VALLIAMMAI ENGINEERING COLLEGE

SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur 603 203.

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING


Subject Code: EC 2402
Subject Name: Optical Communication and Networking

UNIT-I INTRODUCTION
PART-A
1. The relative refractive index difference for an optical fiber is 1%. Determine the critical angle at
the core cladding interface if the core refractive index is 1.46.
2. A step index fiber has normalized frequency V=26.6 at a 1300nm wavelength. If the core radius
is 25m. find the numerical aperture.
3. Calculate the cutoff wavelength of a single mode fiber with core radius of 4m and = 0.003
4. For a fiber with core refractive index of 1.54 and fractional refractive index difference of 0.001,
calculate its numerical aperture.
5. What is the energy of a single photon of the light whose = 1550 nm, in eV? Assume that there
is a glass rod of refractive index 1.5, surrounded by air. Find the critical incident angle
6. Define attenuation constant of a fiber.
7. Difference between Single Mode fiber and Multimode fiber.
8. What is the necessity of cladding for an optical fiber?
9. The refractive indexes of the core and cladding of a silica fiber are 1.48 and 1.46 respectively.
Find the acceptance angle for the fiber.
10. Determine the normalized frequency at 820 nm for a step index fiber having a 25m radius. The
refractive indexes of the cladding and the core are 1.45 and 1.47 respectively. How many
modes propagate in this fiber at 820 nm?
11. Define numerical aperture of a step index fiber
12. Define mode-field diameter
13. What is the fundamental parameter of a single mode fiber?
14. Write any four advantages of an optical communication system
15. Define critical angle.
16. What is meant by total internal reflection?
17. What is meant by Conical Half angle?
18. Differentiate meridional ray and skew ray.
19. List out the advantages of the multimode fiber.
20. Distinguish Step index fibers and graded index fiber.

PART-B
(1) (i) Starting from the Maxwells equation, derive the expression for the wave equation of an
electromagnetic wave propagating through optical fiber. (8)
(ii)Derive the ray theory behind the optical fiber communication by total internal reflection. (8)
(2) (i)A Si fiber with silica core refractive index of 1.458, v = 75 and NA = 0.3 is to be operated at
820nm. What should be its core size and cladding refractive index? Calculate the total number
of modes entering this fiber.(8)
(ii) Derive expression for the linearly polarized modes in optical fibers and obtain the equation
for V number.(8)
(3) (i) What is numerical aperture of an optical fiber? Deduce an expression for the same. (10)
(ii) Calculate NA of silica fiber with its core refractive index (n1) of 1.48 and cladding refractive
index of 1.46. What should be the new value of n1 in order to change the NA to 0.23. (6)
(4) (i) Explain the phenomenon of total internal reflection using Snell's law with figures and
calculations. (12)
(ii) Distinguish step-index from graded index fibers. (4)
(5) Discuss about the single mode fiber with neat diagrams and expressions. (16)
(6) (i) A silica optical fiber with a core diameter large enough to be considered by ray theory analysis
has a core refractive index of 1.47. Determine (a) The critical angle at the core-cladding interface
(b) the NA for the fiber (c) the acceptance angle in air for the fiber. (6)
(ii) Write a note on step index fiber (10)
(7) (i) Write a note on Ray transmission theory (12)
(ii) Compare the optical link with that of the satellite link (4)
(8) Explain the differences between meridional and skew rays. In detail discuss about the skew rays.
(10)
Bring out the difference between phase and group velocities (6)
(9) (i) Draw and explain the refractive index profile and ray transmission in multimode step index &
graded index fibers. Write the expressions for numerical aperture & number of guided modes
for graded index fiber. (10)
(ii) A step index fiber has a core diameter of 7m and core refractive index of 1.49. Estimate the
shortest wavelength of light which allows single mode of operation when the relative
refractive index difference for the fiber is 1%. (6)
(10) (i) Explain about graded index fiber with neat diagrams. ( 8)
(ii) Determine the fraction of average optical power residing in the cladding of a step index fiber
Having core radius of 25m. The fiber operates at 1300nm and has a numerical aperture of
0.22. (8)
(11) (i) What is Numerical Aperture of an fiber? Deduce an expression for the same. (8)
(ii) A fiber has core radius of 25mm, core refractive index of 1.48 and relative refractive
index difference () is 0.01.If the operating wavelength is 0.84mm, find the value of
normalized frequency and the number of guided modes. Determine the number of guided
modes if is reduced to 0.003.
(12) A SI fiber with silica core refractive index of 1.48,V=75 and NA=0.3 is to be operated at
820nm.What should be its core size and cladding refractive index? Calculate the total number
of modes entering this fiber. (16)















