Fiber-optic, point-to-point telecommunication systems are used as a framework to understand the wide array of fiber-optic telecom technologies, including light sources, optical fiber, and photoreceivers. An emphasis on the nature & behavior of optical signals provides insight into these technologies and into the important fiber-channel impairments of attenuation and dispersion. Fundamental concepts and state-of-the-art advances of these technologies are covered, as well as component-level and system-level analysis.

This course provides extensive hands-on experience with key technologies used within fiber-optic telecommunication systems, including optical fiber, laser diodes, light-emitting diodes, photodiodes, and pluggable transceivers, as well as key diagnostics such as power meters, oscilloscopes, optical time-domain reflectometers, and optical spectrum analyzers. Students will be trained in laser safety, ESD safety, and fiber-connector inspection, and will develop a broad understanding of fiber-optic test and measurement including transmitter & receiver characterization as well as measuring the fiber-channel impairments of attenuation and dispersion.

This course covers the test & measurement of fiber-optic components & diagnostics, including: time-based, frequency-based, polarization-based measurement of optical & electro-optic components; test-station design, specification, activation, calibration, and usage; reliability testing & industry test standards; optical-waveguide coupling; design & analysis of diagnostics; polarization generation, manipulation, and detection; data acquisition & analysis.

This course begins the work on a previously approved thesis proposal and culminates upon successful investigation of the chosen research topic and scholarly development of initial data and results that show likelihood of successful completion of the thesis. The thesis advisor will specify the documentation and presentation needed to satisfy requirements for this course. The MSTET graduate thesis, delivered after subsequently completing TCET-790 Thesis, is a document that describes and presents the results of scholarly research in the field of telecommunications. The results of a MSTET graduate thesis provide new knowledge, processes, software or other assets that advance the state of the art of telecommunications, even in a modest way. (Department consent required)

This course continues research work started in TCET-788 Thesis Planning after completion of that initial research and documentation. The MSTET graduate thesis is a document that describes and presents the results of scholarly research in the field of telecommunications. The results of a MSTET graduate thesis provide new knowledge, processes, software or other assets that advance the state of the art of telecommunications, even in a modest way. (Department consent required)

The MSTET graduate project describes and presents the results of scholarly research in the field of telecommunications. The results of a MSTET graduate project provide new knowledge, processes, software, or other assets that advance the state of the art of telecommunications or organize or implement existing knowledge in a unique and useful way. Department permission is required.