM) is employed in microwave engineering in which
Multiple microwave carriers for transmission of multiple channels are used. If the
Microwave signal is transmitted optically by using optical fibers, the signal bandwidth
can be exceeded up to 10 GHz for a single optical carrier. Such a scheme is referred to as SCM.
Since multiplexing is done by using microwave sub-carrier rather than the optical
carrier.
The input can be analog or digital baseband signal. The input signals are modulated sub-
carriers are then combined to give FDM signal. The FDM signals are then combined in
microwave combiner. The combine signal is then modulates the intensity of
semiconductor laser by adding it to bias current. Fig. 6.1.5 shows this arrangement

The received optical signal is then passed through low noise pin photo detector to convert
it to original signal.

Advantages of SCM
1. Wide bandwidth.
2. Flexibility and upgradability in design of broadband networks.
3. Analog or digital modulation or combination of two for transmitting multiple voice, data
and video signals to large number of users.
4. Both AM and FM techniques can be used for SCM.
5. A combination of SCM and WDM can realize DW upto 1 MHz.

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6. SCM technique is also being explored for network management and performance
monitoring.

Digital Links

System Design Considerations

In optical system design major consideration involves
- Transmission characteristics of fiber (attenuation & dispersion).
- Information transfer capability of fiber.
- Terminal equipment & technology.
- Distance of transmission.
In long-haul communication applications repeaters are inserted at regular intervals as
shown in Fig. 6.2.1

Repeater regenerates the original data before it is retransmitted as a digital optical

signal.The cost of system and complexity increases because of installation of repeaters.
An optical communication system should have following basic required specifications –
a) Transmission type (Analog / digital).
b) System fidelity (SNR / BER)
c) Required transmission bandwidth
d) Acceptable repeater spacing
e) Cost of system
f) Reliability
g) Cost of maintenance.

Multiplexing

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Multiplexing of several signals on a single fiber increases information transfer rate of

communication link. In Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) pulses from multiple
channels are interleaved and transmitted sequentially, it enhance the bandwidth
utilization of a single fiber link.
In Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) the optical channel bandwidth is divided into
various non overlapping frequency bands and each signal is assigned one of these bands
of frequencies. By suitable filtering the combined FDM signal can be retrieved.
When number of optical sources operating at different wavelengths are to be sent on single fiber
link Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is used. At receiver end, the separation or
extraction of optical signal is performed by optical filters (interference
filters, differaction filters prism filters).
Another technique called Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) used separate fiber within
fiber bundle for each signal channel. SDM provides better optical isolation which
eliminates cross-coupling between channels. But this technique requires huge number of
optical components (fiber, connector, sources, detectors etc) therefore not widely used.

System Architecture
From architecture point of view fiber optic communication can be classified into three
major categories.
1. Point – to – point links
2. Distributed networks
3. Local area networks.

Point-to-Point Links
A point-to-point link comprises of one transmitter and a receiver system. This is the
simplest form of optical communication link and it sets the basis for examining complex
optical communication links.
For analyzing the performance of any link following important aspects are to be
considered.
a) Distance of transmission

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b) Channel data rate

c) Bit-error rate
All above parameters of transmission link are associated with the characteristics of
various devices employed in the link. Important components and their characteristics are
listed below.

When the link length extends between 20 to 100 km, losses associated with fiber cable increases.
In order to compensate the losses optical amplifier and regenerators are used over the span of
fiber cable. A regenerator is a receiver and transmitter pair which detects incoming optical
signal, recovers the bit stream electrically and again convert back into optical from by
modulating an optical source. An optical amplifier amplify the optical bit stream without
converting it into electrical form.
The spacing between two repeater or optical amplifier is called as repeater spacing (L).
The repeater spacing L depends on bit rate B. The bit rate-distance product (BL) is a
measure of system performance for point-to-point links.
Two important analysis for deciding performance of any fiber link are –
i) Link power budget / Power budget
ii) Rise time budget / Bandwidth budget
The Link power budget analysis is used to determine whether the receiver has sufficient
power to achieve the desired signal quality. The power at receiver is the transmitted
power minus link losses.
The components in the link must be switched fast enough and the fiber dispersion must
be low enough to meet the bandwidth requirements of the application. Adequate
bandwidth for a system can be assured by developing a rise time budget.

System Consideration
Before selecting suitable components, the operating wavelength for the system is
decided. The operating wavelength selection depends on the distance and attenuation.

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For shorter distance, the 800-900 nm region is preferred but for longer distance 100 or
1550nm region is preferred due to lower attenuations and dispersion.
The next step is selection of photo detector. While selecting a photo detector following
factors are considered –
i) Minimum optical power that must fall on photo detector to satisfy BER at specified
data rate.
ii) Complexity of circuit.
iii) Cost of design.
iv) Bias requirements.
Next step in system consideration is choosing a proper optical source, important factors
to consider are –
i) Signal dispersion.
ii) Data rate.
iii) Transmission distance.
iv) Cost.
v) Optical power coupling.
vi) Circuit complexity.
The last factor in system consideration is to selection of optical fiber between single mode and
multimode fiber with step or graded index fiber. Fiber selection depends on type of optical
source and tolerable dispersion. Some important factors for selection of
fiber are :
i) Numerical Aperture (NA), as NA increases, the fiber coupled power increases also
the dispersion.
ii) Attenuation characteristics.
iii) Environmental induced losses e.g. due to temperature variation, moisture and dust
etc.

Link Power Budget

For optiming link power budget an optical power loss model is to be studied as shown in
Fig. 6.2.3. Let lc denotes the losses occur at connector.
Lsp denotes the losses occur at splices.

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αf denotes the losses occur in fiber

All the losses from source to detector comprises the total loss (PT) in the system.
Link power margin considers the losses due to component aging and temperature
fluctuations. Usually a link margin of 6-8 dB is considered while estimating link power
budget.
Total optical loss = Connector loss + (Splicing loss + Fiber attenuation) + System margin
(Pm)
PT = 2lc + αfL + System margin (Pm)
where, L is transmission distance.

Example 6.2.1 : Design as optical fiber link for transmitting 15 Mb/sec of data for a
distance of 4 km with BER of 10-9.

Solution :

Bandwidth x Length = 15 Mb/sec x 4 km = (60 Mb/sec) km

Selecting optical source : LED at 820 nm is suitable for short distances. The LED generates –
10 dBm optical power.
Selecting optical detector : PIN-FER optical detector is reliable and has – 50 dBm sensitivity.
Selection optical fiber : Step-index multimode fiber is selected. The fiber has bandwidth length
product of 100 (Mb/s) km.

Links power budget :

Assuming :
Splicing loss ls = 0.5 dB/slice

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Connector loss lc = 1.5 dB

System link powr margin Pm – 8 dB
Fiber attenuation αf = 6 dB/km
Actual total loss = (2 x lc) + αfL + Pm
PT = (2 x 1.5) + (6 x 4) + 8
PT = 35 dB
Maximum allowable system loss :
Pmax = Optical source output power- optical receiver sensitivity
Pmax = -10 dBm – (-50 dBm)
Pmax = 40 dBm
Since actual losses in the system are less than the allowable loss, hence the system is functional.

Example 6.2.2 : A transmitter has an output power of 0.1 mW. It is used with a fiber having NA
= 0.25, attenuation of 6 dB/km and length 0.5 km. The link contains two connectors of 2 dB
average loss. The receiver has a minimum acceptable power (sensitivity) of – 35 dBm. The
designer has allowed a 4 dB margin. Calculate the link power budget.

Solution :
Source power Ps = 0.1 mW
Ps = -10dBm
Since NA = 0.25

Coupling loss = -10log (NA2)

= -10log (0.252)
= 12 dB

Fiber loss = αf x L
lf = (6dB/km) (0.5km)
lf = 3 dB

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Connector loss = 2 (2 dB)

lc = 4 dB
Design margin Pm = 4 dB

Actual output power Pout = Source power – (Σ Losses)

Pout = 10dBm – [12 dB + 3 + 4 + 4]
Pout = -33 dBm
Since receiver sensitivity given is – 35 dBm.
i.e. Pmin = -35 dBm
As Pout > Pmin, the system will perform adequately over the system operating life.

