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227-0301-00L 6 Credits MSC D-MAVT , D-MATH , D-PHYS , D-ERDW , D-ITET

Optical Communication Fundamentals

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Juerg Leuthold
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:42

Abstract

This lecture deals with the fundamentals of optical and wireless communications. The lecture thereby follows the path of a signal from the transmitter, through the channel to the receiver. We will cover both the physics of the hardware as well as the algorithm and digital signal processing steps. Fundamental communications theoretical aspects will be covered.

Objective

An in-depth understanding on how information is transmitted from source to destination will be conveyed. The mathematical framework to simulate a channel, its noise and to estimate the quality of a signal will be dealt with. It is the bigger goal of the lecture that students can attend any advanced lecture in communications after having attended this lecture.

Content

* Chapter 1: Introduction: - Analog/Digital conversion, - sampling theorem, - the communication channel, - Shannon channel capacity, - Capacity requirements of applications * Chapter 2: The Transmitter: - Components of a transmitter, - Lasers, - The spectrum of a signal, - digital- and analog modulation, - Optical modulators, - Modulation formats. * Chapter 3: The Optical Fiber Channel: - Geometrical optics, - The wave equations in a fiber, - Fiber modes, Fiber propagation, - Fiber losses, - Nonlinear effects in a fiber. * Chapter 4: The Receiver: - Photodiodes, - Receiver noise (shot noise, thermal noise,..) - Detector schemes (direct detection, coherent detection), - Bit-error ratios and error estimations, error vector magnitudes * Chapter 5: Digital Signal Processing Techniques: - Digital signal processing in a coherent receiver (timing estimation, phase estimation, frequency estimation) - Error detection techniques, - Error correction coding. * Chapter 6: Pulse Shaping and Multiplexing Techniques: - WDM/FDM, - TDM, - OFDM, - Nyquist Multiplexing, - OCDMA. * Chapter 7: Optical Amplifiers: - Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers, - Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers, - Raman Amplifiers. - The noise figure of an amplifier

Resources

Lecture Notes

A fully elaborated set of lecture notes will be handed out - that might serve as a reference for future use.

Literature

Govind P. Agrawal; "Fiber-Optic Communication Systems"; Wiley, 2010

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 30 minutes

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Optical Communication Fundamentals No time listed 2 h weekly
exercise Optical Communication Fundamentals No time listed 1 h weekly
practical/laboratory course Optical Communication Fundamentals No time listed 1 h weekly

Offered In

  • Computational Science and Engineering Master
  • Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Master
    • 01 - Courses of specializations
      • Track: Electronics and Photonics (The core courses and specialisation courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialise in the area of "Electronics and Photonics", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
        • Core Courses (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Electronics and Photonics". You may choose core courses form other fields in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained from core courses during the MSc EEIT.)
      • Track: Communication (The core courses and specialisation courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialise in the area of "Communication", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
        • Specialisation Courses (These specialisation courses are particularly recommended for the area of "Communication", but you are free to choose courses from any other field in agreement with your tutor. Semester / Research Projects are not allowed in this category. A minimum of 40 credits must be obtained from specialisation courses during the Master's Programme.)
        • Core Courses (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Communication". You may choose core courses form other fields in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained from core courses during the MSc EEIT.)
  • Physics Master
    • Electives
      • General Electives (Students may choose General Electives from the entire course programme of ETH Zurich - with the following restrictions: courses that belong to the first or second year of a Bachelor curriculum at ETH Zurich as well as courses from GESS "Science in Perspective" are not eligible here. The following courses are explicitly recommended to physics students by their lecturers. (Courses in this list may be assigned to the category "General Electives" directly in myStudies. For the category assignment of other eligible courses keep the choice "no category" and take contact with the Study Administration ( ) after having received the credits.))
  • Quantum Engineering Master
    • Core Courses (A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained from core courses during the MSc QE, course selection is subject to the tutor's agreement.)
      • Engineering Core Courses (These core courses target students with a physics background and all those who need additional engineering foundations.)
  • Space Systems Master