UNIT II TRANSMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF OPTICAL FIBERS
PART-A

1. Mention different types of fiber connectors and its applications.
2. Define chromatic dispersion & what are the causes for the same?
3. Name the factors which are responsible for coupling losses.
4. Write the requirements of a good connector.
5. Define couplers.
6. Define dispersion & mention its types
7. Draw the structure of expanded beam connectors.
8. What are the most important nonlinear effects of optical fiber communication?
9. Write the expression for the effective number of modes guided by a curved multimode fiber of
radius 'a'.
10. What is Intra Modal Dispersion and write down its causes?
11. What is material and waveguide dispersion?
12. What is group velocity?
13. What is group delay?
14. What is polarization?
15. What is pulse broadening?
16. What is Mode Coupling?
17. Define depression shifted fiber
18. Define dispersion flattening?
19. What is the measure of information capacity in optical wave guide?
20. What is meant by Stimulated Raman Scattering?
PART-B
(1) (i) What do you mean by pulse broadening? Explain its effect on information carrying capacity
of a fiber. (12)
(ii) 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? What is the pulse spreading when a laser diode having a 2
nm spectral width is used? The material dispersion is 90 ps/nm km. (4)
(2) (i) What is meant by fiber splicing? Explain fusion splicing of optical fibers. (8)
(ii) Explain expanded beam fiber connector with a neat schematic.(8)
(3) (i) Describe the linear and non-linear scattering losses in optical fibers. (16 marks)
(4) (i) Discuss the attenuation encountered in optical fiber communication due to: (a) Bending
(b)Scattering (c) Absorption (12)
(ii)Calculate the maximum transmission distance for a fiber link with an attenuation of 0.2 dB/Km
if the power launched in 1mW and the receiver sensitivity is 50 V. Calculate the attenuation for
another link with same parameters and distance of 26Kms. (4)
(5) (i)Explain Expanded Beam Fiber Connector with a neat diagram. (8)
(ii) Draw and explain the various fiber alignment and joint losses. (8)
(6) (i) Derive the expression for material dispersion. (8)
(ii) Write a brief note on Fiber Alignment and Joint loss. (8)
(7) (i) Describe various types of fiber connectors. (8)
(ii) Explain (a) intra modal and (b) inter modal dispersion. (8)
(8) Explain the types of fiber couplers. What are the uses of it? (16)
(9) (i)Explain Expanded Beam Fiber Connector with neat diagram. (8)
(ii) Derive the expression for material dispersion. (8)
(10) Write a brief note on Fiber Alignment and Joint loss. (8)
(ii) Explain (a) intra modal and (b) inter modal dispersion. (8)
(11) Describe various types of fiber connectors. (8)
(ii) Explain the types of fiber couplers. What are the uses of it? (8)
(12) Write notes on fiber splices and connectors. (16)