Example 6.2.3 : In a fiber link the laser diode output power is 5 dBm, source-fiber coupling loss
= 3 dB, connector loss of 2 dB and has 50 splices of 0.1 dB loss. Fiber attenuation loss for 100
km is 25 dB, compute the loss margin for i) APD receiver with sensitivity – 40 dBm ii) Hybrid
PINFET high impedance receiver with sensitivity -32 dBm.

Solution : Power budget calculations

Source output power 5 dBm
Source fiber coupling loss 3 dB

Connector loss 2 dB
Connector loss 5 dB
Fiber attenuation 25 dB
Total loss 35 dB

Available power to receiver : (5 dBm – 35 dBm) – 30 dBm

i) APD receiver sensitivity – 40 dBm
Loss margin [- 40 – (- 30)] 10dBm
ii) H-PIN FET high0impedance receiver -32 dBm
Loss margin [- 32 – (- 30)] 2 dBm

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Rise Time Budget

Rise time gives important information for initial system design. Rise-time budget analysis
determines the dispersion limitation of an optical fiber link.
Total rise time of a fiber link is the root-sum- square of rise time of each contributor to
the pulse rise time degradation.

The link components must be switched fast enough and the fiber dispersion must be low
enough to meet the bandwidth requirements of the application adequate bandwidth for a
system can be assured by developing a rise time
budget.
As the light sources and detectors has a finite response time to inputs. The device does
not turn-on or turn-off instantaneously. Rise time and fall time determines the overall
response time and hence the resulting bandwidth.
Connectors, couplers and splices do not affect system speed, they need not be accounted
in rise time budget but they appear in the link power budget. Four basic elements that
contributes to the rise-time are, - Transmitter rise-time (ttx)
- Group Velocity Dispersion (GVD) rise time (tGVD)
- Modal dispersion rise time of fiber (tmod)
- Receiver rise time (trx)

where,
BM is bandwidth (MHz)
L is length of fiber (km)

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q is a parameter ranging between 0.5 and 1.

B0 is bandwidth of 1 km length fiber,
Rise time due to group velocity dispersion is

where,
D is dispersion [ns/(nm.km)]
Σλ is half-power spectral width of source
L is length of fiber
Receiver front end rise-time in nanoseconds is

where,
Brx is 3 dB – bW of receiver (MHz).
Equation (6.2.1) can be written as

All times are in na…noseconds.

Example 6.2.4 : For a multimode fiber following parameters are recorded.

i) LED with drive circuit has rise time of 15 ns.
ii) LED spectral width = 40 nm
iii) Material dispersion related rise time degradation = 21 ns over 6 km link.
iv) Receiver bandwidth = 235 MHz
v) Modal dispersion rise time = 3.9 nsec
Calculate system rise time.

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Solution : ttx = 15 nsec

tTmat = 21 nsec
tmod = 3.9 nsec
now

Compute the system rise time and bandwidth.

Solution : System rise time is given by

System BW is given by

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Line coding in optical lilnks

Line coding or channel coding is a process of arranging the signal symbols in a
specific pattern. Line coding introduces redundancy into the data stream for
minimizing errors.
In optical fiber communication, three types of line codes ar eused.
1. Non-return-to-zero (NRZ)
2. Return-to-zero (RZ)
3. Phase-encoded (PE)

Desirable Properties of Line Codes

1. The line code should contain timing information.
2. The line code must be immune to channel noise and interference.
3. The line code should allow error detection and correction.

NRZ Codes
Different types of NRZ codes are introduced to suit the variety of transmission
requirements. The simplest form of NRZ code is NRZ-level. It is a unpolar code i.e. the
waveform is simple on-off type.
When symbol ‗l‘ is to be transmitted, the signal occupies high level for full bit period.
When a symbol ‗0‘ is to be transmitted, the signal has zero volts for full bit period. Fig.
6.2.4 shows example of NRZ-L data pattern.

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Features of NRZ codes

1. Simple to generate and decode.
2. No timing (self-clocking) information.
3. No error monitoring or correcting capabilities.
4. NRZ coding needs minimum BW.

RZ Codes
In unipolar RZ data pattern a 1-bit is represented by a half-period in either first or second
half of the bit-period. A 0 bit is represented by zero volts during the bit period. Fig. 6.2.5
shows RZ data pattern.

Features of RZ codes
1. The signal transition during high-bit period
provides the timing information.
2. Long strings of 0 bits can cause loss of timing
synchronization.

Error Correction
The data transmission reliability of a communication system can be improved by
incorporating any of the two schemes Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) and Forward
Error Correction (FEC).

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In ARQ scheme, the information word is coded with adequate redundant bits so as to
enable detection of errors at the receiving end. It an error is detected, the receiver asks the
sender to retransmit the particular information word.
Each retransmission adds one round trip time of latency. Therefore ARQ techniques are
not used where low latency is desirable. Fig. 6.2.6 shows the scheme of ARQ error
correction scheme.

Forward Error Correction (FEC) system adds redundant information with the original
information to be transmitted. The error or lost data is used reconstructed by using
redundant bit. Since the redundant bits to be added are small hence much additional BW
is not required.
Most common error correcting codes are cyclic codes. Whenever highest level of data
integrity and confidentiality is needed FEC is considered.

Sources of Power Penalty

Optical receiver sensitivity is affected due to several factors combinely e.g. fiber
dispersion, SNR. Few major causes that degrade receiver sensitivity are – modal noise,
dispersive pulse broadening, mode partition noise, frequency chirping, reflection
feedback noise.

Modal Noise

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In multimode fibers, there is interference among various propagating modes which results
in fluctuation in received power. These fluctuations are called modal noise. Modal noise
is more serious with semiconductor lasers.
Fig. 6.2.7 shows power penalty at

BER = 10-12
λ = 1.3 μm
B = 140 mb/sec.
Fiber : GRIN (50 μm)

Dispersive Pulse Broadening

Receiver sensitivity is degraded by Group Velocity Dispersion (GVD). It limits the bit-
rate distance product (BL) by broadening optical pulse.
Inter symbol interference exists due to spreading of pulse energy. Also, decrease in pulse
energy reduces SNR at detector circuit.
Fig. 6.2.8 shows dispersion-induced power penalty of Gaussian pulse of width σλ.

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Mode Partition Noise (MPN)

In multimode fiber various longitudinal modes
fluctuate eventhough intensity remains constant. This creates Mode Partition Noise
(MPN). As a result all modes are unsynchronized and creates additional fluctuations and
reduces SNR at detector circuit.
A power penalty is paid to improve SNR for
achieving desired BER. Fig. 6.2.9 shows power penalty at BER of 10-9 as a function of
normalized dispersion parameter (BLD σλ) for different values of mode partition
coefficient (K). (See Fig. 6.2.9 on next page.)
Frequency Chirping
The change in carrier frequency due to change in
refractive index is called frequency chirping. Because of frequency chirp the spectrum of
optical pulse gets broaden and degrades system performance.
Fig. 6.2.10 shows power penalty as a function of
dispersion parameter BLD σλ for several values of bit period (Btc).

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Reflection Feedback
The light may reflect due to refractive index discontinuities at splices and connectors.
These reflections are unintentional which degrades receiver performance considerably.
Reflections in fiber link originate at glass-air interface, its reflectivity is given by

Where,
nf is refractive index of fiber material
The reflections can be reduced by using index- matching get at interfaces.

Relative Intensity

The output of a semiconductor laser exhibits fluctuations in its intensity, phase and
frequency even when the laser is biased at a constant current with negligible current
fluctuations. The two fundamental nose mechanisms are
i) Spontaneous emission and
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ii) Electron-hole recombination (shot noise)

Noise in semiconductor lasers is dominated by spontaneous emission. Each
spontaneously emitted photon adds to the coherent field a small field component whose
phase is random, and thus deviate both amplitude and phase is random manner. The noise
resulting from the random intensity fluctuations is called
Relative Intensity Noise (RIN). The resulting mean-square noise current is given by :

RIN is measured in dB/Hz. Its typical value for DFB lasers is ranging from -152 to -158
dB/Hz.

