Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description This module will provide the students with knowledge, skills, competencies, and understanding of the telecommunications landscape and the role, photonic technologies play in the operation of the heterogenous broadband networks. Building on the fundamental knowledge on optical communications, a deep insight into the requirements, both from a technology and business/cost point of view, of different network segments and how these are met will be introduced. A series of case scenarios will be presented, providing the students with a practical knowledge of network design, operation and performance metrics. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate mastery and detailed appreciation of the theoretical founding principles and current implementation of optical communications. 2. Identify and categorise the constraints set by various optical network segments 3. Analyse the role of photonic technologies in each of the network segments. 4. Calculate the performance metrics and analyse reasons for system performance degradation in different sectors. 5. Evaluate potential optical network evolution paths/technology roadmaps 6. Specify mechanisms to deal with the trade-off between the spectral efficiency and transmission distance as applied to various sectors of the network. 7. Conduct literature searches, abstract and summarize relevant techniques in photonic applications, and demonstrate scientific report writing at a master’s level. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Review of fundamentals of optical communications Fibre transmission; photonic components: lasers, photoreceivers, amplifiers; modulation methods and formats; detection methods Core and metro networks Spectral efficiency and transmission distance limitations, WDM, UWDM and elastic optical networks, interface with higher network layers Access networks Fixed and wireless networks requirements and architectures, coexistence of different access methods on the same infrastructure, data centre interconnects Advanced and emerging photonic technologies Photonic integrated circuits (PICs), Silicon photonics, hybrid integration, novel optical amplifiers and transmission windows, spatial division multiplexing Photonics sensing and imaging Fibre sensing: Stress, strain, temperature, pressure, distance measurements, LiDAR, gas sensing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles: None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||