UNIT III SOURCES AND DETECTORS
PART-A
1. Compare and contrast between surface and edge emitting LEDs.
2. What is the significance of intrinsic layer in PIN diodes?
3. Write two differences between Laser diode and an LED.
4. What factors cause Rayleigh scattering in optical fibers?
5. What are advantages of LED?
6. Compare and contrast between surface and edge emitting LEDs.
7. What is the significance of intrinsic layer in PIN diodes?
8. Calculate the band gap energy for an LED to emit 850 nm.
9. Define Detector response time.
10. Why silicon is not used to fabricate LED or Laser diode?
11. Calculate the external differential quantum efficiency of a laser diode operating at 1.33 m. The
slope of the straight line portion of the curve for the emitted optical power P versus drive current I is
given by 15 mW/mA.
12. Define quantum efficiency of a photo detector and write the expression.
13. What is recombination region?
14. Why carrier confinement is used in LED?
15. What is a negative index waveguide??
16. Why is heterojunction structure LED is predominantly in use?
17. What is a Lambertian pattern?
18. Define external quantum efficiency?
19. What are gain-guided lasers
20. What are single mode lasers.

PART-B
(1) (i) Compare LED with a laser diode. (4)
(ii) With the help of a neat diagram explain the construction and working of a surface emitting
LED. (12)
(2) (i) Explain the structure and working of a silicon APD. (12)
(ii) Define S/N ratio of a photo detector. What conditions should be met to achieve a high
SNR? (4)
(3) Draw and explain the structure of Fabry-Perot resonator cavity for a laser diode. Derive laser
diode rate equations. (16)
(4) (i) Draw the structure and electric fields in the APD and explain its working. (8)
(ii) What are the three factors that decides the response time of photodiodes? Explain
them in detail with necessary sketches. (8)
(5) Explain the working of n-hetero structure LED. (10)
Define Internal Quantum efficiency of a LED. Derive the expression for the same. (6)
(6) (i)What do you understand by optical wave confinement and current confinement in LASER
diode? Explain with suitable structures. (10)
(ii)Briefly explain the different noise sources of a photo detector (6)
(7) (i)Draw and explain surface and edge emitting LEDS. (8)
(ii)Explain any two injection laser structures with neat diagrams. (8)

(8) (i)Explain the operation of APD with neat diagram. (8)
(ii) A silicon PIN photodiode incorporated into an optical receiver has a quantum efficiency of
60% when operating at a wavelength of 0.9 m. The dark current in the device is 3 nA and
the load resistance is 4 K. The incident optical power is 200 nW and the post detection
bandwidth of the receiver is 5MHz. Calculate the root mean square shot noise and thermal
noise currents generated. (8)
(9) Draw and explain the structure and electric fields in the APD and explain its working. (8)
What are the three factors that decides the response time of photodiodes? Explain them in
detail with necessary sketches. (8)
(10) (i)Draw the structures of SLED and ELED and explain their principle of operations.
Draw the injection laser diode structure and explain lasing in it.
(11) (i)Draw the structures of PIN and APD photo detectors and explain their operations
(ii)Derive expressions for the SNR of both PIN and APD by incorporating all the noise sources.
(12) Discuss the noise and disturbances affecting the optical Detection systems. (16)