Reflection Effects on RIN

The optical reflection generated within the systems is to be minimized. The reflected
signals increase the RIN by 10 – 20 dB. Fig. 6.2.11 shows the effect on RIN due to
change in feedback power ratio.
The feedback power ratio is the amount of optical power reflected back to the light output
from source. The feedback power ratio must be less than – 60 dB to maintain RIN value
less than -140 dB/Hz.

Loss Limited Lightwave Systems

Maximum transmission distance is given by –

Where,
αf is net fiber loss.

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Maximum transmission distance L determines the repeater spacing. It ranges from

10 km to 100 km. Typical value of bit error rate (BER) < 10-9.

a. Dispersion Limited Lightwave System

Fiber dispersion limits the bit-rate distance product BL because of pulse
broadening. When transmission distance is limited due to dispersion it is called
dispersion limited lightwave system.
Dispersion problems can be minimized by using dispersion shifted fibers. The
dispersion shifted fiber offers minimum loss and dispersion at 1.55 μm and
operates at 20 Gb/sec. with repeater spacing at 80 km.
b. Long Haul Systems
Long haul system can transmit optical signal over a great distance with or without
using repeaters. The effect of fiber dispersion is reduced by using fiber dispersion
management.
Performance Limiting Parameters
Performance limiting factors in a fiber-optic link are –
1. Non-linear effects of optical fibers.
2. Self Phase Modulation (SPM).
3. Modulation instability.
4. Polarization Mode dispersion (PMD).
Review Questions
1. Derive the thermal noise characteristic equation.
2. What is the role of preamplifier in optical receiver? Explain in brief different types
of preamplifier available.
3. Comment on overall performance of
i) High-impedance preamplifier.
ii) Low-impedance preamplifier.
iii) Transimpedance preamplifier.
4. Explain the benefits of transimpedance preamplifier.

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5. Explain the following

i) Carrier to noise tatio
ii) Relative intensity noise
iii) Intermodulation distortion
iv) Intermodulation products
v) Composite second order
vi) Composite triple beat
vii) Beat stacking

6. Explain with block diagram elements of analog link. List the signal impairements in analog
systems.
7. Explain the generation of RIN. Give its expression also.
8. Elaborate the important limiting conditions of optical power level. Given their C/N ratios
and show the limitations with suitable sketch.
9. With a neat block diagram explain multichannel amplitude modulation.
10. Explain sub-carrier multiplexing technique in OFC.
11. In an optical fiber communication link, list the different components and their characteristics to
the considered for selecting it.
12. Briefly explain the importance at link power budget. How the loss is calculated, explain with
optical power loss model?
13. Explain the rise-time budget analysis with its basic elements that contributes to system rise
time.
14. What is the significance of system consideration in point - to – point fiber links.
15. When distributed networks are preferred?.
16. Explain commonly used technologies in distributed networks.
17. Explain LAN used in fiber optic communication system.
18. Discuss commonly used topologies used in fiber optic LAN.

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UNIT – 7

SYLLABUS:

WDM CONCEPTS AND COMPONENTS: WDM concepts, overview of WDM operation

principles, WDM standards, Mach-Zehender interferometer, multiplexer, Isolators and
circulators, direct thin film filters, active optical components, MEMS technology, variable
optical attenuators, tunable optical fibers, dynamic gain equalizers, optical drop multiplexers,
polarization controllers, chromatic dispersion compensators, tunable light sources.
6 Hours

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

TEXT BOOKS:

1. Optical Fiber Communication – Gerd Keiser, 4th Ed., MGH, 2008.

2. Optical Fiber Communications– – John M. Senior, Pearson Education. 3rd Impression,
2007.

REFERENCE BOOK:

1. Fiber optic communication – Joseph C Palais: 4th Edition, Pearson education.

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Unit-7

WDM Concepts and Components

Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)

Optical signals of different wavelength (1300-1600 nm) can propagate without

interfering with each other. The scheme of combining a number of wavelengths
over a single fiber is called wavelength division multiplexing (WDM).
Each input is generated by a separate optical source with a unique wavelength. An
optical multiplexer couples light from individual sources to the transmitting fiber.
At the receiving station, an optical demultiplexer is required to separate the
different carriers before photodetection of individual signals. Fig. 7.1.1 shows
simple SDM scheme.

To prevent spurious signals to enter into receiving channel, the demultiplexer must have
narrow spectral operation with sharp wavelength cut-offs. The acceptable limit of
crosstalk is – 30 dB.

Features of WDM
Important advantages or features of WDM are as mentioned below –
1. Capacity upgrade : Since each wavelength supports independent data rate in Gbps.
2. Transparency : WDM can carry fast asynchronous, slow synchronous, synchronous
analog and digital data.

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3. Wavelength routing : Link capacity and flexibility can be increased by using multiple
wavelength.
4. Wavelength switching : WDM can add or drop multiplexers, cross connects and
wavelength converters.

Passive Components
For implementing WDM various passive and active components are required to combine,
distribute, isolate and to amplify optical power at different wavelength.
Passive components are mainly used to split or combine optical signals. These
components operates in optical domains. Passive components don‘t need external
control for their operation. Passive components are fabricated by using optical fibers by planar
optical waveguides. Commonly required passive components are –
1. N x N couplers
2. Power splitters
3. Power taps
4. Star couplers.
Most passive components are derived from basic stat couplers.
Stat coupler can person combining and splitting of optical power. Therefore, star coupler
is a multiple input and multiple output port device.

2 x 2 Fiber Coupler
A device with two inputs and tow outputs is called as 2 x 2 coupler. Fig. 7.1.2 shows 2 x2
fiber coupler.

Fused biconically tapered technique is used to fabricate multiport couplers.

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The input and output port has long tapered section of length ‗L‘.
The tapered section gradually reduced and fused together to form coupling region of
length ‗W‘.
Input optical power : P0.
Throughtput power : P1.
Coupled power : P2.
Cross talk : P3.
Power due to refelction : P4.
The gradual tapered section determines the reflection of optical power to the input port,
hence the device is called as directional coupler.
The optical power coupled from on fiber to other is dependent on-
1. Axial length of coupling region where the fields from fiber interact.
2. Radius of fiber in coupling region.
3. The difference in radii of two fibers in coupling region.

Performance Parameters of Optical Coupler

1. Splitting ratio / coupling ratio

Splitting ratio is defined as –

2. Excess loss:
Excess loss is defined as ratio of input power to the total output power. Excess is
expressed in decibels.

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3. Insertion loss:
Insertion loss refers to the loss for a particular port to port path. For path from
input port I to output port j.

4. Cross talk :
Cross talk is a measure of degree of isolation between input port and power
scattered or reflected back to other input port.

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Example 7.1.1 : For a 2 x 2 fiber coupler, input power is 200 μW, throughput power is 90 μW,
coupled power is 85 μW and cross talk power is 6.3 μW. Compute the performance parameters
of the fiber coupler.

Solution : P0 = 200 μW
P1 = 90 μW
P2 = 85 μW
P3 = 6.3 μW

(For port 0 to port 2)

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Star Coupler
Star coupler is mainly used for combining optical powers from N-inputs and
divide them equally at M-output ports.
The fiber fusion technique is popularly used for producing N x N star coupler.
Fig. 7.1.3 shows a 4 x 4 fused star coupler.

The optical power put into any port on one side of coupler is equally divided among the
output ports. Ports on same side of coupler are isolated from each other.
Total loss in star coupler is constituted by splitting loss and excess loss.

