Optical Communication Unit - VII

UNIT 7
1. Discuss about the choice of different components in designing an optical
fiber link. Discuss the shortcomings of decency of each component.

Ans:
The system designer has many choices when selecting components for an optical fiber
system. The major components choices are,

(i) Optical Fiber Type and Parameters

Multimode or single mode, size, refractive index, attenuation, dispersion,
mode coupling, strength, joints etc.

(ii) Source Type

Laser or LED, optical power launched into the fiber, rise and fall time,
stability etc.,

(iii) Transmitter Configuration

Design for digital or analog, input impedance, supply voltage, dynamic
range, feedback etc.

(iv) Detector Type and Characteristics

p-n, p-i-n or avalanche photodiode, response time, active diameter, bias
voltage, dark current etc.

(v) Receiver Configuration

Preamplifier design, BER, SNR, range etc.

(vi) Modulation and Coding

Source intensity modulation, pulse frequency modulation, PWM and PPM
transmission.

(vii) Digital transmission or analog transmission such as biphase scheme and FM

respectively. These decisions will be taken depending on the system performance,
ready availability of suitable components and cost.

The shortcomings of the components can be mentioned as follows,

(i) LED may appear ideally suitable for analog transmission most of the LED display
some degree of non-linearity in their output.
(ii) The thermal behavior of LED and Lasers can limit their operation. Significant
increase in junction temperature may cause loss of lasing and reduction in optical
output power.

(iii) Finite spectral width can cause pulse broadening due to material dispersion on an
optical fiber communication link.

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 Optical Communication Unit - VII

2. Discuss system considerations in point-to-point optical link.

Ans:
Point-to-Point Link
It has transmitter at one end and the receiver at the other end. The components must be
carefully chosen to ensure the desired performance level and can be maintained for the expected
system life time.

Simplex Point-to-Point Link

Figure represents the block diagram of a simplex point-to-point link. The three major
optical links building blocks are,
(i) Transmitter
(ii) Receiver and
(iii) Optical fiber.

The characteristics of transmitter and receiver are given the first priority and then the
characteristic of optical fiber is considered to meet the system performance requirements.
Optical sources (such as LED or LASER) are used based on the following characteristics.
(i) Signal dispersion
(ii) Data rate
(iii) Transmission distance and cost.
The characteristics of photo detector such as,
(i) Responsivity
(ii) Operating wavelength
(iii) Speed and
(iv) Sensitivity.
The choice of optical fiber in single mode and multimode (step or graded index) depends on the
light source used and the amount of dispersion.

3. Give an account of fiber optic link power budget with an example.

Ans:
The power budget determines, whether the fiber optic link meets the attenuation
requirements or amplifiers are needed to boost the power level. It also determines the power
margin between the optical transmitter output and the minimum receiver sensitivity needed to
establish a specific Bit Error Rate (BER).

Figure shows the power loss model for a point-to-point link. In addition to losses, a link
power margin is provided in the analysis to allow for component aging, temperature fluctuation
and losses arising from components that might be added in future.

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The link loss budget considers the total optical power loss PT that allowed between the
light source and photo detector. This loss is allocated to cable attenuation, connector loss,
splicing loss and system margin. The total power loss in the link is given by,

=2 System margin
Where,
Ps = Optical power emerging from the end of a fiber fly lead.
PR = Receiver sensitivity
lc = Connector loss
αf = Fiber attenuation in dB/km
L = Transmission distance.
A margin of 6 to 8 dB is generally used for systems which do not have additional
components incorporated into the link in future.

4. Write short notes on system considerations in the design of a fiber optic

link.
Ans:
The design of an optical fiber link involves many considerations regarding the
fiber, source and photo detector operation and performance characteristics. Expected life time
with performance and cost constrains were considered while designing a fiber link. The system
considerations are choosing the transmitting wave length and components that operates in this
region. The wavelength range 800-900 nm is chosen for shorter distances and 1300-1550 nm for
longer distances with low attenuation and dispersion.
Next, we consider receiver, transmitter and implement them on a fiber to check whether
the desired performance characteristics are obtainable or not. We first select a photo detector. In
doing so, we should determine the minimum detectable optical power in order to satisfy Bit Error
Rate at specified data rate. Cost and complexity are also considered here. The systems
considerations with cheap and less complex one is preferred. P-i-n diodes are used as they are
simple, high temperature tolerance, less bias voltages. APD's are used to detect low power levels
which are not done by P-i-n.