UNIT IV FIBER OPTIC RECEIVER AND MEASUREMENTS
PART-A
1. Mention the error sources in fiber optic receiver
2. What is dark current?
3. List out the various error sources.
4. A digital fiber optic link operating at 1310 nm requires a maximum BER of 10-8. Calculate the
required average photons per pulse.
5. The photo detector output in a cutback-attenuation set up is 3,3V at the far end of the fiber.
After cutting the fiber at the near end, 5m from the far end, photo detector output read was
3.92V. What is the attenuation of the fiber in dB/Km.
6. What is a bit period?
7. Define BER.
8. Define Inter symbol interference
9. Write the functions of optical receivers
10. Mention the names of different techniques used for determining attenuation in fiber.
11. Write the drawbacks of dispersion
12. Define 3-dB optical bandwidth
13. Mention the types of refractive index profile measurement techniques.
14. Write the expression for the bend attenuation
15. Write the expression for the difference in the refractive index.
16. What are the common methods used for the determination of fiber NA
17. Write the importance of refractive profile index measurements
18. How to measure dispersion in optic fiber?
19. What do you mean by excess noise factor?
20. Define threshold level
PART-B
1. (i) Explain the fiber optic receiver operation using a simple model and its equivalent circuit. (8)
(ii) Explain the operation of a pre-amplifier built using a FET. (8)
2. Explain the measurement technique used in the case of (16)
(i) Numerical aperture
(ii) Refractive index profile
(iii) Fiber cut-off wave length
(iv) Fiber diameter.
3. (i) Draw the front end optical amplifiers and explain. (8)
(ii) Considering the probability distributions for received logic 0 and 1 signal pulses, derive the
expressions for BER and error function. (8)
4. What are the various types of Preamplifiers available for optical networkls? Explain any three of them
with their circuit diagrams. (16)
5. Write detailed notes on the following: (16)
(i) Fibre refractive index profile measurement
(ii) Fibre cut off wavelength measurement
6.(i)Define the terms Quantum limit and Probability of error with respect to a receiver with typical
values. (6)
(ii) Discuss the noise and disturbances affecting the optical detection systems. (10)
7. (i)Explain the Insertion Loss method used for attenuation measurement. (8)
(ii) Explain the technique used in frequency domain Intermodal Dispersion measurement.(8)
8. Write a note on Fiber numerical aperture measurements. (16)
9. Draw and explain the operation of high impedance FET and BJT preamplifiers. (16)
10. Draw the front end optical amplifiers and explain. (8)
Considering the probability distributions for the received logic 0 and 1 signal pulses, derive the
expressions for BER and error function. (8)
11. Explain the fundamental receiver operation in optical communication with neat block diagram
(16)
12. Explain the error sources of fundamental receiver operations (16)

UNIT V OPTICAL NETWORKS
PART A
1. What are the three common topologies used for fiber optical network? Give the schematic of
any one network?
2. Calculate the number of independent signals that can be sent on a single fiber in the 1525-
1565 nm band. Take the spectral spacing as per ITU-T recommendation G.692
3. What were the problems associated with PDH networks?
4. Enumerate the various SONET/SDH layers.
5. Obtain the transmission bit error rate of the basic SONET framein Mbps
6. Illustrate the interchannel crosstalk that occurs in a WDM system
7. Write the functions of transport and path overhead
8. What are the drawbacks of broadcast and select networks for wide area network applications?
9. Write few advantages of the optical network
10. What is an optical network?
11. Give examples of the first and second generation optical networks
12. What is switched communication network?
13. Differentiate active and passive coupler.
14. Define SONET
15. Draw the SONET frame structure.
16. Write down the applications of SONET
17. What is meant by solitons?
18. What is the soliton width and spacing?
19. List the common topologies used for the fiber optic networks.
20. Draw a diagram on SONET system.
PART B
(1) Explain the architecture of SONET and discuss nonlinear effects on Network performance. (16)
(2) Write short notes on
(i) Wavelength routed networks. (8)
(ii) Optical CDMA. (8)
(3) Explain the principle of solitons and discuss the soliton parameters with necessary expressions
and diagrams. (16)
(4) Discuss the concepts of Media Access Control protocols in Broadcast and select
networks.(16)
(5) (i)Describe the non-linear effects on network performance in detail. (8)
(ii)Explain the basics of optical CDMA systems. (8)
(6) (i)What is a four fiber BLSR ring in a SONET ? Explain the reconfiguration of the same during
node or fiber failure. (8)
(ii)What is broadcast and select multihop network? Explain. (8)
(7) Explain the following requirementsfor the design of an optically amplified WDM Link:
(a) Link Bandwidth (8)
(b) Optical power requirements for a specific BER (8)
(8) Write short motes with neat diagrams on:
(a) Optical CDMA (8)
(b) WDM and EDFA system performance (8)
(9) Explain Architecture of SONET / SDH (16)
(10) Derive the Nonlinear effects on Network Performance (16)
(11) Write short notes on SONET frame and SONET layer structure. (16)
(12) Discuss various parameters of solitons. (16)