8 x 8 Star Coupler
An 8 x 8 star coupler can be formed by interconnecting 2 x 2 couplers. It requires twelve
2 x 2 couplers.
Excess loss in dB is given as –

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Where
FT is fraction of power traversing each coupler element.
Splitting loss = 10 log N
Total loss = Splitting loss + Excess loss
= 10 (1 – 3.32 log FT)log N

Wavelength converter
Optical wavelength converter is a device that converts the signal wavelength to new
wavelength without entering the electrical domain.
In optical networks, this is necessary to keep all incoming and outgoing signals should
have unique wavelength.
Two types of wavelength converters are mostly used :
1. Optical gating wavelength converter
2. Wave mixing wavelength converter

Passive Linear Bus Performance

For evaluating the performance of linear bus, all the points of power loss are considered.
The ratio (A0) of received power P(x) to transmitted power P(0) is

where,
α is fiber attenuation (dB/km)

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Passive coupler in a linear bus is shown in Fig. 7.1.5 where losses encountered.

The connecting loss is given by –

where,
FC is fraction of optical power lost at each port of coupler.
Tap loss is given by –

where,
CT is fraction of optical power delivered to the port.

The intrinsic transmission loss is given as –

where,
Fi is fraction of power lost in the coupler.
The fiber attenuation between two stations, assuming stations are uniformly separated
by distance L is given by –

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Power budget
For power budget analysis, fractional power losses in each link element is computed. The
power budget analysis can be studied for two different situations.
1. Nearest-neighbour power budget
2. Larget-distance power budget.
1. Nearest-neighbour power budget
Smallest distance power transmission occurs between the adjacent stations e.g. between
station 1 and station 2.
If P0 is optical power launched at station 1 and P1,2 is optical power detected at station 2.
Fractional power losses occurs at following elements.
- Two tap points, one for each station.
- Four connecting points, two for each station.
- Two couplers, one for each station.
Expression for loss between station 1 and station 2 can be written as –

2. Larget distance power budget

Largest distance power transmission occurs between station 1 and station N.
The losses increases linearly with number of stations N.
Fractional losses are contributed by following elements.
- Fiber attenuation loss
- Connector loss
- Coupler throughput loss
- Intrinsic transmission loss
- Tao loss
The expression for loss between station 1 and station N can be written as –

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Example 7.1.3 : Prepare a power budget for a linear bus LAN having 10 stations. Following
individual losses are measured.
Ltap = 10 dB
Lthru = 0.9 dB
Li = 0.5 dB
Lc = 1.0 dB
The stations are separated by distance = 500 m and fiber attenuation is 0.4 dB/km. Couple total
loss in dBs.

Solution : N = 10
L = 500 m = 0.5 km
α = 0.4 dB/km

Star Network Performance

If PS is the fiber coupler output power from source and P is the minimum optical power
required by receiver to achieve specified BER.
Then for link between two stations, the power balance equation is given by –
PS-PR = Lexcess + α (2L) + 2Lc + Lsplit
where,
Lexcess is excess loss for star coupler (Refer equation 7.1.13),
Lsplit is splitting loss for star coupler (Refer equation 7.1.12),
α is fiber attenuation,
L is distance from star coupler,
Lc is connector loss.
The losses in star network increases much slower as compared to passive liner bus. Fig.
7.1.6 shows total loss as a function of number of attached stations for linear bus and star
architectures.

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Photonic Switching
The wide-area WDM networks requires a dynamic wavelength routing scheme that can
reconfigure the network while maintaining its non-blocking nature. This
functionality is provided by an optical cross connect (OXC).
The optical cross-connects (OXC) directly operate in optical domain and can route very
high capacity WDM data streams over a network of interconnected optical path.
Fig, 7.1.7 shows OXC architecture.

Non-Linear Effects

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Non-linear phenomena in optical fiber affects the overall performance of the optical fiber
networks. Some important non-linear effects are –
1. Group velocity dispersion (GVD).
2. Non-uniform gain for different wavelength.
3. Polarization mode dispersion (PMD).
4. Reflections from splices and connectors.
5. Non-linear inelastic scattering processes.
6. Variation in refractive index in fiber.
The non-linear effects contribute to signal impairements and introduces BER.

Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM)

DWDM:
1) DWDM (Dense wavelength – division multiplexing) is a data transmission technology
having very large capacity and efficiency.
2) Multiple data channels of optical signals are assigned different wavelengths, and are
multiplexed onto one fiber.
3) DWDM system consist of transmitters, multiplexers, optical amplifer and demultiplexer.
Fig. 7.2.1 shows typical application of DWDM system.

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4) DWDM used single mode fiber to carry multiple light waves of different frequencies.
5) DWDM systemuses Erbium – Doped Fiber Amplifers (EDFA) for its long haul
applications, and to overcome the effects of dispersion and attenuation channel spacing of 100
GHz is used.

Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZ) Multiplexer

Mach-Zehnder interferometry is used to make wavelength dependent multiplexers. These
devices can be either active or passive.
A layout of 2 x 2 passive MZI is shown in Fig. 7.3.1. It consists of three stages
a) 3-dB splitter
b) Phase shifter
c) 3-dB Combiner.

Initially a 3 dB directional coupler is used to split input signals. The middle stage, in
which one of waveguide is longer by ΔL to given a wavelength dependent phase shift
between the two arms. The third stage is a dB coupler which recombines the signals
atoutput.
Thus input beam is splitted an phase shift it introduced in one of the paths, the
recombined signals will be in phase at one output and out of phase at other
output. The output will be available in only one port. Output powers
The output powers are given by –
Pout, 1 = Eout,1 + E* out,1 … (7.3.1)
Pout, 2 = Eout,2 + E* out,2 … (7.3.2)
The optical output powers are square of respective optical output field strengths.

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The length difference in interferometer arms should be

where,
Δv is frequency separation of two wavelengths
ηeff is effective refractive index in waveguide

Example 7.3.1 : ln 2 x 2 MZIs, the input wavelengths are separated by 10 GHz. The silicon
waveguide has ηeff = 1.5. Compute the waveguide length difference.

Solution : Given : Δv = 10 GHz = 10 x 109 Hz

ηeff = 1.5
The length difference is given by

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Isolator
An isolator is a passive non-reciprocal device. It allows transmission in one direction
through it and blocks all transmission in other direction.
Isolator are used in systems before optical amplifiers and lasers mainly to prevent
reflections from entering these devices otherwise performance will degrade.
Important parameters of an isolator are its insertion loss (in forward direction) and
isolation (in reverse direction). The insertion loss should be as small as possible while
isolation should be as large as possible. The typical insertion loss is around 1 dB and
isolation is around 40 to 50 dB.

Principle of operation
Isolator works on the principle of state of polarization (SOP) of light in a single mode fibers. The
state of polarization (SOP) refers to the orientation of its electric field vector on a plane that is
orthogonal to its direction of propagation. The electric field can be
expressed as linear combination of two orthogonal linear polarization supported by fiber.
These two polarization modes are horizontal and vertical modes. The principle of
operation is illustrated in Fig. 7.4.1.

Let input light signal has vertical state of polarization (SOP) and blocks energy in

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horizontal SOP, The polarizer is followed by Faraday rotator.

Faraday rotator is an asymmetric device which rotates the SOP clockwise by 45 o in both
direction of propagation. The polarizer after Faraday rotator passes only SOPs with 45o
orientation. In this way light signal from left to right is passed through the device without
any loss.
Light entering the device from right due to reflection, with same 45o SOP orientation, is
rotated another 45o by the Faraday and blocked by the next polarizer.

Circulator
A three part circulator is shown in Fig. 7.5.1. Signals of different wavelengths are entered at a
port and sends them out at next port.

All the wavelengths are passed to port-2. If port-2 absorbs any specific wavelength then
remaining wavelengths are reflected and sends them to next port-3.
Circulators are used to implement demultiplexer using ∂ fiber Bragg grating for
extracting a desired wavelength. The wavelength satisfying the Bragg condition of
grating gets reflected and exits at next port. Fig. 7.5.2 illustrates the concept of
demultiplexer function using a fiber grating and an optical circulator. Here, from all the
wavelengths only λ3 is to be extracted.