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 Optical Communication Unit - VII

Next, we choose the transmitting elements. While choosing LED or laser, we should
consider data rate, dispersion, cost, and transmission distances. Laser provides the advantage of
longer repeater less transmission distance and low dispersion. LED's offer low cost and simpler
circuitry.
Next we have to choose an optical fiber that may be single mode or multimode with step or
graded index core. The choice is made depending on dispersion tolerance and type of source.
Edge emitting LED's along with single mode fiber launches sufficient power and support
transmission data rates >500 Mbps. LED's can be used with multimode fibers.
While choosing attenuation characteristics of fiber, we should consider cabling process
loss, and fiber attenuation, connector loss, splice loss and losses due to atmospheric conditions
also.
After considering a system satisfying above conditions, the "Link power Budget" and "Rise time
budget" techniques are used to ensure the desired performance characteristics are met or not.

5. List the estimates and conclusions possible from transmission distance

versus bit rate plot for the given wavelength LED-PIN diode combination.
Ans:
The plot of transmission distance Vs the bit rate for a short wavelength (800-900 nm)
LED-PIN diode combination is shown in below figure

The above plot shows the limitation of attenuation and dispersion on transmission
distance as a function of data rate. The Bit Error Rate (BER) is considered to be 10-9 for all the
cases. The fiber-coupled LED output power is taken as -13 dBm for all data rates up to 200
Mbps. The attenuation limit curve is drawn by taking a fiber loss of 3.5 dB/km. We include 1 dB
connector coupling loss at both ends and a system margin 6 dB. We consider material dispersion
to be 3.5 ns/km with 50 nm spectral width. From above figure it is clear that a data rate of 40
Mbps over which the transmission distance is attenuation limited and below which the
transmission distance is material dispersion limited.

Suppose, take a data rate of 200 Mbps, the attenuation is 3 km x 3.5 dB/km = 10.5 dB and
dispersion is, 2 km x 3.5 ns = 7 ns, the transmission distance is just 2 km. Now, consider a data
rate of 2 Mbps, the attenuation is 10 km x 3.5 dB/km = 35 dB and dispersion is almost '0'. The
transmission distance is 10 kms.

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 Optical Communication Unit - VII

From the above two estimations we conclude that higher data rates can be transmitted to a
smaller distance with less attenuation and high dispersion while, lower data rates (2 Mbps) can
be transmitted up to a larger distance of 10 km with high attenuation and no dispersion. If we
choose an optimum data rate of 20 Mbps, the attenuation and dispersion are high and can be used
for optimum transmission distance.

6. Discuss the difference between dispersion limited and an attenuation

limited fiber optic link.

Ans:
Dispersion Limited Fiber Optic Link Attenuation Limited Fiber Optic Link
1. When the data rates are higher than 40 Mbps, 1. When the data rates are lower than 40 Mpbs,
the transmission distance is limited by dispersion the transmission distance is limited by attenuation
parameter. parameter.
2. In this, there is no effect of attenuation losses. 2. In this, there is no effect of dispersion.

3. In this, losses are occurred due to increase 3. In this, losses are produced due to the
pulse width, which in turn results in overlapping absorption by fiber, material imperfections, and
fiber bents.
with neighboring pulses.
4. The attenuation limit curve has a negative slope
4. This limit is taken at a distance at which because the minimum optical power at receiver
tmat is 70% of a bit duration. increases with increasing data rates at a constant
BER.
5. Rise time budget analysis is a good method for 5. Link power budget is a convenient method to
calculating the dispersion limitation of an calculate attenuation limitation of an optical fiber
optical fiber link. link.

7. Describe the procedure to determine the maximum allowed NRZ or RZ

data rate on a given fiber optic link.

Ans:
The procedure which is followed to determine the maximum allowed NRZ or RZ data
rate on a given fiber optic link is described below.

1. Initially, calculate the source rise time (rrs), inter modal dispersion rise time (tmod), intra modal
pulse broadening rise time (rmat) and detector rise time (rrd) by using given data.

2. Then, calculate the total system rise time (tsys ) using below formula as,
⁄

3. In the rise time calculations involving optical fiber systems, the constant 0.35is often utilized.
Hence,

0.35
Where, τ = Pulse duration.

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Optical Communication Unit - VII

4. For an RZ pulse format, the bit rate B = 1/τ and the expression for maximum allowed RZ data
rate of a given fiber optic link is given by,
.

5. For NRZ pulse format, the BT = B/2 = (1/2τ) and the expression for maximum allowed NRZ
data rate of given fiber optic link is given by,
.

6. In a RZ pulse format, the upper limit on tsys should be less than 35% of the bit interval. In a
NRZ pulse format, the upper limit on tsys should be less than 70% of the bit interval.