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The circulator takes four wavelengths λ1, λ2, λ3 and λ4 from input port-1 tunable filter
operates on similar principle as passive devices. It operates over a range of frequencies
and can be tuned at only one optical frequency to pass through it. Fig. 7.6.1 illustrates
concept of tunable filter

The system parameters for tunable optical filters are –

1) Tuning rage (Δv)
2) Channel spacing (δv)
3) Maximum number of channels(N)
4) Tuning speed.

1. Tuning Range (Δv)

The range over which filter can be tuned is called tuning range. Most common
wavelength transmission window is 1300 and 1500 nm, then 25 Hz is reasonable tuning

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range.

2. Channel spacing (δv)

The minimum frequency separation between channels for minimum cross talk. The cross
talk from adjacent channel should be 30 dB fro desirable performance.

3. Maximum number of channels (N)

It is maximum number of equally spaced channels that can be packed into the tuning
range maintain an adequately low level of cross-talk between adjacent channels. It is
defined as the ratio of the total tuning range Δv to channel
spacing δv.

4. Tuning speed
Tuning speed specified how quickly filter can be reset from one frequency to another.

Tunable Filter Types

Tunable filters with fixed frequency spacings with cannel separations that are multiples
of 100 GHz (δv ≤ 100 GHz) are used in WDM systems
1. Tunable 2 x 2 directional couplers
2. Tunable Mach-Zehnder interferometers
3. Fiber Fabry-perot filters
4. Tunalbe waveguide arrays
5. Liquid crystal Fabry-perot filters
6. Tunable multigrating filters
7. Acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTFs)

Dielectric Thin-Film Filter (TFF)

A thin film resonant cavity filter (TFF) is a Fabry-perot interterometer. A cavity is

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formed by using multiple reflective dielectric thin film layers. The TFF works as
bandpass filter, passing through specific wavelength and reflecting all other
wavelengths. The cavity length decides the passing wavelength.
Filter consisting two or more cavities dielectric reflectors is called thin film resonant
multicavity filter (TFMF). Fig. 7.7.1 shows a three cavity thin film resonant dielectric
thin film filter.

For configuring a multiplexer and demultiplexer, a number of such filters can be

cascaded. Each filter passes a different wavelength and reflects other. While
using as demultiplexer, the filter in cascade passes one wavelength and reflects all others
onto second filter. The second filter passes another wavelength and reflects remaining
wavelengths.

Features

1. A very flat top on passband and very sharp skirts are possible.
2. Device is extremely stable in temperature variations.
3. Very low loss.
4. Device is insensitive to polarization of signals.

Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer

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As add/drop multiplexer is essentially a form of a wavelength router with one input port
and one output port with an additional local port where wavelengths are added to/dropped
from incoming light signal. It is an application of optical filter in optical networks.
Fiber grating devices are used for add/drop functions. Many variations of add/drop
element can be realized by using gratings in combination with couplers and circulators.

Tunable Lasers
Tunable light sources are required in many optical networks. Tunable lasers are more
convenient from operational view point because of following advantages –
- Only one transmitter part.
- Independent of operating wavelength
- It reduces number of different parts to be stocked and handled
- Capable of being tuned over 8 nm to 20 wavelengths.
- Wavelength tuning without changing output power.
Different tunable lasers are -
1 Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers
2. Mode locked lasers

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Review Questions
1. With a neat sketch explain WDM scheme.
2. State the significance of passive components in WDM.
3. Explain the construction and working of 2 x 2 fiber coupler.
4. Explain various performance parameters of optical coupler.
5. Explain star coupler used in fiber optics.
6. Briefly discuss DWDM with a simple sketch.
7. Explain MZI multiplexer.
8. Derive an expression for difference in length for MZI multiplexer
9. Explain the need of isolator in optical network. Give its principle of operation
also.
10. Describe the use of circulator in optical system. How demultiplexer can be
implemented using fiber grating and circulator?
11. What is a tunable optical filter?
12. Explain system parameters for tunable optical filter.
13. Explain the construction and application of dielectric thin film filter (TFF).
14. Write a note on optical add/drop multiplexer.
15. Write a note on tunable lasers

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UNIT – 8

SYLLABUS:

OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS AND NETWORKS: optical amplifiers, basic applications and

types, semiconductor optical amplifiers, EDFA. Optical Networks: Introduction, SONET / SDH,
Optical Interfaces, SONET/SDH rings, High – speed light – waveguides.
6 Hours

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

TEXT BOOKS:

1. Optical Fiber Communication – Gerd Keiser, 4th Ed., MGH, 2008.

2. Optical Fiber Communications– – John M. Senior, Pearson Education. 3rd
Impression, 2007.

REFERENCE BOOK:

1. Fiber optic communication – Joseph C Palais: 4th Edition, Pearson Education.

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Unit-8
Optical Amplifier and Networks

Optical Amplifier

Most optical amplifiers amplify incident light through stimulated emission. An optical
amplifier is nothing but a laser without feedback. Optical gain is achieved when the
amplifier is pumped optically or electrically to achieve population inversion. Optical
amplification depends on-
- Frequency (or wavelength) of incident signal.
- Local beam intensity.
Fig. 8.1.1 shows basic operation of optical amplifier.
The external pump source energy is absorbed by the electrons in the active

medium. The electrons shifts to the higher energy level producing population inversion.
Photons of incoming signal triggers these excited electrons to lower level through a
stimulated emission process, producing amplified optical signal.

Amplifier Types
The optical amplifiers can be classified into two main types.
1. Semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA).
2. Doped fiber amplifier (DFA).
Both the types stimulated emission process.

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Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA)

SOA is a Laser diode without end mirrors and with antireflection coating coupled to
bothfiber ends. Light coming in either fiber is amplified by a single pass through the laser
diode. SOA is an alternative to EDFA.
Active medium consists of alloy semiconductor (P, Ga, In, As).
SOA works in both low atte4nuation windows i.e. 1300nm and 1550nm.
The 3dB bandwidth is about 70nm because of very broad gain spectrum.
SOA consumes less power and has fewer components.
Two major types of SOA are –
a. Fabry - perot amplifier (FPA)
b. Travelling wave amplifier (TWA)
SOA has rapid gain response 1 ps to 0.1 ns.

8.3Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA)

Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers:
The active medium in an optical fiber amplifier consists of a nominally 10 to 30 m length
of optical fiber that has been tightly doped with a rare-earth element such as Erbium ( ),
Ytterbium ( ), Neodymium ( ) or Praseodymium ( ). The host fiber material can be either
standard silica, a fluoride-based glass or a multicomponent glass.
The operating regions of these devices depends on the host material and the doping
elements. Flourozirconate glasses doped with or are used for operation in the 1300-nm
window, since neither of these ions can amplify 1300 nm signals when embedded in
silica glass.
The most popular material for long haul telecommunication application is a silica fiber
doped with Erbium, which is known as Erbium-doped fiber amplifier or EDFA.
The operation of an EDFA by itself normally is limited to the 1530 to 1560 nm region.

Features of EDFA
Active medium is created by erbium ( ), ytterbium ( ), neodymium ( ),
praseodymium( ).
DFA can pump device at several different wavelength.
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Low coupling loss.

Constant gain.

Example 8.3.1 :An EDFA amplifier produces = 27 dBm for an in out level of 2 dBm at
1542 nm.

i. Find the amplifier gain.

ii. What is the minimum pump power required ? [Jan./Feb.-2007, 10 Marks]

Solution : i) Amplifier gain

ii) Pump power Pp, in

Therefore minimum pump power should be 27 dBm. … Ans

Optical Networks

Introduction

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SONET (Synchronous Optical Network) is an optical transmission interface originally

proposed by Bellcore and Standardized by ANSI
Important characteristics, similarities and differences between SONET and SDH:
1. SONET is a synchronous network.
2. SDH is also a synchronous network with optical interfaces.
3. SONET is a set of standard interfaces on an optical synchronous network of
elements that conform to these interfaces.
4. SONET interfaces defines all layers, from physical to the application layer.
5. SDH is a set of standard interfaces in a network of elements that conform to these
interfaces.
6. Like SONET, SDH interfaces define all layers, from physical to the application
layer.
The SONET standard addresses the following specific issues:
1. Establishes a standard multiplexing format using any number of 51.84Mbps
signals as building blocks.
2. Establishes an optical signal standard for interconnecting equipment from
different suppliers.
3. Establishes extensive operations, administration and maintenance capabilities as part of
the standard.
4. Defines a synchronous multiplexing format for carrying lower level digital
signals.

Broadband Networks
Fig. 8.4.1 shows SONET/SDH network services. (Refer Fig. 8.4.1 on next page).
Voice, video data, internet and data from LAN‘S, MAN‘S, and MAN‘S will be
transported over a SONET or a SDH network.
The SONET network is also able to transport asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)
payloads. These systems, called broadband can manage a very large aggregate
bandwidth or traffic.

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SONET versus SDH

Some of the technical similarities between SONET and SDH are :
1. Bit rates and frame format organization.
2. Frame synchronization schemes.
3. Multiplexing and demultiplexing rules.
4. Error control.

SONET/SDH Benefits
Advantages are listed below :
1. Reduced cost is lower.
a. Operation cost is lower.
b. Same interface for all vendors
2. Integrated network elements :
a. It allows for multivendor internetworking.
b. It has enhanced network element management.
3. It offers network survivability features.
4. It is compatible with legacy and future networks.

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5. Remote operation capabilities. It is remotely provisioned, tested, inventoried,

customized and reconfigured.

SONET and SDH Rates

The SONET specification defines a hierarchy of standardized digital data rates. SONET
and SDH rates are defined in the range of 51.85 to 9953.28 Mbps and higher rates at 40
Gbps are also under study.

1) Sts-1 = Synchronous transport signal – 1

2) OC = Optical carrier
3) STM = Synchronous transport module
4) ITU-T = International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication
Standardization Sector.
When the SONET signal is in its electrical nature, it is known as synchronous transport
signal level N (STS-N). The SDH equivalent is called synchronous transport module
level N (STM-N).

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After its conversion into optical pulses, it is known as optical carrier level N (OC-N). In
SONET, N takes the value 1, 3, 12, 48 and 192 with corresponding bit rates at 51.48,
155.52, 622.08, 2488.32 and 9953.28 Mbps.

Why use SONET/SDH?

Why glass fiber is better than copper wire? Following are the benefits of glass fiber.
1. Fiber yields thinner cable than copper.
2. Fiber an transmit without repeaters at longer distances as compare with copper.
3. Higher bandwidth per fiber.
4. Lower bit error rate.
5. Higher transmission reliability. Glass fiber is not as susceptible to radio
frequency or EMI as copper wire unless it is shielded and well grounded.
Optical Components
The optical components are
1. Optical transmitter
2. Receiver
3. Fiber medium
4. Optical amplifier

1. Optical transmitter
It is a transducer that converts electricalplses to optical pulses.
The transmitter is characterized by
a) An optical power
b) A rise time
c) Central wavelength
d) Wavelength range
Laser diodes have better controlled parameters, higher optical power, and short times and
therefore are better suited for multi mega bit rates.
Light emitting diodes (LED) transmit a wider band of wavelengths, are more
inexpensive and are better suited for lower bit rates than laser transmitters.

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2. Receiver
It is a transducer that converts optical pulses to electrical ones. Photo detectors can be made
with photo resist material or semiconductors. The response times of these
Technologies are very different.
For multi mega bit rates, detectors must have high optical power sensitivity, very fast
response to a range of wavelengths that matches the range of transmitted wavelengths.

3. Fiber medium
Ultrapure glass fiber is the medium used to guide light pulses. Light pulses are generated by
the transmitter and detected by the receiver.
The motivation to use glass fiber instead of copper wire is that the ability to transport a
higher bit rate signal more reliably, with fewer errors and over a longer distance.

4. Optical amplifier
An optical signal propagating in a fiber will be attenuated. The optical signal must be
amplified to compensate for losses in the fiber.
Amplifying optical signals is a multi step process. Typically, the optical signal is converted
to an electronic signal, then it is amplified, and then it is converted back to
optical. This function is known as regeneration and it is relatively expensive.
Another technique to amplify an optical signal is to use an all optical amplifier (OFA). It
consists of a fiber segment doped with erbium and pumped with light of wavelength at 980 or
1480 nm. This pumping process excites the erbium atoms in the fiber.
When the optical signal with a wavelength in the range of 1530-1565 nm pass through the
fiber, it causes the excited erbium atoms to yield photons of the same wavelength with the
signal. This is known as stimulated emission and the result is more photons out than the
photons in and thus an amplified optical signal.
Amplifiers are of three types :
a) Single wavelength digital amplifiers.
b) Multiwavelength digital amplifiers.
c) Amplifiers for analog applications such as CATV.

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SONET/SDH Network
The SONET/SDH network consists of nodes or network elements (NE) that are
interconnected with fiber cable over which user and network information is
transmitted.Fig. 8.4.2 shows SONET network

SONET NEs may receive signals from a variety of facilities such as DS1, DS3, ATM,
Internet and LAN/MAN/WAN. They also may receive signals from a variety of network
topology.
SONET NEs must have a proper interface to convert the incoming data format into the
SONET format.

Network Topologies
Network falls into three topologies :
1. Ring
2. Mesh
3. Tree

1) Ring topology
1. It consists of NEs interconnected with a dual fiber, the primary and secondary, to form
a ring.
2. When one of these two fibers breaks, the other fiber in the ring is used. This
mechanism provides transmission protection and ring restoration capabilities.

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3. If both fiber break, then the network is reconfigured, forming a ring using both the
primary and secondary. Information flows in all the fibers but the broken ones.
4. Ring topology offers fast path and is widely used in LANs.
5. Fig. 8.4.3 shows ring topology

2) Mesh topology
1) It consists of NEs fully interconnected.
2) When an interconnecting link breaks, the adjacent NE detects the breakage and routes
the traffic to another NE. this mechanism provides transmission protecton and network
restoration capabilities.
3) Fig. 8.4.4 shows mesh topology

4) The mesh topology is better applicable in densely populated.areas

3) Tree topology

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1. it is a hierarchical distribution of NEs and is mostly used in LANs such as

Ethernet.
2. Fig. 8.4.5 shows tree topology

3. A source is connected to a distribution function as a hub, that routes the

packet to its destination node. A connection between source and destination is
established for the duration of the packet through hub.
4. This network is very efficient for asynchronous data transmission but not for
real time data and voice.

SONET Multiplexing

The SONET specification defines a hierarchy of standardized digital data rates. The basic
transmission rate defined in the SDH is 155.52 Mbps and is known as a
synchronous transport module level 1 signal (STM-1). Higher rates of STM-4 (622 Mbps) and
STM-16 (2.4Gbps) are also defined.

In the SONET hierarchy the term synchronous transport signal(STS) or sometimes

optical signal(OC) is used to define the equivalent of an STM signal. An STM-1 signal is
produced by multiplexing three such signals together and hence is equivalent to an STS-
3/OC-3 signal. As with the plesiochronous digital hierarchy (PDH), the STM-1 signal is
comprised of a repetitive set of frames which repeat with a period of 125 microsec. The
information content of each frame can be used to carry multiple 1.5/2/6/34/45 or 140

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Mbps streams. Each of these streams is carried in a different container which also
contains additional stuffing bits to allow for variations in actual rate. To this is added
some control information known as the path overhead which allow such thing as the BER
of the associated container to be monitored on an end-toend basis by network
management.
To provide the necessary flexibility for each higher order signal, in addition to the
overheads at the head of each lower level STM frame, a pointer is used to indicate the
lower level STM frame‘s position within the higher order frame. Multiplexing and
demultiplexing operation is performed by a device known as drop and insert or add drop
multiplexer (ADM).