8. Discuss the effect of mode mixing factor on modal dispersion for calculating
the maximum allowable transmission data rate in a fiber optic link.

Ans:
Information is carried by light in an optical fiber, which is injected into
optical fiber cable by optical Source in the form of many individual modes. These individual
modes do not travel throughout the fiber instead, they transfer large energy to their adjacent
modes. This type of mode conversion is known as mode coupling or mode mixing. This mode
mixing factor affects the propagation characteristics in many ways, the major one is related to
dispersive properties of fibers.

The sensitivity of the receiver reduces due to pulse broadening (by dispersion) caused due
to finite bandwidth. This leads to increase in bit error rate and Inter Symbol Interference (ISI).
Equalization phenomenon compensates above loss at receiver. This is known as dispersion-
equalization or ISI penalty (D L ).

dB, given by Gaussian pulses.

Te = 1/e full width pulse broadening due to dispersion.

T = Bit period.

But, for Gaussian pulses.

Te = 2 √2

2 2 √2
Where, BT σ = r.m.s pulse width.

Pulse broadening is caused due to intermodal and/or intramodal dispersion. Multimode fibers
exhibit considerable intermodal (modal) dispersion. We know pulse broadening (Intermodal) is
proportional directly to length 'L' of fiber.

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Optical Communication Unit - VII

The presence of mode coupling (or) mixing along with intermodal dispersion slows the rate
at which pulse broadening increases with length 'L'.
At lower bit rates, the effect of mode mixing on the dispersion-equalization penalty is
almost negligible. At higher bit rates, mode mixing factor controls the dispersion-equalization
penalty, in fact it reduces the penalty. It-also increases the repeater spacing. Hence, maximum
allowable bit-rate is obtained by providing desired bandwidth. In order to obtain desired
bandwidth, the pulse broadening should be reduced. As the mode coupling factor reduces the
dispersion equalization penalty, pulse broadening (due to modal dispersion) is also reduced.
Thus, maximum allowable bit rate is attained using mode mixing effect on modal dispersion.

9. The rise times for various components of intensity modulated fiber optic
link are listed below. Determine if these specifications support a 5 km repeater
less fiber optic link with 6 MHz optical bandwidth.

Rise time of LED transmitter electronics = 10 ns

Inter-modal dispersion induced = 8ns/km

Intra-modal dispersion induced = 2ns/km

Rise time of Detector and receiver electronics = 3ns

Ans:
Given that,

Optical bandwidth = 6 Mhz

Length of the fiber optic link = 5 km

trise = 10 ns

tinter = 8 ns/km

tinter = 5 x 8 ns = 40 ns for 5 km

tintra = 2 ns/km = 10 ns for 5 km

tr = 3 ns

Now,

10 10 40 10 10 10 3 10 42.5

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Optical Communication Unit - VII

We know that maximum rise time of system is,

.
58.6

42.5 58.6

Hence, the given specifications give a system rise time that satisfies the bandwidth
requirement of optical fiber. Hence, these support a repeater less communication.

10. (i) What is essential to initiate a system design?

(ii) Explain briefly about multiplexing.

Ans:
(i)

To initiate a system design certain basic system requirements must be specified.

These specifications includes,
1. Type of transmission i.e., digital or analog.
2. System fidelity. For a digital system, it is specified in terms of BER and for an analog
system it is specified in terms of received SNR and signal distortion.
3. Bandwidth required for transmission.
4. Spacing between the terminal equipment or intermediate repeaters.
5. Cost.
6. Reliability.
(ii)
The transfer of information over an optical fiber communication link can be
increased by multiplexing several signals on to a single fiber. These multichannel signals are
carried by multiplexing in time or frequency domain, prior to intensity modulation of optical
source.
The technique of separating signals in time is called Time Division Multiplexing (TDM).
Narrow pulses from multiple modulators under the control of a common clock (commutator) are
fed to a single channel. Pulses from individual channels are interleaved and transmitted
sequentially, thus enhancing the bandwidth utilization of a single fiber link.
The technique of separating signals in frequency is called Frequency Division Multiplexing
(FDM). In FDM, the optical channel bandwidth is divided into a number of non-overlapping
frequency bands and each signal is assigned one of these bands of frequencies. The individual
signals can be extracted from the combined FDM signal by appropriate electrical filtering at the
receiving terminal.
In contrast to the FDM, it is possible to utilize a number of optical sources
each operating at a different wavelength on the single fiber link. In this technique, referred to as
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), the separation and extraction of the multiplexed
signals (i.e., wavelength separation) is performed with optical filters.