SONET System Hierarchy

SONET System hierarchy has four layers as mentioned below :
1. Photonic layer : this specifies the types of optical fibers, the minimum
required laser power, sensitivity of the receivers and dispersion characteristics
of lasers. This is the physical layer.
2. Section layer : This Layer generates SONET frames and convert the
electronic signals to photonic signals.

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3. Line layer : This Layer synchronizes and multiplexes the data into SONET
frame.
4. Path layer : This layer performs end to end transport of data at the proper
rate.Fig 8.4.7 shows the system hierarchy of SONET.

A section is the two basic physical building block and represents a single run of optical
cable between two optical fiber transmitter or receivers. For shorter run the cable may run
directly between two end points. For longer distances, repeaters are used. Repeater
amplify the signals.
A line is a sequence of one or more sections such that the internal signal or channel
structure of the signal remains constant. Endpoints and intermediate switches or
multiplexers that may add or drop channels terminate a line.
A path connects to end terminals, it corresponds to an end-to-end circuit. Data are
assembled at the beginning of a path and are not accessed.

SONET/SDH Frame
SONET frame consists of a 810 octets and is transmitted once every 125 μs, for an overall data
of 51.84 Mbps. This frame is STS-1 building blocks. The frame can logically be viewed as a
matrix of 9 rows of 90 octets each, with transmission being one row at a time, from left to right
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and top to bottom. Out of 90 columns (octet), the first three columns are allocated for transport
overhead. (3 octets X 9 rows = 27 octets). Nine octets used for section overhead (3 rows, 3
columns) and 18 octets for line overhead (3
columns, 6 row) total of 27 octets of transport overhead. Fig. 8.4.8 shows frame format.

87 columns and 9 rows i.e. 783 octets are called the synchronous payload enveloper
(SPE). In SPE, 9 bytes (1 column, 9 row) is used for path overhead. SPE contains user
data and path overhead. Path overhead used for maintenance and diagnostics at each of
the circuit. Fig. 8.4.9 shows the arrangement of path overhead octets. This format is
general format for higher rate frames.

SONET offers a standard drop-and-insert capability and it applies not just to 64 kbps
channels but to higher data rates as well. SONET makes use of a set of printers that locate
channels within a payload and the entire payload within a frame.

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Then information can be inserted, accessed and removed with a simple adjustment of
pointers. Pointer information is contained in the path overhead that refers to the multiplex
structures of the channels contained within the payload. A pointer in the line overhead
serves a similar function for the entire payload. The synchronous payload environment
(SPE) of an STS-1 frame can float with respect to the frame. The actual payload (87
columns X 9 rows) can straddle two frames. Fig. 8.4.10 shows location of SPE in STS-1
frame. The H1 and H2 octets in the line overhead indicate the start if the payload.

Because even the best atomic timing sources can differ by small amounts, SONET is
faced with coping with the resulting timing differences. Each node must recalculate the
pointer to alert the next receiving node of the exact location of the start of the payload.
The payload is allowed to slip through an STS-1 frame, increasing or decreasing the
pointer value at intervals by one byte position. If the payload is higher than the local STS
frame, rate, the pointer is decreased by one octet position so that the next payload will
begin one octet sooner than the earlier payload.
To prevent the loss of an octet on the payload that is thus squeezed, the H3 octet is used
to hold the extra octet for that one frame. If the payload rate lags behind the frame rate,
the insertion of the next payload is delayed by one octet.

Virtual Tributaries (VT)

VTs are small containers that are used to transport used payloads. In SDH, these small
containers are called virtual containers.
VTs come in certain predetermined capacities.
1. A VT with a 3 column capacity, or a total of 27 bytes, is known as VT1.5.
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2. A VT with a 4 column capacity, or a total of 36 bytes, is known as VT2.

3. A VT with a 6 column capacity, or a total of 54 bytes, is known as VT6.
4. A VT with a 12 column capacity, or a total of 108 bytes, is known as VT12.

Fig. 8.4.11 shows a virtual tributaries.

In SDH, a VT1.5called a TU-11, a VT2 is called a TU-12 and a VT6 is called a TU-2.
The following table lists detail sof all VTs and payload rates.

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overhead Definition

Section overhead : SONET

The first three rows of the overhead space in an STS-1 frame, a total of 9bytes carry
synchronization and section overhead information.
Fig. 8.4.12 shows STS-1 section overhead.

The first two bytes of an STS-1 frame contain a fixed pattern, known as A1 and A2. This
pattern, OXF628 or in binary 1111 0110 0010 is used by the receiver to detect the
beginning of the frame and thus synchronize with it.
The remaining 7 bytes in this overhead section are :

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1. A1 and A2 contain a fixed framing pattern and are set at the hexadecimal value
OXF628 (1111 0110 0010 1000). A1 and A2 are not scrambled.
2. C1 is the STS-1 ID and is defined for each STS-1.
3. B1 is a byte used for error monitoring.
4. E1 is a 64 kbps voice communication channel for craft personnel.
5. F1 is used by the section.
D1 to D3 constitute a 192 kbps communication channel between STEs. This channel is
used for alarms, maintenance control, monitoring, administration and other
communication needs.
In an STS-N signal, this channel is defined for the first STS-1 only. The other N-1
channels are not used.

Line Overhead : SONET

Rows 4-9 or a total of 45 bytes, carry the line overhead information and shown in
fig.8.4.13.
These bytes are defined as follows.
1. H1 and H2 define the offset between the pointer and first SPE byte.
2. H3 defines an action byte for frequency, justification purposes. It carries valid
payload if the justification is negative.
3. BIP-8 is used for locating errors.
4. K1 and K2 are used for automatic protection switching. In STS-N this is defined
for #1 only.
5. D4 and D12 constitute a 576 kbps communication channel between line terminal
equipment for alarms, maintenance, control, monitoring, administration and other
communication needs.
6. Z1 and Z2 are not defined. In STS-N this is defined for #3. Z2 is only defined as line
for end block error.
7. E2 is an express 64 kbps communications channel between LTE. In STS-N this is
defined for #1 only.

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Section Overhead : SDH

The first three rows of the overhead space are called the regenerator section overhead
(RSOH), the fourth row is called the administrative unit pointer, and the remaining five
rows are called the multiplex section overhead (MSOH).
The first 2 bytes of the RSOH contain a fixed pattern, known as A1 and A2. This pattern ,
OXF628 or in binary 1111 0110 0010 1000 is used by the receiver to detect the beginning
of the frame.

Payload Pointers
Fig 8.4.14 shows the payload pointers. The two pointers, bytes H1 and H2, contain the
actual pointer value. Bytes H1 and H2 contain much more information than a value

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The first 4 most significant bits in H1 byte are known as the new data found (NDF) flag.
The NDF may be ―normal =0110‖ or ―set = 1001‖.
The next 2 bits are known as the S-bits and indicate the size of the virtual tributary in the
payload.
The last 2 least significant bits of the H1 and the 8-bits of the H2 define two bit
alternating S-bit words.
The I and D are used for incrementing or decrementing the offset.
Although pointer bytes H1 and H2define an offset value, the third pointer, byte H3 does
not contain an actual pointer value.
Fig. 8.4.15 shows pointer H3.

Functions of the H1, H2 and H3 bytes

1. Identifies that a change has occurred in the pointer value (NDF = 1001) due to an
intermittent synchronization change in the node and where the new start is (I + D
bits).
2. Identifies that a change may have occurred in the pointer value (0110) due to a
frequency difference between node and incoming frequency.
3.The bits that contain the pointer values I and D, indicate whether negative or
positive frequency justification is necessary.

Frequency Justification
When the frame rate of the STE SPE is the same as the transport overhead, the alignment
of the SPE is the same as in the previous frame. This is known as no justification.

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When the frame rate of the STE SPE is less than the transport overhead (OH), the
alignment of the SPE is skipped back by a byte. This is known as positive justification.
When the frame rate of the STE SPE is higher than the transport OH, the alignment of the
SPE is advanced by a byte. This is known as negative justification.
Fig. 8.4.16 shows no frequency justification.

Example : Consider that the H1, H2 and H3bytes are as in Fig. 8.4.16. In this case, the
H1 and H2 contain a NDF value of 0110, indicating that no change in the pointer has
occurred. The I and D bits have not been inverted indicating no justification. The I, D
value is set to 00 0010 1101 = 45. The H3 byte is 00000000.
Fig. 8.4.17 shows the positive justification.

H1, H2 = 0110 0010 1000 0101

H3 = 00000000
X = 1-bits inverted
Next frame (n+1) :
Pnew = P + 1
Or H1, H2 = 0110 0000 0010 1110

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H3 = 00000000

Scrambling
When the complete frame has been assembled, the bytes in it are scrambled. Scrambling
is performed to assure the receiver that a density of 1‘s is maintained in the signal.
The A1, A2 and C1 bytes are not scrambled and the scrambling process begins with the
byte right after C1. This is shown in Fig.8.4.18. this applies to both SONET and SDH.

STS-N scrambler
With respect to the scrambler the following rules apply :
1. The scrambling code is generated by the polynomial 1+ + .
2. The scrambler is frame synchronous at the line rate (STS-N) and it has a sequence
length of 127 bits.
3. The scrambler is set to 11111111 on the MSB of the byte following the Nth STS-
1 C4 byte.
4. The framing bytes A1, A2 and the C1 from the first STS-1 through the Nth STS-1are
not scrambled.
5. The scrambler runs continuously throughout the complete STS-N frame.

Layered Overhead and Transport Functions

The functional sequence that takes place, for example, from a DS1 signal to a SONET
signal, can be summarized as follows :

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1. The incoming DS1 signal at the path layer is mapped onto a VT.
2. The VT is mapped onto the SPE and the SPE path overhead is also constructed.
3. The SPE is mapped onto the SONET signal and the line overhead information is
added.
4. The signal is mapped onto the STS-N signal and the section overhead information
is added. At this point the complete STS SONET signal is formed and the signal is
scrambled.
5. The signal passes through the electrical to optical transducer and the optical
signal with a NRZ optical coding is coupled into the optical fiber in which it travels at the
speed of light.
7. Fig. 8.4.19 shows the above process.

Applications
1. High speed backbone networks.
2. Basic architecture for B-ISDN .
3. Basic architecture for ATM.
4. High speed optical network for data communication.

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Distributed Networks
Distributed networks are preferred when data is to be transmitted to a group of
subscribers. The transmission distance is relatively short (< 50 km).Examples of
distributed networks are – broadcast of video channels over cable TV, telephone
and FAX, commonly used topologies for distributed networks are –
1. Hub topology
2. Bus topology

1. Hub topology
In hub topology channel distribution takes at hubs or central locations. Hub facilitates the
cross-connect switched channels in electrical domain. Fig. 8.5.1 shows hub topology

2. Linear bus topology

Linear bus configuration is similar to Ethernet topology using co-axial cable. Fig.8.5.2
shows linear bus configuration.

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A single fiber cable carries the multichannel optical signal throughout the area of service.
Distribution is done by using optical taps which divert a small fraction of optical power
to each situation.
A problem with bus topology is that the signal loss increases exponentially with number
of taps for stations. This limits the number of stations or subscribers that can be served by
a single optical fiber bus.
Use of optical amplifiers can boost the optical power of bus and therefore large number
of stations can be connected to linear bus as long as the effect of fiber dispersion is
negligible.

Local Area Networks (LAN)

Many applications of fiber optic communication technology require networks in which a
large number of users within local campus are interconnected in such a way that any user
can access the network randomly to transit data to any other user. Such networks are
called Local area networks (LANs).
Fiber optic cables are used in implementation of networks. Since the transmission
distance is relatively short (less than 10 km), fiber losses are not at much concern for
LAN applications. Use of fiber optic offers a large bandwidth.
The commonly used topologies for LANs are –
1. Ring topology
2. Star topology

1. Ring topology
In ring topology consecutive nodes are connected by point-to-point links to form a closed
ring. Fig.8.6.1 shows ring topology.

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Each node can transmit and receive data by using a transmitter receiver pair. A token
(predefined bit sequence) is passed around the ring. Each node monitors the bit stream to
listen for its own address and to receive the data.
The use of ring topology for fiber optic LANs is known as fiber distributed data interface
(FDDI). FDDI operates at 100 Mb/s with multimode fibers. It can provide backbone
services e.g. interconnection of lower speed LAN.

2. Star topology
In star topology, all nodes are connected through point-to-point link to central node called a hub.
Fig. 8.6.2 shows star topology.

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LANs in star topology can further be classified into active star networks and passive star
networks depending on whether the central hub is active or passive device.

Measurements in OFC

Attenuation Measurements
Signal attenuation is one of the most important properties of an optical fiber because it
mainly determines the maximum repeaterless separation between transmitter and
receiver. As the repeaters are expensive to fabricate, install and maintain, therefore fiber
attenuation has large influence on system cost and equally important in signal distortion.
The distortion mechanism in a fiber cause optical signal pulses to border as they travel
along a fiber. When these pulses travel sufficiently far, they eventually overlap with
neighbouring pulses creating errors in receiver output. This signal distortion mechanism
limits the information carrying capacity of fiber.
For determining attenuation in fibers three major techniques are used.
1. Cutback technique
2. Insertion loss method
3. OTDR trace.

Cutback technique
Cutback technique is a destructive method of measuring attenuation. It requires access to
both ends of fiber as shown in Fig. 8.7.1.

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Firstly, the optical power is measured at the output (far end) of fiber. Then without
disturbing the input condition, the fiber is cut-off few meters from the source and output
power at near end is measured.
Let PF and PN are the output powers at far end and near ends of fiber respectively. Then
attenuation in dB per kilometer is given by expression.

Where

L is separation length of two measurement poit (in km).

Dispersion measurement

An optical signal gets distorted as it travels down the fiber due to three basic forms of
dispersion, that limits the information carrying capacity.
There are different methods to measure the dispersions effects. Suc as : intermodal
dispersion in time domain, intermodal dispersion in frequency domain, chromatic
dispersion and polarization mode dispersion.

Time-domain Intermodal Dispersion Measurements

Time-domain intermodal dispersion measurement involves injecting a narrow pulse of
optical energy into one end of an optical fiber and detect the broadened output-pulse at
the other end. Thest set up for this measurement is shown in the Fig. 8.7.2

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Eye pattern
Eye pattern method is a measuring techniques for assessing the data handling ability of
digital transmission system. The eye-pattern measurements are made in time domain and
allow the effects of waveform distortion to observe on oscilloscope. Fig. 8.7.3 shows test
setup for making eye diagram measurement.

To measure performance of system various word patterns must be provided Various

measurement from eye pattern can be done are –
i) Noise margin
ii) Timing jitter
iii) Rise time
iv) Non linearity of channel

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A simplified eye diagram showing key performance parameters is illustrated in fig. 8.7.4

The display pattern formed can be understood by considering 8 combinations of 3-bit

long NRZ code. The 8 patterns are superimposed simultaneously forming an eye pattern.
Fig. 8.7.5 shows 8 possible 3-bit long NRZ combinations of pulses with moderate rise
and fall times.

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Recommended Questions

Optical Amplifier

1. Explain various performance parameters of optical coupler.

2. Describe the operation of optical amplifer.
3. Expalin following LAV topologies in optical networks –
a) Linear bus b) Ring topology c) Star topology
4. Give nearest neighbor budget for linear bus topology.
5. Explain comparative performance of star and linear bys network.
6. List the non-linear effects in fiber optic communications.

SONET/SDH

1. Review the similarities and differences between SONET and SDH.

2. What is the OC-3 bit rate and what is STM-1 bit rate?
3. Why to use SONET/SDH?
4. Explain the components of optical.
5. What is the difference between a regenerator and an optical amplifier?
6. Explain the different types of network topologies.
7. Review the STS-N bit rates.
8. What is a path?
9. What is a line?
10. What is a section?
11. What are virtual tributaries?
12. Explain the section overhead of SONET.
13. What are payload pointers?

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